Best Scenic Drives in Queensland: Top 10 Routes You Can’t Miss
Queensland’s scenic drives offer you unforgettable adventures through diverse landscapes.
You’ll wind through the Blackall Range‘s mountain roads, connecting charming towns like Maleny and Montville.
The coastal beauty of the Sunshine Coast to Noosa route treats you to stunning shoreline views, while the Glass House Mountains route showcases dramatic volcanic peaks.
You can explore Mount Mee’s peaceful forests, tackle Tamborine Mountain’s challenging “Goat Track,” or cruise through the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Mount Coot-tha, Mapleton Falls, and Kenilworth Wine Country complete your options for memorable journeys. Each route holds unique treasures waiting to be discovered.
1. The Blackall Range Journey
As you meander through South East Queensland’s iconic Blackall Range, you’ll uncover a spectacular 150-kilometer journey connecting charming mountain towns like Maleny, Mapleton, Montville, and Flaxton.
You’re travelling a route steeped in history. It is named after Queensland’s second governor, Samuel Blackall, and once served as a gathering place for Indigenous peoples’ Bunya Feasts.
The range’s rich volcanic past left behind red basalt soils that support the region’s lush vegetation.
Along your drive, you’ll encounter roads that wind through varying elevations, from 21 to 446 meters, offering breathtaking coastal views from lookouts like Howells Knob.
The journey takes you past notable protected areas, including Mary Cairncross Reserve and Kondalilla National Park, where you can pause for easy bushwalks.
Don’t miss the educational Discovery Centre at Mary Cairncross Reserve or the stunning Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World.
Food enthusiasts can enjoy local delicacies at Maleny Food Co. while exploring the town’s charming streets.
You’ll find the drive particularly rewarding as you navigate the range’s network of roads, guaranteeing continuous access even during challenging weather.
Whether you start from Mooloolaba or Nambour, you can explore multiple routes, each showcasing the region’s natural beauty and rich environmental heritage. In 2008, it earned its iconic status.
2. Mount Mee
Mount Mee’s rugged landscape beckons adventurers with its diverse network of 4WD tracks, hiking trails, and hidden natural gems.
There are fewer crowded paths here than in D’Aguilar National Park, making it perfect for those seeking a quieter outdoor experience.
The winding scenic road from Dayboro takes you through stunning country vistas.
The entry point at Chambers Road leads you into a world of natural wonders, including the serene Diana’s Bath rock pool. Many areas have limited Signal reception, so appropriate navigation tools are needed.
The Somerset Trail is one of Brisbane’s finest bushwalks for hiking enthusiasts. Along this well-marked path, you’ll spend 3 to 4 hours discovering open forests, pine forests, and rainforest sections.
If you’re looking for shorter adventures, the Rocky Hole Walk offers a revitalizing 200-meter Grade 3 track to beautiful rock pools and creek views.
Don’t miss the breathtaking vistas from Mt Mee Lookout (Dahmongah), where you can take panoramic views of the Glasshouse Mountains, coastline, and Brisbane CBD.
You’ll likely spot wildlife around the creek edges as you investigate the area, including turtles, eels, and kingfishers.
The reserve’s unmarked trails invite deeper exploration, while The Gantry provides an ideal spot for a peaceful picnic break.
3. Sunshine Coast to Noosa Drive
Moving north from Mount Mee’s rugged terrain, the coastal drive from Sunshine Coast to Noosa presents an entirely different Queensland experience.
Along David Low Way, you’ll find 36 kilometres of stunning shoreline, where ocean views and coastal villages create an unforgettable journey.
The route begins in Maroochydore and takes you through several must-visit spots.
You’ll discover Coolum Beach, where surfers catch waves against a backdrop of coastal cliffs, and Point Perry, which offers breathtaking ocean vistas.
The Point Perry lookout has become a favourite spot for observing skilled surfers riding the waves below.
The drive offers excellent opportunities to spot migrating humpback whales during their seasonal journey.
As you continue north, you’ll reach the charming Peregian Beach, a perfect spot to take a break and refuel before completing your journey to Noosa Heads.
While you can complete the drive in about 31 minutes, truly appreciating the scenery is worth appreciating.
You’ll want to plan your trip for early morning or late evening to avoid heavy traffic and find easier parking, especially around popular spots like Hastings Street.
The road doesn’t offer legal overtaking areas, so you can relax and enjoy a leisurely pace as you wind your way through this spectacular stretch of Queensland’s coastline.
4. Glass House Mountains Route
From the heart of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, the Glass House Mountains Route offers one of Australia’s most distinctive driving experiences.
