Mention the words road trip in a country the size of Australia and some people will cringe in horror. Eliminate the large distances between cities can travelers. But it should not, as there are so many places and lots to do and see, I feel the greatest, do something wrong for travelers planning a car trip is not enough to be given time. As will be plunged not add to the enjoyment. If you are on a tight schedule to fly to a central point and go to the places you mostwant to see.
This article is going to Brisbane to Cairns on the coast road (Pacific Highway) to concentrate. Okay, first you must decide how long your trip will be and that the length of time that you have in a location will be determined. I will mainly stick to the coast, but there are many fantastic sites along the inland waterways.
Brisbane Departures: - The easiest way to exit the highway is the gateway to the north. If you are starting from point just south of the Brisbane RiverThere is a toll to get North and there are no toll booths, so you must arrange for a pass or when you go through the tolls, you have 3 days to arrange for transportation management, and call your credit card payment. The motorway will then merge into the Bruce Highway, which will take place the rest of your journey.
The roads are good, but reasonable, there are several sites around, so do not be impatient, keep the speed limits are given and stop safely, if you feeltired. The RACQ is a good reference for the state of roads in Queensland. Queensland is very hot in summer, so have the air conditioning works, drink plenty of water and some health snacks. If you are traveling with children, make sure you have everything you need to make their trip as pleasant as possible. It will affect your vacation. Use this link to useful information about traveling with children.
Sunshine Coast: The Sunshine Coast stretches from Caloundra to Noosa andare many beautiful beaches in between. The sunny coast is not as different as the Gold Coast, but the outdoor activity is similarly marketed. Surfing, boating, swimming, skiing, or something to the water is linked here for your enjoyment. The accommodation ranges from budget camping, cabins, family hotels and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. star resorts. There are theme parks for children and young at heart, plenty of shopping for the shopping addicts, department stores, boutiques and tailors to its benefits and then take your credit cardCards. Some places that you probably should not miss: - Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo at Landsborough, Noosa National Park, Buderim's Ginger Factory and Underwater World in Mooloolaba.
Not Gympie visit: - Here too, however, a picturesque small town, formerly known as the city out of bankruptcy is known Queensland. Gold was discovered here in 1867 and then in the Queensland drought and wool prices plummeted, which the government in a bad way. There are some beautiful parks andto see small historic buildings. A short stop-over here would be nice. Once a year the county's pattern is held here and attracts thousands of visitors.
Maryborough: - On the Mary River, generally towards the north, we would not go through the city, as the road bypassing the city and do not cut quite a bit of time before the trip to the north. This town was once a bustling port of immigration but now is popular with retirees.
Childers: - The motorway will take you through this city, which is aNational Trust registered city and a center for agriculture. The main street offers the traveler a few convenience stores, cafés and a few of the good Aussie pubs, which serve to counter meals at reasonable prices. Childers is popular with backpackers because they always work you can produce on the farms. Many will remember that the terrible fire in the High Street Backpackers Hostel, in which several young people lost their lives occurred.
If you look at a map of Queensland She would probably say, hey, have missed a few cities. Well, not that go directly to the main road along the coast. However, if you have time, turn right and make the trip to the coast to Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.
Hervey Bay (on the coast and off-highway)
Big city, and employs most of the year with tourists to see the whales. Whale watching tours run all day from sunrise to sunset, and you will be guaranteed to see the magnificent humpback whales.> Tours include sightseeing and dinner cruises on the day, morning or afternoon tea on the half-day cruises. The prices vary considerably, so let's compare online and save. There are many beach restaurants, cafés or parks for a picnic or fish and chips, and the fish is very fresh here, from the fish markets. Plenty of accommodation here, so visit your favorite website and compare. (I like wot whether or roamfree).
Bundaberg: - Called Sugar City, as the whole area issurrounded by sugar cane farms. The Burnett River runs through the city and its many historic buildings make this a very attractive city for the visitor.
The city is famous for, and the Bundaberg Rum Bundy Bear, know that most Aussie's. The distillery opened 110years ago and still has never regretted. Tours are available daily, and even if you do not drink, it's fascinating to see how the rum is manufactured.
Mon Repos Beach is located 15 km east of the city and hasthe largest colony of nesting sea turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Nesting turtles are best viewed after dark, 1 or 2 hours after high tide from November to February. The visitor center of the issue you tickets for the area, but turtles nest and hatch eggs at any time, so you can not see this event. Ask the locals to the best information.
