Queensland’s northeast coast is a ribbon of rainforest, reef, and rust-red dunes, and April is a sweet spot: the wet season fades in the tropics, seas calm, and roads are green and quiet after Easter. Between Cairns and Brisbane lie postcard strands like Whitehaven Beach, wallabies at sunrise on Cape Hillsborough, and K’gari’s mirror-lakes and shipwrecks.

On this family-friendly route (two parents, one teen), you’ll ride the storied Kuranda Scenic Railway through Barron Gorge, stretch your legs under fan palms at Mission Beach, sail the Whitsundays, and roll your 4WD along K’gari’s famous 75 Mile Beach on a guided day tour. Distances are real in Australia, so this plan balances “must‑sees” with sensible drives and restorative evenings.

Practical notes: April is still stinger (jellyfish) season in the far north—use stinger suits and swim in patrolled, netted areas. Crocodiles inhabit estuaries and some beaches—obey signage. Allocate fuel and snack stops; dusk/dawn wildlife is active. If you prefer a camper, book powered sites early. For flights into Cairns/out of Brisbane, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Cairns & Tropical North Queensland

Cairns is the easygoing gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, a World Heritage duet few places can match. The palm‑lined Esplanade, night markets, and alfresco seafood on the marina set the holiday tone.

• Top sights: Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach, Barron Gorge, Kuranda village markets.
• Eat & drink: Prawn Star (trawler‑to‑table seafood on the marina), Ochre (native ingredients: kangaroo, wattleseed pavlova), Caffiend (specialty coffee and inventive brunch).
• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Cairns or hotels on Hotels.com Cairns.
• Getting there: Fly into Cairns (CNS) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Car/camper pickup at the airport area is straightforward.

Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays

Airlie Beach hums with backpackers, yachties, and families bound for coral gardens and sugar‑white sand. It’s the perfect launchpad for a day cruise to Whitehaven and snorkeling the fringing reefs.

• Top sights: Airlie Beach Lagoon, Coral Sea Marina, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout (via tour).
• Eat & drink: Fish D’vine & Rum Bar (local prawns, signature rum tastings), La Tabella Trattoria (Italian on the main street), Sorrento Restaurant & Bar (sunset over the marina).
• Where to stay: See options on VRBO Airlie Beach or Hotels.com Airlie Beach.

Rainbow Beach & K’gari (Fraser Island)

Rainbow Beach is the sandy doorstep to K’gari, where satin‑blue lakes sit atop dunes and dingoes patrol the shoreline. The Carlo Sand Blow drops into the sea like a soft‑edged desert, and Double Island Point teems with dolphins and turtles.

• Don’t-miss: Sunset at Carlo Sand Blow, colored sands north of town, and a guided K’gari day trip (self‑driving requires high‑clearance 4WD, recovery gear, and tide charts).
• Eat & drink: Arcobaleno on the Beach (wood‑fired pizzas), Rainbow Beach Surf Life Saving Club (pub classics with ocean views), Cafe Jilarty (breakfast and cakes).
• Where to stay: Check VRBO Rainbow Beach or Hotels.com Rainbow Beach.

Top tours (Viator):

• K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour — full-day highlights including Lake McKenzie, Central Station rainforest, Eli Creek, 75 Mile Beach, and Maheno shipwreck.

  

• K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach — ideal if you’re overnighting in Rainbow Beach; purpose‑built 4WD and passionate local guides.

  

• Rainbow Beach: Dolphin & Wildlife Ocean Kayak & Beach 4WD Tour — 3 hours in a protected Marine Park, often with bottlenose dolphins, turtles, and rays.

  

Sunshine Coast & Glass House Mountains

South of K’gari the road skims the Sunshine Coast’s surf towns and rises into ancient volcanic plugs. Mount Ngungun’s short summit track lines up a cinematic view of the range at dawn.

• Top sights: Noosa National Park headlands (if time), Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Mount Ngungun summit.
• Eat & drink: Vianta Espresso & Bar (Beerwah coffee and light plates), Glasshouse Tavern (hearty mains), Landsborough Pub (classic counter meals).
• Where to stay: Check options across the region on VRBO Sunshine Coast or Hotels.com Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane

Queensland’s riverside capital is all jacaranda‑lined bike paths, world‑class galleries, and breezy eateries by the Story Bridge. You’ll arrive by midday, perfectly placed for a relaxed lunch before flights home.

