Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and hinterland
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 15 Jul 2026
When it comes to planning a road trip in Brisbane, those after a short drive often opt to head south for a day on the Gold Coast, the truly ambitious might take the Bruce Highway north all the way to Cairns, while for those looking for a comfortable middle ground might drive through some of the best scenery in Southeast Queensland to the Sunshine Coast.
While the Gold Coast draws more than its fair share of international visitors to its sandy shores, the Sunshine Coast makes a strong case as a destination in its own right — there’s the beaches of course, but there’s also shopping plazas, and a hinterland of small towns strung along the Blackall Range that many rate as a highlight of the trip. We’ve put together a six-day itinerary that gives you the coast, the hinterland, and a proper serve of Brisbane on the way through.
Map of Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast
Day 1: Spend some time in Queensland’s capital
Before you point your rental car north, give Brisbane a day, and don’t be surprised when Queensland’s “River City” capital rewards your decision. While a walk along the colourful South Bank Parklands and a stop at the Gallery of Modern Art are crowd-pleasers, be sure to allow lingering time to sample the area’s rich array of cuisine from around the world.
For a great outlook, head to Kangaroo Point, where the city skyline lines up in its entirety across the river, then drive across the Story Bridge and work through whichever of the city’s many downtown sights appeals. If you’re after retail therapy before the small towns take over, the bustling Queen Street Mall is a fine place to start.
Day 2: Soak up the sunshine on Bribie Island
Head north on the Bruce Highway toward the Sunshine Coast, with the Moreton Bay region worth exploring as you pass through. The pick of the stops is Bribie Island, an easy drive from the main highway and wilder than the short detour might suggest.
Bribie is a fine place for both for the more active-minded, with wildlife-spotting and hiking perennial favourites, but it also works for the more relaxed traveller, with plenty of beaches — Woorim Beach is a particular favourite — beckoning for an afternoon swim.
Day 3: Test your surfing skills at Caloundra
Your first stop on the Sunshine Coast proper should be Caloundra, which welcomes families and surfers with equal grace. If you’re travelling with children, Golden Beach offers calm waters that will suit the whole crew, while Kings Beach is both the surfers’ pick and, as it keeps a tidal swimming pool for anyone who prefers their ocean contained, non-surfers alike.
When you’re done with the water and need to dry off, follow the boardwalk along the beach to enjoy magnificent ocean views, and finish your day with fish and chips.
Day 4: Head north to Noosa National Park
From Caloundra, make your way north along the coastline to Noosa. In Mooloolaba you can walk the glass tunnel under a sea of sharks at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, then see what marine wildlife you can spot in their natural habitat from the Coolum Beach boardwalk.
When you arrive at Noosa, grab a late lunch at Hastings Street — the epicentre of the town’s fine dining scene — then work off the meal with an afternoon spent koala-spotting in Noosa National Park.
Day 5: Slow down in the hinterland
This is the day this trip is named for. As you climb the winding road into the Blackall Range, you’ll see how the pace of life and its surrounding scenery changes: from farm gates selling the morning’s produce to the villages of Mapleton, Montville, and Maleny, this is an easy stretch to lose a day on.
Montville is a hub for hand-crafted pieces, woodwork and glassware, and its locally made chocolates and macadamia nuts have a way of filling the boot, while nearby Maleny adds vintage shops, and the Hinterland Art Trail threads the whole range together.
Waterfalls and scenic lookouts thread the range from Flaxton and Mapleton through to Kenilworth — around 50 kilometres in from the coast — so pack a picnic of whatever you grabbed at the farm gates on the way through. Keep an eye out for the Ginger Factory in Yandina — its ginger is famous throughout the region.
Day 6: The Glass House Mountains and Australia Zoo
The spectacular Glass House Mountains — craggy volcanic peaks that Beerburrum marks the start of — are ringed by lookouts and walking trails, and while photographs of the rock formations at sunset are a hit with Instagrammers, this is also a great spot for daytime hiking.
A variety of walking tracks lead through open forests to lookouts, many with panoramic views of the mountains, and a popular option for those not keen on a climb is a walk around the base of Mount Tibrogargan.
On the way back to Brisbane, make a stop for Australia Zoo, where you can get close to a vast selection of Australian wildlife including kangaroos, wombats, snakes, and beautiful cassowaries.
When should you drive this route?
The best bit about this trip is that Southeast Queensland works year-round. Winter brings clear, mild days that suit the hinterland lookouts and make for less-sweaty hiking, while summer belongs on the beaches, though be sure to book Noosa accommodation ahead in school holidays. Day 5’s hinterland markets and farm gates are best in the morning, so do plan your day accordingly, and be up at the range early.
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While easily driven in a single day, this drive works best with full six days, and as the Blackall Range villages are what separate this trip from most other Queensland beach runs up the coast, be sure to allow time to soak them up. While a shorter version of this drive is possible, say one day in Brisbane, one day on the beach, and one day in the hinterland, in taking this approach you’ll be trimming what people come back for.
You can find a rental car in Brisbane or, if you’re planning on driving it in reverse, rental cars in the Sunshine Coast are also easy to arrange. Either way, be sure to compare available car rental deals with us before you go to make sure you secure the best price. If you’re travelling with a mid-sized group, passenger vans at Brisbane Airport are easy to rent, while if you’ve got the football team in tow, you can rent a 12-seater or bus in Brisbane. Prefer a motorhome? Campervan hire in Brisbane works just as well for this itinerary.
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
