We all know how beautiful Queensland is. It is a state full of sunshine, forests, water and so much history. Given that we are restricted to staying within the beautiful state at the moment, we may as well enjoy it right? Road tripping around Queensland is a perfect way to get away from home, experience new things and learn a little about the state that we call home. To help you decide on where to go, we have put together a guide of the best Queensland road trips. Depending on where you are starting and how much time you have, will determine the best trip for you.
The Great Tropical Drive
The Great Tropical Drive starts off in Cairns and your final destination is Cooktown. If you want to go higher than Cooktown you will need to have a 4WD. Check the web about driving further north as the possibilities of some river crossings are seasonal and rain-dependent.
The road trip will take you through the tropics of North Queensland and through the coastal towns.
There are a number of momentous stops along the road trip including The Great Barrier Reef, The Raintree Rainforest and Port Douglas.
Due to the length of the road trip and the number of places you MUST stop at along the way, we recommend giving yourself at least 2 weeks to complete it. This gives you an opportunity to stop and take in the beauty of each stop. There are different tours and activities you can do in the different places including scuba diving at The Great Barrier Reef and walks through The Daintree Rainforest.
Cairns to Cape York
For the four wheel driver lovers, this is a perfect road trip for you. There is a lot of the trip that can be completed through dirt roads, driving through creeks and taking the 4WD tracks.
This is quite a large trip spanning 1200km so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time.
There are plenty of opportunities along the way to stop and fish for barramundi. You do need to be cautious when fishing the creeks or driving through them because chances are you will see a croc or two. Do your research about crocs, these guys don’t much around, pay attention to all warning signs and do not approach the waters edge if there are warnings.
This road trip is recommended for experienced four wheel drivers, so if you have a small car or are not confident with your driving – give this one a miss.
Rainforest Way
South of Brisbane you will find yourself in a position to explore Queensland’s World Heritage Listed Rainforests via the Rainforest Way.
There are spectacular views from cliff tops and ancient volcano rims to view. You will see waterfalls, running creeks and you may even get a glimpse or two of some endangered animals.
The drive can be done as a single day trip, however if you have the time- give yourself a few days. There is plenty of accommodation nearby and local shops for grabbing the essentials.
Birdsville to Big Red
This road trip is considered one of the most iconic Queensland road trips you can do. The route from Birdsville to the top of Big Red takes you to one of Australia’s most arid and isolated places. Big red is the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert and is a sight that must be seen.
The area is rich in outback colours that are even more amazing in person. Ochre-tinged sand dunes are interspersed with grey cracked clay pans and purple gibber plains provide a striking contrast. The sand dunes are on the bucket list for all the 4WD lovers.
It is recommended to give yourself at a minimum 4 days to cross the Simpson desert from Birdsville.
These are just a few of our favourite road trips that can be completed in the Sunny State.
We would love to hear your favourites and which ones are on your bucket list.