You’ve been planning this for the past four months or so. You’re going on a month-long holiday in Australia. Your friend, who owns a garage door repair shop there, has been inviting you for years to come over for a visit. It’s finally going to happen.
You want to maximize your month-long stay. You figured that you want to cover as much coastline as you can. So you’ve decided to start in Brisbane and then travel north to visit your friend in Cairns, where you will be spending your last ten days.
You know that you’ll get to see one of the wonders of the world—the Great Barrier Reef. But what else is in store for you? What could be your stops on the coast of the state of Queensland?
Quick Queensland Background
Queensland is located on the east coast of Australia. It is one of the six states of this island continent, and Brisbane is the capital.
Mountains, the sea, riverside, and the wild outback, all of these you can enjoy in Queensland. Because of the Great Barrier Reef, the state has become one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations.
Organizing Your Trip
A month of vacation is a long time. You have 20 days to spend staying at points and traveling on the coast. You can pack your route with several stops and make it to your friend’s place by the 8th day, a total of 1,678.5 km. But it’s probably best to pick a few spots and take time to absorb each stop fully. Consider the following options:
- Brisbane stop. You’re at the capital of Queensland. You could probably spend at least three days here, and you probably wouldn’t finish half of what the city has to offer. Markets, restaurants, parks, beaches, brewery, and sports activities are just some of the things you will enjoy while in town. Famous destinations include Anzac Square, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and Roma Street Parklands. Head out north of Brisbane for about 45 minutes, and you’ll enjoy the North Harbor, where summer temperature is 28 degrees Celsius max.
- Hervey Bay. You get to enjoy both land and water. Can’t wait to see your first whale? Go on a whale-watching cruise. Try to get detailed information about the nature of the cruise as some are more “premium” than the others. For some peace and tranquility, there is the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens. If art is your scene, visit the Ashleigh Manley Art Gallery Homewares & Gifts.
- Agnes Beach. The beach is about 5 km long. Need we say more? If you want to be where locals go, don’t miss out on the Discovery Coast Markets. This takes place only on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Browse stalls with items from books to plants to natural soap and clothes.
- Mission Beach. Your penultimate stop before you see your friend in his hometown. The perfect way to recharge is sit or lie on the beach and enjoy the 14 km stretch of coastline. Travelers are also gushing about having lunch and coffee at Ebb and Flow Café. So make sure you check it out.
You could probably add one or two more stops, but remember that it’s a long drive. Make sure to prepare your vehicle before hitting the road and take time to rest and sleep. Enjoy the coast of Queensland!
