4 Queensland Road Trips To Add To Your Bucket List This Season
It is hard to find a place that has everything. Nevertheless, through years of travelling on the road, we’ve unearthed that our very own Queensland does.
Queensland is so diverse – from untouched waters to tropical rainforests, beautiful waterfalls to remote farmland. These diverse landscapes and unique outdoor experiences play an essential role in achieving the vision for the Australian tourism industry.
This industry supports more than 217,000 jobs and 55,000 businesses across the state, with half of these located in regional areas. I think we can all agree that there has never been a more crucial time to support and champion your local regions.
As Australia’s second-largest state, there is more than enough Queensland for everyone to discover – 1.85 million square kilometres, to be precise! Don’t be intimidated by its extraordinary size: all you need to start your adventure is a trusted set of wheels, our quick guide to the best Queensland regional road trips, and yourself!
In this article, let us help you find your next little adventure, explore our own Queensland backyard and help Australia get back on its feet.
What are the best Western Queensland road trips?
A driving trip creates memories that last a lifetime. From chatting to the owner that runs the country pub to seeing heritage museums. From finding freshwater creek to walking tracks, you’ll learn a bit of history as you and your loved ones embark on these incredible Western Queensland road trips.
Whether you’re departing from Gold Coast or Brisbane, we’ve curated a list for you below to explore.
Kingaroy
From Brisbane: 2.5 hours
From Gold Coast: 3.5 hours
When was the last time you escaped the hustle and bustle of the city and immersed yourselves in the beauty of the countryside?
Here in Kingaroy, travel back in time as you step into the Kingaroy Heritage Museum, wandering through a unique collection of agricultural machinery built by local farmers and tradespeople and learn about the history of the local peanut industry.
As for the plant enthusiasts, you will find a panoramic field of lavender blooms not far from Mount Wooroolin. Pottique Lavender Farm, the largest lavender retail in Australia, has won hearts with its range of lavender-infused treats such as teas, ice cream and even lavender liqueur and cheese!
If you’re lucky enough to get a clear night, make your way down to Kingaroy Observatory and enjoy a stunning night of stargazing.
Dalby
From Brisbane: 2.5 hours
From Gold Coast: 3 hours
Outdoor lovers rejoice! Situated centrally between Kingaroy and Dalby, is the spectacular Bunya Mountains. Home to the world’s biggest forest of bunya pines – explore the pristine and magnificent wilderness, and immerse in the endless subtropical range of crisp, green rainforest, and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Another quick excursion is Lake Broadwater Conservation Park that preserves the only natural lake on the Darling Downs. You can go for a nice swim, maybe even boating and water skiing. Fancy a picnic under the river red gums? This is the place you can relax, recharge and appreciate the wildflowers.
Adventures aside, Dalby also hosts one of the most famous agricultural shows in Queensland. The Dalby show has been around for more than 150 years – attracting Australians from far and wide to make the trip to Dalby annually to be part of this family-friendly event with old school favourites and entertainment activities that delight all ages.
Love the races? Bunya Park Racecourse comes alive every May for the Dalby Picnic Races. A highly anticipated affair on racing and social calendars, this event features Fashions on the Field, local food, live music and provides a vital economic benefit to the regional community.
Stanthorpe
3 hrs from Brisbane
3.5 hrs from Gold Coast
Curious how this rocky part of the world earned its Granite Belt title? It’s time to gather your mates and spend a morning hiking the Girraween National Park. Just half an hour drive from the town centre, discover dramatic, magnificent outcrops of exposed granite that come through from the hillside, with remarkable river paths that descend upon them leaving wonderfully formed deep plunge pools.
Home to the rare French Black Perigord Truffle, Stanthorpe is also where the gastronomy lovers can catch a guided tour of the truffière and savour gourmet tastings at the Truffle Discovery Centre. Not into truffles?