• Quick bites: King Street Bakery (French‑style pastries), New Farm Deli (charcuterie to go), sushi kiosks in the Queen Street Mall.
• Where to stay (if extending): VRBO Brisbane or Hotels.com Brisbane.
• Flights out: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 — Wed 17 Apr (from noon): Cairns arrival, Ellis Beach and Palm Cove

Afternoon: Land in Cairns around midday and collect your car/camper. Cruise 30–40 minutes north to Ellis Beach for a leg‑stretch and views of the Coral Sea; swim only in nets and wear stinger suits in April. Grab a coconut gelato and espresso in Palm Cove before looping back to Cairns.

Evening: Stroll the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk and take a dip in the public Lagoon. Dinner on the marina—book Prawn Star for fresh bugs, prawns, and reef fish, or try Ochre for bush‑tucker flavors (saltbush, Davidson plum). Dessert at Gelocchio.

Night: Stay in central Cairns for an easy getaway tomorrow: VRBO Cairns or Hotels.com Cairns. Camper tip: NRMA Cairns Holiday Park is convenient.

Day 2 — Thu 18 Apr: Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, drive to Mission Beach

Morning: Board the 8:30 a.m. Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns (allow ~2 hours). The line, opened in the 1890s, clings to rainforest cliffs with waterfall stops and Barron Gorge views. Pre‑book window seats if available.

Afternoon: Return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (1.5–2 hours with boardwalk stops). Collect your car and drive ~2–2.5 hours south to Mission Beach. Optional quick dips en route: Babinda Boulders or Josephine Falls (swim only in signed areas).

Evening: Sunset barefoot on Mission Beach, then dinner at Castaways’ beachfront bistro or Mission Beach Tavern (casual pub fare). Overnight: Hotels.com Mission Beach. Camper: Mission Beach Camping & Caravan Park has oceanfront sites.

Day 3 — Fri 19 Apr: Cassowary country, Hinchinbrook Lookout, to Airlie Beach

Morning: Walk the Licuala Rainforest circuit for a chance (not guarantee) to spot wild cassowaries—give them space and never feed. Coffee and brekkie bowls at Shanti Café or a takeaway from local bakeries.

Afternoon: Drive 40 minutes to Cardwell’s Hinchinbrook Channel Lookout for mangrove‑and‑mountain panoramas; grab lunch in town. Continue ~4.5–5 hours to Airlie Beach (break in Townsville’s Strand for gelato and a beach stroll).

Evening: Check in and dine at Fish D’vine (try the mud crab, parents can sample the rum library) or La Tabella for house‑made pasta. Overnight: VRBO Airlie Beach / Hotels.com Airlie Beach. Camper: NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park.

Day 4 — Sat 20 Apr: Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach day cruise

Full‑day tour (typically 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Cruise among the 74 Whitsunday Islands, snorkel fringing reefs (stinger suits provided in April), and step onto Whitehaven’s silica sands. Many tours include the Hill Inlet lookout walk for swirling turquoise views. Expect AU$150–220 per person depending on vessel (fast raft vs catamaran) and inclusions.

Pack reef‑safe sunscreen, long‑sleeve rashies or stinger suits, hats, and motion tablets if needed. Back in Airlie, watch the sunset from Sorrento Bar at Coral Sea Marina and grab gelato on the main street.

Day 5 — Sun 21 Apr: Airlie Beach to Agnes Water/1770 (transit with optional wildlife sunrise)

Morning: Optional detour: if you’re keen, depart ~3:30 a.m. for Cape Hillsborough (1.75 hours) to watch wallabies and kangaroos foraging on the beach at sunrise—magical, but only if the early start suits the family.

Afternoon: Long drive south to Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy (~6.5–7 hours from Airlie; ~5–5.5 if starting from Cape Hillsborough). Breaks in Mackay and Rockhampton; The Two Professors café in Rockhampton is a reliable pit stop. In Agnes, stretch on the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk (20–30 minutes) and a quick swim at Main Beach if conditions are calm.

Evening: Sunset at 1770 Headland Lookout, then dinner at Drift & Wood (modern Australian and pizzas). Overnight: Hotels.com Agnes Water. Camper: 1770 Camping Ground has beachfront sites (book ahead).

Day 6 — Mon 22 Apr: Agnes Water to Rainbow Beach + Dolphin Kayak and Carlo Sand Blow

Morning: Drive ~3.5 hours to Rainbow Beach via Bundaberg and Maryborough. Check in and refuel. Light lunch at Cafe Jilarty or a picnic by the beach.

