adventure tourism in queensland

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Popular Trips

1 Day Fraser Island Guided Tour

Enjoy a day over to Fraser Island from Hervey Bay. Visit the main highlights Maheno Shipwreck, Lake Mckensie, Eli Creek and the sandy highway of seventy-five-mile beach.

3 Day Fraser Tagalong Tour

Explore Indian head, Champagne pools, Lake Wabby, Lake Mckenzie and much more on this 3 day Fraser Island guided tour from Hervey Bay. No camping!

1 Day Classic Kuranda Tour from Palm Cove

A full-day adventure to Kuranda, in World Heritage Rainforest. Experience the award-winning Rainforestation including the Army Duck tour, the Koala and Wildlife Park and the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience.

1 Day Langford Island snorkel and sunset sail

Enjoy the beautiful weather, observe the extraordinary marine life, enjoy delicious food, and relax as you spend a day sailing the Whitsundays.

1 Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Sail, snorkel and Dive the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. On this trip we sail to an exclusive mooring points on the Great Barrier Reef. Sheltered calm waters allow you to snorkel or dive (optional) and see the rich variety of corals and fish life.

1 Day Thundercat Whitsundays Tour

1 Day Whitsundays Tour on Thundercat the “Adventure of a lifetime” around the Whitsunday Islands in one day.

1 Day Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour

A great day out to see the World Heritage-listed rainforest and volcanic crater lakes and country around Cairns. Good opportunities to spot wildlife, swim and enjoy the unique natural areas around Cairns.

1 Day Cape Tribulation, Daintree Rainforest and Wildlife Tour

A full day to see the Cape Tribulation region north of Cairns where the ‘reef meets the rainforest’. Stop at the Wildlife Habitat to see native animals, enjoy a cruise on the Daintree River and guided rainforest walks.

Check out our small group tours Queensland.

You can join a small group tour in Queensland full of fun and adventure for the best Australian experience.

We have many fantastic small group tours in Queensland for you to join to see the best of this epic state in Australia.

A small group tour of Queensland is a great way to explore some of the most scenic destinations in Australia.

Queensland is home to many vacation spots that are perfect for both the intrepid traveler and for those who just want to spend time with family and friends.

The Sunshine Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Queensland, which offers visitors access to white-sand beaches, beautiful rainforests, and more. This destination has something for everyone!

If you’re looking for an adventure but don’t want to go it alone, small group tours Queensland is the way to go.

Queensland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. The most visited places in Queensland are Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef.

With only 22% of Australia’s population, Queensland is home to 29% of Australia’s A$1 billion tourism industry. Tourism is also the state’s biggest employer with more than 280,000 jobs supported by tourism.

Queenslanders with a deep love of this amazing place – and we want to show you the best of Queensland. Our small group tours are perfect for those who want to share their adventure with new friends, see more of the state, and have the ultimate Queensland experience.

From Whitsunday Sailing Adventures to Fraser Island tours there are so many different packages to choose from. Deciding which safari or tour is the best for you can be a daunting process — there’s no way you’ll be able to search through them all. Don’t worry! With our small group Queensland tours, we’ll do the legwork for you, finding and selecting the best places for you to see on your trip. This way, you can focus on more fun activities like packing and planning your itinerary.

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Airlie Beach (18)

Activities from Noosa (3)

Cairns (32)

Fraser Island (9)

Queensland Tours (24)

Tours from Brisbane (2)

3 Day K’Gari 4WD Camping Tour

Camping on Fraser Island (K’Gari) is a truly Australian experience that you can’t afford to miss

21 Day East Coast Sydney to Cairns Tour Package

Visit iconic destinations on this East Coast Adventure Tour including Byron Bay, Fraser Island, Bundaberg, and the Whitsundays.

1 Day Ocean Freedom Cruise

Experience the beautiful marine life at one of the most amazing places in the world – The Great Barrier Reef. A perfect mix of nature, relaxation and swimming with an extremely passionate crew who will treat you like friends as they aim to give you the best day of your life.

2 Day / 1 Night Prima Sailing Whitsundays Adventure

Join our intimate sailing adventure around the Whitsunday Islands. Visit Whitehaven Beach and snorkel among the breathtaking reefs and experience the thrill of sailing from one destination to the next.

2 Day K’Gari Fraser Island Tour from Rainbow Beach

A great way to see the highlights Fraser Island from Rainbow Beach staying at Eurong Beach Resort on Fraser Island in comfortable lodge accommodation.

2 Day Cape Tribulation and Atherton Tablelands Tour

Explore two of Cairns’ must-visit destinations in one fun-filled tour with our 2-Day Cape Tribulation and Atherton Tablelands Tour!

Cape Tribulation Day Tour

Visit the oldest living rainforest in the world. World Heritage listed Cape Tribulation is where the rainforest meets the reef!

1 Day Port Douglas Outer Reef Tour

Visit the spectacular Coral Cays of Mackay Reef from Port Douglas.

2 Day Fraser Island Tagalong Tour

Explore ancient rainforests, stunning lakes, and unique landscapes on an overnight 4wd self drive guided tour on Fraser Island.

1 Day Great Barrier Reef Premium Day Tour

Join us on our luxury dive and snorkel vessel from Cairns.  Visit the best dive and snorkel locations on the Great Barrier Reef and the outer reef of Norma and Saxon Reefs.

1 Day Whitsunday Bullet Beach and Snorkel Tour

Whitsunday Bullet is an exhilarating day tour from Airlie Beach. This tour includes Hill Inlet Lookout, visit the Southern end of Whitehaven Beach, plus snorkeling.

2 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Dive and Snorkel Trip

Overnight (liveaboard) Great Barrier Reef trip from Cairns – a truly a remarkable adventure.

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Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Tourism Australia

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• Top things to do
• Getting to Queensland

From the bright lights of the Gold Coast to the technicolour underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland has a slice of paradise to suit every traveller.

Home to more than 1,000 ecosystem types and five World Heritage-listed sites, there’s something altogether magical about the beauty of Queensland. Here, islands of white sand dot aqua waters in the Whitsundays, colourful coral bursts to life with fish and turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, and lush green canopies dance in the sun in the Daintree Rainforest.

Queensland may be best known for its sparkling coastline and idyllic islands dotting the wonderous Great Barrier Reef, but the state also features rugged outback landscapes and ancient rainforests which are home to some of the world's most unusual animals. Explore this state to see just how unique it is.

• Snorkel or scuba dive with The Great Eight on the Great Barrier Reef
• Experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the Daintree ; the world's oldest living rainforest
• Enjoy an oceanside escape on K'gari (Fraser Island), the Sunshine Coast , the Gold Coast or The Whitsundays

Queensland has international airports in  Brisbane , Cairns, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, with direct flights from many global hubs, as well as major and regional Australian cities. 

Regional airports in ports like  Hamilton Island  and  Bundaberg  offer regular domestic flights that will help you explore more of Queensland’s diverse destinations. With well-maintained routes and endless adventure, the Sunshine State is also ideal for road trips – the Great Barrier Reef Drive, the  Pacific Coast Way  and Matilda Way are a few of the best.

Popular destinations in Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef

The Gold Coast

The Southern Great Barrier Reef

The Daintree Rainforest

The Sunshine Coast

Trips and itineraries.

10-day coast to coast itinerary

14-day Tropical North Queensland drive

9 days of family fun on the Gold Coast

Sunshine Coast: 8-day family road trip holiday

13-day itinerary for foodies and design lovers

6-day family adventure around Cairns

4-day road trip through the Scenic Rim

3 days on the Great Sunshine Way

16-day family road trip: Gold Coast to Cairns

The Pacific Way: Gold Coast to Cairns

10 days of shopping, design and art

4 days on the Great Beach Drive

Things to do in queensland.

The best day trips from Brisbane

Best places to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef

Unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experiences

Looking for more inspiration? Go to queensland.com

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

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Adventure Travel With a Glass of Wine

5 Bucket List Adventures in Queensland

By Jennifer Dombrowski Leave a Comment

For us Americans, planning a holiday in Australia is a big deal. It’s literally flying to the other side of the world and the world’s longest flight route from Houston to Sydney clocks in at 17.5 hours. Visiting Australia is definitely not something you do on a whim, like hopping in the car for a spontaneous weekend in Pittsburgh when you live in Erie. If you’re going to travel that long and far, you want to do it properly. It’s a big part of why, along with that pesky time factor, that we have yet to go Down Under.

