Brisbane CBD skyline view from South Bank

Road Trips From Brisbane - Itineraries, Routes & Campervan Hire Tips

Your launchpad into a Queensland adventure

Why Brisbane is a great Campervan hire location

Brisbane is one of the best cities in Australia to start a road trip. With a major international airport, a subtropical climate delivering over 280 days of sunshine a year, and direct access to some of the country's most spectacular coastline, Brisbane puts you within easy reach of Queensland's greatest adventures, and beyond.

Whether you're planning a quick weekend escape to Noosa, a sun-soaked Gold Coast and Byron Bay road trip, or a full East Coast campervan journey all the way north to Cairns or south to Sydney, picking up a campervan hire from Brisbane is the smartest way to do it. No flights to juggle, no baggage fees, no fixed itineraries, just the open road, on your terms.

Below, you'll find our favourite Queensland road trip itineraries, hand-picked stops, campsite recommendations, and everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip from Brisbane.

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Year-round Sunshine!

Brisbane's sub-tropical climate means long sunny days full of exploring, and comfortable trips. 

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Beaches in every direction

Australia's east-coast is packed with stunning beaches, you're never far from the famous Aussie surf.

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Wildlife at every stop

Koalas, Kangaroos, Dolphins and more. Immerse yourself into Queensland extraordinary wildlife.

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Grab & go in minutes

Our Brisbane branch is located just 10 minutes from Brisbane Airport (BNE).

Top things to do in Brisbane

Before you leave Brisbane, it's worth taking a day or two to soak up what the city has to offer. The South Bank Parklands along the Brisbane River are a great starting point, a 17-hectare riverside precinct with swimming lagoons, restaurants, and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) right next door. Cross the Kurilpa Bridge on foot into the CBD and explore Fortitude Valley's café culture and the weekend markets at Southbank.

For views, Mt Coot-tha Lookout gives you one of the best panoramas of the greater Brisbane area, the lookout is about 8km from the CBD and a popular last-night-before-departure spot. If you're picking up from JUCY's Brisbane Airport branch (just 10 minutes from BNE Airport on the northern fringe of the city), you can easily visit West End, New Farm, or the Teneriffe riverside precinct on your way out. Our top things to fit into a Brisbane adventure are below:

Snorkelling at Moreton Island Shipwreck

Moreton Island Day Trip

Snorkel shipwrecks, explore sandhills and beaches. Just 1 hour by ferry.

Holding a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Brisbane

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Visit the world’s oldest koala sanctuary and hand-feed wildlife.

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Eat Street Northshore

Featuring 180+ food stalls. Your last great meal before the road.

Mt Coot-tha lookout over Brisbane CBD skyline

Mt Coot-tha Lookout

Catch a sunset over the skyline before leaving.

Best road trips from Brisbane

Looking for a full-scale east-coast adventure from Brisbane? Look no further than our road trip itineraries from Brisbane that'll give you all the info you need to launch an unforgettable trip. Whether you're travelling locally from Brisbane for a weekender, or kicking off a multi-week roadie, we've got you sorted with our Brisbane travel itineraries.

Brisbane travel tips: what to know before you go

Best time to visit Brisbane

Brisbane enjoys a subtropical climate year-round, which means there's genuinely no bad time to visit. That said, the best months for a Queensland road trip are April through October, when daytime temperatures sit comfortably between 20-26°C, humidity is low, and rainfall is minimal. This is also peak season for whale watching off the coast between June and November.

Summer (December to February) brings heat, humidity, and the occasional afternoon storm, but it's also the time when beach crowds thin out in the hinterland and campsite availability is better in popular areas like Noosa and the Whitsundays. If you're heading north to Cairns, note that the wet season (November to April) can bring heavy rainfall to the far north, the dry season (May to October) is the sweet spot for that route.

Driving in Queensland - what to know

Queensland drives on the left, and road rules are largely consistent with the rest of Australia. Speed limits are clearly signed. Limits are usually 100km/h on most highways and 50km/h in urban areas unless otherwise posted. Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers, and mobile phone use while driving (without hands-free) carries significant fines.

For international travellers: you can drive on your home country licence in Queensland for up to three months, provided it's in English or accompanied by an official translation. Our team at the Brisbane Airport branch is always happy to go through local rules before you set off.

How far is Brisbane from other major destinations?

