Can you rent a car from Brisbane to Townsville?
Yes, 100%! Planning a one-way road trip from Brisbane to Townsville? Redspot’s got your back (and your boot) with our flexible one-way car rentals. Pick up your hire car from one of our Brisbane branches and return it at our Townsville branch, subject to availability, without the hassle of driving all the way back. Simply get in touch with our friendly team by phone, email or online contact form to get your North Queensland adventure underway!
One way rental Brisbane to Townsville
Hit the road from Brisbane to Townsville with Redspot’s flexible one-way car rentals! Pick up your hire car from one of our Brisbane branches and return it at our Townsville branch, subject to availability. Whether you’re planning a tropical getaway, relocating to North Queensland or exploring the coast on an extended road trip, you can enjoy the journey without the hassle of driving all the way back. Simply head to the Extras section of your online booking form, tick the ‘One Way Fee’ box, and you’re ready to hit the road! Make your Brisbane to Townsville journey easier with our flexible refuelling options. Choose to pre-pay, post-pay or fill up the tank yourself before returning your vehicle. We also offer handy rental extras, including child seat hire and Toll Road Waivers, to make the long drive more comfortable for everyone on board, particularly if you’re using Brisbane’s toll roads. With unlimited kilometres on standard passenger and leisure vehicles across Australia, you can take your time exploring Queensland’s beautiful coastline. Stop for a swim on the Sunshine Coast, visit Bundaberg’s famous attractions or explore Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays before continuing north to Townsville. Kilometre restrictions may apply to vans, trucks and utes, so give our friendly team a call on 1300 668 810 to confirm your options before booking. Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless otherwise specified. After-hours pickups are available on request, subject to availability.
Booking is simple. When you make your reservation online, head to the Extras section and select the One Way Fee. That is all it takes to lock it in.
Sort fuel your way with Redspot refuel options to match your plans. Pre-pay, post-pay, or refill it yourself before drop-off. You can also add handy extras like baby seats or a Toll Pass Waiver to keep things running smoothly on the road.
Unlimited km is included on standard passenger and leisure vehicles, so the road trip won’t be a problem at all. If you are hiring a van, truck, or ute, km limits may apply. Give the friendly team a call on 1300 668 810 to double-check before you set off.
Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless stated otherwise. After-hours pick-up can be arranged on request, subject to availability.
Pick up in Brisbane:
Drop off in Townsville:
Meet Our Fleet
Make your journey from Brisbane to Townsville easier with Redspot’s flexible one-way car rentals! Whether you’re heading north for a tropical getaway, relocating to North Queensland or planning a scenic road trip along the coast, our friendly local team is here to help you get on the road with ease. Choose from our range of rental vehicles to suit your travel plans, with convenient pickup locations across Brisbane and drop-off at Townsville. Enjoy the freedom to explore Queensland’s beautiful beaches, coastal towns and tropical attractions along the way, without the hassle of a return drive!
Get ready for your Brisbane to Townsville road trip with Redspot’s handy rental car add-ons, designed to make your journey through Queensland more comfortable and hassle-free! Bringing the kids along? Our child seat hire helps keep your young passengers safe and secure throughout the long drive north. You can also add our Toll Road Waiver to take the hassle out of Brisbane’s toll roads, leaving you more time to enjoy the Sunshine Coast, beautiful seaside towns and tropical attractions along the way to Townsville!
Small Car Hire
From economy and compacts to intermediate cars like the Toyota Corolla, you can’t go past our diverse small car fleet! These affordable, fuel-efficient rides are perfect for solo travellers and small groups.
Sedan Hire
Spot your road trip with our range of versatile sedans, featuring a rotation of your fave brands. Get rolling to Australia’s vibrant coffee capital in the reliable 5-seater car we all know and love.
Minibus and Minivan Hire
Round up your crew and hit the road with our spacious 8–12 seater minibus and minivan hire. Whether you’re on a family getaway or group adventure, we’ve got the right ride to back it.
Baby Seats & Other Accessories
We’ll have you fully loaded with Redspot’s rental car add-ons, making your travels between A & B a smooth ride from start to finish!
