Discover true-blue country life

You don’t have to go all the way to Outback Queensland to find a taste of the country.

Closer to the beach and border, scenic drives will take you to destinations that still feel undiscovered like the Bunya Mountains, Girraween National Park and Carnarvon Gorge. To find them, you just need to put yourself in the driver’s seat to captain your own adventure. 

If time is on your side, pack the car to discover red-dirt country, following one of these road trips that lead west of Roma. 

Whether you prefer to DIY your accommodation (camping or caravanning) or want something a little more established, the only star-rating you need to know about are the ones you’ll find in the sky – millions of them. 

Geography is what’s in abundance out here, from wide-open landscapes, sand hills that merge from flat Mitchell grass plains, and gorges that form oases in what otherwise could only be described as desert land. The only distractions will come from the changing scenery, not your phone, as you pass through tiny towns and cattle stations larger than some cities, and follow the sun’s movements across the horizon.

Time your visit for this calendar of events, and watch everything from the quirky Boulia Camel Races to the charming Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. 

There are only two things you need to know in the country: how to answer where you're going, and how long you plan on staying.