When we finally make it to Australia for our first trip, Queensland is top of our Australia bucket list. It’s Australia’s second largest state at about two and a half times the size of Texas. With all that land, there’s a ton of varied land and seascapes. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Queensland Outback, Queensland checks every single one of our must-see boxes. While we could probably spend a year exploring Queensland alone, we narrowed down our top five bucket list adventures.

A post shared by #thisisqueensland (@queensland) on Feb 5, 2018 at 10:10am PST

1. Dive Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. While we used to generally say it’s on our bucket list to dive the Great Barrier Reef, we’ve since narrowed that down to specifically diving Lady Elliot Island . It’s like stating you want to visit Italy, when it’s Rome you really want to see.

Located at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is known as one of the best dive sites on the entire Great Barrier Reef. Highly protected in a “Green Zone,” meaning no fishing or extraction of species is allowed from the zone, Lady Elliot Island is a sanctuary for some 1200 different species. The dive site is also well known for its abundance of manta rays and sea turtles. There’s even the possibility to spot humpback whales when diving from May through October.

Lady Elliot Island is only accessible by chartered flight, but once you’re there you have over 20 different dive sites all within 15 minutes surrounding the island to chose from.

2. Sail the Whitsundays

Always suckers for destinations that made for postcards, sailing the Whitsundays can’t be missed while visiting Queensland. As the tide goes out, spits of white sand swirl through the aquamarine waters.

The group of 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays are situated right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef system. Not only do we want to sink out toes in the sugary white sand of the Whitsunday’s famous Whitehaven Beach, we want to dive Hardy Reef.

It’s located 40 nautical miles from land and in another extremely protected part of the Great Barrier Reef. Hardy Reef is its own ecosystem, known for its hard and soft coral garden. Home to many species of colorful reef fish and tiger and reef sharks, there are many species found here that aren’t found out in the open waters of other parts of the Great Barrier Reef.

Food and wine pairing lunches are just one of the events at the festival | Courtesy of Noosa Food & Wine Festival

3. Eat and Drink Your Way through the Noosa Food & Wine Festival

Another reason Queensland is top of our Australia bucket list is that it’s home to one of Australia’s top foodie destinations: Noosa . And there’s hardly a better way to sample a whole lot of Australian food and wine than at a food festival.

Each year the Sunshine Coast hosts the Noosa Food & Wine Festival , with some 200 chefs showcasing Australian food and the freshest seafood. There’s also wine producers from all around Australia, which is a great opportunity to really sample and learn about wines from down under.

A post shared by #VisitNoosa (@visitnoosa) on Jan 8, 2018 at 9:48pm PST

4. Kayak the Noosa Everglades

Our love of kayaking wouldn’t let us miss one of the most spectacular kayaking destinations in Australia – the Noosa Everglades. Two-day or three-day self-guided Noosa Everglades kayaking adventures let you live out your Crocodile Dundee fantasies as you pitch a tent and camp-out under a star-studded sky in the remote Great Sandy National Park.

The Noosa Everglades are one of only two everglades systems in the world. Dubbed the “River of Mirrors,” the Noosa Everglades are one of the most pristine places in Australia and relatively off-the-beaten-path from Australia’s many other attractions.

But not to worry. While 44% of all Australia’s birds species and some 700 native animals live in the Noosa Everglades, crocodiles and alligators don’t. You can feel free to take a dip or fill up your canteen without needing your own croc-wrestling Mick Dundee to rescue you.

A post shared by #outbackqueensland (@outbackqueensland) on Jan 10, 2018 at 2:30pm PST

5. Disconnect in the Outback

You can’t head to Australia without having an adventure in the Outback.

We’d head to the Fountain Range and do the hike to Fountain Springs. The waterhole is a beloved local gem, and abundant with bird life.

On our quest to stand atop all the world’s great sand dunes, we can’t miss the 30 meter high Big Red. After some dune bashing, we’d bring a bottle of wine to be enjoyed while watching the famed sunset from the top as we did on another of the world’s great dunes – Erg Chigaga in Morocco .

Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim

About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

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Queensland Adventure Tours

Search for the ultimate Active tour in Queensland! From adrenaline-fuelled experiences to mountain playgrounds, there are 26 private, group and tailor-made adventures to choose from. With some of our much-loved tour operators offering all-inclusive activity packages, you’re sure to find your perfect Queensland adventure!

26 Queensland adventure tour packages with 208 Reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

The trip was great. However, I didn’t like the hostel in Airlie Beach. It was the worst one in this trip. Overall was great

Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns

A truly unforgettable experience! Seeing some of the worlds most beautiful places in the company of amazing people. I thoroughly recommend anyone considering this to just do it.

East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE

Had an absolutely amazing time these past few weeks traveling up the east coast with Juliet as our leader! She was wonderful and always sent us so many recommendations for everywhere we went and had us completely organized every day. She has been so lovely and I’ve met such a great new group of friends :) very sad it’s over!!

• €35 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

East Coast Highlights - 3 Week | ULTIMATE

It was a fantastic tour! Hannah was very knowledgeable and helpful. Encouraged us all to try new things and have an open mind. Would love to travel with her again

Australia: North Queensland Adventure (9 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

15 Day Roo Adventure Tour: Byron Bay > Cairns

It was wonderful! Our tour guide Adam was fantastic. Highly recommend.

15 Day Dingo Adventure Tour: Brisbane > Cairns

What an enthousiastic and fun guide!! She took us on hikes, and did her very best to give us a wonderful time. Especially the snorkeling on great kepple island i will never forget!

• Volunteering

Eye On The Reef - Marine Conservation Program on the Great Barrier Reef

I was on No Limit Adventures' Marine Conservation program "Eye on the Reef" and it was the most fascinating thing I have done so far. I was able to take my Diving certificate and thereafter take part of the great conservation work they are doing on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. I can highly recommend it to others. It is so interesting and it makes you think a lot about the marine life and how easily it is destroyed. By the way the guys working at No Limit Adventures are the best ever they were our guides in Australia for a month and I simply had the best time of my life and I learned so much

Fraser Dingo Beach House Tag-Along 4WD Tour 3-Day

• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing

Tropical Islands and Rainforest (9 Days)

Couples 4wd Camper - 3 Days K'gari (Fraser Island)

Fraser Dingo were very informative and well-organised in the lead up to the trip giving you all details you needed for an amazing adventure! The car was so much fun to drive across the island and the bed in the back was comfy! We were provided with all camping equipment for the stay as well as detailed information about the itinerary, tide times, weather etc. It couldn't have been easier! Fraser Island is stunning and a must-visit in Queensland. I highly recommend this trip with Fraser Dingo!

Couples 4wd Camper - 4 Days K'gari (Fraser Island)

3 Day / 2 Night Whitsunday Islands Maxi Sailing Adventure

The sailing organized adventure was an absolute blast! Our group consisted of 24 young people from all around the world, and the boat crew was not only incredibly professional but also quite funny. Sailing through the Whitsundays is a must-do when you're in the area. And let's face it, if you don't have a private yacht, this organized adventure is the best way to experience this breathtaking paradise on Earth! This was my second time in the Whitsundays, and despite the unlucky weather, it was still super worth it! We saw thousands of fish while snorkeling, encountered 3 turtles and a dozen stingrays and Whitehaven Beach was simply spectacular! Honestly, I would go for a third time. Kudos to Prosail, and a big thank you to TourRadar for the smooth booking process!

Learn To Dive (5 Days)

Great dive instructors.

Snorkel to Adventure (3 Days)

This experience really exceeded my expectations. The staff are helpful and friendly, the whole experience of snorkeling and scuba diving is fantastic. Definitely an unforgettable memory.

What people love about Active Tours in Queensland

Really good trip with value for your money. We saw a lot of Australia in such a short time, given how massive Australia really is. Our guide, Tamar, was an absolute sweetheart, knowledgeable, well travelled and very professional. This tour has the right balance of group activities and independent activities if you choose to do so. My only complaint is that some of the accommodations were subpar, which was disappointing given the high cost of this trip.