Travelling with little ones? Our child seat hire will keep your kids safely strapped in for the journey. Plus, our convenient Toll Road Waiver makes it easy to navigate the tolls along the way, so you can focus on the adventure ahead.
One-way Moving House Car Hire
Making the move from Brisbane to Townsville? Whether you need a spacious SUV for extra luggage or a reliable sedan for your everyday essentials, we’ve got rental options to help make your relocation easier. Simply pick up your hire car from one of our Brisbane branches, load up your belongings and head north towards your new home in tropical North Queensland. Once you arrive, return your vehicle to our friendly team at Townsville and get straight into unpacking, settling in and enjoying everything your new city has to offer!
Is it better to fly or drive from Brisbane to Townsville?
Driving or flying from Brisbane to Townsville? It all comes down to your travel plans! Flying is the quicker option, but driving gives you the freedom to explore Queensland’s stunning coastline, from the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast to the tropical scenery of the Whitsundays and North Queensland. Plus, hitting the road means skipping airport queues, baggage checks and the hassle of arranging transport between destinations. With a long drive ahead, we recommend comparing both options to see what works best for your time and budget. We might be a little biased, but with over 35 years of experience in Aussie car rentals, we reckon the road trip from Brisbane to Townsville is a fantastic way to experience more of Queensland!
Redspot Driver Facts.
Rev-Up for Young Drivers:
We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21 (mine-spec and commercial vehicles included).
Maximum Age is No Barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light for leisure, commercial and mine-spec vehicles – one of the few Aussie companies that do!
Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Overseas visitors welcome:
Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:
- A full valid driver’s licence and passport
- Licences must have photo identification
- If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
- Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit
Family-friendly car hire:
Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.
Credit Card Condition:
Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Fuel Flexibility:
Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Maximum age is no barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Toll-road Tricks:
Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
A Track Record of Satisfied Customers in Australia
For over 35 years, Redspot has provided smooth rides for our local and international customers with top-notch leisure and commercial vehicles. Buckle up and explore their road-worthy experiences here:
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
6 Popular Stops From Brisbane to Townsville
Noosa Heads
Kick off your Brisbane to Townsville Airport road trip with a stop in Noosa Heads, one of the Sunshine Coast’s favourite holiday destinations. Relax on the golden sands of Noosa Main Beach, explore the coastal walking trails of Noosa National Park or browse the boutique shops and cafés along Hastings Street. For something different, hire a kayak and explore the calm waters of the Noosa River. With beautiful beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, Noosa is a fantastic place to start your journey north.
Hervey Bay
Make your way to Hervey Bay, a relaxed coastal destination known for its calm waters and incredible marine wildlife. Take a stroll along the historic Urangan Pier, enjoy a picnic overlooking the beach or join a whale-watching cruise during the migration season. If you’ve got an extra day, consider a guided tour to nearby K’gari to experience its famous freshwater lakes and natural attractions. Hervey Bay is a lovely place to relax before continuing towards Central Queensland.
Bundaberg
Add Bundaberg to your road trip itinerary for a taste of Queensland’s local produce and coastal attractions. Visit the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery, sample locally made ginger beer at the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel or head to nearby Bargara Beach for a relaxing afternoon by the water. If you’re travelling during turtle season, book a guided experience at Mon Repos to see nesting or hatching sea turtles. With plenty of family-friendly attractions, Bundaberg is a great place to spend a night before continuing north.
Rockhampton
Continue to Rockhampton, a historic regional city known as Australia’s beef capital and the gateway to the Capricorn Coast. Wander through the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, explore the heritage buildings along Quay Street or visit the nearby Capricorn Caves on a guided tour. If you’re keen for a coastal detour, head east to Yeppoon for waterfront dining and beautiful beaches. Rockhampton is a handy place to recharge before heading further into North Queensland.
Cape Hillsborough
Take a scenic detour north of Mackay to Cape Hillsborough National Park, where tropical rainforest meets beautiful beaches and rocky headlands. Arrive early for the chance to see kangaroos and wallabies feeding near the shoreline, or explore the park’s walking trails and rock pools at low tide. Pack a picnic and enjoy the coastal scenery before continuing north. With its native wildlife and peaceful setting, Cape Hillsborough is a memorable stop on your journey to Townsville.
