See the best of Queensland with the Sandstone Wilderness road trip
Road Trip
By Sarah Bristow
Queensland might be a pretty big place, but if you're willing to get off the beaten path and take a road trip, you can see some big sights and special small places along the way. Especially on the Sandstone Wilderness road trip, a 10-day foray from Brisbane to Bundaberg and back that will help you get up close and personal with our state's heartland.
As its name implies, the Sandstone Wilderness is a stretch of rugged terrain reaching from the Great Dividing Range to the azure waters of the Capricorn Coast, where 100 national parks mingle with historic towns, arid desert, and pristine beaches.
Let us lead the way with this Sandstone Wilderness Road Trip guide.
Day 1: Brisbane to Toowoomba
Cruise your way west and up into the ranges where Toowoomba sits 90 minutes away.
This quaint country town is flourishing - in fact it’s now Australia’s biggest regional town, home to a blossoming cafe community and laneway culture. But the charm remains, thanks to the city’s saturation of historic architecture and manicured gardens - especially when the annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers rolls into town each September.
Day 2: Toowoomba to Roma
Photo by @gregsullavan
Those in a hurry can make the four hour journey direct to Roma, though you’d miss out on a chance to explore the historical townships of Jondaryn and Miles along the way.
But save some energy for when you do arrive at your destination, for there’s plenty to do. While the town has moved on from beef to gas production, its cattle heritage remains at the Roma Saleyards where up to 400,00 head of cattle pass through each year. If you want to take a free guided tour, come on Tuesdays - tours commence at 8.30am.
On your way you’ll come across The Avenue of Heroes, a heritage-listed road with 93 bottle trees in commemoration of local soldiers lost in World War One.
Day 3-5: Carnarvon Gorge
Hit the road nice and early: in just over three hours you’ll greet the idyllic Carnarvon Gorge in Carnarvon National Park. Nowhere feels quite the same as this outback oasis, whether you're marvelling at towering sandstone rockfaces or some of our most significant Indigenous sites.
Get back in touch with mother nature with a stay among the luscious surrounds, nestled deep in the state’s Central Highlands. The varied terrain demands more than just a single night’s stay - we suggest three to get a better grasp of the beauty of the region.
Spend days swimming in creeks, trawling caves decorated with Indigenous artwork and bushwalking - there’s 87 kilometres of trails to choose from.
When it comes to where to spend the night there are a few choices; backpack and camp at Big Bend within the park, stay in cabins and safari tents at Takaraka Bush Resort (you can also bring the caravan or pitch your tent), or glamp among the eucalypts at Wallaroo Outback Retreat.
Day 6: The Sapphire Gemfields
Photo by @__thelongroad
Road trip another four hours and you’ll reach the Sapphire Gemfields, just a hop, skip and a jump away from the aptly named Emerald. This is one of the world’s most significant sapphire bearing grounds - so don't miss the chance to find your own. You can choose to fossick alone or let a guide show you the way.
Before you depart for the day, view previous finds and see the experts at work with a trip to the Miner’s Heritage Walk in Mine.
Day 7: Yeppoon via Rockhampton
Today you'll leave the dusty highlands in your rearview mirror and hit the cool coastline. It's about a four hour drive to Yeppoon: on your way you’ll pass by Emerald and its surrounding working properties, including a farm stay or two worthy of a detour.
If time's not on your side, make your way directly to the beef capital of Rockhampton, where you can take an afternoon tour of the ancient Capricorn Caves and enjoy the iconic Great Western Hotel.
Then it's time to make your way to the water. Spend the night at the nearby seaside town of Yeppoon, just a further 45 minutes east.
Day 8: Great Keppel Island
It's hard to believe that after days of exploring the Sandstone Wilderness and fossicking for sapphires, you can chance pace explore a jewel of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. But that's the beauty of Queensland.
Jump aboard Freedom Fast Cat or Keppel Explorer and make way to some incredible spots around the 18-island strong Keppel Group. Its most popular resident is Great Keppel Island, boasting 17 beaches ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Don’t want to leave just yet? You don’t have to. There’s a handful of different accommodation options on the island, including the budget-friendly Great Keppel Island Holiday Village.
Day 9: Bundaberg
Your Sandstone Wilderness road trip might be coming to an end, but make way for the sugarcane capital of Bundaberg, just over a three hour drive away.
While the fresh produce in these parts is second-to-none, this coastal city is best recognised for its rum. No trip here is complete without visiting the historic Bundaberg Distillery and the accompanying visitor centre. Learn more about the rich history of the space with a guided tour, before attempting to become a Master Blender with the Blend Your Own Rum Experience.
Day 10: Brisbane Bound
Prepare to bid farewell to Bundaberg and depart on the four hour drive back to the capital.
But first make a pit-stop at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. Considered one of the nation’s greatest aviators, Bert Hinkler was an inspirational Queenslander and this museum stands in ode to his life achievements in the sky. Dubbed the ‘Australian Lone Eagle’ he was the first person to fly solo from England to Australia, and the first person to fly solo across the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
Once you're back in Brisbane there's only one thing to think about: where to next?