Had the best 5 weeks of my life traveling the east coast with ultimate travel, our tour guide Zoe was amazing and always happy to help us with anything and had the most fun I couldn’t recommend enough made so many amazing friends and memories to last a lifetime , Zoe your were amazing x

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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Queensland

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Sep 13, 2021 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Queensland, "the Sunshine State," is Australia's most popular vacation destination. Golden beaches, idyllic tropical islands, fantastic surf breaks, World Heritage-listed rainforests, rivers, reefs, and waterfalls are just some of the state's natural jewels.

All Queensland's sun-soaked settings offer exhilarating outdoor adventures. The dazzling Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef offer superb diving and snorkeling. K'Gari ( Fraser Island) is a favorite four-wheel-driving adventure, and the wilderness areas along the Queensland coast are excellent for hiking, biking, boating, and fishing.

For a change of pace, Queensland's capital, Brisbane , delivers big-city attractions with a small-town feel. South of Brisbane lies the glitzy Gold Coast with its hedonism and high rises. Traveling north along the coast from the capital, you can explore a string of holiday resorts, from sleepy beach towns and rainforest villages, to picturesque Port Douglas, and the tropical tourist-magnet of Cairns. Learn more about the best places to visit in this sunny state with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Queensland.

1. Dive or Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef

2. take a safari through daintree national park and cape tribulation, 3. go four-wheel-driving on k'gari (fraser island), 4. island hop at the whitsundays, 5. stroll along four mile beach in port douglas, 6. visit cairns, 7. bask on the beaches of noosa heads and the sunshine coast, 8. soar over the rainforest to kuranda, 9. live it up on the gold coast, 10. get a culture fix in brisbane, 11. hop aboard a whale watching cruise in hervey bay, 12. enjoy the views in maleny & montville, 13. bird-watch at lamington national park, 14. tour townsville and magnetic island, 15. feed a kangaroo at australia zoo, 16. explore the cape york peninsula & the torres strait islands, map of tourist attractions & things to do in queensland.

It's difficult to overstate the beauty and ecological importance of this World Heritage-listed natural wonder. This is the planet's largest living structure , and it's so vast, you can see it from space.

Much of the reef lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park , which extends off the northern coast of Queensland, from Mackay to the northeastern corner of Australia. The park itself is about half the size of Texas and protects more than 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays, and a patchwork of mangrove islands.

Diving or snorkeling the reef is one of Australia's must-do outdoor adventures . The astounding diversity of marine life lures visitors from around the world. More than 1,600 species of tropical fish inhabit the reef, as well as sharks, dugongs, dolphins, turtles, giant clams, and kaleidoscopic soft and hard corals. Underwater viewing stations and glass-bottom boats also offer a window into this underwater wonderland.

Other popular things to do during a visit to the Great Barrier Reef include scenic flights, island-hopping cruises, and sailing trips.

On the mainland, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Airlie Beach are the top gateway towns for tours. Alternatively, you can stay at one of the resort islands within the marine park. The Whitsunday Islands offer popular attractions and accommodation options and make a great base to explore the reef.

Remote Lizard Island , the park's most northerly island, is famous for its exclusive resort , and Lady Elliot Island , the reef's southernmost coral cay, is home to a popular eco-resort .

A Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Daintree National Park is the planet's oldest surviving rainforest . That alone should be reason enough to visit, but it also harbors one of the world's highest concentrations of threatened and endangered species.

Located in Far North Queensland, the two main sections of the park include the crystal-clear waters and lush forests of Mossman Gorge , as well as Cape Tribulation , where tropical rainforest fringes the reef-splotched shores of the Coral Sea.

The ecosystems here are incredibly diverse. More than 18,000 plant species, as well as a fascinating array of animals live within the park, including the flightless southern cassowaries (ostrich-sized birds), crocodiles, Boyd's rainforest dragons, brightly hued azure kingfishers, spotted cuscuses, and musky rat-kangaroos.

The best way to explore this area is on a guided safari. Many companies offer tours on amphibious vehicles and include rainforest hikes and tropical fruit tastings. However, you can also take a self-drive tour.

Other popular things to do include ziplining through the rainforest, horseback riding, swimming at Mossman Gorge, looking for cassowaries along the Jindalba Boardwalk , and hiking the many other rainforest trails.

Just south of the park, the resort town of Port Douglas is a popular base for arranging rainforest wilderness safaris. This area is one of the best places to visit in Queensland in winter, during the dry season.

On the beautiful Fraser Coast, about a 3.5-hour drive from Brisbane, World Heritage-listed K'Gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world . Four-wheel drive adventures here explore wide windswept beaches, crystal-clear lakes and streams, dingoes, dense forests, sacred Aboriginal sites, and multi-hued rock formations.

Seventy-Five Mile Beach is the island's main thoroughfare and provides access to some of K'Gari's top attractions . These include the rusted hull of the Maheno shipwreck , the bubbling rock pools of Champagne Pools , Eli Creek , and the colored sandstone cliffs of The Pinnacles .

Tiger sharks, dolphins, and whales swim in the wind-whipped waters, and the island's fauna includes Australia's purest strain of dingo and more than 300 species of birds.

Top things to do inland include swimming in the aquamarine Lake McKenzie ; exploring the rainforest trails of Central Station; and visiting Lake Wabby , backed by a towering sandblow.

The most popular access point for tours to Fraser Island is Hervey Bay, the whale watching capital of Australia. From here, you can hop aboard a car or passenger ferry to K'Gari or book a Fraser Island Day Tour .

Off the coast of central Queensland, the Whitsunday group encompasses 74 stunning islands strung along the Great Barrier Reef . The Whitsundays are continental islands, the summits of a coastal range emerging from the sea. All but five of them have been declared national parks, and about eight are home to popular resorts.

Popular things to do in the Whitsundays include diving and snorkeling tours, sailing trips, basking on the dazzling tropical beaches, and relaxing at the island resorts.

The most famous resorts include luxurious Hayman Island ; tiny Daydream Island Resort ; well-developed Hamilton Island , the largest of the island resorts; and Palm Bay Resort on beautiful Long Island, with access to 13 kilometers of walking tracks.

On uninhabited Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven Beach, with its powdery white sands and turquoise water, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia .

Airlie Beach is the main launching points for island excursions.

Dotted with palms and mango trees, the once-sleepy village of Port Douglas is now a charming holiday resort. It's the closest mainland town to the Great Barrier Reef , making it a popular base for reef trips, as well as wilderness safaris in Daintree National Park . This picturesque town lies about an hour's drive north of Cairns, along a scenic coastal road, which winds between beaches and rainforest-cloaked hills.

Skirting the beautiful blond sweep of Four Mile Beach , Port Douglas has a relaxed tropical vibe, with cute cafés, shops, and art galleries. From the Flagstaff Hill Lookout enjoy breathtaking views of the palm-fringed beach merging with the turquoise Coral Sea.

Top things to do in Port Douglas include getting up close to Aussie animals at the Wildlife Habitat , shopping at the farmers markets, and soaking up the downtown scene on Macrossan Street. Other adventures on offer include safaris in all-terrain vehicles to Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation , fishing trips, northbound expeditions through the rugged landscape of the Cape York Peninsula , and boat trips to Cooktown and the Great Barrier Reef.

Thanks to the year-round toasty weather in the tropics, Port Douglas is one of the best places to visit in Queensland in winter. This is the prime tourist season, when the weather is typically sunny and dry.

In a superb location, between the Great Barrier Reef and the dark hills of the Atherton Tableland, Cairns is one of the most popular tourist towns in Far North Queensland. It makes a great base to explore the best of Queensland.

Cairns is a friendly, laid-back town, with palm-fringed streets, large parks, and colorful gardens. Beautiful beaches radiate out along the coast from Trinity Bay and Palm Cove to Port Douglas. Feel like a stroll? The five-kilometer-long Cairns Esplanade runs along the bay, with a saltwater swimming lagoon and free water-themed playground for young children.

Cairns is an excellent base for day trips. It's one of the most popular launching points for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef , as well as tropical islands such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island .

