Skip to content

Brisbane to Noosa: the quick hop up the Sunshine Coast

Short answer

About 140 km, around 2 hours up the highway to the Sunshine Coast. It's one of the shortest legs on the coast: an easy morning on the coach, or a day in a van with a detour through the Glass House Mountains.

Distance · about 140 km Driving · around 2 hours Tours from · $2,599
Book along the way

Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Brisbane and Noosa.

All tours →
Compare

Ways to do Brisbane to Noosa

Option How it works Price Link
Bus Greyhound East Coast Pass (Create Your Own), 7 to 45 Days Covered by the pass. A short, easy leg. Compare current bus pass prices. from $319 Choose your pass →
Campervan Self-drive van It's the first day of our Brisbane to Cairns road trip. See the Brisbane to Cairns plan. See campervan hire prices by route. Free quote Get a van quote →
Fly Flying Too short to fly. Arriving from interstate or overseas? Sunshine Coast Airport is much closer to Noosa than Brisbane's. Skip it Flight tips →
Semi-guided · 14 days East Coast Australia: 14-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Brisbane and Cairns in two weeks: a night in Brisbane, then a Noosa surf lesson. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,599 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 17 days Byron to Cairns: 17-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Byron and Cairns: the Gold Coast, then a night in Noosa. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,999 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 33 days The East Coast Classic: 33 Days, Sydney to Cairns, Every Icon Sydney to Cairns in 33 days: the Gold Coast and Brisbane, then Noosa. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $4,909 See the trip →
Fully guided · 36 days East Coast Explorer Sydney to Cairns (5 Weeks) Guided group trip: three days in Brisbane, then Noosa. from $5,209 See the trip →

Prices are per person in AUD. Distances and drive times are rounded and don't include stops. Bus seats are reserved leg by leg once you have your pass. Compare today's prices: East Coast tour prices.

On the way

Stops worth making

Brisbane Brisbane South Bank, the CityCat and Fortitude Valley for a night out. Noosa Noosa Koalas on the headland walk, longboard waves and the Everglades by canoe.

The Glass House Mountains for a lookout stop, and the Sunshine Coast beaches around Mooloolaba.

Brisbane to Noosa: your questions

How far is Noosa from Brisbane?

About 140 km, around 2 hours by road.

Can you do Noosa as a day trip from Brisbane?

You can, but that's about 4 hours of return travel for one day. Give Noosa at least two nights: it's also where a lot of people start their K'gari trip.

What's the best way from Brisbane to Noosa without a car?

The coach. Our Greyhound East Coast pass starts from $319 and covers this leg and everything north to Cairns.

Is Noosa worth it for backpackers?

Yes. It's calmer than Byron, with national park walks, beginner-friendly surf, the Everglades and tours across to K'gari.

Can I book Brisbane to Noosa as part of a tour?

Yes. Several of our East Coast bundles and group trips run Brisbane to Noosa on the way north, from $2,599.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Byron Bay to Noosa →Noosa to Rainbow Beach →Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach →Airlie Beach to Cairns →Brisbane to Cairns →Sydney to Cairns →Sydney to Melbourne →Melbourne to Adelaide →

Doing the whole coast? See the 21-day East Coast itinerary, compare bus passes or ask us to plan it.