This has a nice little diversion, but let's get back to the Highway
GinGin: - This tiny town is known to have had someof the earliest cattle stations in Queensland and is now still rich in pastoral production and operations. It is a small museum here, but a quick stop is all you need.
Calliope: - Gold was mined here once, but never in a big way. The city has a historic village that is open to the public, but really, the city benefits from its neighbors, Gladstone.
Gladstone - Central Queensland This city has one of the finest deep water ports on the East Coast. It is setin a resort setting with manicured lawns, facilities for the sailing community (shops, laundry, Internet facilities has, etc.) and the University campus, which also extremely active in the cultural scene. Almost the entire community has been working with the mining industry, and one could easily spend a few days here, looking around the mines and loading ramps. The fishing fleet is based here, so it is for a large fish-meal. Just outside the city you will find a hidden treasure, the GeckoValley Winery, a beautiful spot in the hinterland, where the products are equal, and a wonderful lunch. On the way to or from Gecko Valley will see the Tondoon Botanic Gardens. This is an excellent place to sit and enjoy the bush and if you are traveling with children, they will love the open spaces.
Now, the trip goes well and you are very conscientious with your diet. Well, that all stops here, since all the fast-food restaurants in Gladstone, MacDonald's, KFCand Eagle Boys Pizza. If you are looking for something that does not try to fast food, but not a fancy restaurant, the Yacht Club down at the harbor. The food is very good and the price for the best in town.
Rockhampton: - Is the famous beef capital of Australia and it is to you the best steaks you can get here. The visitors will be greeted by the very large sculptures of animals in the streets, "very novel". You can easily spend a few days in Rockhampton and the surrounding area. The Cityeven sitting on the Fitzroy River and had its origins as a transit port for production and coal. Once steamer traveled to the top and bottom of the lake, but unfortunately they have long gone.
Most travelers miss some very important places here. First, the Rockhampton Zoo, which are remarkably well and is a very pleasant way to spend the day, whether it be 6 or 60. Is, if you're lucky, there is the feeding of the monkeys, it will bring a smile to your face. The animal companions areArtists but not the antics of the monkeys are well worth the wait.
Just outside the city in the north, the Capricorn Caves. These spectacular caves are a unique system of above-ground limestone caves. They were discovered in 1882 by John Olsen. Guided tours of the caves are open daily, do not miss this attraction. The caves provide a great camping and cabin accommodation, which is very reasonably priced and very much 4 to 5 star.
Rockhampton-ites have their own pieceParadise just 30 minutes east of town on the coast. Yeppoon, overlooking Great Keppel Iceland is part of the Great Barrier Reef. Ferry trips to the island are available daily and there is the accommodation on the island, if you want to experience one of the most underrated islands of the reef. The island offers all the usual water sports and some great snorkeling in the crystal clear water.
There are a few small towns between Rockhampton and Mackay, butYou will find not much to do there. They are for a rider holds great innovator or refuel the car and the family. Rest stops along the road are clearly marked. The trip between Rockhampton and Mackay is a bit of a reputation. This road demands few passengers per year, and it may well be that the 281kms boring landscape. So take it easy and make sure you break the speed limits and breaks when you need it.
Mackay: - The Sugar Capital. This city has a very large regionalPopulation of nearly 100,000 and is probably one of the wealthiest regions of the country's cities. It has diversified crop production in recent years, but there is an endless prospect of sugarcane fields and with its lively bulk handling terminal in the port, it is clearly the center of Sugar Australia. The boat is in first place and the port is experiencing rapid growth with new marinas and is a popular destination with the boating community. In the hinterland of MackayRegion Blair Althol and Peak Downs, if you already can visit a working mine, or maybe poke around for gold in one of the bays. The accommodation here is everything from backpackers who stay on a farm, camping or in hotel / motel, all in accordance with what the budget or desire for adventure. When you reach this part of the Queensland coast has become the tropical gardens, so that the parks are lush and make for a pleasant retreat from the way to go. Do not hurry! Stop to smell the roses or orchids inCase.