The Atherton Tableland to the southwest is another popular day trip destination, where you can explore rainforest reserves, waterfalls, and the charming attractions in the mountain village of Kuranda. The Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail cableway offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and the World Heritage-listed rainforests of Barron Gorge National Park .

Other top things to do in Cairns include visiting the Flecker Botanic Gardens, with more than 100 species of palms, and learning about the region's history at Cairns Museum. Cairns is also one of Australia's best fishing destinations .

Wondering where to stay in Cairns? You'll find accommodation to suit all budgets, from buzzy backpacker digs to flashy resorts.

Stretching from Caloundra to Noosa Heads, the Sunshine Coast is one of the most popular places to visit in South East Queensland. Known for its beautiful beaches, it's also a popular holiday spot for Aussies, only about two hours north of the Gold Coast high-rises but seemingly a world away. Beaches are among the top attractions on the Sunshine Coast , from peaceful, cliff-fringed bays to famous surf breaks.

Noosa Heads is one of the most popular resort areas. Its postcard-perfect slice of sand and sea, Main Beach, is one of Noosa's top attractions , and it's also home to a famous surf break.

For more beautiful beaches and fantastic surfing, Coolum is another great place to visit on the Sunshine Coast. The Point Arkwright Trail here connects a series of secluded cliff-fringed bays, where you can escape the crowds and take a cool dip on a hot summer's day.

And more beaches await at Caloundra , from popular Kings Beach, with its oceanfront pool, to Moffat's point break and the perfect paddling waters of Paradise Beach.

Maroochydore is the region's bustling commercial center and the location of the Sunshine Coast airport.

A trip to Kuranda, a charming rainforest village on the Atherton Tableland, is as much about the journey as the destination. From just outside of Cairns, you can take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and fly over World Heritage-listed rainforests and the beautiful Barron River and Gorge .

Alternatively, the Kuranda Scenic Railway chugs through the rainforest, past rugged peaks and waterfalls. The journey ends in the little station at Kuranda, about 25 kilometers northwest of Cairns, which is almost hidden by tropical plants and palms.

Exploring Kuranda's highlights starts with a stroll around the village. Artsy shops, galleries, and the colorful Kuranda markets sell souvenirs and local crafts, and you can soak up a slice of nature at several animal sanctuaries. The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens, and Rainforestation Nature Park are favorite things to do in Queensland for families.

Walks can be arranged on request from Kuranda to the wildly romantic Barron Gorge National Park . At Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park by the Caravonic Lakes, you can learn about Aboriginal culture and enjoy frequent native dance performances.

Travelers wishing to take the scenic self-drive route to Kuranda will also enjoy the journey.

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's best-known holiday regions. During the last few decades, a building boom transformed the coast into a kind of tropical Las Vegas, with skyscrapers and shopping malls stretching from Southport in the north to Coolangatta in the south.

Packed with tourist attractions and high-rise hotels, Surfers Paradise - "Surfers" for short - is a tourist magnet, legendary for its alliterative assets: sun, surf, and sand. But it's easy to escape the crowds in the surrounding wilderness areas or on the outlying beaches.

Despite Surfers Paradise's reputation for hedonism, you'll find plenty of Queensland attractions for families in the region. South of Surfers Paradise, kids love Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary , and Movie World , where old film sets have been recreated by Warner Bros. To the north, in Southport, you can see your favorite marine creatures at Sea World .

Not surprisingly, swimming, sunbathing, and surfing are popular things to do on Queensland's Gold Coast , and nature lovers will find plenty of attractions to explore. Excellent networks of roads lead to scenic lookouts in the hinterland, where many wilderness areas are within easy reach, including popular Lamington National Park .

To visit the Gold Coast, you can fly into Coolangatta airport, near the Queensland-New South Wales border.

Brisbane, Australia's third largest city and the capital of Queensland, offers a more relaxed pace than the larger capitals in the country's southeast. It makes a great base to explore Queensland. The city straddles the Brisbane River and is bounded on the east by the sea and on the west by the Great Dividing Range.

Visitors love the city's sunny climate and its luxuriant parks and gardens. Top things to do in Brisbane include strolling around the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, with more than 2,000 species of plants, and visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary , one of the few places where you can touch and feed koalas.

Family-friendly South Bank Parklands features riverside walking and biking trails, lush gardens, shops, and restaurants.

River cruises are also popular. One of Brisbane's best known tourist attractions is the Kookaburra Queen , an old paddle steamer, which cruises down the Brisbane River, and the River Life Adventure Centre offers adrenalin-fueled water sports on the river.

Other things to see and do include shopping at the Queen Street Mall , climbing the Story Bridge , exploring the exhibits at the kid-friendly Queensland Museum , browsing the inspirational art exhibits at QAGOMA , and enjoying beautiful city views from Mt Coot-tha Lookout .

Brisbane is also a great jumping-off point for a range of rewarding day trips that showcase the best of Queensland, from island getaways and wildlife-rich national parks to the famous Australia Zoo and family-friendly theme parks.

Ever wanted to swim with a humpback whale or come eye-to-eye with one of these gentle giants? This bucket-list adventure is one of the top things to do in Hervey Bay , the whale watching capital of Australia .

In 2019, Hervey Bay became the first place in the world to earn a World Cetacean Alliance designation as a Whale Heritage Site .

What makes it so special? K'Gari (Fraser Island) shelters the shallow waters off Hervey Bay, providing a sanctuary for these magnificent marine mammals. Here, they take a break from their long migration to rest, socialize, and teach their calves, and lucky visitors can enjoy up-close exhilarating encounters with them. Some cruises even offer you the chance to swim with the whales , one of the unique things to do in Queensland.

Wondering about the best time to visit Hervey Bay for whale watching? Late July through early November are the prime months. And if you're not visiting during whale season, you'll find plenty of other nature experiences in Hervey Bay, from eco-cruises , sunset cruises, and fishing charters to Indigenous cultural tours and spending time on the peaceful beaches.

Craving some tranquility in the country? Head to the Sunshine Coast hinterland villages of Maleny & Montville. Both these charming villages sit high in the Blackall Ranges with breathtaking views of the Glasshouse Mountains, a cluster of volcanic plugs rising out of the coastal plain.

Maleny is dairy country. That means rolling green hills, cows, and, best of all, cheese! You can sample some while you're here, as well as other artisan products, like the sweet cocoa treats at Maleny Chocolate Factory.

Montville also offers inspirational views of the lush valleys and the Glasshouse Mountains. Art galleries, craft cottages, boutiques, and gift shops peek out from veils of blossoms on the main street. Along with Maleny, it's one of the best country towns to visit in Queensland, and it's the perfect place to linger and enjoy Devonshire tea.

Nature is also never far away. Look for pademelons on the rainforest trails at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve , enjoy a picnic at Barron Pocket Dam , spot platypus on the Obi Obi Boardwalk right near downtown Maleny, or hike to Kondalilla Falls .

About a two-hour drive south of Brisbane, Lamington National Park is a World Heritage Area and one of the state's most popular national parks. Located on the Lamington Plateau of the McPherson Range , amid the remnants of an ancient volcano, the park contains spectacular scenery, with steep gorges, more than 500 waterfalls, tropical and subtropical rainforests, and beech forests in the higher elevations.

Nature buffs will be in heaven here. More than 190 species of birds live in the park, including bowerbirds and colorful flocks of parrots. Red-necked pademelons, a small kangaroo-like marsupial, frolic at the rainforest fringes, and the shy platypus swims in the park's river rock pools.

Lamington National Park is also a haven for hikers with more than 150 kilometers of walking trails.

Official site: http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington/

Townsville is the largest tropical town in Australia. It's an excellent base for excursions and tours, particularly to beautiful Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef, but it also offers plenty of tourist attractions of its own.

The town lies on Cleveland Bay at the foot of Castle Hill , a 300-meter-high granite crag. Walking tracks lead to its peak, with panoramic views over the town and sea. But perhaps the best place to start exploring the city is the Strand . Strolling along this scenic waterfront promenade, you can take a dip at one of the swimming areas, soak up some of the region's history at Jezzine Barracks , enjoy a picnic in a park, or dine at a nearby café.

