From pristine beaches and rugged mountains to sprawling cities and lush rainforests, Australia’s second largest state is home to some of the most diverse scenery in the world. Whether you want to follow the coastline, head west for the desert or tour the tropics, below are some of the best routes to follow for the ultimate Queensland road trip.

The Sunshine Coast

Renowned for its balmy weather, the Sunshine Coast is home to glorious stretches of coastline and picturesque seaside communities. The region’s hinterland is great for exploring, with a collection of scenic walking tracks, rugged cliffs and waterfalls. It’s practically impossible to run out of things to do on a road trip to the Sunshine Coast; visitors can swim at a different beach every day, go hiking in the Glasshouse Mountains or enjoy a delicious meal at some of the best cafés and restaurants in the state. The southern tip of the Sunshine Coast is just over an hour’s drive north of Brisbane and you can reach it via the Bruce Highway.

Brisbane to Cairns

From the hectic pace of Brisbane city to the tropical paradise of Cairns, this epic road trip covers 1,700 kilometres of scenery, passing a selection of the biggest attractions on the Queensland Coast. If you can’t stand the thought of driving nearly the entire length of the state in a car, consider hiring a motorhome. Roomy and comfortable, motorhomes are perfect for lengthy journeys, eliminating the need to book accommodation at each new destination, so you can explore Queensland at your own pace. Travel companies such as Cruisin’ Motorhomes stock a range of fully equipped campervans and motorhomes, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a vehicle to suit your chosen route.

Overlander’s Way

Starting in Townsville and finishing at the Northern Territory border, Overlander’s Way is an iconic Australian road. It runs horizontally across the state, covering some of Queensland’s natural wonders and most remote communities. Large stretches of the route are extremely isolated, and it’s possible to drive for hours through the ever-changing landscape without seeing another vehicle. Covering everything from the Barrier Reef to the desert, driving Overlander’s Way makes for an adventurous road trip, taking travellers all the way from the coast through Queensland’s beautifully untouched outback, and then right to the heart of Australia.

Lamington National Park

Located just south of the Gold Coast’s iconic beaches, Lamington National Park highlights the diversity of Queensland’s climate and landscape. Covered in lush green foliage, the park is famous for its unspoiled environment and native wildlife. Kangaroos can be spotted in the park’s rainforest, while possums and sugar gliders scurry through the treetops. If you’re lucky, you might even see a platypus. Ideally situated for road trips from the Gold Coast or Brisbane, Lamington National Park is an enchanting place to visit, with over 160 kilometres of walking trails, freshwater swimming holes and scenic driving ranges. The region was officially declared protected in 1915 and is now listed as an Australian World Heritage Area.

Does voyaging across Queensland sound like your kind of adventure? Now that you know where the best routes are, all that’s left to do is grab your car keys and hit the road!