Getting ready for a road trip from Noosa to the Gold Coast? Get ready for days full of sunshine and nights spent relaxing by the seaside. With so much to do, we’ve listed the top attractions along the way for an unforgettable journey. Whether travelling with family and friends or solo, there’s a world of adventure waiting for you in Queensland. 

Say hello to beautiful sunrises and a friendly atmosphere in Noosa. Before you head off on your great East Coast adventure, take some time to explore the town, starting at the Noosa Heads main beach. With gleaming white sands and crystal-blue waters overlooking Laguna Bay, the beach invites visitors, and tourists from all over. From building sandcastles with family to taking a dip in the refreshing ocean water, a day out at the Noosa Heads Main Beach offers plenty of opportunity for fun in the sun. The beach is situated right next to the Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve, meaning you can stroll on over after you visit the beach to swap the ocean for forest views. Head here for an adventurous family walk through the woods before heading back out into town. On Hastings Street, you’ll find a range of cafes and restaurants where you can stock up on snacks before your road trip down to the Gold Coast. 

Only 30 minutes away from Noosa in your rental car, the first stop on your road trip through Queensland’s East Coast is the Blast Aqua Park in Coolum. Nestled in the Sunshine Coast, the aqua park offers fun for all ages. As children take on the inflatable obstacle course, adults can watch on from a sunlounger on the shore. Head here for an activity on your trip full of laughs and unforgettable memories. Further down the Sunshine Coast, visit the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World for an experience among nature. With eight kilometres of walking paths, you’ll see many plant varieties and discover ancient rainforests and rock formations. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Glass House Mountains, it’s the perfect place to take some photos for the photo album. At Bird World, you’re invited to walk through five aviaries and take a fully guided tour to get up close and personal with incredible winged creatures. Plus, the farm friend’s area gives visitors the chance to interact with animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, miniature donkeys, and sheep.

After your Sunshine Coast adventure, it’s time to head to the State’s capital - Brisbane. In town, there’s plenty to do for visitors of all ages and interests. Stroll along South Bank to see the beauty of the Brisbane River up close, head to the Queensland Museum for an educational day out or find wilderness in the city at the Botanic Gardens. Looking for a bucket-list experience to tick off? Look no further. Australia is known for its fascinating wildlife; however, none are as cute and cuddly as the koala. At the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket, just outside the city, visitors are invited to partake in an experience like no other with a koala encounter. Here you can hold and pat a koala and capture the moment to look back on. Plus, the sanctuary also offers encounters with snakes, sheepdogs and dingoes and holds daily shows filled with non-stop entertainment.

A further hour down South in the rental car, you’ll find Surfers Paradise in the heart of the Gold Coast. Known for its beautifully golden sands and lively ambience, visitors flock to the Surfers Paradise Beach for surfing, swimming, and sightseeing. The esplanade comes to life at night with the Beachfront Markets offering everything from live music and food to arts and crafts and gift stalls. Across the road, head over to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum for a wacky look into world records. With 12 galleries to wander over two floors, the odditorium will have visitors ooh-ing and aah-ing - plus, with interactive experiences like the mirror maze, it’s fun for the whole family. Finally, a trip to the Gold Coast would be incomplete without a visit to one of the iconic theme parks. From rollercoasters and family rides at Dreamworld and Warner Bros. Movie World to animal encounters at Sea World, an outing to one of the theme parks is a must while in town.

After making your way from the relaxing shores of the Sunshine Coast to the activity epicentre of the Gold Coast, you’ll have memories to last a lifetime. With so much to do, it’s easy to journey Queensland’s East Coast at your own pace with a Dollar rental car.