The journey begins in Beerburrum, where you’ll turn off Steve Irwin Way onto Beerburrum Road to explore this ancient volcanic landscape.
The area’s mild winter climate makes this drive particularly enjoyable from May to August.
Following Beerburrum Woodford Road and Old Gympie Road, you’ll discover several must-see viewpoints.
The Glass House Mountains Lookout provides spectacular 360-degree views with picnic areas and BBQ facilities.
For those wanting to investigate further, you can take detours along Marshs Road for close-up views of Mount Tibrogargan or venture down Coonowrin Road for different angles of these remarkable formations.
Photographers especially enjoy capturing shots along the Instagram Road leading to Mt Tibrogargan.
You’ll find excellent walking options if you want to stretch your legs.
The Mount Ngungun track offers a rewarding 2.4km return journey with breathtaking sunset views, while the shorter Mount Beerburrum climb leads to a fire tower with expansive vistas.
You can complete your journey by taking the scenic Maleny-Montville Road back to Steve Irwin Way, making for an unforgettable day trip through this heritage-listed landscape.
5. Tamborine Mountain Escape
Between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain offers a scenic escape that is perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.
You’ll drive along the famous “Goat Track,” a challenging 23.9-kilometer road with up to 16% gradients.
Remember to plan your journey carefully, as the road closes between midnight and 5 AM for safety reasons.
The drive takes 50-60 minutes without stops. The mountain’s award-winning wineries provide exceptional tasting experiences throughout your journey.
As you ascend the mountain, the temperature and humidity drop, creating a revitalizing atmosphere that sets this destination apart from the coastal regions.
The mountain’s attractions cater to every interest, from the heightened adventures at the Rainforest Skywalk to the mysterious underground Glow Worm Caves.
Don’t miss Gallery Walk, where you can browse local shops and eateries while soaking in the mountain charm.
When it’s time to rest, you’ll have your pick of accommodation options, from luxury B&Bs to cosy cottages with spa baths and log fires.
While camping isn’t allowed in the National Park, there are designated camping areas where you can spend the night under the stars.
6. Brisbane to Toowoomba Adventure
The scenic journey from Brisbane to Toowoomba reveals Queensland’s dramatic transformation from coastal cityscape to mountain grandeur.
You’ll cover 79.6 miles in about 90 minutes, following the M5, M2, and A2 highways through landscapes that showcase the region’s natural diversity.
The Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout offers breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane before you begin your journey westward.
Along your route, you’ll find several must-visit stops. The world’s oldest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine, offers a chance to meet Australia’s beloved marsupials.
The historic Woodlands of Marburg mansion shows Queensland’s sugar industry heritage.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Table Top Mountain and Mount Peel provide excellent bushwalking trails with stunning views of Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley.
Discover Ravensbourne National Park‘s forest trails, where interpretive signs help you understand the local ecosystem.
If you’re seeking adventure, Toowoomba Jubilee Park’s 30-kilometres of mountain biking trails cater to beginners and experienced riders. For water activities, Lakes Cooby and Cressbrook welcome kayakers and anglers.
While driving is the most flexible option, you can take a bus every two hours or catch the train twice weekly.
Each transport choice offers its perspective of this remarkable journey through Queensland’s changing terrain.
7. Gold Coast Hinterland Trail
Winding through ancient subtropical rainforest, the Gold Coast Hinterland Trail stretches 54 kilometres across Lamington and Springbrook National Parks.
This moderate to hard-grade walk offers an immersive experience that typically takes three to five days, with the best hiking conditions from March to October. No park entry fees are required to access either national park.
As you journey along the trail, you’ll discover mountain streams, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking coastal views.
The trail features 160 kilometres of bushwalking paths that accommodate various skill levels.
The route starts at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and concludes at Springbrook National Park, with detailed trail markers guiding your way.
You can choose between staying in comfortable lodges or camping under the stars, and there’s even a shorter 33-kilometre option if you prefer to stay on the Lamington plateau.
The trail doesn’t limit you to hiking – you can enhance your adventure with guided tours, evening glow worm experiences at Springbrook or visits to nearby wineries like Canungra Valley Vineyard.
Don’t forget to purchase a topographic map before you begin, as the challenging terrain requires careful navigation.
The surrounding area offers additional day walks, explorations of the treetop canopy, and opportunities to visit the stunning Natural Arch waterfall.
8. Mapleton Falls Circuit
Soaring down from the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Mapleton Falls plunges 120 metres through pristine rainforest into the Obi Obi Valley below.
