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Car hire in Queensland

Queensland is huge: the Bruce Highway alone runs about 1,671 km from Pine River, north of Brisbane, to Cairns, so choose your pick-up city by the region you want. Brisbane suits the south-east (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, hinterland), while Cairns, Proserpine, Townsville and Mackay put you in the tropical north. Tolls apply around Brisbane and Toowoomba, and K'gari (Fraser Island) needs a 4WD and a vehicle access permit.

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Map of Queensland car hire pickupsRockhampton AirportProserpine (Whitsundays)Port DouglasNoosa HeadsMackay AirportTownsvilleHervey BayCairns AirportBundaberg AirportBrisbane cityAirlie BeachBrisbane Airport
Map of Queensland car hire pickups
Car hire in Queensland illustration showing a parked car beside a turquoise bay and green headlands.

Where to pick up a hire car in Queensland

Brisbane Airport (BNE)Best for: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and hinterland tripsEight brands listed by the airport; collect on Level 1 of P2 (domestic) or Level 2 arrivals (international).Brisbane cityBest for: Travellers who want to spend a few days in the city firstCentral Brisbane works with a go card or contactless bank card, so collect when you leave town.Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta)Best for: Beaches, theme parks and the hinterlandGold Coast is about 66 km south-south-east of central Brisbane, so flying in here saves the drive.Sunshine CoastBest for: Noosa, Maroochydore and the hinterlandSunshine Coast Airport is about 10 km north of Maroochydore; the coast is about 100 km north of central Brisbane.Hervey BayBest for: K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Fraser CoastK'gari is accessible by 4WD and needs a vehicle access permit; see the rules below.Mackay AirportBest for: Central Queensland coast and EungellaThe Mackay Ring Road, completed in September 2020, links the Bruce Highway south and north of the city.Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine)Best for: Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday IslandsFor Airlie Beach and the mainland Whitsundays.TownsvilleBest for: Magnetic Island and the dry tropicsOn the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Cairns.Cairns Airport (CNS)Best for: Port Douglas, Daintree and the TablelandsCounters for six brands in the arrivals halls of both the international and domestic terminals.Rockhampton Airport (ROK)Best for: Rockhampton city and the Capricorn CoastTerminal counters beside East St Cafe; dedicated rental return parks beside the terminal.Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (WTB)Best for: Toowoomba and the Darling DownsPre-book because a rental desk may be unattended; cars use branded bays in the main car park.Bundaberg Airport (BDB)Best for: Bundaberg and the nearby coastSix terminal operators have different staffed hours, so match the branch to your flight.Noosa Heads townBest for: Local Noosa days after a transfer to townChoose the exact Noosa Heads or Noosaville depot; Sunshine Coast Airport is a separate pickup.Airlie Beach townBest for: Whitsunday mainland days after reaching townShute Harbour Road depots differ from Proserpine Airport and the port.Port Douglas townBest for: Local Port Douglas and Daintree drivesSIXT has a Warner Street branch; Cairns Airport is a separate pickup.

Queensland driving rules that catch visitors out

Overseas licences

A valid overseas licence lets you drive in Queensland. If it is not in English, carry a recognised English translation. You may drive only the class of vehicle it authorises and must show it to police on request. Non-residents can drive as visitors without a time limit; Australian citizens and resident-visa holders lose that authority after three months of living in Queensland.

International driving permit

Visitors must carry their overseas licence at all times. If it is not in English, also carry an international driving permit or an English translation.

Toll roads

Queensland's seven toll roads are AirportlinkM7, Clem7, Gateway Motorway, Go Between Bridge, Legacy Way, Logan Motorway and the Toowoomba Bypass. Most rental companies at Brisbane Airport fit an electronic tag and bill the toll plus a service fee to you.

K'gari (Fraser Island)

The national park is accessible by 4WD, and you must book a vehicle access permit through the Queensland Parks booking site before driving there. The conditions report covers tides and beach conditions. Whether a rental company allows its vehicles on the island is set by that company's terms, so do not assume a standard hire car is allowed.

Daintree River ferry

The Daintree River ferry runs daily from 5 am to midnight. You can pay online in advance, or by EFTPOS or cash at the ferry.

When to hire in Queensland

Tropical north wet season (November to April)

Very hot days, high humidity and monsoonal rain across Tropical North Queensland.

Tropical north dry season (May to October)

Clear blue skies, warm days and cool nights with minimal rain.

Cyclone season (1 November to 30 April)

The official tropical cyclone season in the Australian region, so check road and weather warnings when driving in the north.