One of the best things about starting a road trip from Brisbane is how much is within easy reach. Here's a quick reference for planning your first few days:

  • Gold Coast: 78km / approx. 1 hour south
  • Noosa Heads: 130km / approx. 1hr 50min north
  • Glass House Mountains: 70km / approx. 1 hour north
  • Byron Bay: 175km / approx. 2hrs 15min south
  • Airlie Beach (Whitsundays): 1,100km / approx. 12hrs north
  • Cairns: 1,700km / approx. 18hrs north
  • Sydney: 920km / approx. 10hrs south

Remember, in a campervan the journey is as good as the destination, most of these routes have dozens of worthwhile stops along the way.

Packing for a Queensland road trip

Queensland's climate means you can pack lighter than most Australian road trips. Essentials include: reef-safe sunscreen (compulsory in many protected marine areas), a good quality rashguard for snorkelling, a light rain jacket for the tropics, insect repellent for national park camping, and quality footwear for coastal hikes. All JUCY campervans come equipped with bedding, a full kitchen setup, and gas cooking, so your packing list is shorter than you'd expect.

Why JUCY for your Brisbane campervan hire adventure

With over 20 years of helping happy travellers across Australia make lasting memories; nobody does it better. When you pick up a JUCY campervan hire from Brisbane, you're getting more than a van; you get local knowledge, a vehicle built specifically for Australian adventures, and an adventure of a lifetime.

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20+ years of experience

We know Australian road trips better than anyone

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24/7 road trip support

We're always here for your support, never skip a beat on your roadie.

JUCY Campervan Hire Yard

2,000+ vehicles available

We have a huge fleet of vehicles ready to go

JUCY Crib Plus Campervan Hire Amongst Palm Trees

Unlimited kilometres

Travel without limits. Go as far as your adventure allows.

Happy Brisbane customer reviews

When we picked it up the lady that told us all the information and gave us the keys was extremely friendly and explained everything really really well.

Abbie 2 months ago

Friendly staff on check in and handing the vehicle back. It was also very easy for us to extend our booking by calling customer support

Isabel 3 months ago

It was so comfy and easy to use.Has all the necessary for cooking and also relax.We loved this trip we would definitely repeat it again

Laura 3 months ago

Plan your road trip from Brisbane

Need help planning your road trip from Brisbane? We're happy to help! Find out everything you need to know about road tripping before setting off.

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JUCY Brisbane Branch

Ready to kickstart your campervan or motorhome hire adventure from Brisbane? Check out our Brisbane branch details!

JUCY Brisbane Location

Frequently Asked Questions

Our JUCY Brisbane branch is conveniently located near Brisbane Airport (BNE). Simply take a ride-share or taxi straight from the airport, catch public transport or grab a ride from a mate directly to our branch.  

Our Brisbane branch is open daily from 9am until 3pm Monday to Friday and 9am until 2pm Saturday and Sunday. You can collect or return your JUCY campervan or motorhome during our opening hours only.  

Our Brisbane branch has everything you need to kickstart your adventure with comfy seating, luggage storage, toilets, free Wi-Fi, shared pantry and friendly crew ready to help. 

The JUCY Brisbane branch is just a 10-minute drive from Brisbane Airport and around 20 minutes from the city centre. Whether you’re heading north to the Sunshine Coast, south to the Gold Coast, or west to explore the Scenic Rim, Brisbane is the perfect starting point for your Queensland road trip! 

Brisbane is the perfect hub for exploring Queensland’s diverse adventures! Head north to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s beaches, or south to the Gold Coast for surf and theme parks. For nature and wildlife, explore the Scenic Rim or Lamington National Park, or venture further north to the tropical wonders of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. With your JUCY campervan or motorhome the road is yours to explore; whether it's a long road-trip or just a weekend getaway.

You bet! Here at JUCY, we've got you covered with our one-way campervan rentals from Brisbane. That means you can grab your campervan in one spot and leave it in another — we're all about making things easy for you! It's the perfect choice if you're planning a road trip with a start and end point that aren't the same. Just a heads-up, though: there might be some extra fees involved! 

Brisbane is the perfect launchpad for everything from chill beach escapes to full-on adventure missions. Head south to Byron Bay for sun-soaked beaches, lighthouse views and laid-back surf-town vibes, or keep rolling to Sydney for iconic city sights, coastal walks and foodie hotspots. If you’re craving the tropics, point your wheels north toward Cairns, where the Great Barrier Reef and lush rainforest await. Closer to home, Noosa the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast offer beaches, waterfalls and hinterland hideaways—ideal for quick getaways. Whether you’re road-tripping the coast or chasing sunshine up north, Brisbane puts you right at the start of some of Australia’s most-loved adventures.