Can you rent a car from Townsville to Cairns?
Yes, it’s as easy as a Sunday arvo drive with Redspot car rentals. Skip the airport queues and packed buses with rigid schedules and take your one-way trip by the rental wheel.
One-way rental Townsville to Cairns
It’s a 347 km drive from Townsville to Cairns and will take you just over 4 hours if you’ve got your foot down on the Bruce Highway. But where’s the fun in that? All our rental cars come with unlimited km and 24/7 roadside assistance, so you’re free to take the scenic road with total peace of mind. Want to chase waterfalls at Attie Creek Falls? Go for it. Need a detour to Port Douglas before your flight out of Cairns Airport? Too easy.
With an all-inclusive package, you can drive away with reduced liability excess, free additional drivers and no booking amendment fees. Add in our toll-road waivers and our easy fuel options, and you’re in for a breezy-as trip with no bumps in the road.
Pick up in Townsville:
Drop off in Cairns:
Meet Our Fleet
Steer the Townsville to Cairns drive with ease in a reliable, modern car hire. With a diverse range of cars for families, young drivers, group trips and seniors, you can easily find the right wheels for an East Coast adventure.
With multiple car hire branches in Townsville and Cairns, you’re never too far away from a stress-free road trip car.
Compact Cars
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 Rentals Made Easy – A Small Relocation Fee for Huge Convenience
Go further, without the detour! With Redspot’s flexible one-way rentals, you can explore Australia your way, no need to circle back. You’ll save on time, fuel, and effort, making the most of every journey on the open Aussie road.
To help us keep our fleet moving, a small relocation fee may apply. But if your route helps us too, we may be able to waive it – simply contact our friendly team on 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find out.
How long does it take to drive from Townsville to Cairns?
It takes just over four hours to drive the 347 km from Townsville to Cairns. Heading north from either Townsville Airport or the city centre, the Bruce Highway guides you along the stunning North Queensland coastline, passing highlights like Magnetic Island, Hinchinbrook Island, and the dramatic Tully Gorge. The route is fully sealed and well-serviced, with plenty of fuel stops along the way, so you can top up the tank whenever it suits.
Is it better to drive or fly to Cairns from Townsville?
While it might only take about an hour to fly from Townsville Airport to Cairns Airport, the scenic 4-hour drive is often the better choice. The East Coast is the most popular driving route in Australia, taking you through tropical North Queensland to the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. We may be biased, but nothing beats the freedom of the open road and the unobstructed view through the windscreen.
Once you factor in airport security checks, long queues, and the hassle of public transport to get from the airport to your final destination, you could have already enjoyed an iconic Aussie road trip instead.
Plus, flying such a short distance within Australia can be expensive, especially when compared to the freedom of a flexible car rental. With a one-way hire, you’re in the driver’s seat of your schedule.
Flying could be ideal if you’re on a time crunch, but driving would be the perfect choice for an unforgettable Aussie experience.
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.
From Old Place to New, Moving House is Easy with One-Way Rentals
Making the move from the city buzz of Townsville to the laid-back tropics of Cairns? That’s awesome news! You can rely on Redspot.
The last thing you want after shifting house is a 4-hour backtrack just to return the hire car. Ditch the dramas and go one-way with Redspot.
One-way Moving House Car Hire
Whether you need a roomy SUV or a reliable sedan, your personal belongings are covered for the big move. Simply pick up a Townsville Airport hire car or CBD rental, load up your gear and head north to your new life in Cairns. Our friendly team at one of our Cairns branches will be waiting to take the car hire off your hands so you can dive straight into unpacking and settling in.
One-Way Trucks and Moving Accessories
Comfy couch you can’t live without? Sorted. Dream fridge you finally saved up for? Packed and ready.
With a range of trucks, utes, and handy moving accessories, you can flex those muscles and do the big move your way. No dramas and no backtracking, thanks to our one-way truck hire.
Our trucks come with a daily kilometre allowance of 100 km, with a small fee for extra distance depending on the vehicle. Ideal if you’re sticking to a local move or want to save on removalists.
Please get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 668 810 to confirm, so you can get going with ease.