Apart from the picturesque waterfront, Townsville owes much of its charm to its many parks and private gardens filled with luxuriant tropical flowers. While you're here, be sure to take a stroll through the Queen's Gardens, Townsville's oldest botanical garden, and Townsville Palmetum, with the world's largest collection of palms.

Families will find plenty of kid-friendly attractions. Pack a picnic and head to Riverway , with its pretty riverfront parkland, walking and biking trails, art exhibits, and free swimming pools, and if you're interested in the local aquatic life, Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium features an underwater tunnel where you can view the coral reef and marine life up close.

Other popular things to do in Townsville include visiting the Museum of Tropical Queensland and diving the SS Yongala wreck.

Made famous by the late Steve Irwin, the charismatic croc-loving Aussie conservationist, Australia Zoo is one of Queensland's best loved family attractions. An easy day trip from Brisbane , the zoo has a strong focus on education and conservation. As well as Aussie favorites like kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, - and crocs - you can also see exotic animal species, including Sumatran tigers, rhinos, meerkats, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, and elephants.

Crocoseum performances are a great way to learn more about some of the fascinating creatures that call the zoo home, including birds of prey, snakes, and the venue's namesake crocodiles. You can also ride a camel, feed a kangaroo or red panda, and cuddle a koala. The zoo is spread out over 110 acres, so make sure you wear your walking shoes.

Official site: http://www.australiazoo.com.au/

Remote, rugged, and rich in Aboriginal history, the Cape York Peninsula & Torres Strait Islands are some of the most the unique places to visit in Queensland.

Looking for adventure? You'll find it on the legendary "trip to the tip" of Cape York Peninsula, one of Australia's epic road-trips. You can also reach some of the top Cape York destinations on a day trip from Cairns, including the historic settlement of Cooktown and the wildlife-rich wetlands of Lakefield National Park .

But to hit the northernmost tip of Australia, excellent planning and an off-road vehicle are essential. River crossings are part of the adventure, and in the far north, wet season deluges wash out the rudimentary roads, so travel must be tackled during the dry season, from May to October.

Along the way, you'll see jungly rain forests, wild mangrove-fringed beaches, sprawling savannah, croc-filled rivers, ancient rock art, and fascinating Aboriginal communities. North of Weipa, it's usually necessary to camp, and satellite phones are highly recommended.

If you're not up for the planning and logistics of a self-drive tour of this wild, relatively unspoiled region, you can always take an organized tour or fly directly into one of the 274 Torres Strait Islands north of Cape York's tip. Thursday Island is the main administrative center and a great place to learn about the culture of the Torres Strait islanders. Horn Island reveals a fascinating military history. Private Roko Island offers a unique glamping experience, and you can tour a pearl farm here and on Friday Island .

Fishing charters off Weipa are another popular way to explore this untamed coast.

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Queensland Road Trips – 11 BEST Drive Itineraries [2024]

• Last Updated: February 2, 2024

We’ve driven all over the Sunshine State to bring you this epic guide to the best Queensland road trips! If you’re wondering what drives in Queensland you can’t miss, this article is for you!

If you’re the kind of person that loves packing the car and hitting the road on an epic road trip, then chances are you already have driving around Australia on your bucket list.

We have travelled the world searching for the most iconic driving itineraries, yet for some reason we never really had the chance to explore much of our home country.

That all changed in 2020, when we were lucky enough to be able to get up to Queensland on the northeast coast of Australia and travel around in our campervan.

After more than a decade on the road, it takes a lot to impress us. But what we found in the Sunshine State was nothing short of spectacular!

We started in the south exploring the rolling hills and forests of the Hinterland and zig-zagged along the coast all the way to Cooktown.

The further north and west you go the greater the opportunity for some great 4WD Queensland road trips that should not be missed if you have the right vehicle and are prepared for adventure.

If you’re ready to find the best Queensland drives, fill the tank and dive into our latest epic guide!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Table of Contents

Gold Coast Hinterland Road Trip

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Here is our list of Queensland road trips that all people can enjoy.

We’ll start from the south and work up north, as most people fly into Brisbane or the Gold Coast before continuing onwards.

Let’s hit the road!

• Route – Surfers Paradise to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
• Distance – 109km
• Duration – 2 hours 30 minutes
• Vehicle – Any
• Road Conditions – Fully sealed
• Highlights –  Lush rainforest, waterfalls, lakes, valleys and headlands, Tamborine Mountain, Lamington National Park, Springbrook National Park

The Gold Coast Hinterland is an area of stunning natural beauty with ancient national parks peppered throughout the region.

Up here you’ll find plenty of activities for travellers who want some fresh air in their lives, but still prefer to have easy access to the city literally just an hour away.

The Gold Coast Hinterland Tourist Drive boasts plenty of magnificent lookouts out towards the mountains and active volcanic creeks, waterfalls and swimming holes.

This is a short and easy Queensland road trip that starts in Surfers Paradise and heads up towards Toowoomba, making it perfect for a day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, or a possibility for a weekend away.

After you’ve ticked off all the awesome things to do in the Gold Coast , your itinerary will see you drive up to Tamborine Mountain then back down towards Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park.

The beautiful Tamborine Mountain offers a variety of hikes through the national park, as well as hang gliding off of the launch site that overlooks an otherworldly valley!

If you’re more into sampling local produce, there are plenty of distilleries, wineries and fruit and vegetable farms all around this scenic mountain town.

After you’ve hiked, ate and drank all throughout the national park, head down to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area .

This is where you’ll find the gorgeous Springbrook National Park, home to the Hinterland’s most iconic site, the Natural Bridge.

This enchanting waterfall cascades through arches in a basalt cave and is a wonderful place to walk around and practice your photography.

Then wind your way higher along Lamington National Park Road where you can enjoy spotting waterfalls while strolling amidst treetops covered in blossoming flowers.

Finish up your drive at the legendary O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat , where you can take part in a bunch of activities, or spoil yourself by spending the night.

• Route – Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Warwick, Barcaldine, Winton and Birdsville
• Distance – 1892km
• Duration – 5 days
• Vehicle – 4WD (Can do in a 2WD. Route below.)
• Road Conditions – Sealed at the beginning then becomes unsealed near the end. You can take another route, see below.
• Highlights – Nindigully Pub, Artesian mud bath, Dig Tree’s history, Cooper Creek, Birdsville Pub

The Big Red Bash Road Trip is popular for those who want a bit of adventure in southern Queensland.

The Queensland outback is the place to go if you want some of the best, authentic experiences in Australia.

The landscape offers rolling hills, endless horizons, and quaint towns that will make for a memorable trip, with the possibility of seeing a lot more wildlife than other tourists!

Start off in Brisbane and then head inland towards Ipswich , past Toowoomba and then up to Warwick and Barcaldine.

If you can, time your trip to be on a Saturday, where there is a fantastic little market at Pittsworth. So make sure you stop by for some great coffee and home made cakes.

Then on your way South you will find open grazing land where you can see cattle or even the odd horse if you’re lucky.

This drive is Southeast Queensland’s own road less travelled. Satisfy your hunger for adventure with a journey to one of the most unique events in Australia.

In the midst of Queensland’s vibrant red desert, you’ll find The Big Red Bash–the world’s most remote music festival.

It is an annual rock concert hosted on sand dunes along Birdsville’s Simpson Desert border and usually takes place in July.

Getting there is all part of this ultimate Australian experience as well—you’re going to be traversing across some incredible scenery both before getting there and once arriving at the destination itself.

So take your time, enjoy everything that surrounds you while making your way out into our nation’s far-flung corners, stopping every so often to catch your breath and take it all in.

If you have a 2WD, go through Roma and Windorah. There is another way from Brisbane to Birdsville for those who have 2WD vehicles. You can travel through Roma and Windorah.

A Route Breakdown

• Brisbane to Nindigully, 501km
• Nindigully to Cunnamulla, 340km
• Cunnamulla to Noccundra, 340km
• Noccundra to Innamincka, 311km
• Innamincka to Birdsville, 400km

• Route – Brisbane up the coast to Cairns
• Distance – 1874km
• Duration – 10 days.
• Road Conditions – the roads are fully sealed the entire route
• Highlights – Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Ingham, Mission Beach, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Atherton Tablelands, Cairns

The Pacific Coast Way is a highway that links towns and cities along the east coast of Australia.

