Queensland with kids

The highlights of our road trip

Are you preparing for a road trip through Queensland with children? Then read on! During our grand road trip through Australia, we drove a beautiful route along the East Coast. We especially loved the stretch between Port Douglas and Mackay: tropical North Queensland. Here, you’ll find palm trees, beautiful beaches, the largest reef in the world, jungles, waterfalls, and lots of wildlife! In this blog, you can read about the highlights of our road trip through this beautiful part of Queensland (in the order of our itinerary between Port Douglas and Mackay).

Are you lucky enough to have more time for your road trip through Australia? Here are our three highlights from our road trip through Australia with children.

Queensland with kids - the highlights of our road trip

♥ Four Mile Beach
♥ Great Barrier Reef Drive
♥ Palm Cove
♥ Fitzroy Island
♥ Millaa Millaa Waterfall
♥ Mission Beach
♥ Wallaman Falls
♥ Billabong Sanctuary
♥ Heart Reef
♥ Whitsundays
♥ Cape Hillsborough

Share pin this blog!

Four Mile Beach - Road trip Queensland with kids

Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas is a great place for families to relax and play in the sand. The shallow, warm water is perfect for children to swim in. Additionally, it’s one of the few beaches along the East Coast that is netted off. In this part of Australia, there are also deadly jellyfish, in addition to crocodiles and sharks. The most notorious of these is the ‘box jellyfish’ (Chironex fleckeri), known for its highly toxic tentacles. The jellyfish are usually more prevalent during the Australian summer season, from October to May, as they thrive in warmer water.

Great Barrier Reef Drive - Road trip Queensland with kids

The Great Barrier Reef Drive is a scenic coastal road that takes you along some of the most beautiful parts of the Queensland coast. Stop along the way at various beaches and lookout points to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Palm Cove - Road trip Queensland with kids

Palm Cove, a picturesque beach village north of Cairns, is perfect for families looking for relaxation. The calm waters and pleasant weather make it a great place for children to swim in the ocean and enjoy water sports. Additionally, there are several nice playgrounds along the beachfront promenade.

This place reminds us a bit of the beautiful Lipa Noi Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Fitzroy Island - Road trip Queensland with kids

Fitzroy Island, located off the coast of Cairns, is a tropical paradise with beautiful beaches and clear waters. You can snorkel here (with a bit of luck, you might see turtles!), kayak, and hike along the many trails that cross the island. We visited for a day by ferry, but it’s also possible to stay overnight on Fitzroy Island.

Millaa Millaa Falls - Road trip Queensland with kids

The Millaa Millaa Waterfall is a picturesque waterfall in the Atherton Tablelands region. It’s a great place to cool off on a warm day and offers a beautiful setting for picnicking and hiking. Bonus: you can park right next to the waterfall, so there are no challenging hikes with small children. Be sure to arrive early, as it can get busy. We were here completely alone at 8 a.m., while by 2 p.m., there were no parking spots left. One of our highlights during our road trip through Queensland with children.

Mission Beach - Road trip Queensland with kids

If you ask us, the most beautiful beach in Queensland! Mission Beach is a relaxing seaside town with long sandy beaches and tropical rainforests. Our children enjoyed hours of fun on the beach, building sandcastles and climbing palm trees.

Wallaman Falls - Road trip Queensland with kids

Wallaman Falls, located in Girringun National Park, is the highest permanent waterfall in Australia. The view of this majestic waterfall is breathtaking, and there are walking trails suitable for families.

Billabong Sanctuary - Road trip Queensland with kids

The Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville is the perfect place to meet Australian wildlife. Children can feed kangaroos, admire koalas, and learn more about Australia’s rich biodiversity.

Heart Reef - Road trip Queensland with kids

Our flight over the Heart Reef is one of the highlights of our trip to Australia. This heart-shaped coral reef is located in the Great Barrier Reef and can be seen from the air during a helicopter flight or a plane tour from Cairns or Airlie Beach. But not only is the Heart Reef beautiful; you can also admire the Great Barrier Reef (so vast!) and the Whitsundays from the air. Highly recommended!

You can read more about this tour on our blog featuring highlights from our road trip through Australia with kids.

The Whitsunday-islands - Road trip Queensland with kids

The Whitsunday Islands are a paradise for families who love sun, sea, and beach. Take a boat or sailing trip to these islands, with Whitehaven Beach being a highlight due to its powdery white sand and turquoise water. Kids can snorkel and swim in the clear waters and get acquainted with the rich marine life.

Get our FREE preset for the very best vacation photos

Subscribe to our newsletter

Cape Hillsborough - Road trip Queensland with kids

Cape Hillsborough, located north of Mackay, is a unique place. Here you can spot kangaroos and wallabies on the beach early in the morning as they come to graze at sunrise. You have to wake up early, but it’s definitely rewarding. You’re guaranteed to see kangaroos since a ranger feeds the animals on the beach every morning. To be honest, this was a bit disappointing when we walked onto the beach, but the experience and photos are still beautiful.

You can also take beautiful walks in the surrounding national park and enjoy the pristine nature.

Did you find this blog about Queensland with kids helpful? You would greatly support me by buying me a tea! This way, you ensure that I can continue to gather and share beautiful tips and inspiration. ♥♥♥

Buy me a tea