10 days sydney to cairns. Essential stops

1. Byron Bay & surrounds 

2. Whitsunday Island

3. Noosa & surrounds OR Magnetic Island

Byron Bay is great for its vibe and natural beauty - although of course very touristy now.

Whitsundays are stunning for their natural beauty.

Noosa a more laid back version of Byron Bay , perhaps without so much of the vibe.

Magnetic Island  a great stop off on your route - rock wallabies, lorikeets in a beautiful natural setting.

Byron Bay 

Good for checking out the Beach & wonderful town with plenty of interesting places to eat.

South Bank Parkland & GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art) 

South Bank is a great for talking a stroll along the river with lots of restaurants. On weekends there are markets 

Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach is a very small town which means you have the beach all to yourself. Rainbow Beach is called that because of its multi-coloured sand. Make sure you check out the "sand blow" there will be signs about pointing you in the right direction. You will need to walk to it.

Hi Will,

Loads to see but to keep it to 3 stops I would go for something like this...in no particular order

Whitsunday Island - some of the most visually impressive seascapes around - youll burn out the camera! also the jumping off ground for most of the barrier reef trips and diving. Airlie Beach is very lively with lots of backpacker spots

Noosa - Eumundi

Noosa is a great little town with lots of life, good food options and a little bit more upmarket than a lot of whats on offer up the east coast. Eumundi is a little town just inland from Noosa which will give you the feel of an aussie one horse town - locals in the bar are quintessentially Australian.

Town of 1770 - Near Agnes Water

Tiny town with a great camp site right off the beach. Brilliant place to learn to surf as its gently sloping and one of the last surf spots this far north

Have  a great time!

Shane

Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns and if you get the chance go to Mareeba from Cairnes around 70 klm on the hill famous for mango wine and big mango farms a palce to remmeber. 

Here are more suggestions on Trippy: http://www.trippy.com/question/Australia-10-days-sydney-to-Cairns-Essential-stops

There are lot of stations where you can halt on your way to Cairns. I must suggest you:

1. Stopping off near Byron Bay where long curvy body beach with refreshing and lively environment.

2. Whitsunday Island

3. Airlie Beach