Plan your Queensland road trip: coastal drives, outback trails and must-see stops

Queensland is one of those places that begs to be explored by car. The sheer scale of the state means you can travel from the turquoise water of the Whitsundays to the ochre dust of the Channel Country without crossing a border. Every few hours of driving can bring a completely different backdrop — lush rainforest, rugged escarpments, sugarcane plains, or desert horizons. 

For travellers with time, a Queensland road trip is about more than ticking off sights. It is about tracing the curve of the coastline, cutting inland through old stock routes, and stumbling upon towns that do not feature in the glossy brochures. Planning is key, though, as distances are vast and services thin out quickly once you leave the bigger centres, and dusty plains can transform into wide flooded basins depending on recent weather. 

Step-by-step guide to planning your Queensland road trip 

1. Choose your travel focus

Hands down the hardest part of planning a trip to Queensland is where to go. At first glance, Queensland seems to offer two distinct personalities: tropical beaches or the vast outback. In fact, travellers can choose to visit an amazing array of places; so many it’s almost impossible to encapsulate in a few paragraphs.

To wit: there's the lively nightlife of “Tinsel Town” (aka the Gold Coast) and “Brisvegas” (aka Brisbane) in the south, then there's laid back coastal towns like Noosa or Hervey Bay on the Sunshine Coast. 

There’s the dry tropics of Townsville and Magnetic Island to the lush wet tropical forests and beaches of Far North Queensland and of course, the Whitsundays and the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef.

And that’s all just on the coast. 

Heading inland west of the Dividing Range in the south takes you through the waterfall-infested hinterland of Lamington and Springbrook National Parks (to name a few), and on into the Darling Downs, where it is not unknown to snow (albeit rarely.) 

Turn right and head north through the arid outback: there are destinations like Birdsville in the southwestern corner, Longreach (where QANTAS was founded) and Winton, known for the clawprints of long-gone dinosaur inhabitants. 

Go even further north and you'll encounter the Gulf Savannah, which stretches westward across to the Gulf of Carpentaria: dry for much of the year, the region blooms into life in the wet season and includes geological masterpieces in the form of gorges, lava tubes and hot springs. 

Then, up at the northern tip of Australia past Cairns, there’s the impenetrable Cape York, known for its dense rainforests, remote beaches and challenging roads. 

Don’t forget the friendly locals. Queenslanders are some of the warmest and most welcoming people you’ll meet in Australia.

2. Pick your must-see stops

With so much to choose from, you’d be forgiven for settling for a jaunt to Tinsel Town. Finding it hard to decide? Plan a loop through all of these fascinating landscapes, browsing Open Road’s Queensland road trips for inspiration.

Jot down the places you have always wanted to visit, or start saving locations to a custom Google Maps list. It could be Bundaberg for its rum, ginger beer and a spot of turtle spotting, Cairns to go diving on the Great Barrier Reef (or just to hang about on a palm tree), or North West Queensland for remote gorges and dinosaur trails. Having a list will help you plot a realistic and memorable route. 

3. Use the NRMA Trip Planner

The NRMA Trip Planner makes it easier to map Queensland driving holidays, find Member discounts, things to do, and accommodation or camping spots along the way. You can also add in stops like Queensland camping sites or scenic detours to hidden beaches. 

4. Book ahead in peak season

Winter is high season in many parts of Queensland, particularly in the tropics and the outback. From June to August, towns like Longreach and Winton can be booked out weeks in advance. In summer, coastal areas around the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast fill quickly over the school holidays. 

5. Check weather and road conditions

Like in many remote regions in Australia, travelling across Queensland requires good planning to ensure a safe trip. For example. in the wet season, some far-north roads can be cut off for days.

Before you set off, check roads, weather warnings and local events that could affect travel times. Queensland Traffic can help you navigate road closures and adverse driving conditions, and Tim Pomroy’s guide to driving in the outback is a good launch pad for preparations too.

What’s the best time of year to visit Queensland? 

Queensland’s size means the “best” time to visit depends on which part of the state you are exploring. The climate shifts dramatically from the tropical far north to the subtropical south-east and the arid outback, so timing your trip can make a big difference to what you see and how comfortable you are behind the wheel. 