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 Townsville to Cairns
The route from Townsville to Cairns is simply stunning, meandering through the tropical North Queensland coastal roads and lush green national parks. Whether you’re on a holiday, business trip or moving house, you can take time to discover the natural wonders in an easy one-way drive.
Our Cairns car rental branches are perfectly located for you to end your drive with a well-deserved rest in the tranquillity of the Whitsundays in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. How’s that for a smooth sailing car hire?
Magnetic Island
Kick up your car hire adventure with a short ferry ride to the picturesque Magnetic Island. Cruise between secluded beaches, scenic lookouts, and walking trails through eucalyptus forests. Don’t miss the underwater art museum! It’s a one-of-a-kind cultural experience that will truly blow you away.
Wallaman Falls
DO go chasing waterfalls, especially Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall. This spectacular stop would be a short detour on your Townsville to Cairns one-way car hire trip, but totally worth it to stretch your legs and marvel at the breathtaking falls as it thunders into the pool below.
Hinchinbrook Island
Hitchinbrook stuns with its rugged mountain ranges, pristine secluded beaches and majestic rainforests. Challenge yourself to the 32 km wilderness hiking trail or paddle around the island in a kayak and spot wildlife like dolphins, turtles and even the elusive estuarine crocodiles.
Attie Creek Falls
Yep, it’s another waterfall stop, but trust us, this one is just magical. Tucked inside Girringun National Park, this hidden gem is just a short 700-metre uphill trek from the car park. The bush track opens up to a serene, clear swimming pool that will feel like your own private paradise.
Tully Gorge
It may not have the global fame of the Great Barrier Reef, but this Wet Tropics World Heritage area shouldn’t be missed. The Tully Gorge has been carved over thousands of years by volcanic activity and the mighty Tully River, leaving behind jaw-dropping views that feel a million miles away from a mediocre servo road trip stop.
Paronella Park
This enchanting park was hand-built by a Spanish migrant with dreams of owning a Spanish castle in the North Queensland rainforest (as you do). Take a 30-minute guided walk around the grounds to see European grandeur blended with tropical splendour, with over 7,500 vibrant rainforest plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Townsville and leave it in Cairns?
Yes! You can hire from Townsville Airport or CBD, and simply drop it off at our Cairns airport or city centre branches. There’s no need to make a round trip with Redspot. For a small relocation fee, you’ll score big on convenience, flexibility, and more time to actually enjoy the trip. It’s a one-way car hire, done the right way.
Is it more expensive to rent a car one way in Australia?
There may be a small relocation fee added to your rental car package to help us keep our fleet moving around the country. When booking online, a one-way car hire may seem a bit more exxy upfront, but you’re saving on fuel, time and the hassle of returning to your pick-up location.
We believe in keeping things fair and flexible, so if your route helps our fleet logistics, then we will happily waive the fee. It’s true convenience and value for both of us.
Simply contact our friendly team on 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find out.
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.
What is the maximum age to rent a car with Redspot?
With Redspot, age is just a number! Whether you’re a retiree, have a seniors card, are a grey nomad, or you’re just young at heart, you can rent a car from a local Aussie company that understands the freedom of the open road. All you need is a valid driver’s licence, a credit card, and you’re good to grab the keys.
For overseas senior drivers, we will need a valid, full driver’s licence with photo identification and a passport. Licences must be in English or have an official translated copy, and some countries may require an international driver’s permit.
Can someone else return my one-way car hire?
We understand plans change. Anyone listed on the rental car agreement as an additional driver can return your one-way car hire. Too easy!
If you opted for our all-inclusive package, then you can add additional free drivers. If you opted for our standard package, an additional driver will incur a fee of $11/day.
What are the road conditions between Townsville and Cairns?
The Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns is sealed and well-maintained. Regular roadworks may occur along the highway to ensure roads are fixed all year round, so always check ahead for delays.
Due to the tropical climate in North Queensland, the weather forecast can change quickly, especially in the wet season. Check the forecast before setting out on your drive, adhere to the speed limit and maintain a safe distance from cars in front.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Townsville to Cairns car rental.