Brisbane to Noosa in a Spaceship Beta: Sierra's Long Weekend Hinterland Escape

When Sierra reached out about borrowing a Spaceship campervan for a long weekend up the Sunshine Coast, we knew the content was going to be good. She's an influencer with an eye for the dreamy, moody shots — and the Sunshine Coast hinterland delivered in spades.

Here's what a long weekend in a Spaceship Beta looks like when you skip the highway and take the back roads through Maleny, chase waterfalls in the rainforest, and finish up beachside in Noosa.

The Spaceship Beta: Budget Campervan, Big Adventures

First things first — what is a Spaceship Beta? It's essentially a converted SUV (Toyota Prado base) with a built-in double mattress in the back, privacy curtains, a slide-out camp kitchen in the boot, and on some models, a rooftop tent for extra sleeping space.

It's not a full motorhome. There's no shower, no toilet, no standing room. But that's kind of the point — it's a budget campervan that drives like a normal car, fits into any car park, and costs a fraction of what a big rig would set you back.

For a couple doing a long weekend? It's honestly perfect.

Day 1: Brisbane to Maleny

After picking up the Spaceship from Brisbane, Sierra and her partner headed straight for the hinterland rather than the coast. Smart move. The drive from Brisbane to Maleny takes about an hour and a half, and once you leave the highway and start climbing into the ranges, everything turns impossibly green.

This part of Queensland doesn't look like what most people picture when they think of Australia. It's lush, it's green, it's moody — more reminiscent of New Zealand or Ireland than the typical Aussie outback. The rolling dairy farms, the mist sitting low over the ranges, the hoop pine trees dotting the paddocks. It's beautiful.

Keep an eye out for the koala crossing signs — they're not just decorative up here.

Strawberries and Cattle Country

Maleny is famous for its artisan food scene. The strawberry farms are legendary — pull over, grab a punnet of the freshest strawberries you've ever tasted, and enjoy them roadside while the local cattle give you a curious look. Sierra couldn't resist stopping to say hello.

Camp Setup in the Ranges

This is the shot that stopped us in our tracks. The Spaceship Beta parked up on a farm stay near Maleny, rooftop tent popped, mist rolling through the valley behind. Cattle grazing in the paddock. Hoop pines silhouetted against the low cloud.

This is why you take the hinterland route instead of just hammering up the highway to Noosa.

Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls

The Maleny and Montville area is waterfall country. Kondalilla Falls is the big one — an 80-metre cascade through ancient rainforest. The walk in is about 45 minutes each way through some of the tallest trees you'll see outside of the Daintree.

The track takes you right down to the base of the falls where you can sit on the rocks and take it all in. On a misty day like Sierra got, the whole scene feels prehistoric — giant ferns, the sound of water echoing off the cliff face, and not another soul around.

Campfire Night

After a day of hiking, there's nothing better than a campfire. Some of the campgrounds and farm stays in the hinterland have fire pits, which makes the evenings feel properly remote — even though you're less than two hours from Brisbane.

Day 3: Down to Noosa

From Maleny, the drive down to Noosa takes about an hour. You drop from the cool ranges through sugar cane country and suddenly you're beachside.

Noosa is one of those rare places that feels upscale without being pretentious. The national park headland trail, Hastings Street for a proper coffee, and the calm waters of the river mouth for a swim — it's all within walking distance of wherever you park up.

Camp Life in a Spaceship Beta

The rear kitchen setup is genuinely practical. A gas stove, prep space, and all the utensils you need. Sierra and her partner cooked every meal on the road — pasta in the rainforest, coffee at sunrise overlooking the paddocks.

And the wakeup views? Look at this. Lying in the back of the campervan, hatch open, looking out at misty green paddocks and distant mountains. This is what a $50-a-night campervan gets you that a hotel room never will.

Setting up camp takes about two minutes — pop the tent, unfold the chairs, and you're done. No awning to wrestle with, no levelling blocks, no water connections. Just park and relax.

Why the Spaceship Beta Works for a Long Weekend

If you've got a full week or more, a bigger campervan with a bathroom might make sense. But for a long weekend getaway? The Spaceship Beta is genuinely ideal:

• Budget-friendly: From around $40–$70/day, it's one of the cheapest campervans on the market
• Drives like a car: No struggling with a big van on winding hinterland roads
• Fits anywhere: Car parks, farm stays, free camps — no size restrictions
• Quick setup: Pop the tent and you're done in 2 minutes
• Self-contained cooking: The slide-out kitchen means you're not eating servo pies every meal

It's proof that you don't need a $200-a-day motorhome to have an incredible road trip. Sometimes the best adventures come in the smallest packages.

Thanks Sierra!

A huge thanks to Sierra for sharing her photos and letting us feature her trip. Every image in this article is 100% real — no stock photos, no AI, no photoshop. This is genuinely what a Spaceship Beta long weekend on the Sunshine Coast looks like.

Got your own CamperCompare road trip story to share? We'd love to hear about it — get in touch and we might feature your adventure next.