The route starts in Sydney, then goes all the way up to Cairns on Queensland’s northeast coast.

Along this path, you’ll find plenty of coastal havens as well as inland hinterland regions with beautiful farming areas – perfect for those looking for an escape from city life!

Keep your eyes open. There are many hidden gems waiting just outside major population centres ready to be discovered off this famous road trip (and they’re worth every kilometre!).

Our favourite side trip took us to Magnetic Island, with which we immediately fell in love! Here’s our day trip to Magnetic Island guide.

READ MORE – Want to learn more about this road trip? Check out our article on Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip .

• Route – Maroochydore, Noosa Heads, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay
• Distance – 419 km
• Duration – 3 – 7 days
• Vehicle – 4WD only
• Road Conditions – Sand Beaches driving. Need to be prepared with rescue gear
• Highlights – Noosa Heads, Double Island Point, Great Sandy National Park, Rainbow Beach, Carlo Sandblow, Fraser Island, 75 Mile Beach, Marcoola Beach

With its endless stretches of coastline here in Queensland, World Heritage listed landscapes and quirky, colourful towns and so many amazing road trips, they don’t come much better than the Great Beach Drive.

This 3-7 day off-the-beaten-track road trip will take you 380km on an adventure from Noosa to Hervey Bay via Fraser Island!

This road trip covers Rainbow Beach, 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island and Marcoola Beach in Hervey Bay. The Great Beach Drive is full of lots of beach beauty.

This one is only for the 4WD, so bring your own or you can rent one. The four-wheel-drive tracks have beautiful views that are worth seeing on a sunny day.

They also lead to beaches with waves crashing against them in the mornings before sunrise. But also at sunset hours after work for people seeking relaxation or adventure from their everyday lives.

This area has plenty of adorable permanent residents like koalas and kookaburras who live alongside migratory birds too such as pelicans, cormorants and fairy terns which can be seen while fishing off one side or another!

Driving on some of the world’s most stunning beaches and through idyllic National Parks, this road trip also connects to World Heritage listed Fraser Island (K’gari) in Queensland’s Australia Nature Coast region.

There’s no shortage of reasons as to why people love the scenic drive along Fraser Island’s famous 75-mile beach. Another one of Queensland’s pristine stretches of white sands and crystal clear waters, this adventure is like no other.

• Noosa to Rainbow Beach – 70km
• Rainbow Beach to Fraser Island – 157km
• Fraser Island to Hervey Bay – 44km

• Route – Cunnamulla, Blackall, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Karumba
• Distance – 1812km
• Duration – 5 – 8 days
• Highlights – Charleville Cosmos Centre, Longreach museums, Age of Dinosaurs and Lark Quarry stampede site, Karumba.

The Matilda Way is an excellent way to experience rural Australia while travelling 1812 kilometres from the New South Wales border in Tamworth through St George, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Blackall, Mitchell Creek National Park (with over 250 waterfalls), Taroom and eventually Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

So grab two mates along for this extraordinary journey as well your trusty vehicle.

The Matilda Way road trip is a 1,812km highway that is fully sealed, starting from the New South Wales border at Cunnamulla and runs all the way up to the Gulf of Carpentaria .

This road will lead you on an adventurous trip with different experiences each day!

Here is a rough guide

• Cunnamulla to Charleville – 200km
• Charleville to Blackall – 300km
• Blackall to Longreach – 214km
• Longreach to Winton – 180km
• Winton to Cloncurry – 350km
• Cloncurry to Karumba – 445km

• Route – Townsville, Charters Towers, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Camooweal
• Distance – 1097km
• Highlights – Historic Charters Towers, Porcupine Gorge, Kronosaurus Korner, Hard Times Mine, Underground Hospital and Camooweal Caves

On your Overlander’s Way road trip, you’ll get to explore untouched natural beauty and dinosaur discoveries while admiring breathtaking landscapes and interacting with rich Indigenous history – without having to take your vacation days from work!

Once only for the 4×4 vehicles, it is now sealed so everyone can explore this part of Queensland.

Along with seeing some amazing natural sights like the Great Barrier Reef and pristine beaches in North Queensland, your journey will also include all sorts of intriguing historic sites such as architecturally rich towns which showcase Australian history.

The road starts near the city of Townsville (check out our guide to all the great things to do in Townsville ), then you head west where the real adventure begins.

From Charters Towers where you will learn all about the gold mining town to learning about dinosaurs in Hughenden at the Flinders Discovery Centre, which are home to some incredible ancient fossil beds with dinosaur footprints preserved by natural forces over time!

You can learn about the cattle drovers at the Drovers’ Camp Museum in  Camooweal Caves National Park , which also has amazing sinkholes dating back 500 million years.

This land is just bursting full-speed ahead into a new future that shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon – even without leaving the bitumen roads behind!

The Overlander’s Way road trip is a Queensland route that will have you fall in love with the country all over again.

This is the inland route for any vehicle to drive. Here is a route guide.

• Townsville to Charters Towers – 137km
• Charters Towers to Hughenden – 248km
• Hughenden to Richmond – 115km
• Richmond to Julia Creek – 149km
• Julia Creek to Cloncurry – 137km
• Cloncurry to Mount Isa – 121km
• Mount Isa to Camooweal – 190km

• Route – Cairns, Ravenshoe, Undara, Forsayth, Cobbold Gorge, Karumba, Boodjamulla
• Distance – 1493km
• Duration – 5 days (2 weeks to do the whole way across to WA)
• Vehicle – Suitable for both 4WD and 2WD vehicles depending on the route chosen
• Road Conditions – Fully sealed but often closed by flooding streams during wet season. Roads can wash away during these times.
• Highlights – Waterfalls in Ravenshoe, Rainforest walks in Atherton, Undara Volcanic National Park, Mt Surprise, Talaroo Hot Springs, Cobbold Gorge, Innot Hot Springs,

The Savannah Way is an amazing route for exploring the tropical savannahs of northern Australia.

The route winds from Cairns, Queensland to Broome in Western Australia and offers a unique opportunity to see some incredible sights along the way including ancient rock art paintings and Australian wildlife.

The Queensland section of Savannah Way goes from Cairns to Hell’s Gate or vice versa.

Your Savannah Way safari starts in Cairns, the crowning jewel of the Queensland coast. Set your sights south toward Millaa Millaa, a drive of about 1.5 hours where you will find stunning waterfalls amidst vibrant green rainforests and waterways that are perfect for swimming at any time during the year!

Once there, make sure to take in not only the well-known waterfall but also Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls before heading on to Ravenshoe.

• Cairns to Mareeba, Atherton Tablelands – 62.5 kms 
• Mareeba to Undara – 229 kms
• Undara to Cobbold Gorge – 229 kms
• Cobbold Gorge to Croydon – 232 kms
• Croydon to Karumba – 226 kms
• Karumba to Burketown – 281 kms
• Burketown to Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park  – 234 kms

• Route – Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, Mossman, Cooktown
• Distance – 256km
• Duration – 3 – 5 days
• Vehicle – 2WD
• Road – Road it sealed the whole way. You do need to take a ferry over to Cape Tribulation
• Highlights – Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Aboriginal Rock Art, James Cook Museum

If you’ve always wanted to see where the Reef meets the Rainforest, the only place where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites actually meet, this is the road trip for you!

The 327km drive takes four hours and is full of nature, history, and outback characters that will keep your interest for days on end!

You can explore Cooktown’s historical significance as Australia’s first European settlement or enjoy its beautiful harbour with many local attractions in town.

It may not be the most action-packed adventure around – so pack accordingly if you’re looking for some excitement.

But it’ll definitely get your creative juices flowing before heading off into our vast country again!

• Cairns to Port Douglas
• Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation
• Cape Tribulation to Mossman
• Mossman to Cooktown

While Cooktown itself is a bit far to visit as a day trip from Cairns , you can break it up into two days if looking to return back to Cairns.

• Route – Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield, Cooktown
• Distance – 103km
• Duration – 6 – 8 hours
• Vehicle – 4WD only (no caravans or camper trailers)
• Road – Mostly Unsealed. Some areas are sealed. Caution when wet and have had heavy rain. There are river crossings, steep climbs and descends and boggy patches.
• Highlights – Emmagen Creek, Cowie Beach, Bloomfield River and lookout, Bana Yirriji Arts Centre, Wujal Wujal Falls

The Bloomfield Track is one of Queensland’s most scenic short 4WD drives that leads to the coastal town in Wujal-Wujal.

