Introducing Australia’s Nature Coast Drive

Day 1: Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Your journey along Australia's Nature Coast Drive begins in the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, where nature and farm-to-table produce play. It's a short one hour drive from Brisbane to get here, whether you're driving straight from Brisbane Airport or jumping in the car after first spending a few days in the capital. 

Rise early to tackle a hike in one of Queensland’s most sacred national parks: watching the sun peak over the horizon from the summit of Mt Ngungun is an awe-inspiring way to start this road trip. Refuel afterwards with a little café hopping and retail therapy in nearby mountain villages Montville or Maleny. Maleny Food Co is the place to go for gelato, local cheese and gourmet picnic boxes – and the best way to enjoy it is to head to Kondalilla National Park. Find a spot in the lush picnic area, and once you’ve eaten, walk the trail to Kondalilla Falls: it's perfect for a dip on a warm day.

Want to meet local wildlife? World-renowned Australia Zoo is close by, so take a tour have Aussie animal encounters, witness the legacy of the Irwin family, and don't miss the Croc show. 

Overnight: Sink into a soothing bath at Narrow’s Escape Rainforest Retreat in Montville.

Day 2: Mooloolaba

Make your way from the mountains to the coast to meet our favourite travellers, who come to frolick in our waters between June and November each year. You’ll get eye to eye with humpback whales on a cruise with Sunreef – whether you’re diving in for a swim, or watching the action from the boat.

Golden hour is best viewed from the deck of Saltwater Eco Cruises’ historic yacht, with live music, nibbles and champagne as the sun dips into the sea. More than just a cruise, this Indigenous-owned tour offers insight into the local Kabi Kabi people and their connection with the ocean. 

Once you disembark, you’ll have your pick of dining in Mooloolaba. But a crowd favourite is Fish on Parkyn - it's been serving up ‘Dock to Table’ sustainable seafood for 15 years and is sure to impress whether you get the catch of the day or Malay seafood curry. Or drive 20-minutes’ south to get your fill of live music and international bites at shipping container playground NightQuarter.

Overnight: Splash out with a stay at Oceans Mooloolaba, or check into Peninsula Beachfront Resort.

Day 3: Noosa

Start slow this morning to soak up Mooloolaba’s sense of calm. There’s plenty of great breakfast spots in the neighbourhood, like The Velo Project, but if the beach is calling order breakfast to-go from The Colombian Coffee Co and enjoy your coffee with your toes in the sand.

It’s then time to jump back in the car and trace the David Low Way to Noosa via the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches and coastal hamlets. Once you arrive, you’ll quickly see why Noosa is the coast’s most stylish seaside village. Browse the designer boutiques that lie just steps from the sand on Hastings Street, before taking in the ocean views over lunch at Bistro C, Boardwalk Bistro or a more casual affair at Noosa Heads Surf Club.

Feeling energetic? The coastal walking paths around Noosa National Park are waiting: keep your eyes peeled as koalas are often spotted resting in the gum trees here. Noosa is also a great place to learn to surf, with calm beaches perfect for first-timers. 

Otherwise, hop on a sunset cruise along Noosa River that’ll drop you like a VIP at Noosa Boathouse for dinner. Led by Chef Shane Bailey, this waterfront restaurant dishes up locally harvested produce and seafood with iconic Queensland flavours.

Overnight: Sleep where you’ll hear the sound of waves lapping the shore at Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort or Netanya - two of the top picks for accommodation in Noosa.

Day 4: Noosa Everglades

Sleep past 7am and you’ll feel like you’re the last person to get out of bed. Noosa is a village of early risers that venture out to jog, surf, or nab the seaside-spot at a café. Our recommendation? Join them. Take an early morning stroll along Main Beach with the help of a locally-roasted coffee from Café Le Monde.

Your next destination is one of the most biodiverse places in Australia, and it lies just 30 minutes’ drive from the beach. Noosa Everglades – one of only two everglades systems on the planet – is a spectacular network of waterways waiting to be explored, and home to over 40% of Australia’s bird species. Join a Cruise ‘n’ Canoe tour to paddle through the river of mirrors and spot birdlife – you’ll feel like you’ve discovered something truly special here.

This afternoon, enjoy a beer from CootharaBAR, the microbrewery located in the national park. Take a dip in the lake, and watch the kangaroos come out to play at sunset.

Overnight: Spend the night under a canvas rooftop at Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp’s glamping tents.

Day 5: Rainbow Beach

Sip your morning coffee to the sound of native birds and breathe in the sweet smell of gumtrees before you leave Habitat. The quiet morning continues as you wind your way along the country roads and small towns between Noosa and Rainbow Beach. The drive isn’t long, but make an excuse to pit-stop at Cooloola Berries or Lindols Macadamia Farm for morning tea with local growers.

The coastal enclave of Rainbow Beach gets its name from the kaleidoscope of colours you’ll meet here. And while tomorrow’s 4WD adventure will take you to the most vibrant locations, you can get a taste of its magnitude by taking a hike up to Carlo Sand Blow for sunset. This huge sand dune is worth the sweat for views alone: keep your eyes peeled for breaching whales during whale season.

Overnight: Soak up panoramic views from the luxury apartments at Rainbow Ocean Palms. You won’t want to leave, so grab some groceries to barbeque from the deck. Otherwise, relaxed Arcobaleno’s is the dinner spot in town.

