Cairns to Sydney road trip: Must-see gems along the way
We all know about Fraser Island but did you know about the Mary Poppins traffic light and Cistern Chapel at Maryborough? Here’s some gems on a Cairns to Sydney road trip.
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Driving from Cairns to Sydney is about 2400km and takes about 27 hours if you’re driving straight down the east coast.
But when you actually do a 9000km round trip in six weeks, you can’t help but find some gems beyond the usual tourist attractions.
We all know about Fraser Island and whale-watching season at Hervey Bay but did you know about the Mary Poppins traffic light and Cistern Chapel at nearby Maryborough?
Nearly everyone stops for a crab sanga at Cardwell but did you know about the delectable bakery offerings at Babinda up the road?
Here’s a list of must-stop gems for your next road trip:
1. Cairns to Townsville
Seek relief from the humid temperatures of Far North Queensland with a dip at Babinda Boulders.
Nearby Josephine Falls is a popular swimming hole but I got it on good authority from a Tully girl that Babinda was the place to go and she was not wrong.
Don’t miss the vast selection of baked goods, and cracking hot pies, at Babinda Bakery on your way to or from the waterhole.
If you stop for some crab delights in Cardwell, drive out behind the town to the aqua-coloured Cardwell Spa Pool.
If you do head out on the Great Barrier Reef while up north – my recommendation is taking Quicksilver’s Silversonic from Port Douglas out to three Agincourt ribbon reefs.
The Wavedancer Low Isles is a good closer option from Port Douglas but, if you have kids, the Green Island option from Cairns is a decent introduction.
TIP: Join the Facebook group Far North Queensland Swimming Holes for other beautiful spots to cool off while up north.
2. Whitsundays
Everyone raves about Airlie Beach and there’s no doubt Whitehaven beach is to die for.
But Bowen in the north of the Whitsundays also has stunning beaches and I would argue the colour of the ocean can be more stunning on the right day than just about anywhere else in North Queensland.
It’s where the Baz Luhrmann film Australia was filmed with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman back in 2007.
Plus you can find two eatery gems in the town – the new cafe on Flagstaff Hill has 180-degree views of the Whitsundays and the Grand View Hotel, where Australia was filmed, has a saliva-inducing menu.
If you do head out into the islands off Airlie – I would recommend the Red Cat Adventures day tour out to Whitehaven.
Take a swim in the turquoise water, stroll along the white sand, or hike to the nearby Hill Inlet Lookout for panoramic views.
The outer reef trip is definitely worth it if you can afford the Reef Suite experience overnight with views of the marine life from your bedroom.
3. Mackay
Mackay is not to be skipped over either – a trip out into the Pioneer Valley never disappoints.
Drive up the Eungella range before 8am or after 4pm to catch graceful platypus paddling at Broken River.
Between January and October they can be active all day long and usually in pairs as they breed.
Stop at the sky window or Eungella Chalet for gorgeous views over the valley.
Hike to one or both pools at Finch Hatton Gorge for a refreshing dip in summer or just enjoy the stunning rainforest in the cooler months.
Don’t miss Pinnacle Family Hotel’s “world famous” pies and mouth-watering crumbed steak (so big they were once compared to a four-month-old baby on the front page of Queensland’s state newspaper).
Another unmissable adventure in the Mackay region is Cape Hillsborough’s roos and wallabies feeding on the beach as the sun rises over the spectacular rocky landscape.
After they bounce off into the bush, take the hike over to Turtle Bay where you can often spot dozens of turtles feeding on jellyfish from a cliff lookout.
4. Fraser Coast
Fraser Island and Hervey Bay whale-watching cannot be understated as memorable experiences but I had no idea about Maryborough’s quirky offerings until recently.
More than just a former rail and shipping town with loads of interesting history including opium dens, it’s the birthplace of PL Travers who authored beloved Mary Poppins books.
There is a statue, a museum and even traffic lights depicting her famous hat and umbrella.
The history is celebrated with the Mary Poppins Festival each winter.
Also – move aside Loo with a View at Mooloolaba, the Cistern Chapel could be the fanciest public toilet in the country.
The Divine Dunnies are a cheeky nod to Michaelangelo’s brushstrokes on the Sistine Chapel, and a big ole gold dunny.
Food tips: Try Odyssey’s five-course meal with delicious locally-sourced produce, Enzo’s on the Beach, both at Hervey Bay, as well as Goody’s on the Beach at nearby Toogoom.
5. Northern NSW
Forget the Big Banana and the Big Prawn — it’s hard to pick a favourite beach along NSW’s mid and north coast because they are all incredibly stunning.
From the Snapper Rocks lookout at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads down to Blueys Beach on the Central Coast – the views are breathtaking.
From the Byron Bay Lighthouse, you can spot dolphins, stingray and whales, in season, from just about every angle.
Dinner at The Cove in Ballina is worth putting on the food to-do list – savour every mouthful of the gnocchi entree and the slow-cooked lamb main.
Have brunch at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club and then wander down for a swim in the dreamy turquoise waters in front.
Even better, try breakfast at one of the cute cafes in Sawtell’s charming main street, The Kiosk on the beachfront or The Hilltop Store.
Then take a beach walk at any of the hidden gems along the coastline.
Check out the view from Harry’s Lookout at Port Macquarie and try out any of the waterfront eateries.
The beaches around Forster-Tuncurry are perfect for spotting huge pods of bottle-nosed dolphins – ask locals for the best spot on any given day.
And for a special slice of paradise – take the spectacular drive down along Wallis Lake to popular surf spot Blueys Beach.
Finish your drive with a few nights in the Hunter Valley – I can recommend the Two Fat Blokes tour with cheese and chocolate pairings as well as a brewery stop.
And make sure you visit The Smelly Cheese Shop.
6. Sydney
A ferry ride to Manly and Darling Harbour seems mandatory every time you visit Sydney but here’s a few lesser-known spots to indulge in a good feed.
Catch a ferry over to picturesque Watsons Bay for a meal at Doyles on the Wharf for some of the best fish and chips in the city.
Try the fire, steam, smoke and ice kitchens at Woodcut restaurant at Crown casino complex.
Surry Hills has two excellent Latin offerings – Mexican cantina El Loco and Colombian eatery Tentaciones.
Try the mouth-watering chicharrones.
Catch a bus or an Uber out to Cuppa Flowers at Waterloo for out-of-the-box brunch creations that will keep your tastebuds guessing.
If you take a drive out to the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters or take a hike, stop by Savoy or Rustico.
Originally published as Cairns to Sydney road trip: Must-see gems along the way
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