The track passes through a rainforest archway with majestic plants, unexpected wildlife and history.

It was constructed by protestors back in 1983-84 leading up to an important environmental protest known as the “Bloomfield Blockade.”

Nowadays it has become World Heritage protected land thanks to these protesters who were concerned for its natural beauty!

The coast drive from Cooktown down south on Australia’s Northern Territory border all the way beyond Huonbrook Station takes travellers past spectacular views, creek crossings and secluded beaches where they can take some well-deserved rest before continuing their journey inland into more remote areas.

READ MORE: Coming from south of the border? Make the most of the journey with our Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary !

With varying conditions and a mixture of gravel, red soil, or wet weather on the road, driving can be tricky.

With its rugged landscape and plenty of natural creek crossings after heavy rainstorms this drive may become impassable at times as well- so make sure you have your 4WD vehicle always ready!

You can do it in one long day or break it up. Here is a rough guide

• Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield – 39km
• Bloomfield to Cooktown – 64km

• Route – Cairns, Cooktown, Cape York
• Distance – 1964km
• Duration – 14 days return
• Vehicle – 4WD
• Road Condition – Can be difficult in areas. Can flood in the wet season
• Highlights – White sand beaches at Portland Roads, northernmost point of the continent, rock art in Laura

No one can claim to have seen all of Australia without going on a long, adventurous road trip.

One such adventure that you should take in your lifetime is the 1000km journey from Cairns straight up to Pajinka (traditional name for the northernmost point of mainland Australia at top of Cape York Peninsula).

Australians have an adventurous spirit that is deeply ingrained in their culture. In Cairns, you can jump into a 4WD and head off on an unforgettable journey to the top of Australia with cooked towns as your stops along the way.

You will experience creek crossings and corrugations, meet interesting people from various communities while encountering relics of wartime history all throughout this life-changing adventure through Cape York !

Along this breathtaking drive, there are natural treasures like national parks with their bird-filled wetlands and rainforests as well as waterfalls, beaches, and Old Telegraph Track which will challenge even the most hardcore adventurer.

Although it’s not easy driving through rough terrain or crossing treacherous waters during the rainy season beware: the rewards never stop coming!

• Cairns to Cooktown – 244km
• Cooktown to Laura – 175km
• Laura to Coen – 220km
• Coen to Lockhart River – 210km
• Lockhart River to Bramwell Station – 154km
• Bramwell Station to Bamaga – 212km
• The Tip – 35km

• Route – Hebel, Roma, Injune, Emerald , Clermont, Charters Tower, Ravenshoe, Atherton, Mareeba, Cairns, Cooktown
• Distance – 1863km
• Duration – 9 days is you choose to start in Hebel to 16 days if you choose to start in Sydney
• Vehicle – 2WD.
• Road Condition – Road is sealed the whole way.
• Highlights – Cobb & Co. Charging Station, Carnarvon Gorge, learn about the gold rush in Charters Towers, Rainforest walks in Atherton Tablelands, Many waterfalls around Atherton, Mareeba and Cairns, Aboriginal experience in Cooktown

Want to go off the beaten track? Then let’s leave the coast and drive inland through Queensland’s outback.

You’ll traverse some of the most uninhabitable landscapes, steep in history with rural towns as well.

Driving up here is a totally different experience than driving along coastal highways since there are fewer service stations.

But it does offer unique experiences for those who want something less travelled that has many tourist attractions such as red sand deserts or gazing at stars under night skies!

The Great Inland Way is a road trip that follows the Australian coast from Sydney to Brisbane.

The Queensland leg of this journey passes through Dirranbandi and St George before detouring off onto some surprisingly flat, sealed roads leading into Surat, Roma and Injune.

Stop for lunch at Nindigully Pub (if you dare!) in Australia’s oldest hotel-turned restaurant which offers up 1.2kg hamburgers called Road Train!

Journey through Queensland’s Outback from the mountains to the coast. Continue along well signed and flat sealed roads to Surat, Roma and Injune en route to sandstone escarpments of Carnarvon National Park.

Stop off at Emerald for a fossicking permit before detouring on Capella, Clermont, Charters Towers or Undara with plenty of stops in between!

Find an authentic Australian experience by visiting Ravenshoe’s highest pub or enjoy gourmet cheeses at Atherton Tablelands’ luxurious resorts after exploring lush rainforest gardens.

Spend time admiring birds-of-paradise and other native flora from Kuranda’s scenic cable car perspective then visit Cairns where you can explore nature above ground as well as below sea level!

Stop off at the gateway to Queensland’s sapphire jewel fields for fossicking permits, detour through the tropical fruit growing area of the Atherton Tablelands for fresh local produce before navigating the Cairns hinterland, Queensland’s largest protected rainforest.

After heading north all the way to Cooktown to explore the outback and the extraordinary Aboriginal rock art.

This road trip is fully-sealed the whole way weaving its way from Sydney to outback NSW and Queensland, the Central Queensland Highlands and then as far north as Cooktown.

• Hebel to St George – 161km
• St George to Roma – 196km
• Roma to Injune – 91km
• Injune to Emerald – 311km
• Emerald to Clermont – 109km
• Clermont to Charters Towers – 374km
• Charters Towers to Ravenshoe – 465km
• Ravenshoe to Atherton – 51km
• Atherton to Mareeba – 33km
• Mareeba to Cairns – 63km
• Cairns to Cooktown – 326km

There are so many great Queensland road trips. We hope this list has given you some ideas for your next road trip.

There is so much beauty to be seen and so many activities and attractions to fill your days.

There are some that are full of adventure that you need a 4WD. And there are some we are yet to do which are all the 4WD ones. But we hope to do them later in the year!

What is your favourite Queensland road trip? Drop a comment below and let us know!

And while you’re at it, check out all these other epic things to do in Queensland !

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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Visiting David Attenborough’s ‘favourite place’ – why you should explore the reefs and rainforests of North Queensland

Home to the daintree rainforest and with the great barrier reef off its coast, this region is heaven for nature lovers, finds jonathan samuels, article bookmarked.

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I n Australia ’s Cairns airport, David Attenborough looks down on us as we collect our bags. His familiar smiling face is on a huge billboard, with some of his equally huge quotes. They adore Sir David in this part of the world and it’s not hard to see why. He has described tropical  North Queensland  as his favourite place in the world.

“It has, for a naturalist, everything” he says. “An amazing rainforest, which is quite unlike any other rainforest in the world.” Not only that, he adds: “Down on the coast it has the Great Barrier Reef.”

I conclude that if it’s good enough for one of the world’s most travelled men, then it is more than good enough for my wife, two kids and me.

We are desperate to explore both reef and rainforest, two Unesco World Heritage sites side by side, but it is on the river where our Attenborough adventure begins.

“Guys, don’t ever go in the water,” says the guide Marc as he takes us up the Daintree River in his  solar-powered boat . We are on the hunt for Scarface, notorious king of the crocs, five metres long, with half a dozen girlfriends and thoroughly cold-blooded (literally).

Suddenly there he is, his giant body slipping through the water with a slow flick of the tail, no ripples, no noise, just menacing eyes. “He’s fine with us being here,” says Marc, “as long as we stay out of the water.”

With those words ringing in our ears, the very next day we do the unthinkable. We go in the water.

North of Cairns, in the heart of Daintree National Park, is Mossman Gorge. Its beauty is as hard to comprehend as its ancient origins – up to 180 million years old.

Read more: Why you should book a holiday to Ningaloo, Australia’s ‘other reef’

Under the rainforest canopy, electric blue Ulysses butterflies flit past and camouflaged Boyd’s forest dragon reptiles (which are only found here) cling to the bark of ancient trees that strain, stretch and compete for the sunlight.

We are quite simply in awe as we run our fingers through soft moss and gaze up at strangler figs wrapped around red tulip oaks. The vegetation is a juicy hundred shades of green after a particularly wet period. There are 3,000 species of flora here, 700 of them unique to the Daintree, and thousands of birds, mammals and reptiles.

