The Pacific Coast Way: A Bucket List Road Trip from Gold Coast to Cairns
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The Pacific Coast Way: A Bucket List Road Trip from Gold Coast to Cairns

19.03.2026

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A road with trees and rocks on either side. With the vast ocean on one side. The water is clear and blue

Summary

Few Australian road trips capture the scale and diversity of Queensland quite like the Pacific Coast Way. Stretching nearly 1,600 kilometres from the Gold Coast to Cairns, this coastal journey passes through vibrant cities, relaxed beach towns, island gateways and lush tropical landscapes. With the freedom of a rental car, travellers can explore the route at their own pace, stopping at beaches, national parks and coastal lookouts that are often difficult to reach by public transport.

 

Whether you spread the journey across ten days or take a few weeks to explore every highlight, the Pacific Coast Way is one of Australia’s most memorable self-drive adventures. Along the way, many travellers choose to stay at Accor properties across Queensland’s coastal cities, where members of the ALL, Accor Live Limitless and ALL Accor Plus programs can access exclusive rates and travel benefits.

 

Gold Coast

Your road trip begins on the Gold Coast, where golden beaches meet a lively coastal atmosphere. Bustling Surfers Paradise is often a first stop for visitors, with its high-rise skyline overlooking the long stretch of beach. You’ll find non-stop activities for every traveller along Cavill Avenue and its surrounds. Just a short drive south, Burleigh Heads offers a more relaxed vibe, with leafy parklands, top notch food and drinks and one of the region’s most popular surf breaks.

 

Before heading north, take advantage of your rental car to explore beyond the coastline. A drive inland to Springbrook National Park reveals a completely different landscape. Rainforest walking tracks lead to dramatic lookouts and waterfalls including Purling Brook Falls and the Natural Bridge.

 

Stay the night at Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, offering a luxurious base, just steps from the beach and dining precincts of Broadbeach.

Two women stand in front of the beach with iced coffees in hand. There are people and surfers in the water.
A table with plates of food and glasses of colourful drinks.
A hotel pool with sun lounges and views of surrounding buildings

Brisbane

Drive from Gold Coast: approximately 1 hour

 

The Pacific Coast Way continues north to Brisbane, Queensland’s relaxed riverside capital. South Bank is one of the best places to begin exploring, where parklands, restaurants and cultural institutions line the Brisbane River. Visit Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, or relax by Streets Beach lagoon or enjoy the riverside walking paths. Park the car for the day and travel by CityCat to see the city from a new perspective on the river. Settle in for dinner and drinks at Howard Smith Wharves.

 

With your rental car, it’s easy to venture a little further to scenic viewpoints such as Mount Coot-tha, where panoramic views stretch across the city skyline and surrounding mountains.

 

Stay central and book in at Pullman Brisbane King George Square, offering easy access to the city’s shopping and dining precincts.

Two people walking through South Bank parklands looking up at pink flowers above.
A family walk along a wharf with a large bride above. There are people sitting at the tables of a restaurant overlooking the river.
A hotel bar with lounge seats an high stools. The bar sits high on the rooftop with towering buildings surrounding

Sunshine Coast

Drive from Brisbane: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes

 

Leaving the city of Brisbane behind, the route leads to the Sunshine Coast, where pristine beaches and coastal national parks create a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Noosa Heads is a popular stop, thanks to its stylish beach culture and beautiful natural surroundings. The coastal walking track through Noosa National Park passes secluded coves and scenic lookouts. Make sure you’re on the look out for dolphins, turtles and migrating whales.

 

The Sunshine Coast hinterland is worth exploring. With the flexibility of your rental car, you can detour into the rolling green hills of Montville and Maleny, where artisan shops, local produce and scenic views provide a refreshing contrast to the coast.

 

Enjoy a relaxing stay at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, surrounded by tropical gardens and a peaceful lagoon.

Two people on stand up paddle boards floating on calm blue water.
Two kids run towards the ocean. The sun glows on the beach
An aerial shot of a resort with a large pool as the centrepiece. There is a boardwalk that does out in to the water.