You’ll discover this magnificent cascade along Obi Obi Road, where a well-maintained parking area and facilities welcome visitors seeking natural wonders.
The area showcases distinctive hexagonal rocks formed by ancient volcanic activity.
While you can’t access the base of the falls, the Mapleton Falls Lookout provides breathtaking views of the waterfall and the surrounding valley.
The falls, fed by Pencil Creek, thunder down a dramatic slate rock face, creating an impressive display of nature’s power.
The 8.7-kilometre circuit provides hikers with diverse views of the falls from multiple vantage points.
As you explore the area, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a mix of riparian rainforest and eucalypt forest, with picturesque piccabeen groves adding to the scenery.
The area’s rich wildlife will keep your camera busy, from Australian peregrine falcons soaring overhead to wompoo fruit doves calling from the canopy.
Monitor lizards and cascade frogs make occasional appearances along the trails.
Starting from the Mapleton Day Use area, you’ll find several walking circuits, including the popular Wompoo Circuit, where you can immerse yourself in the subtropical environment.
9. Kenilworth Wine Country Drive
Nestled between the majestic Conondale and Blackall Ranges, Kenilworth’s wine country drive offers a delightful blend of rural charm and natural splendour.
Wind your way through rolling hills and scenic vistas, with plenty of opportunities to stop and investigate the region’s unique attractions.
Start your journey at the renowned Kenilworth Country Food and Cheese Factory, where you can sample locally crafted cheeses and regional specialities.
Located 139 kilometres north of Brisbane, this picturesque town is the perfect starting point for your adventure.
As you continue along Booloumba Creek Road, you’ll discover pristine swimming spots and access points to the Conondale National Park‘s network of walking trails.
The drive takes you past crystal-clear mountain streams and deep ravines, where you can try your luck fishing for bass, perch, cod, or mullet.
Don’t miss the chance to investigate the area’s gem fossicking sites – you might uncover a hidden treasure in the surrounding hills.
Along the way, you’ll understand why early settlers like Richard Smith were captivated by this landscape.
The route follows portions of the historic Mary River, known to Indigenous people as Numabulla. Its ever-changing scenery offers glimpses of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
10. Mount Coot-tha Forest Road
From the lush Kenilworth countryside, Brisbane’s Mount Coot-tha Forest Road offers an entirely different scenic experience just 5 kilometres west of the city centre.
You’ll discover a rich history dating back to the Yugara Aboriginal people, who once collected honey from native stingless bees in this area.
Originally known as “One Tree Hill” for its distinctive eucalypt used in surveying, it’s now a heritage-listed treasure that’s been a public park since 1880.
The forest was significantly utilized during World War II as a mine storage and assembly depot, with extensive military operations throughout the area.
The summit features telescopic viewing stations where visitors can observe the city in detail.
As you navigate Sir Samuel Griffith Drive’s winding two-lane circuit, you’ll encounter breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane and its surroundings.
The route features well-maintained roads, multiple vantage points, and picnic areas where you can pause to enjoy the scenery.
You won’t find any service stations along the way, so fuel up before your journey.
Whether you’re interested in challenging cycling routes, peaceful bushwalks, or dining with a view at the hilltop restaurant, Mount Coot-tha has something for everyone.
Remember to drive cautiously. The roads can get busy during peak hours, and weather conditions can affect road surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Wildlife Species Can I Expect to Encounter During Queensland Scenic Drives?
Like spotting treasures on a safari, you’ll see kangaroos, wallabies, possums, and crocodiles in natural settings. You might also catch glimpses of cassowaries and koalas along forested routes.
Are There Any Seasonal Road Closures I Should Know About?
Seasonal road closures occur from June through October, with some tracks closing earlier in May until November. Always check current conditions, as closures depend on weather and track conditions.
Which Scenic Drives Offer Wheelchair-Accessible Viewpoints and Rest Areas?
Against stunning gorge vistas, you’ll find accessible viewpoints at Barron Gorge’s Din Din boardwalk, Daintree’s Marrdja trails, and along the Savannah Way with convenient rest areas at Lamington and Girraween parks.
Where Can I Find Fuel Stations Along Remote Scenic Routes?
Fuel stops are available at key locations, such as Blackall, Windorah, Quilpie, and Thargomindah. Don’t let your tank drop below 3/4 full, as stations can be hundreds of kilometres apart.
Do Any Scenic Drives Require Permits or Advance Bookings?
You’ll need Vehicle Access Permits for the Bribie Island, Cooloola, and K’gari recreation areas. You can book these permits online through Queensland National Parks, over the counter, or by calling 13 QGOV.
