Iconic Queensland road trip you can do on 'one tank of fuel'

Despite becoming the norm for many Aussies during the pandemic, the road trip holiday continues to have a moment.

In fact, a recent NRMA survey showed over the Easter and ANZAC long weekends just gone, of those travelling domestically 77 per cent would be driving.

And 2024 data by Budget Direct showed 60 per cent of respondents who had holidayed in the past 12 months did so within Australia.

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One of the most popular trips for both Aussies and international tourists is along the Queensland coast.

From Noosa on the Sunshine Coast to Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, there are plenty of things to see and do.

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Here are a few of the stops you can check out along the way.

Noosa 

Noosa is one of the most renowned holiday destinations in Australia, located around 141 kilometres North of Brisbane - or about an hour and a half of driving.

If you don't already know much about Noosa, whether you're a foodie, a shopaholic, a surfer, or a nature lover, you'll find something for you.

Visitors can explore the Noosa Everglades, Noosa National Park, or lay back on several gorgeous beaches.

Or go for a wander down Hastings Street, which is the main centre of the town, as it is filled with fabulous restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Gladstone 

Next up you can visit Gladstone, which is about 530 kilometres, or roughly six hours from Brisbane, and 4.5 hours from Noosa.

Gladstone is particularly famous for its water activities, including fishing, snorkelling and surfing, as the home of Queensland's most northern surf break.

While the town itself has an industrial feel, that is juxtaposed by the southern Great Barrier Reef, and it's from here that you can escape to gorgeous tropical spots like Heron Island and Lady Musgrave Island. 

The region has a population of nearly 63,000, and those 63,000 get to enjoy over 200 festivals a year - including the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race and Roots Festival.

Rockhampton 

Rockhampton is a beautiful place to stop, featuring old heritage-listed buildings, such as St Joseph's Cathedral, and a really great theatre scene if you're keen for a good culture fix. 

There's a population of just 82,000, but there is a little airport that carries a large number of international airlines, so the city can still feel like it's buzzing.

About half an hour further north, if you have time, you'll find the multi-award-winning Capricorn Caves, believed to be Queensland's oldest tourist attraction.

Clairview 

The stretch from Rockhampton to Mackay is a big one, but there are plenty of scenic spots you can stop along the way to stretch your legs.

Clairview is about halfway between Rockhampton and Mackay, and while this little seaside town is good for crabbing and fishing, it's best known for being home to a fully protected dugong sanctuary. 

St Lawrence Wetlands  

Another great place to spot is at St Lawrence Wetlands, where you can pause for a picnic, enjoy some peace and quiet, and spot over 100 species of birds.

According to bird.org, where people can list their sightings, this month alone, birdwatchers have spotted the cotton Pygmy goose, freckled duck, wandering whistling duck, and plumed whistling duck.

Mackay 

Pulling off the Bruce Highway, you'll next arrive in the tourist hub Mackay, which is nearly 1000 kilometres north of Brisbane. 

Mackay is specifically built to cater to the huge number of tourists that pass through on road trips up the Queensland coastline, and as a result, you'll find motels virtually on every corner, as well as lots of good restaurants and cafes.

But tourism isn't the only industry that keeps this coastal town booming. Mackay produces 800k tonnes of raw sugar a year across 1300 local sugarcane farms that supply three local mills. And you'll spot signs of the importance of this industry at the port.

If you're spending time here with the kids (or the adult kids), then a fun activity to do is to find all the big things that have a home here - there's a big bulldog, a big Fred Flintstone, big Snoopy, and a crocodile.

Situated in the town centre of Sarina, approximately 35 kilometres south of Mackay, you'll spot Buffy, a large Cane Toad statue.

Airlie Beach 

By now, you've made it nearly halfway up the Queensland coast, so it's the perfect time to pause and get ready to explore one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Airlie Beach, the gateway to the stunning Whitsundays, is located about 1100 kilometres from Brisbane and 630 kilometres from Cairns (to the north). The drive from Mackay takes about two hours.

Airlie Beach is still on the mainland, but it is the launchpad to the other Whitsunday Islands - plenty of which you've probably heard of, such as Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and Whitsunday Island itself, to name but a few. 

You can enjoy water sports, hire a yacht, and do plenty of fishing.

Or you can get out and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef by sailing, scuba diving and snorkelling, to trying fast jet-boat rides, rainforest tours, and flying over the spectacular scenary.

You can watch the Drive and Good Food team embark on this 1050km-plus journey (on one tank of fuel) from Noosa to the Whitsundays, in the new Jaecoo J7 SHS, on watch