Afternoon (Viator tour): Join the Rainbow Beach: Dolphin & Wildlife Ocean Kayak & Beach 4WD Tour (approx. 3 hours). You’ll 4WD along the colored sands to a protected bay where bottlenose dolphins, turtles, and rays are commonly seen. Suitable for beginners; guides handle the beach driving.

Evening: Hike 10–15 minutes to the edge of the Carlo Sand Blow for a vast, dune‑into‑sea sunset. Dinner at Arcobaleno on the Beach (wood‑fired pizza, antipasti) or the Surf Life Saving Club for schnitzels with a view. Overnight: VRBO Rainbow Beach / Hotels.com Rainbow Beach. Camper: Rainbow Beach Holiday Village.

Day 7 — Tue 23 Apr: Full-day K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD tour, then to Glass House Mountains

Full-day (typically 7:30 a.m.–5:00/5:30 p.m.). From Rainbow, take the K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach. Ride along 75 Mile Beach, peer into the rusting Maheno shipwreck, float down Eli Creek, and cool off in Lake McKenzie’s crystal water. Expect ~AU$235–260 per adult; lunch and national park permits usually included.

Alternative if you base in Hervey Bay: the K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour covers the same icons with ferry transfers from the bay.

Evening: After the tour, drive ~2–2.5 hours to the Glass House Mountains/Beerwah area to position for tomorrow. Light dinner on arrival (Vianta Espresso often opens late on Fridays/Saturdays; otherwise try Beerwah Hotel). Overnight: VRBO Sunshine Coast / Hotels.com Sunshine Coast. Camper: Landsborough Pines Caravan Park.

Day 8 — Wed 24 Apr (until noon): Australia Zoo or Mt Ngungun, then Brisbane

Morning (Option A – Australia Zoo): Be at Australia Zoo for the 9:00 a.m. opening; see the Wildlife Warriors show, croc feed presentations, and koala encounters. With 2 hours you’ll cover highlights; tickets are roughly AU$75 adults/AU$45 teens (check current pricing on arrival).

Morning (Option B – Mount Ngungun): If you prefer a hike, start pre‑dawn for Mt Ngungun (2.8 km return; 1–1.5 hours) for sunrise over the Glass House Mountains. Pack headlamps and water; the final rocks can be breezy.

Midday: Drive ~1–1.25 hours to Brisbane for a noon arrival. If you need flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Grab bakery snacks in Beerwah or Landsborough for the road.

What we trimmed (and why): A full Daintree/Cape Tribulation detour and the Peterson Creek platypus walk near Yungaburra add several hours north/west of Cairns, opposing your southbound flow. To keep drives humane and fit the Whitsundays and K’gari properly, we prioritized Kuranda and coastal highlights. If you’d rather swap Kuranda for a Daintree/Mossman Gorge morning, it’s doable—message and I’ll re-sequence Day 2.

Driving distances at a glance:

• Cairns → Mission Beach: ~2–2.5 hours (140–170 km)
• Mission Beach → Airlie Beach: ~5–6 hours (430 km) via Townsville
• Airlie Beach → Agnes Water: ~6.5–7 hours (540 km)
• Agnes Water → Rainbow Beach: ~3.5 hours (280 km)
• Rainbow Beach → Beerwah/Glass House Mtns: ~2–2.5 hours (165 km)
• Beerwah → Brisbane: ~1–1.25 hours (80–90 km)

Food & coffee cheat sheet (family-friendly):

• Cairns: Caffiend (brunch), Prawn Star (seafood), Ochre (native produce).
• Mission Beach: Castaways bistro (beachfront), Mission Beach Tavern (pub), Shanti Café (breakfast).
• Townsville stop: Juliette’s at The Strand (gelato, coffee).
• Airlie: Fish D’vine & Rum Bar, La Tabella, Sorrento Bar (sunset).
• Agnes/1770: Drift & Wood (modern Oz), Agnes Water Bakery (pies).
• Rainbow Beach: Arcobaleno on the Beach (pizza), SLSC (views), Cafe Jilarty (coffee).
• Beerwah/Glass House: Vianta Espresso (coffee), Glasshouse Tavern (hearty mains).

Campervan notes: April availability is decent but book powered sites in Airlie, Agnes, and Rainbow early. Avoid beach driving without proper 4WD training, recovery gear, tide knowledge, and permits—book guided beach/Island experiences (as above) instead.

In just one week you’ll rattle along rainforest railways, snorkel coral gardens, float in K’gari’s tea‑tree creeks, and watch the sky blush over Carlo Sand Blow. This Cairns to Brisbane itinerary keeps the miles reasonable while delivering Queensland’s greatest hits—made for shared family memories.