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Routes · Oceania

Bangkok to Queensland: Brisbane, Noosa and K'gari

Bangkok → Brisbane → Noosa → K'gari (Fraser Island)

Brisbane
"Brisbane_CBD_seen_from_Kangaroo_Point,_2024,_01_(2).jpg" by Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Brisbane CBD seen from Kangaroo Point, 2024, 01 (2) (Brisbane)
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sand islands, beaches & rainforest Best season (general guide): Apr–Oct

Queensland's south-east coast has subtropical cities, surf beaches and K'gari, the world's largest sand island. This route spends six nights between Brisbane, Noosa and K'gari. From Bangkok there are flights to Brisbane, sometimes via another Asian or Australian hub.

How to pace it: Spend days one and two in Brisbane: day one, the South Bank; day two, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Then spend days three and four in Noosa: day three, travel north to Noosa; day four, the Noosa National Park coastal walk. Then spend days five and six on K'gari (Fraser Island): day five, the ferry to K'gari, then Lake McKenzie; day six, the rainforest and Seventy-Five Mile Beach.

South Bank Parklands have a man-made beach and walking paths, and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a short trip from the centre.

Noosa, a couple of hours north, is a beach town with a coastal national park where walking trails pass headlands and, sometimes, koalas in the trees.

K'gari, formerly called Fraser Island, is listed by UNESCO. It has rainforest growing on sand and clear freshwater lakes such as Lake McKenzie. Four-wheel-drive tracks run along Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Dingoes, known locally as wongari, live on the island, so follow the safety rules and never feed them.

Humpback whales pass Hervey Bay in winter and spring.

Brisbane's riverside paths and ferries are an easy way to see the city, and the CityCat ferry runs along much of the river. In Noosa, Hastings Street has cafés and boutiques close to the beach, and river cruises head up into the Noosa Everglades. On K'gari, the colours of the sand cliffs and the clear water of the lakes make for striking photographs. Bring supplies, as shops on the island are limited.

Good to know: Driving on K'gari requires a four-wheel drive and permits, so many visitors join a tour. Swimming in the sea off the island is not recommended because of strong currents and sharks.

Pack insect repellent for the island.

Suggested outline

  1. Bangkok

    Start

  2. Brisbane

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    South Bank's parklands and river, and koalas at Lone Pine.

  3. Noosa

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    Beaches, a coastal national park and the Noosa River.

    Noosa Heads
    "View from Noosa Heads carpark.jpg" by Misaochan2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
  4. K'gari (Fraser Island)

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    The world's largest sand island, with freshwater lakes and rainforest.

    K'gari (Fraser Island)
    "Indian_Head_view_on_Fraser_Island_(May_2016).jpg" by Rhain, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Brisbane — Arrive; South Bank· Bangkok → Brisbane (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Brisbane — Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
  3. Day 3 · Noosa — North to Noosa· Brisbane → Noosa (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Noosa — Noosa National Park coastal walk
  5. Day 5 · K'gari (Fraser Island) — Ferry to K'gari; Lake McKenzie· Noosa → K'gari, Fraser Island (by road and ferry)
  6. Day 6 · K'gari (Fraser Island) — Rainforest and Seventy-Five Mile Beach
  7. Day 7 · K'gari (Fraser Island) — Travel home from K'gari, Fraser Island· K'gari, Fraser Island → Hervey Bay (overland), then Hervey Bay → Bangkok (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Brisbane

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Plan the trip: Brisbane

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Noosa

Nearest airport: Brisbane Search fares · Brisbane ↗

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Nearest airport: Hervey Bay

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