Road Trip - Brisbane to Cairns

[Wrasse]

I'm excited.

I am packing up the Hissy and planning a road trip in the not too distant future and wondering what the route will hold. Figure to spend a few extra days on the way to Cairns, and then on the way back, just stopping and taking in the sights and this is where the locals come in.

Who lives on this path, or has travelled it and has stories to tell ?

What is the road like ? I imagine it to be good, it is well travelled after all.

What sights are there to see ? Roads off the beaten path best travelled after dark ? Touristy stuff ? Beaches ? Which towns are worth stopping in and why ? Where is the best place to spot Aliens landing ? What towns should I avoid breaking down in ? Favourite and least favourite place ? What hill do I need to spread a blanket on to watch the sunrise/sunset ? Which town do I wind the windows up and speed through and which is worth passing the time of day with the locals in ? Best pubs for meals ? Enough questions ??

Comments in this thread, or PM's, gratefully accepted with suggestions for destinations.

Wrasse

 

[salebrosus]

Awesome Wrasse, hope you have a fabulous time. I'm doing the drive to Cape trib over XMAS, i'll ask my folks where they thought the best places were when they did their trip up north.

Simone

 

[slim6y]

I've only driven the main road - the Bruce Highway several times - but loved it none the less! Totally stop at all the waterfalls and detour up the Palmerston Highway (22 or more waterfalls that way to see) which is just north of Innisfail....

There's also Paluma falls and several other beautiful falls before Josephine Falls (Mt Bartle Frere) and loads more forests etc - gets most interesting North of Cardwell!

I thought you were a Cairns local for a long time (were you not working at the vet clinic at Anderson/Pease st?)

Well - good luck... drop in and say hi to me and mags when you get here - surely we can organise a BBQ

PM us with dates etc if you're keen.

 

[Wrasse]

Thanks Slim6y

I was a Cairns local, grew up there. But the furtherest I have driven the Bruce Hwy is Cairns to Townsville. This trip will take me from Brisbane to Cairns.

Hoping to find some spots worth stopping at on the way. Make the drive a little more interesting.

 

[Clairebear]

I'll take you to Alligator Creek or Paluma (i will find any excuse to go to either of these places)! There's a this secret little spot at Paluma where there are water dragons and stuff... and it's just so exciting! oh oh oh and Frosty Mango... you must remember Frosty Mango... oh yeah baby it's good stuff! Anyway North Qld is awesome. I want to go up further than Cairns sometime soon... gotta get around to actually doing it!

 

[noidea]

About the only thing I hate about the drive from brisbane is between rocky and mky its soooooooo boring. Maybe thats just me coz I know home is only 31/2 hours away. If you wanna go out of your way definatley check out eungella and cape hillsborough great places to take the family and also you'll see some animals and herps for sure this time of year. As for local pubs if your keen on checking out some local wildlife and the way they carry on any pub in mky would do lol. But seriously I think its around 40 bucks for an all you can eat seafood buffet and polyneasian dance show at coral sands in airlie beach, never been but maybe the other half will get the hint one day. Have a great time whatever you choose to do.
Mel

 

[Wrasse]

Clairebear, I will take you up on that offer. Will PM you my contact details and dates. If you are available, we would love to.

 

[tfor2]

Hi wrasse you have to take a short detour at innisvale and see paronella park. Its one of the most beautiful places i have ever seen. Look it up on the net. I think they have had all hands on deck sicnce the cyclone up there to get it back on track. but it is abundant with trees rainforest and wildlife.... A must see.