Driving in Queensland is simple. Most roads are free. The only tolls you are likely to meet sit around Brisbane and on the Toowoomba Bypass. This guide explains how tolls work, how to pay, and what to plan for on road trips in the north. It also shows how tolls work with hire cars.
How tolls work
Queensland tolling is cashless. Cameras read your number plate as you pass under a gantry. Payment flows through Linkt. You can set up an account or a short pass before you travel. If you forgot, you can set one up after the drive and backdate it to cover recent trips. If you do nothing, a toll invoice goes to the registered owner and it adds admin fees. The basic idea is simple. Set up a way to pay, add the plate, and drive.
Where toll roads are
The tolled roads in South East Queensland are AirportlinkM7, Clem7, Legacy Way, the Gateway Motorway, the Logan Motorway, and the Go Between Bridge in Brisbane. Outside Brisbane, the Toowoomba Bypass also has a toll. If your trip is Cairns to Townsville, Townsville to Mount Isa, or a loop across the Tablelands and back, there are no tolls at all. You only touch toll roads if you pass through Brisbane or the Toowoomba range.
Ways to pay
You have three simple options.
Open a Linkt account for ongoing travel. You can use a windscreen tag or go tagless and let the system match your number plate.
Buy a Linkt road pass for short trips. It covers Brisbane toll roads for up to 30 days.
Pay an invoice if you miss the setup window. This costs more because of admin fees, so it is a last resort.
Tolls in a hire car
Hire fleets all face the same gantries. The system reads the plate and charges the linked payment method. Many brands link their fleets to a commercial Linkt setup and pass through tolls plus a daily service fee on days you use a toll road. Others let you add the plate to your own pass if you want control. If you book with east coast car rentals in Brisbane, you will likely see a pass-through charge model that is much the same. People who choose east coast car rentals for short city trips often use a Linkt pass instead of a full account. Others add a tag they already own, which also works with vehicles from east coast car rentals.
About 1300 Meteor Rentals in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa
1300 Meteor Rentals runs branches in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa. One way hire is available between these three locations. You can pick up in Cairns and drop in Townsville, or start in Townsville and finish in Mount Isa. You can also drive from Mount Isa back to Cairns. With 1300 Meteor Rentals, one way hire between these locations is a normal option, which helps if you are on a work trip or a long run across the outback. 1300 Meteor Rentals offers free pick up from the airport in Townsville and Mount Isa during set hours, so you can get going without paying for a taxi. For most trips between these cities there are no tolls at all.
Simple trip plans and where tolls fit in
Cairns to Townsville
Follow the Bruce Highway. It is a classic coastal run. There are no tolls. Plan a stop at Mission Beach or a look at Hinchinbrook from the lookout.
Townsville to Mount Isa
Head west on the Flinders Highway through Charters Towers, Pentland and Julia Creek. Again, no tolls. It is wide country, so fuel up when you can.
Mount Isa to Cairns
Many drivers loop back via the Savannah Way or over the Atherton Tablelands. You will not meet tolls unless you detour far south.
Brisbane or Toowoomba days
If your plan includes Brisbane City or a run across the Toowoomba range, set up a pass and add your plate before you go. That way the tolls are handled in the background.
Tips to keep toll costs low
Plan your route. If you do not need the tunnels or motorways, choose surface roads. It may add minutes, not hours. Travel off peak. Motorways save time in heavy traffic. Use them when the time saving matters. If you expect to pass more than one gantry in a day, a pass or an account will usually cost less than paying an invoice later. Keep your number plate clean so cameras can read it. Check your payment card has funds.
Step by step for first timers
Check your route. Will you go through Brisbane or the Toowoomba range.
If yes, buy a Linkt road pass or open an account. Add your number plate and set the start date to your first Brisbane day.
Pick up your car. If you booked with 1300 Meteor Rentals in Townsville or Mount Isa, use the free airport pick up and hit the road.
Drive as normal. The gantries do the work.
After the trip, remove the plate from your account. Keep the account for next time if you will visit again.
If you booked with east coast car rentals in Brisbane or Toowoomba, read your toll section in the rental agreement so you know how the pass-through fees are charged.
Airport pick ups that save time
In Townsville and Mount Isa, 1300 Meteor Rentals offers a free pick up and drop back service from the airport to the branch during set hours. This helps you get going fast after you land. Share your flight number during booking so the staff can meet you at the terminal. For many travellers, this is easier than lining up for a taxi or a shuttle.
One way trips between our locations
One way hire is handy in North Queensland. Pick up in Cairns, drop in Townsville. Pick up in Townsville, drop in Mount Isa. Or start in Mount Isa and drift back to the coast. 1300 Meteor Rentals supports one way between the three branches, which suits work trips, family visits and outback runs. You save time by not looping back to your starting point. With 1300 Meteor Rentals you can also ask about local advice for fuel stops and road works on your chosen route.
Common questions
Do I need a tag in the car?
No. A tag helps, but a tagless account or pass works fine. The system uses the plate.
Can I pay after I drive?
Yes. You can backdate an account or a pass to cover recent trips. If you miss that window, you can pay an invoice, but it includes admin fees.
Are there tolls north of Brisbane?
No. There are no tolls on the Bruce Highway or the Flinders Highway. The only tolls are in Brisbane and on the Toowoomba Bypass.
Do tolls matter if I hire north of Brisbane?
For Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa, you will not meet tolls. If you later head south, add the plate to your pass for any days in Brisbane.
Driving etiquette and safety on toll roads
Hold a steady speed under the gantries and do not change lanes at the last moment. Follow the signed speed limit in tunnels and keep headlights on. Leave space when merging near toll points. Plan your route before you drive into the city so you do not have to make sudden moves.
How 1300 Meteor Rentals fits in
In North Queensland, tolls are not part of daily travel. The choice is more about vehicle type, open hours, and where you want to return the car. 1300 Meteor Rentals can set up one way hires between Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa, which is handy for work trips, medical travel, or a one-off move. You also get free airport pick up in Townsville and Mount Isa. If your plans change and you head south, 1300 Meteor Rentals can still help you add the plate to a pass for Brisbane or the Toowoomba Bypass.
Tolls in Queensland are easy once you know the basics. Check your route, pick a way to pay, and enjoy the drive. For most trips in the north, tolls will not even come up. 1300 Meteor Rentals keeps the Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa corridor simple with one way hire between branches and free airport pick ups in Townsville and Mount Isa.
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 "Tolls in QLD made easy")