But no crocs; the water in this shady paradise is too cold.

On inflatable rafts – think industrial-strength lilo – we drift downstream, through dappled sunlight, a lazy river ride like no other. We can’t stop grinning, enveloped by this natural wonder, both exhilarating and supremely relaxing in equal measure.

Daintree Rainforest stretches 60 miles before giving way to golden beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. Visible from space, it’s 1,400 miles long and made up of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.

In keeping with our naturalist theme, we sign up to a “be a marine biologist for the day” programme with Passions of Paradise , the only locally owned company offering tours of the reef.

We are joined by our guide, the infectiously enthusiastic and knowledgeable Corinda de Mooij. As we head out to sea on an impressive sailing catamaran with around 70 other tourists, she explains how the crew assist with the Australian government’s Eye on the Reef programme: “Tourist agencies work with scientists to gather data. The more people who visit the reef and collect data, the more information can be gathered to get a better picture of the reef’s condition.”

Read more: How travellers are seeking out Australia’s hot springs at the Mornington Peninsula

Snorkelling among the vibrant coral and fish normally seen in an aquarium is truly mesmerising. Nothing prepares you for the colour, variety and otherworldliness of it all. With our waterproof pens and clipboards, we note rainbow fish and clownfish, clams and sea cucumbers, parrot fish and even white-tipped sharks. Far from a gimmick, all the information collected daily from our boat, and many others, is added into a huge database to, quite literally, get a deeper understanding of the health of this natural wonder facing climate change stress.

As well as his enthusiasm for North Queensland, David Attenborough also once said “home” is his other favourite spot on the globe. And when we get back to our home and reflect on our trip, we decide, like him, we share exactly the same thoughts on the two best locations in the world to spend our time.

Walk through the rainforest then  drift down the Mossman River  after a traditional Kuku Yalanji smoking ceremony where you’ll be cleansed of bad spirits. From A$270 (£140) per adult

See the Daintree from the air on the  Skyrail . The cable car gives you an amazing view, especially if you choose one with a glass bottom. Visit the “hippy” mountain town of Kuranda then take the Scenic Railway back down. Prices start from A$68 (£35).

Snorkel, dive and sail around the reef with multi-award-winning  Passions of Paradise . Prices start at A$260 (£170) and include a fantastic lunch, refreshments and equipment.

Where to stay

Mantra PortSea resort  in Port Douglas is great value. It’s just moments from the beach and a 15-minute stroll to the town centre.

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For a central location in Cairns, we think  Crystalbrook Bailey  would win an approving nod from Sir David with wooden key cards, waste-free bathrooms and an EarthCheck silver-level certification.

Sir David also said North Queensland has “terrific wine and food”, and he’s not wrong. After driving through whispering sugarcane fields, we had a stunning lunch in the open-air restaurant at luxury bolthole  Silky Oaks Lodge  overlooking the Mossman River.

How to get there 

There are daily flights to Cairns from Sydney , Brisbane and Melbourne . Or if you are feeling adventurous, take the Bruce Highway coast road from Brisbane to Cairns, covering 1,000 miles. A number or airlines fly from the UK to Australia, including British Airways , Singapore Airlines , Emirates , Delta Air Lines , Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines .

Read more: Australia travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

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Destroyed by cyclones, impacted by climate change and neglected by foreign owners – these abandoned island resorts are now an eyesore

A pool lined with green sludge, rotting roofs and termite infested buildings – this derelict island resort has become a sad tourist attraction for all the wrong reasons, and it's not an isolated case.

At least half a dozen resorts along the Queensland coast have fallen to a similar fate.

In the heart of tropical Far North Queensland, the picturesque Double Island was once a thriving hub for holiday-makers including former Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

The island resort, 30 minutes north of Cairns, even built a gym for actor Keanu Reeves, so frequent were his stays.

But the resort has long been in a state of disrepair, with rotting roofs punctured by falling coconuts and green sludge lining the bottom of the once sparkling pool.

Brad Madgwick offers guided kayaking tours to the island, and recently incorporated the island's decay into his regular marine-life spotting adventures.

"We've always walked the shorelines looking for wildlife, but in the last few years, we have been given permission to go through the resort," Mr Madgwick said.

"The coconuts have taken a toll and the termites are having a good feed, it's sad really because it used to be a very glamorous resort back in the day."

The derelict state of the resort — safari-style tents covered in mould are dotted throughout — is shaping up to be one of the biggest legal battles ever held over an island in Australia.

The Queensland Government's Department of Resources will attempt to strip Hong Kong based billionaire Benny Wu of the island's lease in the Land Court in Cairns within weeks.

Mr Wu's Fortune Island Holding's is accused of non-compliance for failing to bring the facilities up to scratch and open the island to the public.

The day can't come soon enough for some local Palm Cove business owners, although opinions vary about what should happen with the island, if the state government is successful in its proceedings.

"When it was taken over in 2012, it was a thriving business," said local businessman Tony Richards, who would like to see a resort rebuilt.

"Nothing has been done to it since then. It's a complete bulldoze job."

The ABC has contacted Mr Wu for comment.

Paradise lost

Across the Great Barrier Reef, cyclones and neglect have left half a dozen island resorts shuttered and abandoned, with ruined infrastructure and damaged environments.

Brampton Island Resort, off Mackay, was a jewel in Queensland's tourism crown until it was bought by United Petroleum in 2010 for $5.9 million, its ocean side pool now filled with sand.

Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays, once famed for being the first Club Med in Australia, has sat in ruins since it was pummelled by Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

The Singaporean company, Well Start, has since bought the island and pledged to restore it.

Resorts on South Molle and Hook Island have also been closed for years.

The 1980s party paradise, Great Keppel (Woppa) Island off the central Queensland coast, has been laying in ruin for 15 years, with the Queensland government recently announcing a $30 million master plan including provisions for an eco-resort , new sewage system and conservation areas. 

Meanwhile, the beleaguered Dunk Island resort off the coast of Far North Queensland, was also destroyed by Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

There are plans to open "glamping" style accommodation on the island within months, following billionaire Annie Cannon-Brook's purchase in 2022.

Professor Daniel Gschwind, from Griffith University's Institute for Tourism, said abandoned and closed resorts not only had an impact on the Great Barrier Reef's reputation, but Australia's broader tourism brand.

"Globally, the Great Barrier Reef is recognised as an outstanding asset, it's World Heritage listed, which in itself draws a lot of attention," Professor Gshwind said.

"The way Australia manages that asset and presents the asset to visitors is absolutely, critically important for our global reputation."

He said island resorts helped to bring in billions of tourism dollars each year and there needed to be an "expectation that lease holders fulfil their obligations".

However, he said the high cost of maintaining as well as accessing the resorts by plane or barge was impacting on owners to turn a profit, as well as skyrocketing insurance premiums.

"So there are great obstacles to overcome, but the benefit and the value of those islands as a tourism destination really can't be overstated."

Parliamentary inquiry into Queensland islands

Queensland's Transport and Resources Committee held a parliamentary inquiry examining the economic and regulatory frameworks for Queensland's island resorts, tabling a report just over a year ago.

Eighteen recommendations were made to the state government, including cancelling the leases of developers who let the resorts fall to rack and ruin.

Several of the submissions raised concerns about foreign ownership, as well as the impact of climate change, including intense cyclones, on resort infrastructure.

Professor Tim Harcourt, chief economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney said buying up tropical islands could be seen by some international companies as an attractive proposition.

"They've got to get their money out and they're going to put it somewhere, and buying land is the easiest thing to do," Professor Harcourt said.

He also noted the longevity and success stories of the Hamilton and Hayman Island resorts in the Whitsundays.

The Andrew Forrest-owned Lizard Island, off Cooktown in Far North Queensland has been rebuilt twice due to successive cyclones, and is enjoying strong occupancy numbers.

Orpheus Island and Pelorus Island north of Townsville have also undergone extensive renovations.

Back on Double Island, Mr Madgwick said he would like to see the island returned to its natural splendour.

"I would love to see the island turned into a national park, with a communal kitchen, maybe a caretaker on the island, and to open it up to camping," Mr Madgwick said.

"It's a beautiful island and it should belong to the people."

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