Roadtrips

Sydney to Cairns Roadtrip Guide

The Sydney to Cairns drive is the most iconic campervan route on Australiaโ€™s East Coast. Youโ€™ll pass stunning beaches, rainforests, reefs, and remote gems โ€” and thanks to Imoovaโ€™s campervan rental deals, you can do it all for as little as $1/day. Whether you're chasing surf breaks, waterfalls, or sunny campsites, this 10-day itinerary combines flexibility and adventure with affordability.

Why Choose Imoova For Your Roadtrip?

Imoova offers unbeatable campervan rental and car rental relocation deals โ€” starting from just $1/day, often with some fuel or toll costs included. Travel like a pro, on a budget, and with ultimate freedom. The Sydney to Cairns drive is perfect for this: over 2,400 km of coastline, surf towns, rainforest, reef, and endless adventure.

๐Ÿ“ Day 1: Sydney to Port Stephens (210 km / 2.5 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • Climb Tomaree Head Summit Walk for panoramic ocean views

  • Swim or snorkel at Shoal Bay or Zenith Beach

  • Book a dolphin-watching cruise in Nelson Bay

Food:

  • โ˜• The Little Nel Cafรฉ โ€“ brunch with harbour views

  • ๐Ÿ• Pasta Di Porto โ€“ fresh pasta & woodfired pizza

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ• Halifax Holiday Park โ€“ walking distance to beaches

  • ๐Ÿ• BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Soldiers Point โ€“ great amenities

๐Ÿ“ Day 2: Port Stephens to Port Macquarie (250 km / 3.5 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • Stop at Forster for a quick dip or coffee

  • Visit Koala Hospital and Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk

  • Enjoy a sunset walk along Town Beach Breakwall

Food:

  • ๐Ÿ” Burger Rebellion โ€“ loaded local burgers

  • ๐Ÿฅ— The Stunned Mullet โ€“ fancier dinner spot with ocean views

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ• Flynns Beach Caravan Park โ€“ short walk to surf beach

  • ๐Ÿ• NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park

๐Ÿ“ Day 3: Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour (160 km / 2 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • Detour inland to Dorrigo National Park โ€“ waterfalls and rainforest walks

  • Visit The Big Banana โ€“ iconic photo op and waterslides

  • Relax at Jetty Beach or hike Muttonbird Island

Food:

  • ๐Ÿณ Old Johnโ€™s โ€“ hip breakfast spot

  • ๐ŸŒฎ Lime Mexican โ€“ great value and tasty

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ• BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park

  • ๐Ÿ• Reflections Holiday Park Coffs Harbour

๐Ÿ“ Day 4: Coffs Harbour to Yamba (130 km / 1.5 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • Surf at Turners Beach or Angourie Point

  • Swim in Angourie Blue Pool (freshwater rock pool)

  • Take a sunset stroll along Yamba Breakwall

Food:

  • ๐ŸŸ Yambaโ€™s Fisho โ€“ famous for classic Aussie fish & chips

  • ๐Ÿณ Cafรฉ Angourie โ€“ wholesome brekkie & coffee

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ• Calypso Holiday Park โ€“ right on the river

  • ๐Ÿ• Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort โ€“ great for families

๐Ÿ“ Day 5: Yamba to Byron Bay (130 km / 2 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • Hike to Cape Byron Lighthouse for sunrise

  • Chill at Wategos Beach or take a surf lesson

  • Explore Byronโ€™s quirky shops and live street music

Food:

  • ๐Ÿฅ— Combi โ€“ smoothie bowls, organic eats

  • ๐Ÿ” BayGer โ€“ amazing handmade burgers

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ• First Sun Holiday Park โ€“ beachfront, walk to town

  • ๐Ÿ• Byron Holiday Park โ€“ shaded and quieter

๐Ÿ“ Day 6: Byron Bay to Noosa via Gold Coast (250 km / 3.5 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • ๐Ÿž๏ธ Burleigh Heads National Park walk

  • ๐Ÿ–๏ธ Swim at Tallebudgera Creek

  • ๐ŸฆŽ Noosa National Park hike

Food Spots:

  • ๐Ÿฅ Paddock Bakery (Gold Coast)

  • ๐Ÿฅช Raw Energy (Noosa)

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ Noosa River Holiday Park

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Noosa

๐Ÿ“ Day 7: Noosa to Agnes Water / 1770 (370km / 4.5 hrs)

Things to Do:

  • ๐Ÿ–๏ธ Swim at Main Beach

  • ๐Ÿ›ถ Explore 1770 Headland or book a kayak tour

  • ๐ŸŒ… Catch an epic coastal sunset

Food Spots:

  • ๐Ÿณ Kiss the Cook Cafรฉ

  • ๐Ÿค Codieโ€™s Place

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ 1770 Camping Ground

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ Agnes Water Beach Holidays

๐Ÿ“ Day 8: Agnes Water to Airlie Beach (450km / 5.5hrs)

Things to Do:

  • ๐Ÿž๏ธ Scenic drive through sugarcane fields

  • ๐Ÿ’ฆ Relax at Airlie Lagoon

  • ๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธ Book a Whitsundays snorkelling cruise

Food Spots:

  • ๐Ÿ• La Marina

  • ๐Ÿฅ— Bohemian Raw Cafรฉ

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ Discovery Parks โ€“ Airlie Beach

๐Ÿ“ Day 9: Airlie Beach to Townsville (275km / 3.5hrs)

Things to Do:

  • ๐ŸŒด Explore The Strand

  • ๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset at Castle Hill

  • ๐Ÿจ Option: Magnetic Island day trip

Food Spots:

  • ๐Ÿฅ— The Strand Cafรฉ

  • ๐Ÿป City Lane (great for evening eats & drinks)

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ BIG4 Rowes Bay Beachfront Holiday Park

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ Secura Lifestyle The Lakes

๐Ÿ“ Day 10: Townsville to Cairns (via Mission Beach) (350 km / 4.5hrs)

Things to Do:

  • ๐Ÿ–๏ธ Swim or skydive at Mission Beach

  • ๐ŸŒฟ Detour to Babinda Boulders or Josephine Falls

  • ๐ŸŒ† End at Cairns Esplanade & Lagoon

Food Spots:

  • ๐Ÿฆ Prawn Star โ€“ seafood on a boat

  • ๐Ÿœ Ganbaranba โ€“ best ramen in Cairns

Campgrounds:

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ NRMA Cairns Holiday Park

  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

The Sydney to Cairns drive is one of Australia's most unforgettable road trips. With Imoovaโ€™s cheap campervan rentals, you can explore it all on your own schedule โ€” and for just $1/day.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Browse current relocation deals at imoova.com

Sydney to Cairns Fuel Calculator

Sydney to Cairns road trip scenery

Estimated Fuel Cost

A$417.10

Based on average gasoline price A$1.90 per litre

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