Explore lesser-known gems in a 14 day Queensland road trip

Two weeks off in Queensland? Consider it one of your most anticipated adventures yet. Think taking in fresh country air, exploring ancient caves, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, and making the most of each stretch of road between rainforest and river lands. All in a 14-day Queensland road trip.

With places like the Whitsundays and Cairns at our fingertips, it’s easy to drop your pin in one place to soak up a single destination holiday. But if you’re looking for a little variety between famous vacation spots, some of the biggest joys are in the smallest places on the road.

With a car or campervan, all you need is this guide, 14 days, and a pre-downloaded playlist (service can be a bit patchy for your tunes), and you’ll be connecting the dots of your road trip around Queensland faster than you can say "are we there yet?".

Start your 14-day Queensland road trip with a touch of luxury and a slathering of Mother Nature in the Scenic Rim. One of its most luxurious residents, Spicers Peak Lodge, offers a sense of escape and peace that few places this close to a major city could offer, complete with every comfort to kick start your time on the road.

The signature Spicers retreat was built with love and thoughtfulness by Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner and his wife, Jade, who lusted for the countryside sea change that you can now enjoy today. Steeped in history and homage to their Scenic Rim roots, this luxury escape has history and storytelling to be discovered in every beam and brick.

Day one is all about the wind-down, so take this opportunity to indulge at chef-hatted restaurant The Peak or get a treatment at Spa Anise, before watching the sun drop over the rolling farmland and World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park. 

Day 2: Scenic Rim to the Gold Coast (170km)

Rise with the natural light and seize the morning on a guided hike at Spicers Peak to observe the ‘seven peaks of hell’ (far more picturesque than its name suggests), or join a 4WD tour through the Scenic Rim. Then set your compass east and drive through the Gold Coast Hinterland to meet the coast. 

With just one day to explore the Gold Coast, we recommend parking yourself at Burleigh Heads. Here, you can soak up time on the region's best beaches, catch sunset on Burleigh Hill, dive into the booming craft beer scene, then dine the night away. This little stretch of sand boasts waterfront seafood joints, fine-diners, hidden izakayas and more.

Day 3: Gold Coast to Brisbane (80km)

Queensland’s capital awaits a quick one hour commute from the Gold Coast – a city famous for its laid-back personality and enthusiasm for outdoor living. 

If this is your first time in Brisbane, make your way to South Bank where you can get a taste of the city's cultural side along with the best river views. Otherwise, spend the day precinct hopping. Brisbane is full of little hidden gems and surprises, like Paddington’s hilly streets lined with terrace Queenslanders, vintage stores and cafés, or West End’s community culture and bohemian attitude.

Want to get on the river itself? Take to the water by kayak, electric-powered picnic boat, jump on the local ferry, or spend an afternoon brewery hopping by boat with River to Bay.

When golden hour hits, the best place to be is Howard Smith Wharves - a sprawling dining and bar precinct that sits on the riverside underneath iconic Story Bridge. From here, you can kick on into the night at Fortitude Valley, a haven for speakeasies, rooftop bars, clubs and live music. 

Where to stay the night? This Brisbane accommodation guide has you sorted.

Days 4-5: Brisbane to Lady Elliot Island (360km + scenic flight)

Today you’re off to the Great Barrier Reef - in one of the most unique ways possible. Your destination is a tiny, lesser-known coral cay that holds some of the most exciting marine encounters in the world. Leave the gadgets at home and venture to Lady Elliot Island for an overnighter at the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.

Allow four to five hours to drive from Brisbane to Bundaberg (with a stop for a cheeky ice-cream from Mammino in Childers). Once there, you'll board a flight across to Lady Elliot Island, situated 80 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

This pristine coral cay is positioned in a protected ‘Green Zone’, so it’s only accessible by air. For this reason, and many others, Lady Elliot is a mecca for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts, offering you the best chance of experiencing majestic manta rays face-to-face, watch baby turtles hatch, or witness humpback whale migration - depending on the time of year you visit. 

You don’t have to be a diver to experience the best parts of the reef. Entering the water at the northern or western sides of the island will allow you to drift-snorkel over some of the healthiest, abundant coral reefs and bommies. Expect to see groupers, glittering schools of multi-coloured anthias, puppy-like parrot fish crunching up algae and coral, as well as turtles galore.

The lagoon is a must for newbie snorkellers and young kids – it’s a safe place to explore this underwater paradise and will spark a life-long love for marine encounters.

One of the best things about this tiny coral island is sleeping on the Great Barrier Reef. From bed, you'll hear the tinkling of coral being gently pushed back and forth by the water and wonder how you ever fell asleep without it.

