Planning a Queensland road trip? Here are the most picturesque drives

There’s never been a better time to go on a road trip in Queensland, with winter weather perfect for experiencing this great state. Here are some of the best routes to take you on a great adventure.

There’s never been a better time to go on a road trip in Queensland, with winter weather perfect for experiencing the multitude of natural attractions in the Outback and the far north of the state.

Options range from short, picturesque coastal drives to long multi-day adventures through the west.

You’ll want to stay at this Sunshine Coast retreat for the $5000 bathtub alone

For those wanting to stick close to the coastline for a trip to North Queensland, the Pacific Coast Way takes drivers all the way from the Gold Coast to Cairns and beyond.

A highlight is the section from Townsville to Cairns, north along the Bruce Highway, with potential stops at towns such as Cardwell and Tully, Ingham with attractions including the authentic Italian delights of Lous Food Emporium and the possibility of exploring kilometre-long reefs at Mission Beach .

Lush surrounds: The Great Barrier Reef Drive Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

Once at Cairns, travellers again have a choice of diverse experiences including full-day trips to the Great Barrier Reef or Aboriginal history tours in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Cairns is also a launch point to explore smaller northern beach townships including chic Palm Cove and the more remote attractions of Cape Tribulation.

If you are looking to head out west, the Warrego Way road trip from Brisbane to Charleville and back offers a “best of” this region of country Queensland.

The five-day journey will see you travelling along the Warrego Highway and hitting up well known country towns such as Dalby, Roma and Charleville.

Tropical trip: Great Barrier Reef Drive Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

Possible highlights, some involving a slight detour, include the Bunya Mountains, home to Queensland’s second-oldest national park, and the Miles Historical Village and Museum, featuring a full-scale mix of authentic pieces and replicas from the state’s country past.

For those looking to break out beyond the border, the Savannah Way will take you coast to coast through the best of northern Australia. Known as the region’s Adventure Drive, the eight-day 4WD-only route spanning 3700kms will take you through more than 20 national parks and five World Heritage areas across Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Within the Queensland leg, you’ll come across hot spots like Undara Volcanic National Park, the “hidden oasis” of Cobbold Gorge and the Riversleigh World Heritage Fossil Site.

But if you’re up for the ultimate Queensland road trip challenge, the Matilda Way will have you travelling through the “real Outback”.

Outback drive: The Matilda Way Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

Touching off just north of the central NSW border, the 1700km, four-day route up to the Gulf of Carpentaria will have you visiting destinations such as Cunnamulla, Longreach (including Qantas Founders Museum with its stunning new light show) and Winton (and the impressive Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum) while discovering the Queensland bush’s more remote locales and characters and gaining a new appreciation of our sunburnt country.

Originally published as Planning a Queensland road trip? Here are the most picturesque drives