Hervey Bay

Drive from Sunshine Coast: approximately 3 hours

 

Further north, Hervey Bay offers calm waters, relaxed coastal charm and one of the best whale watching experiences in Australia. Between July and October, humpback whales migrate through the bay and often pause here to rest and play, giving visitors exceptional opportunities to see them up close.

 

Hervey Bay also serves ad the gateway to K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a day trip or stay overnight to explore the freshwater lakes, towering sand dunes and unique ecosystems of the island. 

 

If you’re staying on K’gari, Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island offers premiere eco accommodation. Otherwise, the marina location of Mantra Hervey Bay offers easy access to island tours and waterfront dining.

A whale breaches out of clear blue water. It's tail pokes up through the ocean.
A set of stairs leading down to a beach with bright white sand and clear water. There are native tress surrounding
A secluded resort balcony with two glasses of champagne sitting on a table. The sun sets in purple and orange colours in the distance
A hotel balcony with a table with tea cups. Overlooking a marina with boats in the harbour.

Bundaberg

Drive from Hervey Bay: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

 

Best known for it’s famous rum distillery, the Bundaberg region also offers some remarkable wildlife experiences. Mon Repos Beach is one of the most important turtle conservation sites in Australia. During nesting and hatching season, witness endangered sea turtles laying eggs or watch hatchlings emerge and make their journey to the ocean.

 

The surrounding coastline is also the southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, with nearby islands offering snorkelling and diving opportunities.

 

Stay the night in Bundaberg, or continue north to Mantra Gladstone, offering a comfortable overnight stop.

A small turtle waddles over a rock on a rocky beach.

Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast

Drive from Bundaberg: approximately 4 hours. Drive from Gladstone: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes

 

Rockhampton sits on the banks of the Fitzroy River and serves as the gateway to the Capricorn Coast. Just a short drive away, the coastal town of Yeppoon offers relaxed beaches and scenic ocean views. Take a ferry from the marina to Great Keppel Island, where clear water and coral reefs offer excellent snorkelling conditions.

 

Book in for a guided tour of the Capricorn Caves, a highlight of the region. Explore the impressive limestone formations hidden beneath the surrounding landscape.

 

Stay the night overlooking the Fitzroy River at Mercure Rockhampton providing a convenient base before continuing your journey north.

A couple with a car parked near the beach. There's a rocky formation sitting in the ocean and a boat diving past in the water.
An aerial view of people snorkelling over a reef. A boat floats in clear water.
People walk along a suspension bridge surrounded by high rocks and green trees.

Mackay

Drive from Rockhampton: approximately 4 hours

 

Mackay combines tropical coastline with lush rainforest landscapes. Watch the sunrise at Cape Hillsborough National park, where kangaroos and wallabies often gather on the beach as the sun rises over the Coral Sea.

 

Drive inland to Eungella National Park, one of the best places in Australia to spot a platypus in the wild. The winding mountain road to the park highlights just how valuable having your own vehicle can be when exploring regional Queensland. 

 

Enjoy a relaxing stay on the waterfront at Mantra Mackay and recharge while overlooking the marina.

A couple walk on the beach while the sun sets with pink tones. A group of kangaroos sit on the beach digging in the sand.
A winding road with a lone car, surrounded by tropical green trees.
A hotel breakfast on a table with grass and palm trees surrounding. There are boats in the marina in the background

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays

Drive from Mackay: approximately 2 hours

 

Airlie Beach is the gateway to the spectacular Whitsunday Islands and one of the most memorable stops along the Pacific Coast Way. Sail and explore turquoise waters and coral reefs. Head to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, known for it’s brilliant white silica sand and swirling tidal patterns. The beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

 

The town of Airlie Beach offers a relaxed tropical atmosphere, with cafes, restaurants and a lively marina precinct.

 

The Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach provides a comfortable base, surrounded by tropical gardens, while you explore the region.

A person snorkels in clear blue water, looking at coral and surrounded by fish
A person with flippers on their feet swims in clear turquoise water with a reef below and birds flying above
A viewpoint looking over a beach with bright blue water and white sand.
Palm trees and a beach at sunset. The sky glows orange and purple with a lit up ferris wheel in the background
An aerial view of a tropical resort. There is a pool in the centre surrounded by palm trees and other greenery

Townsville

Drive from Airlie Beach: approximately 2 hours

 

Townsville is the largest city in North Queensland and a natural pause in the journey before reaching the tropics of Far North Queensland. Set along the Coral Sea, it combines a laid-back coastal atmosphere with easy access to one of the region’s most memorable island escapes, Magnetic Island.