Don’t worry. Here you will find locally sourced produce from the Granite Belt Gourmet like chutneys, jams, honey and much more. Food souvenirs, anyone? With more than 50 vineyards spread around the Stanthorpe hillsides, you then unwind and relax with some wine tasting to finish off the day.
Yarraman
2.5 hrs from Brisbane
3 hrs from Gold Coast
This charming country town less than an hour from the Bunya National Park is home to one of the smallest National Parks in the country – The Palms National Park. Just a short 30 minutes drive from the town centre, you will find a small patch of the subtropical rainforest. And if you look hard enough, you might see some grey-headed flying foxes, or noisy pittas too.
One of Yarraman’s major attractions is the Heritage House, the birthplace of the Yarraman Historical Society. Incorporating a vast range of art, craft, and timber displays spread across eight historic buildings – it’s now part of the Brisbane Valley Heritage Trail.
This humble country town also plays host to some annual events such as the Yarraman Horse Ride in March; Yarraman Family Fishing Competition in November and the Yarraman Christmas Carnival in December. About half an hour to the west, you’ll find the Cooyar Show and Rodeo every February.
How to plan a road trip in Queensland?
So, who’s driving?
No one!
Who says taking a road trip means one of you has to drive?
Road trip is as easy as 1,2,3:
- Pick the destinations for your Western Queensland road trip
- Take a load off: book your designated driver with Bus Charters Gold Coast
- Save your energy for the scenery: let us do the driving
Here at Bus Charters Gold Coast, we have an extensive network of buses that are ready to plan that trip for you.
Whether you’re looking to travel from Brisbane to Kingaroy; or Gold Coast to Toowoomba, let us help you plan the perfect road trip that you will never forget.
How does it work? Take a look at this hugely popular itinerary (one of many) that we cover from Brisbane to Toowoomba. Of course, all itineraries are completely customisable – so rest assured you can add any stops you want along the way!
Itinerary: A Truly Awesome Long Weekend in Western Queensland
Day 1
- Get picked up from Brisbane, start your journey in our comfortable and spacious fleet.
- Stop in Blackbutt for some delicious baked goods.
- Head to Yarraman, stop by Yarraman Heritage Museum and the estate for lunch and wine tour.
- Bethany Cottages for some scones and a farm tour.
- Arrive in Kingaroy, grab a pub meal and relax for the night (perhaps some stargazing).
Day 2
- Breakfast then a visit to Kingaroy Heritage Museum and art gallery.
- Stop by Pottique Lavender Farm then head to Maidenwell for lunch.
- Arrive in Toowoomba, free and easy, ready for dinner and some rest.
Day 3
- Breakfast then the highly rated Toowoomba City Tour.
- A visit to the Automotive Museum , or the Cobb & Co Museum.
- Start heading back to Brisbane.
Not sure what stops you want to make or which routes to add? Or maybe you would like to stop at one of the national parks for a quick hike? Not a problem! Just email us below, and tell us what you want to see on your trip – and we’ll make it happen.
4 reasons why Bus Charters Gold Coast is 100% your best road trip companion:
- Door-to-door comfort and ease, no driving needed
Just provide us with your road trip destinations below, and we’ll get started.
- Load and handle your luggage with care, no lifting needed
We are here to serve you, so your needs are our utmost priorities! - Knowledgeable and friendly local licensed bus drivers, no Google map needed
We also give you ample time and routes for you to modify and make changes before your road trip. - Personalised, customised and flexible booking, no comparison needed
Unlike some agencies, you will find that our booking process is extremely transparent, with no nasty surprises or hidden costs.
Excited? We are too! We have a team of experienced and extraordinary travel specialists, ready to give you the road trip that would be the talk of every gathering for the years to come.
Support local. Explore local. Get your Queensland road trip quote from us.
With Bus Charter Gold Coast, we want to make your Queensland road trip a memorable one. Catered for families or groups large or small, hop on one of our comfortable and roomy buses, and start discovering our beautiful backyard.
To request for a quote, email us at gcpt@bigpond.com today.