For most travellers, May to September is the sweet spot. These cooler, drier months are ideal for road trips in the tropics and the outback, where summer heat and storms can make travel uncomfortable or even unsafe. In the north, the warm winter days make a perfect getaway for southerners, without the heavy humidity that can set in from November onwards. The roads are generally in better condition too, as the wet season’s flooding risk has eased. 

In the outback, winter also means clear skies and crisp evenings that make camping a pleasure on an outback Queensland holiday. Popular events like the Birdsville Races and outback festivals are held in this window, so it is worth booking accommodation or campsites well in advance if you plan to attend. 

Spring (September to November) is another strong choice, particularly along the coast. Water temperatures start to climb, and wildflowers bloom across inland regions. In the far north, however, this period marks the start of the build-up to the wet, with hotter, more humid days and occasional storms. 

Summer (December to February) delivers warm ocean temperatures in the south-east, but in the tropics it is cyclone season. Heavy rains can cause road closures, especially in Cape York and Gulf Country. If you are travelling in these months, keep your itinerary flexible and check weather updates daily. 

Autumn (March to May) is a transition period that can work well for the southern coast and islands, with fewer crowds and mild days. In the north, it can still be humid and wet early in the season, but waterfalls and rainforests are at their most lush. 

If your goal is to experience the full spectrum of Queensland on a self-drive holiday, winter into early spring offers the safest bet for stable weather across most regions. 

Queensland road trip inspiration 

Whether you’ve got just a few days or a couple of months up your sleeve, Queensland has plenty of choices for your next adventure. 

• 1 - 3 days: Heading out of Brisbane, the Gold Coast hinterland provides the perfect place to unwind and get back to nature. Or, hightail it from Noosa to Hervey Bay to take in the glorious coastline (make sure to go in whale season to get your cetacean fix!)
• 4 - 6 days: Keen for some good ol’ Queensland hospitality? This road trip from Mackay around the sugar growing region of Isaac takes in Finch Hatton Gorge, platypuses in Eungella and historic Nebo and Clermont.
• 21 days: The Brisbane to Cairns coastal route is a trip every Aussie should do at least once. After taste-testing all that Far North Queensland (FNQ) has to offer, loop via Savannah Way through the north-west outback, and return via inland Queensland, taking in smaller heritage towns and national parks.
• 28+ days: A north Queensland road trip along the Bruce Highway delivers the Great Barrier Reef, palm-lined beaches, and plenty of opportunities to snorkel or dive. On the other hand, an outback Queensland road trip offers red dirt horizons, historic pubs and night skies crammed with stars. If you have a month or two, you can combine the two; head north along the coast, then cut inland and follow one of the great outback touring routes back south. 

For a deeper dive into seasonal ideas, check out the best Queensland winter road trips. 

Queensland’s must-see stops and experiences 

• Aboriginal perspectives of the Wet Tropics with guided walks and cultural insights. 
• Aboriginal rock art galleries in northern Queensland for an ancient window into Country. 
• Bundaberg for distilleries, farm tours and turtle nesting season. 
• Cairns as a launchpad for reef trips and rainforest cableways. 
• Queensland camping under the stars in national parks. 
• Outback and wild spots for wildlife encounters and remote landscapes. 

Planning for outback driving in Queensland 

Outback Queensland demands respect. Distances are long, fuel stops and EV charging can be hundreds of kilometres apart, and conditions can change fast. Before you set out, read up on how to prepare for an outback trip — it covers essentials like spare tyres, water, and knowing your route. 

If you are caravanning, make sure your set-up is road-ready. Caravan essentials include levelling ramps, wheel chocks, and a basic tool kit. Let someone know your travel plans, carry a satellite phone in very remote areas, and always check road conditions before you roll out. 

Travelling in the outback is rewarding: you will find landscapes that feel unchanged for centuries, but it is not the place to wing it. Good preparation is part of the adventure. 

Final tips for a memorable Queensland road trip 

• Travel with both digital and paper maps for when coverage drops.
• Factor in rest stops; Driver Reviver is a great resource for places to take a break.
• Build in rest days so you can explore towns and attractions without rushing.
• Be flexible — a detour could lead to your favourite stop.
• Respect the weather, especially in the wet season. 
• Driving an EV? The Ultimate First EV Road Trip Guide offers practical advice on charging, range, and the best EV-friendly pit stops.
• Hiring a car? Check out SIXT.

Queensland’s scale means you will probably never see it all in one season, but that is half the joy. Plan well, give yourself time, and let the road take you somewhere unexpected.