Christmas gift partner: experience over stuff guide

Just like our friends at Adrenaline, we believe this Christmas should be less about getting and gifting ‘stuff’, and more about filling up the memory bank with remarkable experiences you’ll never forget. To help you get inspired, we’ve teamed up with travel creators Tegan & Ned and come up with the ultimate Gold Coast to Cairns road trip, jam-packed with unforgettable experiences. Read on as we take you through their journey, and share their hidden gems and secret tips.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is the perfect place to kick off a journey, and if you’re keen to ease your way into your holiday, try a swim followed by a coffee. We recommend a refreshing dip at Tallebudgera Creek and a killer coffee from Seadog In The Park cafe. Plus, if you’re partial to a fancy night out with a delicious meal and a cheeky cocktail or two while watching the sunset, you can book a table and tantalize your taste buds at the well-renowned restaurant ‘Rick Shores’. Just remember to book in advance, it’s popular!

From the Gold Coast, we took to the road and headed north in our dreamy home on wheels ‘Dolce Sole Camper’, that until recently had been available to hire via Camplify, but after getting a real taste of everyday # vanlife, we have decided to move in full time! If you’re keen on trying out this way of travelling for a weekend, or a few weeks, you can find plenty of awesome vans on Camplify. Check out these!

Sunshine Coast

The next stop was the Sunshine Coast and it sure lives up to its name (and then some!)

Noosa

Getting stuck into the real adventure in gorgeous Noosa, we got the chance to four-wheel drive through the Great Sandy National Park to Double Island Point, followed by a professional stand-up paddleboard lesson! If we do say so ourselves, paddling in the sunshine with the bright blue ocean gently lapping underneath, strikes the ideal balance of a truly fun, yet relaxing outdoor activity - especially when the weather is perfect, sunny, and 30 degrees. They don’t call it the Sunshine Coast for nothing, after all!

Tegan & Ned’s must do’s:

1. Noosa SUP & 4WD - Learn more here

2. Visit Glass house Mountains

3. Check out Little Cove Beach in Noosa for sunset

4. Eat at Rococo in Noosa

Airlie Beach

We’d been told the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef can be best discovered from above, so naturally, as we travelled further north up the coast, the next adventure to tick off the bucket lists was a thrilling (doors-off!) scenic helicopter flight for two. Departing from beautiful Airlie Beach, and with guaranteed window seat views, we reached exhilarating heights and soared over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays, along with other famous sites such as Arlington Reef, Green Island and Upolu Cay. The crystal clear, bright turquoise waters and rippling reefs were a sight to behold, as we soared high above the picture-perfect seascape. Hands down, it was the most amazing experience of our life.

Tegan & Ned’s must do’s:

1. Scenic Helicopter Flight for two

2. Check out Shute Harbour Main St. for the best food and shopping

3. Visit the Turtle Board Walk

Cairns

Tropical North Queensland is somewhere we have both never been but always wanted to go to and it did not disappoint. Get ready for some of the bluest water and whitest sand you will ever see.

Whitsundays

Prepare to be amazed on this**full-day snorkelling tour** on the most beautiful reef in the world. Spend the day diving in and swimming amongst the idyllic coral and sea life.

Tegan & Ned’s must do’s:

1. Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef tour and snorkelling

2. Take a day trip to Fitzroy Island and if you do, check out Nudie Beach (our new fave beach in Aus)

3. Visit Ellis Beach

4. Check out Kuranda Railway

The Daintree

After Cairns we road-tripped along the scenic coastal Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Port Douglas, stopping at some of Tropical North Queensland’s most famous spots along the way. We loved checking out Daintree and what Australia would’ve looked like when dinosaurs roamed; where the world’s oldest and incredibly lush Daintree Rainforest meets the phenomenal Great Barrier Reef - otherwise known as the Cape Tribulation region.

Tegan & Ned’s must do’s:

1. Emmagen Creek

2. Cape Tribulation

3. Eat the cheese and pickle sando at Thornton Cafe!

And that’s a wrap!

After spending 2 months on the road in our van, Dolce Sole Camper ignited the spark to travel and be spontaneous again. We honestly can't talk highly enough of our adventure up to Tropical North Queensland. From small beach towns like Agnes Water to snorkelling on the most beautiful reef in the world - this trip really has reset us & inspired us in so many ways. Thanks so much, Camplify & Adrenaline for making it possible.

Feeling inspired to fill up 2022 with out-of-this-world experiences, and create some truly awe-inspiring memories?

Get your special someone the gift of adventure this Christmas, with a gift voucher fromCamplify and Adrenaline, and prepare yourself for the most unforgettable time of your life!

Shop the trip

Similar vans for hire based in Gold Coast:

Nahla

Nahla is a radiant one of a kind 1979 Kombi-Van. She has just gone through a brand new interior renovation and is ready for her new life of adventure.This gorgeous restoration inhales happiness and exhales relaxation. Pick up from Surfers Paradise, QLD.

Augustana

This campervan is very comfy and cosy and comes with cruise control for nice long drives and icey cold aircon perfect for a summer adventure. Pick up from Ashmore, QLD.

Kirra

A luxury room on wheels with a full kitchen and everything you need to relax and enjoy your campervan adventure. Kirra Van is designed for everyone! She can seat and sleep from 2 - 5 people and there are 3 registered child seat anchors. Pick up from Miami, QLD.

Book an Adrenaline Adventure

Scenic Helicopter Flight for two

The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef can best be discovered from above. Reach exhilarating heights and fly over famous sites such as Arlington Reef, Green Island and Upolu Cay. Bright turquoise waters and rippling reefs greet your eyes as you soar high above the picture-perfect seascape.

Stand-up Paddling and 4WD Adventure Day Tour in Noosa

Start your day off with a 4WD adventure through the Great Sandy National Park to Double Island Point, an area accessible only by 4WD. Then enjoy professional SUP lessons on the flat stretches of water. What a way to enjoy your beautiful day on the pristine shores of this Sunshine Coast hidden gem.

Whitsundays Snorkelling

Prepare to be amazed on this full-day snorkelling tour of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day diving in, using the snorkelling equipment to explore the Reef ecosystem, see it all from the underwater observatory or all of the above. This is an action-packed day trip and the perfect way to experience the best the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.