Queensland’s best scenic drives

When your state boasts a coastline of almost 7000 kilometres, you can be pretty darn confident that there are a lot of fantastic scenic drives to boast about. But Queensland’s array of picture-perfect landscapes don’t just stop at its beautiful beaches. You’ll find some absolutely stunning sights taking trips inland, too.

To help you map out your next Sunshine State drive, we’ve put together some not-to-be-missed road trips you’re bound to love.

Our top 5 Queensland drives

Drive 1. Great Barrier Reef Drive

Taking you from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, this glorious 140-kilometre (roughly 2.5-hour) drive sandwiches you between the biggest, most iconic and (arguably) most beautiful reef in the world - the Great Barrier Reef - on one side and the dense Wet Tropics rainforest on the other.

Drive 2. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

An inland journey from Brisbane to Montville passing through several towns on the way including Dayboro, Mount Mee, Woodford and Maleny, this trip offers an abundance of bushwalking tracks, breweries, restaurants and much more.

Drive 3. Fraser Island

Take a ferry off the coast of Queensland (ferries depart from Rainbow Beach, Noosa, Brissy or Hervey Bay) for 10 minutes and you’ll arrive at the biggest sand island on the planet - the incredible Fraser Island. As 2WD cars aren’t permitted outside the resorts, you’ll either need to bring your own 4WD over on the ferry (financing one may well be a LOT cheaper than you think) or to hire one when you get there. There are lots of drives to take around the island, each of which will deliver some truly unforgettable scenery.

Drive 4. Townsville to Wallaman Falls

This road trip is a smidge over 160 kilometres, and will take you from the beautiful coastal town of Townsville northwest to the highest waterfall in Australia - the Wallaman Falls - in the Girringun National Park. And while the destination sounds incredible (which it definitely is), the journey isn’t shy about providing views that’ll take your breath away.

Drive 5. Brisbane to Cairns

A fair chunk longer than the other scenic drives listed here, coastal driving from Brissy to Cairns (or vice versa) will take a little over 20 hours… but geez, it’s worth it. Don’t rush the trip, take your time and even consider planning a couple of overnight stays along the way - you definitely don’t want to rush this journey. You’ll pass through some iconic Aussie spots including Airlie Beach, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast (just to name a few), and trust us when we say you won’t ever forget the experience.

Finance a new car to take you there

Whether your current car is on its last legs, you’re interested in trading in for something new or you’re considering a 4WD to take you places you otherwise couldn’t go - we’ve got you. Boasting car finance with interest rates that beat the big 4 banks and customer service that’s second to none, you’re in the best of hands with Stratton Finance. Find out what your monthly repayments could be by using our online finance calculator now!

Interested in speaking with us directly? Call us today on 1300 787 288 or message us online and we’ll be in touch shortly.