Now want to go to the place most tourists
Proserpine: - the turnoff to the Whitsunday Passage and Airlie Beach
The city is dominated by the sugar industry and sugar factory. So, from the highway again, the playground of the rich and famous to visit the not so rich and famous. "Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays" Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors come here to play in and on the sea. Unless you are backpacking the prices can get a little on the high side,especially during the peak season from March to October. Daily from Airlie Beach and shut Harbor cruises take visitors to the many islands of the Whitsundays. The snorkeling and diving is some of the best in the world. The water is clear, warm and protected from bad weather rather by a reef. There are far too many island locations mentioned in this article, but use this link to examine, in this area has to offer you something. http://www.whitsundaytourism.com/
Backon the Bruce Highway
Bowen: - Most people would just drive by Bowen and never think to stop. I know that I am in the past. But it is a nice city and there are some nice places to check out. It has a good harbor and a large yacht club. If you are into fishing, do not get much better. Make sure to pack so tackle. The Bowen area for the cultivation of tomatoes and of course, Bowen mangoes known. Most drivers will not even know that they pass the salt Bowen Driveon the way into the city. This salt was founded in 1925 and produces about 250 thousand tons per year and is worth a visit to see. Bowen also has the Bowen Coke works, but that has nothing to do with the drink Coca-Cola. The coking plant processes approximately 45,000 tons of metallurgical coke per year from Collinsville to and transports them to Mt Isa after processing.
Bowen has a lot is small but beautiful beaches and the nice thing, not too many people know of them. One couldprobably the only visitors there. The city itself is not too big but a good selection of accommodation and restaurants. There are also visit historic buildings and the Bowen's Information Center is a good place to start.
Home Hill and Aye: - Make the most of the Australians and they will not be able to tell you where these two cities are. However, if you have your social studies in school, you can remember. They are called the twin cities in the north and on both sides of the BurdekinRiver Delta, surrounded by very fertile land. The main crops are sugar cane and rice, and you can visit the rice and sugar mills, but you will not be long do you need here.
Townsville: - you have arrived back in civilization. Townsville is a great city, and you should plan a few days at least. You can refill supplies and some retail therapy and have your vehicle checked on when needed. The city was built on the establishment of coffee, cotton and sugar. The discovery of gold nearCharters Towers and Ravenswood's wonders for the rapid development of Townsville. It has heavy industry around the port, together with the tourism sector for a boat trip from the reef and in particular on Magnetic Iceland, just a short drive from the marina. If you organize the time and money, one or two nights on the island interesting. It is a beautiful drive around the island, so that when the passenger ferry, you can rent a vehicle (Mini Moke) to take on the islandand feel the wind in your hair. The beaches are beautiful on Magnetic and a visit to the old fort still remain from the Second World War is a buzzing sound.
To take an overall view of Townsville Castle Hill and the surrounding area that looks over the city. There are museums, botanical gardens, and the casino is always an attraction for tourists, "The beach" is a popular promenade offers entertainment, restaurants, picnic and play areas for children. The highlight here isthe rock pool, the beach provides a safe disposal. Remember, you are off to the far north and should always be aware of spikes in the summer months, and crocodiles in remote areas.
With your destination in sight, (almost), you may not want, in one of the smaller towns that you drive by, stop, Ingham, Cardwell, Innisfail and Babinda. These towns are pleasant country, cities and provides a pleasant stop for lunch, or just a rest stop. The drive from Townsville to Cairns is 345kms and road conditions are good. So a nice easy morning you are in the unofficial capital of the north.
Cairns: - So here you are driven to Cairns, with around 1770kms, depending on how many roads you have. Cairns is a mecca for tourists to play in the north and the city is coming big, so that you will find everything you could possibly want. Shops, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums, beaches, cable car rides through the rainforest, hiking, boating> Tours, diving, snorkeling and fishing. The list is never ending. Thus, a well-earned rest after planning to drive here, but do not forget you, you have to do the whole thing in reverse order, unless you are so smart enough to rent a car, they travel a way to fly back.
Tips for a successful road trip.
Prepare your car (if it is your own), or better yet, rent and let someone else's care
Get a map and plan the places you want to see
If you are traveling with children, planRoadhouses often more stops than their adult counterparts
Take plenty of water to take in the car
Take advantage of healthy snacks
Take your favorite CD's (there are a few places where radio reception is not good)
Know your car. How many km is it from one tank?
Get online to the RACQ and check the road conditions
