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Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach: K'gari to the Whitsundays

Short answer

This is the big one: about 1,000 km and 11 to 12 hours of driving, the longest leg on the classic East Coast run. Most backpackers ride the overnight coach straight from K'gari to Airlie. With a van, break it at Agnes Water and Yeppoon.

Distance · about 1,000 km Driving · 11 to 12 hours Tours from · $1,499
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Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Rainbow Beach and Airlie Beach.

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Ways to do Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach

Option How it works Price Link
Bus Greyhound East Coast Pass (Create Your Own), 7 to 45 Days Covered by the pass. Ride it overnight and you wake up in Airlie with a night's accommodation saved. Compare current bus pass prices. from $319 Choose your pass →
Campervan Self-drive van Our Sydney to Cairns road trip splits this into three days via Agnes Water and Yeppoon. See the Sydney to Cairns plan. See campervan hire prices by route. Free quote Get a van quote →
Fly Flights Possible but fiddly: there's no airport at Rainbow Beach, and Airlie's nearest is Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast), around 40 minutes from town. Search fares Flight tips →
Semi-guided · 7 days K'gari + Whitsundays Combo 3-day K'gari safari, the transfer north, then a Whitsundays sail. One booking. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $1,499 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 14 days East Coast Australia: 14-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Brisbane to Cairns: K'gari, then the bus north to Airlie and the sail. 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 →
Fully guided · 20 days Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns Guided group trip: Rainbow Beach and K'gari, then Airlie and a 2-night sail. from $4,099 See the trip →
Fully guided · 28 days Oz East Coast Adventure, 28 Days Sydney to Cairns Guided group trip: K'gari, then the overnight coach to Airlie. from $5,199 See the trip →
Fully guided · 36 days East Coast Explorer Sydney to Cairns (5 Weeks) Guided group trip: Rainbow Beach and K'gari, then Airlie and two nights sailing. 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: today's cheapest K'gari tour prices, Whitsundays sailing prices and East Coast tour prices.

On the way

Stops worth making

K'gari (Fraser Island) K'gari (Fraser Island) Three days of 4WD on the world's largest sand island before the long ride north. The Whitsundays The Whitsundays Sail the islands, walk up to Hill Inlet and swim off Whitehaven Beach.

Driving? Agnes Water and 1770 for Queensland's most northerly surf beach, Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast, and Hervey Bay for the whales from July to October.

Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach: your questions

How long is the drive from Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach?

About 1,000 km and 11 to 12 hours of driving. It's the longest leg on the classic East Coast route.

Is the overnight bus worth it?

For most backpackers, yes. You sleep through the dullest stretch of the coast and save a night's accommodation. Our Greyhound East Coast pass starts from $319.

Where should I stop between Rainbow Beach and Airlie Beach?

In a van, Agnes Water and 1770 for the surf, then Yeppoon. On the coach, most people go straight through.

Can I book K'gari and the Whitsundays together?

Yes. Our K'gari + Whitsundays combo covers the 3-day 4WD trip, the transfer north and a sail through the islands in one booking, and our East Coast trips cover both too, from $1,499.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Byron Bay to Noosa →Brisbane to Noosa →Noosa to Rainbow 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.