The main road to Brisbane is the Pacific Highway (M1), which follows the coast to the east. When travelling from the south (from Sydney and the Gold Coast), it then becomes the South East Freeway (M3) as one approaches the city.

Emergency breakdown services:
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) (tel: 131 111; website: www.racq.com.au) provides 24 hour roadside assistance.

Driving distances: Travel distance to Cairns is about 1,750km (1,087 miles), to Townsville 1,400km (869 miles), to Sydney 1,000km (621 miles), to Melbourne 1,700km (1,087 miles).

Bus services: Greyhound Australia (tel: (07) 3236 3035 or 1300 4739 46863/GREYHOUND; website: www.greyhound.com.au) links Brisbane with other major Australian cities. Coaches depart from, and arrive at, the Transit Centre on Roma Street. Premier (tel: 133 410; website: www.premierms.com.au) also serves the East Coast and are sometimes a little bit cheaper.