On entering Rockhampton, you will traverse the Tropic of Capricorn. The so-called “beef capital” of Australia has a population of 60,000 and a cattle population that is estimated at more than 2 million (within a 250km radius). The Fitzroy River (Queensland’s Largest) runs through the town and makes for excellent fishing, particularly of barramundi. Quay Street in Rockhampton’s centre is the oldest National Trust Heritage street in the country, and is punctuated by mainly Victorian architecture which dates back to the times when the town was a settlement to the wealthier days of the goldrush.

Set off early the next day for the 420km trek to Eungella National Park off the Whitsunday Coast. The journey can be broken up by stopping at one of countless coastal settlements off the Bruce Highway. Turning off the highway for Sarina, the rest of the day should be given to exploring the park’s almost untouched rainforests.  Also, if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of one on the world’s shyest creatures - the platypus - in its natural environment, as you follow designated routes around the park, or perhaps hire one of the available canoes to glide down the tranquil fresh water streams, where many visitors go swimming in one of the many swimming holes.

Getting back on the Bruce Highway the following day and heading north once more up the coast, take the highway 210km as far as the town of Prosperine and head for Airlie Beach.  Although a small holiday town, its beaches have been voted the best on Earth in the past, thanks to its clearest blue waters and the whitest sand. The small town also forms the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands,where at least two days of your stay should be spent. From Airlie Bay a ferry is available which takes you out to Whitsunday’s mountainous islands and leaves you at Whitehaven Beach. This setting is simply unforgettable and is without doubt one of the highlights of an already scenery fuelled trip.

After two days of Airlie and the Whitsunday Islands, a 310km journey to Townsville is time well spent before making the final leap to Cairns. At Townsville, you can take a boat or fast catamaran service out to the tropical Magnetic Island. On the island, you can rent mountain bikes to explore the island and its eucalyptus forest or simply lie and sunbathe in the many untouched beaches, which surround this paradise. Should you be willing to extend your stay on Magnetic Island into the evening, cruises offering meals are available to sail you under the stars back to the mainland.

A four and a half hour drive the following day along the Green Way route through beautiful rainforest will bring you to your final destination of Cairns. Nobody will need reminding that it is Cairns which provides the gateway to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef. A spectacular way to end what many regard as the greatest driving adventure on earth.