Bowen
Before reaching Townsville Airport, stop in Bowen, a sunny coastal town famous for its tropical fruit, beautiful bays and relaxed seaside atmosphere. Snap a photo beside the iconic Big Mango, take in the views from Flagstaff Hill Lookout or enjoy the clear waters of Horseshoe Bay. For a little extra adventure, consider snorkelling around the nearby fringing reefs when conditions are suitable. From Bowen, continue north along the Bruce Highway towards Townsville to complete your Queensland road trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Brisbane and leave it in Townsville?
Of course! We offer flexible one-way car hire from Brisbane to Townsville, subject to availability. Whether you’re heading north for a tropical getaway, relocating to North Queensland or planning a coastal road trip, you can pick up your rental car from one of our Brisbane branches and return it at our Townsville branch. Simply get in touch with our friendly team by phone or email to arrange your booking, and get ready to enjoy the journey north!
Is it more expensive to rent a car one way in Australia?
When it comes to one-way rentals, fees will vary depending on factors including the requested pick-up and drop-off locations, plus vehicle availability. The one-way fee covers the cost of relocating the vehicle back to its original location. Typically, the further you want to travel, the more one-way rentals can save you on time and fuel costs that you’d otherwise spend heading back to your journey’s starting point!
We recommend comparing your total trip costs if you choose one-way vs standard returns. With Redspot, you can check rates and vehicle availability through our online booking tool so you can determine what’s best for your plans.
How many kilometres can I drive in a day in a Redspot car hire?
For maximum freedom, there are no km limits for our standard car rentals including compact, sedans, hybrids, and SUVs.
However, as Australia is such a big and beautiful country (bigger than Europe in land mass!), there are some instances where we have to impose a km limit to help maintain our vehicles:
- If you need a van, truck, or ute for a business car hire
- If you head to remote locations, such as Alice Springs or Darwin
For more info, please contact our friendly team at 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find the best fit for your plans.
Is it worth it to drive from Brisbane to Townsville?
If you’re short on time, flying from Brisbane to Townsville may be the more practical option. But if tropical beaches, coastal scenery and memorable wildlife experiences are more your style, driving is a fantastic way to explore Queensland’s natural beauty. For a scenic road trip from Brisbane to Townsville, we recommend following the Bruce Highway north, starting with a stop at Noosa Heads before continuing to Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. From there, explore Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast before taking a scenic detour to Cape Hillsborough for its famous beachside wildlife encounters. Make one final stop in Bowen to enjoy its beautiful bays and coastal lookouts before arriving at Townsville. With plenty of stunning scenery, local attractions and tropical experiences along the way, why not take your time and make the journey part of your Queensland adventure?
What is the oldest age to drive a rental car?
At Redspot, there’s no maximum age limit! We say that age is just a number. Whether you’re a retiree, hold a seniors card, or you’re just young at heart, we welcome anyone over 21 to rent with us and keep their adventures rolling.
What is the minimum age to rent a car with Redspot?
For most Aussie car rental companies, the minimum age is 25. However, with Redspot, we don’t think age should keep you from getting the job done! Drivers from 21 years old are welcome to rent with us, including commercial and mine-spec vehicles.
Check out our Young Drivers guide for all the details to get you rolling. (Note: Vehicle size restrictions for Young Drivers do not apply to mine-spec and commercial vehicles. Speak with your employer to confirm details.)
What are the road conditions between Brisbane and Townsville?
The main roads from Brisbane to Townsville are generally well-maintained, with the Bruce Highway (A1) providing the primary route through Central and North Queensland. However, roadworks, heavy traffic and changing weather conditions can affect your journey, particularly during Queensland’s wet season when heavy rainfall and flooding may cause road closures or delays. Before setting off, we recommend checking the latest road conditions through Queensland government traffic information services for updates on accidents, roadworks and other disruptions. With a long drive north ahead, plan regular rest stops, watch out for wildlife on regional roads and stick to permitted sealed roads for a safer, more comfortable journey to Townsville.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Brisbane to Townsville car rental.