Warrego Way road trip: Brisbane to Charleville and back in 5 days

Make sure you’re organised and have the car packed the night before, and aim to be on the road by 6am. That way you can avoid city traffic and also arrive in Dalby by 8:30am so you have the whole day to explore the region.

Pick up a coffee at Urban Paddock - the cute cafe is set in the stunning Queenslander Quambi House - and stretch your legs with a walk through town or down along the river. Jump back in the car and drive another 27kms out to Jimbour to spend the morning at the historic Jimbour House.

This grand establishment was built in 1876 and while the interior remains closed except for private events including weddings, it is definitely worth making the small donation at the garden entry to gain access to the ‘Living History Walk’ around the grounds.

From Jimbour, make your way through the back roads to Bunya Mountains National Park. Depending on which way your navigation takes you, there might be an unsealed road, but it is well maintained and a regular car should be able to handle it. Alternatively, you have to spend some extra time doubling back through Dalby to get to the Bunyas.

Arrive in the Bunya Mountains and have a nice lunch at one of the local cafes or get some snacks from the grocery store before you head to one of the hiking trails.

Barker Creek Lookout Track, which starts at the Paradise car park, is an easy trail that takes you 5.4kms through the enchanting forest of ancient bunya pines, past some little waterfalls and then out over the ridge to Barker Creek Lookout. Keep a watch out for wallabies and some of the spectacular native birds along the way.

Allow enough time to drive the 47kms (about 45 minutes drive as the mountain road is winding) back to Dalby before the sun goes down.

Check yourself into one of the cabins at the Dalby Tourist Park, then head next door to The Criterion Hotel for their excellent steaks and classic pub grub.

If you want to spend more time in the Bunya Mountains, check out this weekend guide.

Day Two: Dalby to Mitchell via Miles and Roma | 355km (4 hrs)

There are a few places to stop along the way (we recommend pulling over for a photo opportunity at the cotton fields that line the highway just west of Dalby) so it’s best to get up early again, have a nice breakfast at one of the cafes in the main street of Dalby and get on the road.

An hour down the Warrego Way, you’ll come to Chinchilla. Make a pit stop to have a walk down the main street and check out the local shops.

About 1.5hrs from Dalby, you’ll arrive in Miles. There you will find the Miles Historical Village and Museum where you can spend the morning strolling through the region’s past and learn about the history of this quaint country town.

The village is a mix of authentic pieces and replicas and it feels like you really are in a time gone by. You can visit the corner store, the bank, school and car garage to name a few and get a sense of what it would have been like to live in a time free of our modern technologies and luxuries.

Hit the road again and drive approximately 1.5 hrs to Roma where you can stop for lunch. There are a few pubs to choose from or some nice cafes on McDowall Street.

From Roma, you’ll really start to see the landscape open up to the Outback, and another hour down the road and you will make it to your next destination: Mitchell.

Spend the afternoon relaxing in the therapeutic thermal waters at the Great Artesian Spa, or, if you’re in the mood for more local history, head 7kms out of town to Arrest Creek. Here you’ll find the monuments that commemorate the police officers who caught the last known bushrangers, the Kenniff brothers, in 1902.

Pick up a bottle of wine and nibbles back in Mitchell before making your way over to the Neil Turner Weir. This is the perfect spot to enjoy an amazing outback sunset.

Tonight, rest your head along the Maranoa River at Major Mitchell Caravan Park. The park caters to every type of traveller, with camping grounds, extra large RV sites and cabins with a kitchenette and ensuite.

Day Three: Mitchell to Charleville | 180km (2hrs)

After a morning walk along the misty banks of the Maranoa River and breakfast at the Mitchell Bakery, it’s time to get back on the road towards the end of the line, Charleville. It’s not a very long drive for the final stretch, but you want to get there in time to have lunch at one of the legendary pubs before seeing the sights.

If you leave early enough, you can arrive in Charleville before 10.30am - just in time to join the Top Secret WWII Tour, which can be booked through the Charleville Visitor and Information Centre. Unbeknownst to many, the Charleville Airfield was a Top Secret Base for the USAAF during the war. Follow your guide in your own vehicle as they reveal why Charleville was chosen for this secret location and how the site and its 3500 American personnel managed to fly under the radar.

If you’d prefer to take a break from driving, get some fresh air at the Graham Andrews Parklands. The beautiful park has a lake, rustic native gardens and an Outback Timber Walk that guides you through the park while introducing you to the 18 different species of Outback Trees. Spot galahs, sulphur crested cockatoos, red rump parrots, a variety of finches and small wrens, and ducks and geese along the way. For history buffs, the Vortex Rainmaking Guns tell an interesting story of the desperate measures the early settlers went to in an attempt to break the drought in 1902.

After dark, visit the Cosmos Centre and Observatory  to witness the night sky in all its glory. With the nearest major town sitting hundreds of miles away, the sky is clear and free of any light pollution, giving you an absolutely breathtaking view of the stars.

Stay the night at Charleville Bush Caravan Park in their cosy little cottage. Set on 40 acres, just 2km from the heart of town, the caravan park puts you in the heart of the bush. Wake up to the sound of wild birds getting a start on their day and the sun bursting through the long grass and trees.

Day Four: Charleville to Roma | 268km (3 hrs)

This morning, stop in at the Bilby Experience Centre for their 9am tour. After learning more about the bilby and their unique connection to Charleville from your guide, you’ll get to meet one up close. You'll also hear first hand what the Save the Bilby Fund is doing to protect these adorable native creatures from extinction.

As you make your way to Roma, take a detour 11kms south-west of Morven to explore Tregole National Park. The park protects an almost pure strand of dry rainforest trees, ooline Cadellia pentastylis, which date back to the Ice Ages.

For another natural marvel, drop by the Amby Quarry. The pure basalt was formed by an ancient lava flow that created impressive 10-metre deep layers that stretch five kilometres wide and over 60 kilometres long.

Enjoy one last outback pub meal before heading to your motel for the night, the Best Western Bungil Creek Motel.

Tip: If your itinerary allows, consider staying an additional night in Roma and spending your extra day on a Boobook Ecotour. Their local ecological guides known the Carnarvon Ranges, Brigalow Belt, Central Queensland Sandstone Belt and surrounding regions inside and out. Feel a greater connection to Outback Queensland as you explore the gorges, rock formations, historical sites and Aboriginal art that make the region unique. 

Day five: Roma to Jondaryan | 308km (3.5 hrs)

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, before getting back on the road and heading east. The Roma Saleyards is the largest livestock selling centre in Australia and anyone can come along and see the bidding in action.

After passing back through Dalby and before you get to Toowoomba, consider a little detour to the Woolshed at Jondaryan just off Warrego Way. Spend some time exploring the historic site and visit the farm animals in the nursery such as goats, chickens, roosters and boisterous pigs.

Day five continued: Jondaryan to Brisbane via Toowoomba | 168km (2hrs)

For a stop with a view, head to Picnic Point and Parkland in Toowoomba, which overlooks the highway that winds its way up and down the range. There’s a cafe at the point to have some lunch, along with walking trails that serve up views east towards Brisbane and also lead you to a hidden garden complete with a mesmerising waterfall.

Hop in the car for the final leg of your Warrego Way road trip, ending up at home sweet home.