Day 6: Rainbow Beach

Buckle up: you won’t be behind the wheel for this morning’s adventure, but you’re in for the drive of a lifetime. Escape the bitumen to join Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours for a half day rip along the sand to the area’s most famous (and colourful) spots. Rainbow sand cliffs on one side, ocean on the other.

Switch gears and power your own adventures this afternoon: kayak with dolphins at remote Double Island Point, or saddle up for a horse ride along the beach.

Overnight: Settle back into your accommodation for a second night, after a casual bite to eat at Rainbow Beach Surf Club.

Day 7: Hervey Bay

There’s about 130km between Rainbow Beach and your next destination along Australia’s Nature Coast Drive – but take your time and stop in at Maryborough en route. If it feels this quaint country town is pulled from the pages of a storybook, that’s because it is. The birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers, it’s well worth visit to the Mary Poppins themed museum, then let your imagination guide you through the historic streets to Queen’s Park.

30 minutes’ drive later you’ll land in the whale watching capital of Hervey Bay. There’s plenty of calm beaches here to keep you occupied before its time to board a sunset cruise with Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tours or Blue Dolphin Tours. A little champagne on deck is the perfect entrée to dinner and drinks at Enzo’s on the Beach.

Overnight: Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa or Sanctuary Lakes Fauna Retreat.

Day 8: Hervey Bay

The Fraser Coast has some big accolades: home to the world’s first whale heritage area and the world’s largest sand island (just one of the reasons this special place is world-heritage listed).

A day tour that combines a little of both, jump on board Tasman Venture for a whale watching excursion that’ll also take you to the untouched remote west coast of K'gari (Fraser Island). Explore while bushwalking, snorkelling, kayaking and swimming in wilderness most people only get to dream about – in between close encounters with the humpbacks as they rise to the ocean’s surface to wave hello.

Once you’re back on land, take your pick of alfresco restaurants that line the Esplanade. Water’s Edge Seafood Restaurant and The Vinyard are popular for good reason, but wherever you dine make sure you order Hervey Bay scallops or K'gari (Fraser Island) prawns. Nothing tastes better than when you’re at the source.

Overnight: Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa or Sanctuary Lakes Fauna Retreat.

Day 9: K'gari (Fraser Island)

Summer never really ends on K’Gari. Meaning paradise, that’s what the Butchalla people call K'gari (Fraser Island); and the feeling of paradise once you sink your toes into the sand here is pretty endless too.

Drive to River Heads to take the ferry to the island, which departs at 9am or 1pm daily.

Settle into island life this afternoon. This is nature’s playground – where white sand beaches, towering tropical rainforest and freshwater lakes meet. And if you’re looking to disconnect, this is the place to do it. Watch the sunset over the beach, then take a ranger guided night walk.

Overnight: in the eco-friendly Kingfisher Bay Resort after dinner at Seabelle, located onsite.

Day 10: K'gari (Fraser Island)

Today’s the day you see all of K'gari's biggest sights, on the Beauty Spots 4WD tour from the resort. Travel along 75 Mile Beach’s iconic sand highway to marvel at the Maheno shipwreck and coloured sands of The Pinnacles, cool off with a swim in Lake McKenzie, journey through Pile Valley, and float down the fresh waters of Eli Creek.

Toast to your final night on K'gari at the Sunset Bar: there’s plenty more adventure waiting for you tomorrow.

Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort

Day 11: Lady Elliot Island

It’ll be hard to drag yourself away from K'gari, but this morning you need to be on the 7.50am ferry back to River Heads to connect with a 10.30am flight from Hervey Bay airport. Today, you’ll touch down on the Great Barrier Reef.

There’s nowhere on earth quite like Lady Elliot Island. One of Queensland’s biggest environmental success stories, this coral cay is one of the most pristine places to dive in and explore the coral world below. Walk straight off the beach to swim or snorkel amongst thousands of tropical fish, and spot manta rays, turtles, reef sharks and more.

There’s no WiFi, TV or mobile reception here. But that’s exactly the point: you’re here to take in the glory of Mother Nature amongst a team of marine biologists and environmentalists who work every day to preserve this for years to come. So if you need a break from the water, take a behind-the-scenes tour to see the island’s low impact operation, a guided reef walk or glass bottom boat tour.

Overnight: Find solace in beachfront units, safari tents or cabins right here at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. If you’re here during turtle hatching season, you might just meet some of the next generation as they scurry to the sea by moonlight.

Day 12: Lady Elliot Island – Hervey Bay

Wake to the sounds of seabirds and gently lapping water on the coral beach: it’s a fitting way to end your journey along Australia’s Nature Coast. You could linger over breakfast with views like these, but pop on your snorkel and head back into the water: if you haven’t already tackled the two self-guided snorkelling trails, this is your chance to do so.

After lunch, take a guided ranger walk around the island before your return flight home. Nab a window seat for the most spectacular reef views on departure, the fitting way to end your journey.

The only question is, where to next?

When to do Australia’s Nature Coast Drive

You can experience nature’s finest year-round on Australia’s Nature Coast Drive, but time your trip right and you can visit during whale-watching season, witness turtles nesting and hatching, or dive in when the manta rays are in their prime. Or come for an exciting local event: from arts and culture festivals to heart-racing triathlons, there’s always something on in Queensland.