Cairns to Brisbane by Car? Here’s Why You Might Want to Rethink It

Why tourists shouldn’t automatically choose to drive Queensland’s Bruce Highway — guest writer Marty Adam shares the risks, challenges, and realities you need to know first.

The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Kambuwal people, Malintji and Kuunkari people, the Traditional Custodians of Stanthorpe.  We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country.  Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.

Many European and North American tourists land in Queensland with visions of cruising the Bruce Highway between Cairns and Brisbane — a thrilling road trip through “the real Australia.”

On paper, it sounds like the ultimate adventure: wide-open roads, endless coastlines, and the freedom to stop wherever the mood takes you.

But before hiring a campervan and firing up the GPS, it’s worth knowing that this 1,700 km stretch is not quite the romantic, relaxing dream drive you might expect.

Instead, much of the Bruce Highway is long, tiring, and often stressful, with far fewer scenic highlights than glossy brochures suggest.

In this article, I cover why the Bruce Highway can be more slog than scenic delight — plus some practical tips if you do decide to drive it, and smarter alternatives that will give you the Queensland holiday you’re really dreaming of.

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What the Bruce Highway Really Is Like

The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s main north–south road, stretching more than 1,700 kilometres from Brisbane to Cairns.

Despite the name, it’s not a picturesque coastal drive. Much of the journey runs inland, with drivers facing endless trucks, roadworks, and only the occasional glimpse of scenery.

Unlike roads in Europe or North America, Queensland’s regional centres are few and far between.

After leaving Cairns, you’ll encounter prolonged stretches with limited amenities. Fuel stations, rest stops, and food options can be surprisingly scarce, so without planning ahead you may literally find yourself running on empty.

Far from a relaxing road trip, much of the Bruce can feel long, monotonous, and isolating — more slog than scenic adventure.

Road Conditions Leave Much to Be Desired

Beyond the section north of Brisbane, where a modern dual carriageway runs to Gympie, the highway reverts to an older and less forgiving design.

• Undivided carriageways: Most roads consist of just two lanes, separated by painted lines, with no physical barrier between opposing traffic.
• Maintenance issues: Potholes, crumbling shoulders, and flood damage are common in many sections.
• Unexpected delays: Roadworks, accidents, and diversions often add hours to the journey.

Heavy Traffic and Safety Risks

The Bruce Highway is a vital freight corridor, not a leisurely tourist drive.

• Freight corridor: Long-haul trucks and road trains dominate the route and can be intimidating to share the road with.
• Driver fatigue: Long, featureless stretches make it easy to underestimate tiredness, which is a leading cause of crashes.
• Accident statistics: Travellers are three to five times more likely to be involved in a serious crash on the Bruce than on other major Australian highways such as the Hume or Pacific.

Safety Ratings: A Two-Star Reality

Safety assessments highlight the risks.

• AusRAP rating: Nearly half the highway has been graded just two stars out of five.
• What this means: Two-star roads typically lack key safety features such as divided lanes, crash barriers, and wide shoulders, leaving drivers vulnerable.
• Upgrades needed: While sections are slowly being improved, progress is uneven and much of the highway remains substandard.

Underwhelming Scenery

Many travellers picture dramatic coastlines and sweeping ocean views, but the Bruce delivers something quite different.

• Scenic misconceptions: While areas such as the Whitsundays and Glass House Mountains are beautiful, they comprise only a small portion of the route.
• Visual fatigue: The majority of the drive is dominated by flat farmland, sugarcane, dry bush, and repetitive landscapes, which quickly lose their appeal.

The Hidden Costs of Car Hire

For visitors who do decide to drive the Bruce Highway, car hire in Queensland comes with more than just the daily rental fee.

Many tourists are caught out by unexpected charges that can quickly add up and make driving far more expensive than first planned.

• One-way fees: Hiring in Cairns and returning in Brisbane (or vice versa) often attracts a steep relocation surcharge.
• Insurance excesses: While basic cover is usually included, the excess in the event of an accident can be thousands of dollars unless you pay extra for premium cover.
• Fuel charges: Rental companies may charge inflated refuelling fees if you return the car without a full tank.
• Mileage limits: Some rentals cap daily kilometres and charge additional fees if you exceed them.
• Additional drivers: Adding a second driver typically incurs a daily fee.
• Young driver surcharges: Drivers under 25 may be charged extra, regardless of experience.
• Hidden extras: Items like GPS units, child seats, or roadside assistance can all be charged on top of the base rate.