Every Queensland pickup guide

Airlie BeachAirlie Beach downtown; separate from Proserpine Airport and portBrisbane AirportGold Coast and Sunshine Coast both in reachBrisbaneCBD pickup for South East QueenslandBundaberg Regional AirportBDB terminal; check operator-specific hoursCairns AirportPort Douglas, Daintree and the TablelandsGold Coast Airport (Coolangatta)Coolangatta, on the NSW borderGold CoastSurfers Paradise and the hinterlandHervey Bay AirportWhale season and the K'gari bargesSunshine Coast (airport and Noosa)Noosa, Maroochydore and the hinterlandTownsvilleMagnetic Island ferry and the Bruce HighwayMackay AirportEungella and the road northNoosaNoosa Heads downtown; separate from Sunshine Coast AirportPort DouglasPort Douglas downtown; Warner Street branch areaWhitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine)The drive to Airlie BeachRockhampton AirportROK airport; city and Capricorn CoastToowoomba Wellcamp AirportWTB; pre-booked airport handover

Queensland drives and guides

Atherton Tablelands self drive from CairnsAbout 98 kmBrisbane tolls in a hire carCairns to Cape Tribulation driveCairns to Cooktown: Bloomfield Track or inland roadAbout 331 km inland, about 234 km by the coastal route, About 4 hours inland, 5 to 6 hours coastalCairns to Port Douglas driveabout 67 km, about 1 hourCairns to Townsville driveAbout 375 km via Mission Beach, About 4 hours 45 minutes before stopsDaintree Ferry with a hire carDay Trips from Brisbane by CarGlass House Mountains hinterland driveabout 70 kmGold Coast Airport to Byron Bay DriveGold Coast hinterland driveK'gari (Fraser Island) hire car and 4WD rulesMagnetic Island car ferry and hire carsOutback Queensland road trip in a hire carAbout 1,180 kmStradbroke and Moreton Island car ferry with a hire carQueensland wet season drivingWhere Hire Cars Cannot Go in QueenslandAirlie Beach and the Whitsundays by carExploring Cairns with car hireWhen to collect a car and how to divide coast, rainforest and Tablelands days

Hire car rules across Australia

Car hire excess insurance in AustraliaRenting a car in Australia: what the rental rate covers, what counter excess reduction, standalone excess cover and travel insurance pay, and what they exclude.One-way car hire in AustraliaHow one-way car hire works in Australia: when a fee applies, what the rental terms say about interstate drop-offs, NT, WA and Tasmania, and kilometre limits.Child car seats in Australian hire carsChild car seat laws for hire cars in Australia: age bands, booster seat age by state, why overseas seats are not allowed, and what a rental company's terms say.Driving in Australia as a TouristVisitors can often drive on a valid overseas licenceOverseas Licence Rules by Australian StateVisitor driving periods differ across AustraliaCar hire age rules in AustraliaCan you hire a car under 25 in Australia? Avis and Hertz set a 21-year minimum, with vehicle limits and a surcharge for younger driversUnsealed roads and hire carsA 4WD does not give a hire car access to every gravel road, beach or trackHire Car Fines in AustraliaTraffic and parking fines can follow a hire car driver after returnCar Hire with a Debit CardA physical Visa or Mastercard debit card may be accepted, but a bond can reduce available funds

Cost the trip before you book

Road trip fuel cost calculatorLitres and dollars for your routeWhole rental costRate, extras, tolls and the bond kept separateAirport or city pickupWhich saves more on your dates

Other states and territories

New South Wales & ACT12 pickup guidesVictoria5 pickup guidesWestern Australia7 pickup guidesSouth Australia5 pickup guidesTasmania5 pickup guidesNorthern Territory4 pickup guidesAll of AustraliaLicences, tolls and seasons nationwide

Queensland car hire questions

Where the answer depends on your rental agreement, we say so rather than guess.

Do I need an international driving permit in Queensland?

Only if your licence is not in English and you have no English translation. Carry your overseas licence plus either an international driving permit or an English translation.

How long can you drive on an overseas licence in Queensland?

Visitors without a resident visa can drive on a valid overseas licence indefinitely. Australian citizens and resident-visa holders have their authority withdrawn after three months of living in Queensland.

Can you take a hire car to K'gari (Fraser Island)?

K'gari is accessible by 4WD and you need a vehicle access permit. Whether a hire company allows its vehicles there is set by its own rental agreement, so confirm it with the company before you book.

How far is it from Brisbane to Cairns by road?

The Bruce Highway runs about 1,671 km from Pine River, on Brisbane's northern edge, to Cairns.

Are there toll roads in Queensland?

Yes, seven: AirportlinkM7, Clem7, Gateway Motorway, Go Between Bridge, Legacy Way, Logan Motorway and the Toowoomba Bypass. Hire cars are usually tagged and the toll plus a service fee is charged to you.

How far is the Gold Coast from Brisbane?

About 66 km south-south-east of central Brisbane.