Campervan Hire Brisbane — Sunshine Coast, K'gari and the Road North, 2027 Guide

Brisbane is the southern gateway to Queensland and the starting point for Australia's longest classic route, up the coast to Cairns. Campervan hire depots are mostly in the north of the city, near the airport, so you are on the motorway north within minutes. Unlike southern Australia, the main season here is winter: from May to October the days are sunny and dry and the nights are cool.

The first three days: Sunshine Coast and Noosa

Noosa is about 140 km away, less than two hours' drive. On the way are the Glass House Mountains, volcanic plugs rising from the plain an hour north of the city, with a lookout you can reach on a sealed road. Noosa has a national park on the headland, with a coastal track and koalas in the trees, and the campgrounds along the Noosa River fill up at weekends. This is a good trial run before the long haul: short legs, well-kept holiday parks and a sea you can swim in all year.

K'gari (Fraser Island): not with the campervan

The world's largest sand island has no sealed roads, so only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed. A hire campervan stays on the mainland, in Hervey Bay (about 290 km from Brisbane) or Rainbow Beach (about 240 km), and you see the island on a one- or two-day tour by four-wheel-drive bus. Lake McKenzie, the Maheno shipwreck and the drive along 75 Mile Beach fit into one long day.

North on the Bruce Highway

Brisbane to Cairns is about 1,700 km. For most of its length the Bruce Highway is an ordinary road with one lane each way, with trucks and roadworks, so plan on no more than 300 km a day and at least ten to fourteen days one way. The usual stops are Agnes Water and the Town of 1770, Airlie Beach as the base for the Whitsundays (about 1,100 km from Brisbane), Townsville and Mission Beach. Most companies let you return the vehicle in Cairns for a one-way fee.

South: Gold Coast and Byron Bay

Surfers Paradise is an hour south, Byron Bay two hours. The Gold Coast hinterland, with Springbrook and Lamington national parks, is cooler and quieter than the coast. This is the direction for those with only a few days.

Where to stay overnight

There is no overnight camping in Brisbane's city parks; the holiday parks are in Newmarket, five kilometres north of the centre, and in Eight Mile Plains to the south. Campgrounds in Queensland's national parks need a permit bought online in advance. At many signposted rest areas along the Bruce Highway you may stay overnight, usually for up to 20 hours, free of charge and with no facilities.

What to watch out for

• Tolls. Bridges and tunnels in Brisbane, including the Gateway bridge by the airport, are tolled electronically only.
• Marine stingers. North of Agnes Water, from November to May, there are dangerous jellyfish in the sea. Swim inside the nets or in a stinger suit.
• Crocodiles. North of Rockhampton, stay out of rivers and estuaries and do not camp right at the water's edge.
• Wet season. From December to March the tropical north gets heavy rain, roads close because of flooding, and cyclones are possible.

A campervan in Brisbane through Crystalium Booker

We are still building our campervan offer in Brisbane. Send us your dates and group size through the contact page and we will look for a vehicle for you, and keep an eye on the campervans in Brisbane page for new listings. Do you hire out a campervan in or around Brisbane? List it with us.