 

Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, Magnetic Island feels a world away, with over half the island protected as a national park. Having your own vehicle makes it easy to explore Townsville at your own pace, highlights include the Strand waterfront and the panoramic lookout from Castle Hill.

On Magnetic Island, quiet bays, walking trails and abundant wildlife define the experience. One of the most popular spots is Geoffrey Bay, known for its calm, clear waters and resident rock wallabies that gather along the shoreline at dusk. It’s also one of the best snorkelling locations on the island, with a marked snorkel trail that weaves through coral and tropical fish just offshore. Nearby Alma Bay offers a patrolled swimming beach, while walking tracks across the island lead to hidden coves and scenic lookouts.

 

Base yourself on the island at Grand Mercure Apartments Magnetic Island, where spacious, self-contained apartments provide a relaxed coastal retreat overlooking the Coral Sea.

A group of people with snorkels look at a turtle floating in clear water
A woman holds a child and points at a small animal sitting on a rock
A car travels along a coastal road with choppy water in the ocean and rocks and trees on the other side
A family walk along a secluded beach with white sand and blue water. There are tree lined hills in the background
An infinity pool looks out onto the ocean with boats in the water

Cairns

Drive from Townsville: approximately 4 hours

 

The final stretch of the Pacific Coast Way is one of the most scenic, with opportunities to detour inland and explore some of North Queensland’s most impressive natural landmarks. Around halfway between Townsville and Cairns, a worthwhile inland detour leads to Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall. Surrounded by lush rainforest, the falls are particularly spectacular after rain, and the drive itself highlights the dramatic landscapes of the region.

 

As you approach Cairns, the coastline becomes increasingly tropical. One of the most iconic viewpoints along this stretch is Rex Lookout, where sweeping views over the Coral Sea and winding coastal road create a memorable photo stop. It’s a reminder of how far the journey has come, from surf beaches in the south to rainforest-lined shores in the north.

 

Once in Cairns, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the surrounding natural beauty. A highlight for many visitors is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which glides above the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, offering a unique perspective over dense canopy, rivers and mountain ranges as it connects Cairns with Kuranda.

 

Within the city, the Esplanade Lagoon provides a scenic place to swim and relax, while cafés and restaurants line the waterfront. Cairns is also the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, with day trips departing daily for snorkelling and diving experiences.

 

For a peaceful and elevated end to the journey, Peppers Beach Club & Spa offers a resort-style escape just north of Cairns, where palm-lined beaches and a slower pace provide the perfect contrast to the drive. Alternatively, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort offers a central stay close to the Esplanade, with a lagoon-style pool that reflects the tropical setting.

An aerial view of a couple surrounded by trees with yellow leaves looking out at a vast waterfall cascading down a steep rock face
A car drives along a winding road with the calm ocean on the side.
Two people walk along a boardwalk in the tree tops of a green rainforest
Two people stand at a lookout overlooking tree lined hills and a river below.
Two people dine outside by the waterfront. With glasses of wine and large plates of food
People hold hands in the resort pool surrounded by palm trees
A resort pool with people enjoying themselves. The area is surrounded by palm trees

Plan Your Pacific Coast Way Adventure

 

Driving the Pacific Coast Way is about more than reaching the final destination. Each stretch of coastline reveals something new, from whale watching in Hervey Bay to island adventures in the Whitsundays and rainforest landscapes in Far North Queensland. With the flexibility of a rental car, you can discover hidden beaches, scenic detours and regional towns that make the journey just as rewarding as the destination.

 

From the Gold Coast’s surf beaches to the tropical waters of Cairns, the Pacific Coast Way remains one of Australia’s most iconic road trips. With Europcar, you can enjoy the freedom and comfort to experience every moment along the way.

 

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland, Jason Hill, Lauren Bath, Tourism Tropical North and Accor

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