Day 6: Lady Elliot Island to Airlie Beach (770kms)

Nearly halfway through your road trip, day six is one of the largest stints of driving you’ll do – but there's plenty to see along the way. It’s a quintessentially Australian drive, with outlooks of cane fields, red dirt and mesmerising terrain on the horizon. The drive between Bundaberg and Airlie Beach is 770km – around 8 hours – so be sure to plan regular stops.

If you're looking for an incredible natural wildlife experience, plan at pit-stop in Mackay to watch the sunrise on the beach and meet friendly wallabies and kangaroos. This is a dream opportunity to capture beautiful photos of these iconic Australian animals.

You'll be greeted by palm trees on the drive into Airlie Beach, the gateway to true paradise: The Whitsundays. Check in, wander the waterfront, then choose a spot to feast with a water view.

Days 7-10: The Whitsundays 

There’s no shortage of unique ways to lap up a few days in the Whitsundays – an incredible highlight on your 14-day Queensland road trip. If you’ve got an itch for hands-on adventure, you can explore the islands, passages, and untouched beaches of the Whitsundays, all without leaving protected waters.

Keep your base in Airlie Beach and take some of these incredible day trips, head out to one of the islands for a few days, or island-hop your way via a sailing adventure or the paddle power of kayak-camping. 

There's endless beauty to discover in The Whitsundays, and while visiting famous Whitehaven Beach is a must, don't miss the chance to deep-dive into the Great Barrier Reef as well. You can even spend the night on the reef, under a blanket of stars, with ReefSleep. 

Day 11: Airlie Beach to Tully (480km)

The next stop on your 14-day Queensland road trip? Set your sights towards Tully. Known for being Australia's wettest town (which happens to fuel some of its star attractions), travellers flock here to chase thrills on the rapids of Tully River - surrounded by World Heritage landscapes. 

Tackle the raging waters by whitewater raft or sports raft, and be sure to leave enough time to take in the views of the falls from Tully Gorge Lookout.  

If you like to soak in nature, Alligator’s Nest within Tully George National Park is a popular swimming hole named after a local Scout group. The large swimming platform makes it easy to get in and out of the refreshing rainforest stream no matter your age or energy levels. 

If you find yourself with a couple of extra days handy, we’d strongly recommend a trip to Mission Beach while you’re in the Tully area.

Day 12: Tully to Mena Creek (55kms)

A splash of Spanish flair is in store for today’s adventure. Pulling into Paronella Park is like walking into a Fern Gully come to life. Built by Spanish immigrant Jose Paronella in 1929, the park consists of a castle surrounded by tropical gardens, tunnels, bridges, boathouses and waterfalls, and tours are run throughout the day so you can learn more about this wonderland.

It took six years for José to complete his vision, with the spirit of the rainforest and surrounding falls providing his inspiration. Now, you can enjoy the fruits of his labour – and that of the current owners who revived the park from its neglected, overgrown state – by enjoying a picnic by the hydro-electric waterfall or losing yourself amongst the towering trees.

Paronella Park is the stuff of dreams and a story of a paradise found, lost and rebuilt. It’s defied the odds, battled through cyclones and fires, and now stands intertwined and at one with nature. Rest your head for the night in Innisfail.

Day 13: Innisfail to Undara Volcanic National Park (230kms)

Mother Nature’s legacy looms large at the next destination, where you’ll discover the ancient and alluring Undara Lava Tubes.

Head west along the Palmerston Highway – it’s a scenic three-hour drive, meandering through the rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands where you’ll pass tea plantations and dairy farms. Follow the waterfall circuit past Ellinjaa Falls, Ravenshoe and the Innot Hot Springs. Mount Surprise is an apt name for our final destination where the world’s oldest lava tube system stands as a silent sentinel to nature’s glory.

Almost 200,000 years ago, lava poured out of the Undara volcano and flowed down ancient riverbeds, travelling a distance of 164km and left behind the Undara Lava Tubes. Taking a tour through this site is a wow moment that needs to be seen, heard and felt to be understood.

Accommodation is easy tonight thanks to Undara Experience, where you can stay in a cabin, swag-style tent or even a train carriage, then wake up to a bush breakfast. 

Day 14: Undara to Cairns (260km)

With almost 2500kms under the hood, spanning beaches, cityscapes, islands and outback, you’ll arrive today where the rainforest meets the reef. Settle into Cairns and you’ve conquered a 14 day Queensland road trip, uncovering every sound, sight and taste in between.

Settle in, then stretch your legs tonight on a stroll around the waterfront before taking in the views over dinner.

Got a little more time up your sleeve? Stick around to explore the best of Cairns, including:

• the best day trips to the Great Barrier Reef
• Island escapes just a quick jump from the city, such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island
• Continue your road trip north to reach Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation