The mid region of Central Queensland (Toowoomba; Dalby; Miles; Roma; Charleville; Blackall) is accessed by road from Brisbane via Warrego Highway and the Darling Downs. Capricorn Highway connects the northern region (Blackwater; Emerald; Barcaldine; Longreach) with Rockhampton and the Capricorn coast. The southern, or Goldest West region (Goondawindi, St George Cunnamulla) is accessed from Brisbane via New England Highway to Warwick, then Barwon and Balonne Highways.

Best Time To Go

The region can be visited all year around, though it can be quite cold at nights in winter. The best time to visit the western regions is between April and September, which are the cooler, drier months. Summer temperatures in the west can climb to over 40 deg. C, and high rainfalls can also occur in summer, followed quickly by floodwaters.

The further west you go, flooding can occur up to two weeks after rain in the catchment. Rain can fall at any time of year and even a small amount of rain can make roads impassable. Check with the RACQ or local council offices for current road conditions before your trip.



Burnett and Fraser Coast

The Burnett region and Fraser Coast is situated to the north of the Sunshine Coast, around a half day's drive north of Brisbane. The region's diverse, natural beauty includes the World Heritage Listed Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows from sand. It is on this coast that travellers heading north really get the feeling that they are entering tropical Queensland.

The Burnett Region and Fraser Coasts are north of the Sunshine Coast and north east of the Darling Downs, around two to three hours north of Brisbane via Bruce Highway by road. The Fraser Coast is five hours drive from Toowoomba via the Burnett region.

The Fraser Coast is serviced by daily rail services from Brisbane, which stop at Bundaberg and Maryborough.

Best Time To Go

The Burnett Region and Fraser Coasts are all-year-round destinations, but if you prefer to avoid the sub-tropical heat, you may wish to visit during the winter when temperatures are pleasantly cool and rainfall is low. The southern part of Queensland enjoys slightly drier summers in comparison to the north. Temperatures average around 20 °C during winter and, although warmer, are still comfortable during summer.



Granite Belt and Scenic Rim

Access by road north from Sydney via Pacific Highway to Newcastle, then the New England Highway via the New England region of New Soth Wales. From Brisbane to Toowoomba via Ipswich Road, or to Warwick and Stanthorpe via Cunningham Highway.

Best Time To Go

The region can be visited all year around, though it can be quite cold at nights in winter. Autumn is perhaps the best time, with its display of gold foliage, maturing wines, ripening fresh produce and a variety of seasonal events.



Western and Outback Queensland

The Westlander rail service operates from Brisbane, travelling across the Great Dividing Range, through the rich farmlands of the Darling Downs to Charleville, this scenic journey travels through some of the state's most picturesque outback regions. The Spirit of the Outback train runs from Brisbane via Rockhampton and The Inlander from Townsville. These trains terminate at Longreach and Mt Isa respecitively.

Most of Queensland's Outback is accessible by family sedan, and towns are usually no more than two hours apart. However without a 4WD you'll miss plenty of opportunities to 'go bush' and explore spectacular scenery. Numerous highways lead from the coastal communities to the Queensland outback. The most commonly used road from Brisbane is Warrego Highway, via Toowoomba and Dalby. From NSW, follow Leichhardt Highway north through Moree, or Bruxner Highway via Tenterfield.

There are airports at Longreach, Mount Isa, Charleville, and Birdsville. Coach services operate to all major Outback centres along the Overlander's Way from Townsville to Mount Isa, and on the Matilda Highway from Cunnamulla to Karumba.

Best Time To Go

It is recommended that you visit between April and September, which are the cooler, drier months. Summer temperatures in the west can climb to over 40 deg. C, and high rainfalls can also occur in summer, followed quickly by floodwaters.

The further west you go, flooding can occur up to two weeks after rain in the catchment. Rain can fall at any time of year and even a small amount of rain can make roads impassable. Check with the RACQ or local council offices for current road conditions before your trip.

The temperatures in the outback can climb to the extremes in the summer. Casual light clothes are recommended although temperatures can fall below 5 deg. C at night during winter. The wet season in the northern areas is from November to March. The best time to visit is from April to October when the days are cooler.

Travelling The Outback

Beyond the southern Downs is the Outback, a the vast, remote, arid area of Australia. It is not a defined area, and people's interpretation of where the outback begins and ends varies greatly; the term generally refers to any lands outside the main urban areas.

The opening up of new highways and railways has made the Outback more accessible than ever before. It can still be a dangerous place if you travel beyond the limitations of your experience, but provided you don't stray too far off the beaten track, an outback journey can be a safe and fascinating travel experience into one of the world's last, largely uninhabited frontiers.

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