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QUEENSLAND

Ipswich and Glass House Mountains | The Sunshine Coast
Opal Mines | The Tropic of Capricorn | The Tropical North

Ipswich and Glass House Mountains

This drive heads west from Brisbane to Ipswich. Ipswich is a former convict settlement and Queensland’s oldest provincial city. from here you follow the Cunningham Highway to Cunningham's Gap and Main Range National Park. The main range national park includes some wonderful bush walking which takes you through rainforests and past escarpments.

Next you stop is Warwick in the Darling Downs, and the wineries in Stanthorpe and then on to Goondiwindi on the NSW border.

Then head north up to the Bunya Mountains National Park, famous for its Bunya pines and colourful birds, before reaching Kingaroy, Home of the Peanut, and the venue for an annual peanut festival held March/April.

Located on the Bruce Highway is Gympie an old 1860s goldrush town that features a large mining museum and a fossicking area where you can try your luck and search for gold.

The Bruce Highway leads directly back to Brisbane, but a detour into Sunshine Coast hinterland is recommended. Here you will find Nambour (Home of the Pineapple) and the Blackall Ranges where the small mountain towns of Mapleton, Montville and Maleny are situated. There are dozens of arts and crafts shops, galleries and cafes.

Another scenic drive takes you past the Glasshouse Mountains. Thirteen volcanic plugs that rise dramatically from their surrounding plains. There are some great walks in the national park, then, continue to the dairy centre of Caboolture before returning to Brisbane on the Bruce Highway.

The Sunshine Coast to Maryborough

The Sunshine Coast features 70km of sandy beaches - amongst the best in the world. This drive leaves Brisbane heading North to Caloundra, gateway to the Sunshine Coast. The coast road leads to Mooloolaba which offers a variety of shops and cafes, river cruises and adventure activities.

If you enjoy surfing then stop at Alexandra Headland.  To the north lie the towns of Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach and Sunshine Beach. Then it is on to Noosa Heads. This is the region’s most popular resort, with lovely beaches and excellent restaurants. Shoppers will have a wonderful time exploring boutiques and art galleries along Hastings Street.

After the Sunshine Coast we suggest heading to the townships of Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach. From here you can reach Fraser Island and Cooloola National Park. Our journey ends at Maryborough. Nestled in the Mary River, Maryborough is one of the oldest cities in Queensland. It is a charming city that echoes the bygone days of Queensland. Originally as a wool port in 1847,   Maryborough is now Queensland's heritage treasure and a gateway to experience the aquatic delights of Hervey Bay, including  whale watching between August and October

Opal Mines of Cunnamulla

Brisbane is left behind for the country charm and natural wonders of Queensland's Darling Downs. Journey along the Warrego highway to Toowoomba, sitting perched on the Great Dividing Range.

In September the Carnival of Flowers brings Toowoomba into colour. The festival celebrates the coming of spring. Other attractions the oldest running shearing shed in the state, Ravensbourne National Park and Crows Nest Falls.

Following the highway to Dalby enjoy fields of sunflowers, cotton and wheat. Lake Broadwater, historic Jimbour House and the Bunya Mountains National Park are also located in this area

The Bunya Mountains contains wonderful bushwalking tracks where you can view the famous for its Bunya pines and colourful birds. Whilst in this are visit the Rimfire Winery or take some time to enjoy the arts and crafts of this region.

As you move towards the Western Downs you will come across Myall Park Botanical Gardens at nearby Glenmorgan, these gardens are internationally renown.

If you enjoy heritage architecture visit the town of St George. It is located off the main road and is characterised by old pubs and heritage homesteads. The nearby Balonne River is an excellent spot for fishing and to the west lies the Riversands Winery.

Cunnamulla, 293km from St George is laced with history, the main street had its beginnings as a stock route. The end of August heralds Eulo Festival of Opals, and the World Lizard Racing Championships. Whilst in Cunnamulla visit the opal mines and take in the colour of the opals as well as the landscape of wild flowers that surrounds the fields after a rain fall in spring.

The Tropic of Capricorn

Head north from Brisbane to Gladstone.  As you approach the Tropic of Capricorn the Temperate Zone is left behind. Rockhampton straddles the Tropic of Capricorn, and is in a region known for its diversity, of both natural and pioneering history. Rockhampton is an ideal base for exploring the Gemfields of the Central Highlands and the seaside villages of Yeppoon and Rosslyn Bay, where you'll find easy access to Great Keppel Island. Explore the underwater beauty of coral reefs or the depths of the limestone caves.

The Highway north is a straight stretch of road passing through cattle stations to the canefields and beachside of Sarina, south of Mackay. Visit Eungella National Park, Queenslands largest rainforest park. Here you have the opportunity to view platypus in the wild. The drive through the Pioneer Valley to the park provides spectacular views and many walking tracks. Mackay boasts some of the finest fertile plains of sugar cane plantations that burst into spectacular reds and golds around harvest season. Its abundance of lush rainforest, access to the amazing Great Barrier Reef, beautiful islands and coastlines - is why Mackay is 'The Natural North'.

If you keep heading north towards Proserpine,  you'll find one of Australia's best aquatic playgrounds - The Whitsunday Islands. From July to September view the humpback whales. Learn to dive or snorkel on the colourful, unique Great Barrier Reef or relax on an island resort such as Hamilton, Daydream, Hayman, South Molle, Brampton, Lindeman, Long or Hook Islands.

The Tropical North

To get a taste for the Tropical North start at Bowen. This town offers the best in mangoes, tomatoes and rockmelon. Known as the 'climate capital of Australia', it borders the clean shorelines of the Pacific Ocean where you can enjoy good fishing and relax on exquisite white sand beaches.

The lower Burdekin abounds in a large variety of birdlife and is an ornithologists and photographer's paradise!

The relaxed charm of the tropics also provides entertainment, dining and shopping all located in Townsville. Townsville is your first major stop over on this adventure north. Beaches are located at its doorstep as well as the renowned Cotters Market which is a hive of activity every Sunday. From Townsville you can take a journey into the Great Barrier Reef or if you'd prefer to relax on a beach visit nearby Magnetic Island, accessible by either passenger or vehicular ferry.

The route then takes you from Townsville to Cairns. This is known as the Great Green Way with sandy beaches, world heritage rainforests.

If you enjoy exploring stop off at Hinchinbrook, the largest Island national park. Here you can explore the rugged mountains, rainforests and mangroves of this pristine wilderness. It is easily accessed by boat from the popular fishing town of Cardwell.

Next stop is Tully, which is famous for it's white water rafting on the Tully River, Dunk and Bedarra Islands and the Great Barrier Reef are only a short boat journey from idyllic Mission Beach.

The delight of Cairns is only short distance further north, where the palm lined esplanade, and the reef and rainforest, make it a diverse city that caters for everybody's budget and taste. Take a ride on the Kurunda railway to see the Atherton Tablelands and the rainforest in all their glory.

The Great Barrier Reef is right at your doorstep with numerous boat operators, offering a wide variety of water activities such as snorkelling, diving, swimming, coral viewing and deep sea fishing.

Beyond Cairns is Port Douglas, an international holiday mecca, with world renowned Four-Mile Beach, the Rainforest, the Daintree River and Mossman Gorge. Port Douglas is the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

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