Brisbane to Sunshine Coast: A 5 Day Campervan Road Trip
Day 1: Brisbane to Mooloolaba
Distance: 100 kms
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
After collecting your campervan in Brisbane, head north and ease into holiday mode on a simple first leg to Mooloolaba. This is an ideal start to a Sunshine Coast road trip because the drive is short, the route is straightforward, and you can arrive with plenty of time left in the day to settle in properly. Before long, the city gives way to greener surrounds and the trip begins to feel like a real break from routine.
Where to stop between Brisbane and Mooloolaba
A worthwhile pause on the way is Wild Horse Mountain Lookout near Beerburrum. The short walk to the top is enough to stretch your legs after leaving Brisbane, and the views across the Glass House Mountains and toward the coast make it a rewarding first stop. It is a great place for a quick picnic or coffee break before continuing north on your campervan road trip.
From here, the drive into Mooloolaba is easy and relaxed. Arriving around lunchtime leaves the afternoon free for your first taste of the Sunshine Coast’s laid-back beach culture.
Things to do in Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba is a natural fit for slow travel. Once you have checked in, spend the afternoon at Mooloolaba Beach, known for its inviting sand and popular swimming conditions when the beach is patrolled and the surf is gentle. Conditions can vary, so it is always worth checking the flags before heading in, but it is an excellent spot to begin your beachside stay. If you would rather stay dry, wander the esplanade, find a shady place for a picnic, or settle in with a coffee and take in the ocean views.
You can also explore around the wharf and along Parkyn Parade, where seafood is a big drawcard and the atmosphere feels easy-going and classic Sunshine Coast. For dinner, keep things casual with fish and chips by the water or choose a local restaurant for a long, relaxed meal before heading back to camp for a quiet evening.
Where to stay in Mooloolaba
Stay at Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park for the next two nights. It is hard to beat for location, sitting right by the beach and close to the heart of town. For a campervan road trip, it offers exactly what you want from a coastal base: powered sites, practical facilities, an easy beachside setting, and the convenience of being able to walk to the sand, cafes, and dinner spots without needing to drive again after arrival.
Day 2: Mooloolaba
Distance: 30 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
A full day in Mooloolaba gives this Sunshine Coast itinerary its easy, unhurried feel. Rather than rushing from one major stop to the next, today is about enjoying one place properly. Start with a slow breakfast at the camper or head out for coffee and something fresh before deciding how active you want the day to be.
Where to stop in Mooloolaba
If your trip falls on a Saturday, start the morning at Kawana Waters Farmers Market. It is a great stop for fresh produce, baked goods, deli treats, and picnic supplies, and it adds a nice local flavour to your Sunshine Coast road trip. If you are travelling on a Sunday instead, Fishermans Road Market is another excellent option, with produce, pastries, seafood, and coffee all helping set the tone for a leisurely day. These market stops are also handy for stocking the campervan with snacks and easy dinner ingredients.
Things to do in Mooloolaba
The highlight of the day is a bush tucker cruise with Salt Water Eco Tours. It is one of the most memorable experiences in the region, combining time on the water with local stories and native flavours in a way that feels distinctly Sunshine Coast. It is a lovely addition to a campervan road trip because it offers a change of pace from beach time while still keeping the day relaxed and scenic.
After the cruise, leave room for a flexible afternoon. You might return to the beach for another swim, wander the esplanade, browse local shops, or simply retreat to camp for some downtime. A slower day like this is part of what makes this Brisbane to Sunshine Coast trip so appealing. You are not racing around. You are actually getting to enjoy where you are.
Where to stay in Mooloolaba
Stay a second night at Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park. Two nights here helps minimise driving and gives you time to enjoy Mooloolaba as more than a quick overnight stop. With its beachside setting and practical campervan facilities, it makes a comfortable and convenient base.
Day 3: Mooloolaba to Noosa Everglades
Distance: 45 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Today is a short transfer day, keeping your Brisbane to Sunshine Coast road trip comfortably paced. You will leave the busier beach atmosphere of Mooloolaba and head north towards the Noosa region, where the landscape becomes quieter and more nature-focused. Your destination is Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp, a beautiful base near Lake Cootharaba that feels wonderfully removed from the coastal strip.
Where to stop between Mooloolaba and Noosa Everglades
Because the drive is short, there is time to add a gentle stop along the way. If the timing works, Fishermans Road Market or Yandina Country Markets can be a fun detour for coffee, fruit, pastries, and picnic supplies. These stops fit naturally with the slower, food-friendly style of this sunshine coast itinerary and give you a chance to pick up lunch or ingredients for dinner at camp.
As you continue north, the mood of the trip shifts. Instead of pressing on to a busier town centre, this route takes you to a more peaceful overnight stop where the focus is on lake views, open space, and easy access to nature.