When combined with fuel, tolls, and parking, the cost of driving long distances in Queensland can be far higher than expected — often making a quick domestic flight the cheaper and more convenient choice.

Why Flying is often the Smarter Choice

If the thought of driving nearly 2,000 km up Queensland’s Bruce Highway feels more exhausting than exhilarating, rest easy—there are smoother, swifter ways to explore the Sunshine State.

Domestic flights within Queensland are frequent, fast, and often inexpensive if booked early. A flight from Cairns to Brisbane takes just over two hours — compared with three to four days on the road.

By flying between major hubs, you save your precious holiday time for what really matters: snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, cruising the Whitsundays, exploring the Daintree Rainforest, or enjoying the beaches of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

Better Alternatives to the Bruce Highway Drive

If you love the idea of exploring by car, you don’t have to give up on road trips altogether. The smarter approach is to fly between major destinations and rent a car locally for shorter, scenic drives.

For example:

• Cairns region: Drive from Cairns to Port Douglas and the Daintree, or head up to the Atherton Tablelands.
• Whitsundays: Base yourself in Airlie Beach and explore Conway National Park or Cedar Creek Falls.
• Brisbane & surrounds: Take day trips to the Sunshine Coast, Scenic Rim, or Gold Coast Hinterland.
• South East Queensland: Brisbane to Noosa or Byron Bay makes for a beautiful, manageable coastal drive.

These shorter trips give you the road trip feel — without the exhaustion.

Who Might Enjoy the Full Drive?

Driving the Bruce Highway isn’t for everyone, but it does have its niche.

If you’re a long-term traveller, a grey nomad with a caravan, or someone who truly enjoys the journey more than the destination, then it might appeal.

But for the average overseas tourist with two or three weeks in Australia, there are better ways to spend your time.

Safety and Planning Tips for Driving the Bruce Highway

If you do choose to drive the Bruce Highway, planning ahead is essential. This isn’t a road where you can just set off without preparation — conditions, distances, and risks mean you’ll need to be cautious and organised.

• Check road conditions: Use qldtraffic.qld.gov.au to monitor route closures, roadworks, and travel times before setting out.
• Avoid dawn and dusk: Kangaroos, wallabies, and even cattle are most active at these times and harder to see. Aim to drive during daylight hours, especially in remote areas.
• Fuel up early: Don’t assume the next town will have a service station. Refill whenever you can to avoid running dry on long stretches.
• Rest regularly: Fatigue is one of the biggest risks on the Bruce. Stop every two hours to stretch and reset.
• Watch the trucks: Heavy freight traffic, including long road trains, is constant. Keep a safe distance and be patient when overtaking.
• Check weather conditions: Tropical rain and flooding can close parts of the highway with little warning.
• Plan overnight stops: Break the journey into safe segments rather than pushing through long distances.
• If driving an EV: Charging infrastructure is limited outside south-east Queensland. Use a resource like plugshare.com to check stations in advance and top up at every opportunity.

Driving “the Bruce” can maximise flexibility and give you access to smaller towns and sights along the way — but only if you approach it with preparation and caution.

Enjoy your way around Queensland!

The Bruce Highway has an important role for Queenslanders, but it’s not the dream coastal drive many tourists expect. If your time in Australia is limited, consider skipping the exhausting 1,700 km slog and flying between destinations instead.

Then, use your energy for the experiences Queensland is famous for: the reef, the rainforest, the islands, and the beaches.

Your holiday will be richer, safer, and far more memorable.

If you are planning a road trip or any kind of trip to Queensland, then I recommend joining our free Queensland Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions and find even more great trip suggestions.

Other Queensland guides you may be interested in include:

• Travel tips for Queensland: A guide for first time travellers
• 12 of the best islands to visit in Queensland
• 10 of the best beaches to visit in Queensland