Grab your mates for this Queensland country road trip

Day 1: Brisbane to Scenic Rim (2 hours driving time)

Get an early start leaving the city; it won’t be long before you reach the wide, open spaces you’ve been searching for.

Brisbane’s Scenic Rim is the place to feed your soul, and your tastebuds, starting with the farm stands that dot the country roads (a great place to grab some cheap fruit and snacks for the day ahead). Then, steer your wheel to one of the prettiest places to stretch your legs: Mt Greville, in Moogerah Peaks National Park.

The 6km return hike to the summit takes about three hours to complete via the Mt Greville Waterfall Gorge Circuit. The effort is definitely worth the reward, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the Main Range, Mt Barney, Mt Edwards, Mt Maroon and Moogerah Dam as you climb. On the way back down, descend through the palm-tree lined Waterfall Gorge, which offers cool respite from the sun.

Switch the trail for the cellar door and make your next stop at lush Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm for a wander through the flower fields and a wine tasting (the cellar door is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10am). And when hunger calls, jump back in the car and call into Scenic Rim Brewery. Housed in a heritage-listed former general store, this local brewery and café is a great place for a feed, so take a seat on the back porch and sip a Shazza Ale while lingering over the country views.

Stay: The Scenic Rim has more than its fair share of cosy cabins, family farm stays, historic homesteads and rainforest retreats. Our pick on a budget? Pitch your tent by the shores at Lake Moogerah Camping, or check into Mount Barney Lodge: camping here starts from $16 per night, plus there’s cabins and homesteads that you can split amongst the group.  

Day 2: Scenic Rim to Toowoomba (3 hours driving time)

Wake up to the sound of birds chirping, and prepare yourself for another day of discovering Queensland’s countryside: this time, with a little urban art thrown in.

Take Carney’s Creek Road (sign posted ‘the falls drive’) as it winds its way through some of the most gorgeous farmland, mountain ranges and cascading streams, straddling the Queensland/New South Wales border. Be sure to stop at Spring Creek Mountain Café to fuel up on coffee with a view before your morning hike.

You’ll find Queen Mary Falls just up the road, tucked into heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest. A short 2km circuit takes about 40minutes to complete, but means you’ll get views from the top as well as feel the cool mist on your face from its base too.

You can cool off a little more in the quaint town of Warwick thanks to Bluebird Kitchen: an American inspired smokehouse and kitchen with a focus on local produce. Best yet, it won’t break the bank: with hot toasties from $6.50, juicy $10 cheeseburgers and $6 tacos.

After lunch, point your wheels toward Toowoomba – but stop on the outskirts for a wine tasting at boutique, family-run Preston Peak Wines, overlooking the Lockyer Valley. The cellar door offers tastings, sales and cheese platters from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 2pm. 

There’s plenty to do once you reach the garden-filled streets of Toowoomba, but if you’re looking for maximum fun on a budget you can’t beat a DIY street art tour. Follow the colour of the First Coat Street Art Trail, which winds its way through the city’s streets and laneways with more than 50 murals. You can easily spend the afternoon weaving in and out of buildings, checking out cafes and boutiques along the way (Ground Up Espresso is worth a pit-stop), and when you’re ready for your next nature fix, head to Picnic Point for panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range.

Stay: Sleeping in the city? Book into wallet-friendly City Motor Inn or Garden City Backpackers, and tuck into cheap eats at Phat Burgers, Bar Wunder or The Spotted Cow – a local favourite, and one of the best country pubs in the state.

Prefer to pitch your tent again? Hit the open road again and drive the 1.5hours to Bunya Mountains National Park. Set up camp, roast marshmallows, and get ready for another action-packed outdoors day tomorrow.

Day 3: Toowoomba to Roma (5 hours driving time)

Shift from fresh country air to red dirt on today’s drive toward Roma.

If you’re up for a little more hiking, pit-stop in Bunya Mountains National Park for your last taste of cool mountain climes. Admire up the scenery on the Great Bunya Drive, then take a closer look on foot on the Bunya Bunya Track.

Back out of the mountains, make tracks along Warrego Way, stopping in at Chinchilla for a stroll down the tree-lined main street and a photo opportunity at Miles Historical Village Museum. Outback landscapes open up around you on the next 1.5 hour drive to Roma.

Spend the afternoon soaking up the spirit of this country town in your own way: wander heritage-listed Heroes Avenue, explore historic Mount Abundance Homestead, or take a tour with the locals who know it best. End the day with beers and classic pub food at Roma Explorers Inn.

Stay: Roma Central Motel.

Day 4: Roma to Carnarvon National Park (3.5 hours driving time)

If you've timed your trip right and are in Roma on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, pop down and watch the Cattle Sales that start at 8am. The Roma Saleyards is the largest livestock selling centre in Australia and anyone can come along and see the bidding in action – there’s daily tours too.

Today’s destination is one of Queensland’s most special places: Carnarvon National Park. It’s where Central Queensland’s arid landscapes open up into an outback oasis, punctuated by sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, swimming holes and lush green-filled creeks, and hundreds of species of fauna. It’s by far one of the most important national parks to visit, so make your introduction this afternoon by stretching your legs on one of the best hikes.

The 6km trek to Boolimba Bluff might feel more like a F45 workout than a stroll in nature, but it’s sweat well worth trading for panoramic views of the gorge in all its glory – and the perfect meet-cute before a full day exploring the park tomorrow.  

Settle in for a night of stargazing, or head out on a Night Safari Tour to experience the park’s nocturnal wildlife come alive.

Stay: Base yourself at the visitor area, which is open for camping for the Easter, winter and spring Queensland school holidays. Otherwise, check into Takarakka Bush Resort (which offers powered and unpowered campsites, permanent tents, cabins, cottages, and studios). For more of a splurge, Wallaroo Outback Retreat is outback glamping at its best.

Day 5: Carnarvon National Park 

Cook up a big breakfast: today’s the day to tackle the 19km hike along the Main Gorge Track to Big Bend.  

You’ll feel Queensland’s rich history with each step you take through Carnarvon Gorge. Not just the landscapes formed over 200 million years, but the strong Indigenous connection to the land: most evident when you reach the Art Gallery, one of Australia’s most significant Aboriginal rock art galleries.

Pack plenty of water and snacks, and get ready to take a lot of photos along the way. This trek is a highlights reel of Carnarvon National Park, and the trail will lead you to its major sites from the lush Moss Garden to the Amphitheatre and Art Gallery. If the nearly 20km return trip seems like too much to tackle in one go, you can camp overnight at Big Bend before walking back the next day (you’ll have to carry all your gear with you though).

Check out the full guide on how to do Carnarvon National Park to plan your trip.

Stay: Keep your tent pitched at last night’s campsite so you have somewhere comfy to sink into when you get back from the hike.

Day 6: Return home to Brisbane (9 hours driving time)

You’ve got a long drive ahead to get back to Brisbane, but it’s a welcome rest for your legs after experiencing Carnarvon’s rugged terrain on foot.

Stop and see the cotton fields that line the highway west of Dalby en route, then take a stroll and coffee break at Urban Paddock in Dalby. You can also get a little wild at The Woolshed near Jondaryan: work your way through a ploughman’s platter, explore the historical site, and make friends with the farm animals.

If you’d prefer to tackle this trip with a guide – or want to make a few more travel buddies – jump on a 5 day Outback Explorer Tour with Sunrover. You’ll experience the highlights of the countryside to Carnarvon on a return road trip from Brisbane: all of the memories, with the best views from the passenger seat.