Things to do in Noosa Everglades
Once you arrive at Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp, keep the rest of the day simple. Set up the campervan, take a stroll near the water, and enjoy the quieter atmosphere. The setting near Lake Cootharaba suits travellers looking to trade surf and bustle for birdsong, bushland, and a slower afternoon outdoors.
This is a good day for relaxed camping pleasures as much as sightseeing. Unpack a little, settle into your site, read in the shade, or enjoy a picnic with your market finds. The appeal of this part of the Sunshine Coast road trip is that it feels deliberately unhurried.
Where to stay in Noosa Everglades
Stay at Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp for the next two nights. It is an ideal second base for this Sunshine Coast itinerary because it offers powered campervan sites in a stunning natural setting, along with easy access to paddling, walking, and low-key relaxation. It also gives you a very different experience from your beachside stay in Mooloolaba.
Day 4: Noosa and the Everglades
Distance: 35 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Today brings a different side of the region into focus. After the beach and esplanade atmosphere of Mooloolaba, this part of the road trip is about waterways, bushland, and scenic walks. You can make the day active or gentle depending on your mood, but either way it suits the slower pace of a 5 day campervan road trip.
Where to stop in Noosa
Begin the day with Noosa River Eco Adventures. Paddling through the waterways is one of the standout experiences of the trip and a great way to appreciate the stillness of the area. It is peaceful, scenic, and very different from the busier beach stops earlier in the itinerary.
Later in the day, consider driving towards Noosa Heads for a change of scenery. This gives you the chance to combine your lakeside stay with one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-known coastal areas, without needing to change accommodation.
Things to do in Noosa
After your paddle, consider making your way to Noosa National Park for a section of the coastal walk. You do not need to do the full track to enjoy it. Even a shorter walk offers a wonderful mix of bush, rugged coastline, and ocean views. Take water, go at your own pace, and stop often to enjoy the lookouts.
If you feel like a more leisurely afternoon, spend some time in Noosa Heads with lunch, a browse through local shops, or a simple beach picnic before returning to camp. Back at Habitat Noosa, the evening can be as quiet or social as you like. Cook dinner in the campervan, enjoy the lakeside atmosphere, or treat yourself to a meal at the on-site bar and bistro.
Where to stay in Noosa
Stay a second night at Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp. Spending two nights here means you can enjoy canoeing, easy walks, and time by the lake without feeling like you are constantly packing up and moving on.
Day 5: Noosa Everglades to Brisbane
Distance: 180 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Your final day takes you back to Brisbane. There is no need for an early rush though. One of the best parts of a slower Sunshine Coast road trip is being able to enjoy one last easy morning before hitting the road. Have breakfast at camp, take a short stroll by the lake, and then set off south when you are ready.
Where to stop between Noosa Everglades and Brisbane
The drive back is straightforward, so you can keep the return simple or break it up with one final stop. Wild Horse Mountain Lookout works well if you missed it on the way north, or you can pause somewhere convenient for coffee and a stretch. The point of this itinerary is not to cram in extra mileage at the end, but to finish the trip in the same relaxed style in which it began.
Things to do in Brisbane
As you arrive back in Brisbane, this campervan road trip wraps up with the satisfying feeling of having packed a lot into five days without ever driving too hard. You have had beach time, market mornings, food experiences, paddling, nature walks, and two distinct camping stays, all within an easy return route from the city. If time allows, finish with a relaxed lunch in Brisbane before returning your campervan.
Where to stay in Brisbane
This itinerary ends in Brisbane, where you can return your campervan to the Apollo branch. If you choose to extend your trip by a night, stay at a Brisbane caravan park with powered campervan sites that suits your onward plans.
FAQs and quick answers
-
What is the total distance for this Brisbane to Sunshine Coast road trip?
The route keeps total driving under 400 kilometres, making it ideal for a relaxed campervan escape with short travel days.
-
Is this a good campervan road trip?
Yes. The route is easy to follow, the driving days are short, and the mix of beaches, food stops, and nature makes it a very approachable 5 day itinerary.
-
When is the best time of year to do this sunshine coast itinerary?
Autumn and spring are ideal for comfortable temperatures and outdoor exploring. Summer is also a great choice if swimming, surfing, and water activities are high on your list.
-
Do I need to drive long distances each day?
No. Most days are very short, and even the return to Brisbane stays within an easy half-day drive.
-
What style of trip is this?
This 5 day itinerary is designed as a relaxed escape, with time to unwind properly while still covering some of the Sunshine Coast’s most appealing stops.
-
What makes this sunshine coast road trip different from a faster itinerary?
It focuses on staying two nights in each main location, which means less packing, less driving, and more time to enjoy each stop properly.
This Brisbane to Sunshine Coast campervan road trip proves that a memorable getaway does not need huge distances or overfilled days. With two nights in Mooloolaba, two nights in the Noosa Everglades, plenty of time for good food and fresh air, and just enough adventure to keep things interesting, it is a beautifully balanced way to explore the region. When you’re ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from your closest Apollo branch before hitting the road.