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First came the automobile in 1885, then came scenic driving. Fast forward 134 years and scenic drives have moved beyond a weekend ritual to a travel destination in their own right.
From the legendary Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles to the 84-kilometre-long Hana Highway on the Hawaiian Island of Maui – there’s no end of road trips worth flying for.
Queensland has a few of them - take Cape York for instance, which attracts 60,000 visitors each year on the quest to catch sunrise from the most northern point of the country.
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you need to be short on road trip adventures from Brisbane.
With landscapes that vary from hinterland to countryside and coastal on Brisbane’s doorstep – you’d be remiss not to pick up a hire car from Brisbane Airport and try one of these scenic drives.
Tamborine Mountain
Distance from BNE: 82 kilometres
Perfect for: Couples
If you’ve ever touched down at Brisbane Airport from the southern states, you might have caught a glimpse of Tamborine Mountain as you flew over the Gold Coast.
As impressive as the lush, green foliage of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest looks from above, it’s more impressive when driving through it at windscreen level.
Follow the winding road through the third oldest national park in the world to the small hamlet at the top of the mountain where you can indulge in locally made fudge, explore the local art galleries or grab a table on the terrace of St Bernard’s Hotel for front-row seats to Guanaba Gorge.
After a spot of waterfall chasing at Curtis Falls and Natural Bridge, you’ll have seen the best of the green that’s behind the Gold Coast and be ready to head back to Brisbane.
Brisbane to Ballina via Tourist Drive 30
Distance from BNE: 204 kilometres
Perfect for: Families
Is there a more iconic duo than a scenic drive and costal tarmac? We’ll wait.
Don’t let the freeway miles along the Pacific Highway from Brisbane to Byron Bay deter you. Once you hit Tourist Drive 30, you’ll be spoilt with Pacific Ocean views on your left for 31 kilometres.
Although the coastal stretch may be short in distance, it has more than eight beaches to explore, so we’d recommend booking an overnight stay to maximise the sand between-the-toes moments before returning to car to BNE.
Be sure to set off early and plan your Byron Bay arrival for breakfast or brunch and stop by The Farm to break up the journey.
Grab a table at the award-winning restaurant, Three Blue Ducks, or choose the low-key option and grab some fresh pastries and a barista-made coffee from the bakery.
With chickens roaming the yard, and pigs and cattle grazing on this working farm, the hardest part will be getting the kids back in the car.
Brisbane to the Scenic Rim – via Route 90 (via The Scenic Rim Way)
Distance from BNE: 150 kilometres
Perfect for: Couples
Looking for a drive that combines World Heritage-listed national parks, quaint towns and delicious pit stops? Head south-west 100 kilometres and discover the scenery that makes up the Scenic Rim.
For a sweet start to your journey, put Aratula as the first stop in your GPS – even if only for their chocolate éclairs from Arthur Clive’s café bakery.
Continue 15 minutes to Boonah – where local artwork and produce from this small country town takes pride of place along the main street.
Allow enough time for a quick detour to stretch the legs at Mount French National Park, with two short walks that offer panoramic views over Fassifern Valley, Flinders Peak and Mount Barney.
Finish your Scenic Rim tour in Beaudesert, best enjoyed with a glass of Fiano or Tempranillo in hand at The Overflow Estate, overlooking Lake Wyaralong.
No need to rush back to BNE in one day; the region has several farm stays, bed and breakfasts or cottages all within 30 minutes’ drive of each other.
Fernvale, Ipswich
Distance from BNE: 73 kilometres
Perfect for: Couples
If you’re looking for a drive that’s a crust above the rest, set your GPS to postcode 4306 and navigate your way to an award-winning pastry from Old Fernvale Bakery.
There’s more to Fernvale than its flaky pastry-filled delights, with Lake Wivenhoe (south-east Queensland’s largest lake) a 10 minutes’ drive away.
If you’ve timed your visit between Thursday and Sunday, visit Mount England Estate Winery to soak in views of the Somerset Valley, or arrive between 6am and midday on a Sunday to meander through Fernvale’s Country Markets.
Bribie Island
Distance from BNE: 80 kilometres
Perfect for: Adventure seekers
Short on time to get to Moreton, Fraser or Stradbroke? No need to catch a boat or ferry to enjoy #IslandLife, with Bribie Island connected to the mainland by bridge.
With 55.8 square kilometres of national park, you’ll need to stretch the legs along one of the walking tracks, beaches or lagoons to enjoy the best sights of Bribie.
Wrap up your visit to the 34-kilometre long sand island with ocean views over a meal and a coldie at the Bribie Island Surf Club before you return to BNE.
TIP: Check your hire car company’s terms and conditions before going off-road. Most require you to stay on the tarmac tracks.
Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt
Distance from BNE: 230 kilometres (via Ipswich)
Perfect for: Couples
You don’t need to fly two-and-a-half hours to the Adelaide Hills to experience wine country – just jump in a hire car, buckle up, and in the same time you can be in Queensland’s Granite Belt Wine Country.
If you prefer more time to swirl your way through the 19 cellar doors, take the M1 via Ipswich; otherwise, navigate your way via the Mount Lindesay Highway for a more scenic drive.
Once you’re all vino’d out, stop by one of Stanthorpe’s museums, art galleries or putter up for a round of mini golf.
Like any scenic drive to a wine region, it’s best coupled with an overnight stay – because, safety first.
Mount Mee
Distance from BNE: 70 kilometres
Perfect for: Families
If driving the famous Passo Stelvio in Italy is on your bucket list, head north from Brisbane Airport to Mount Mee.
Although you won’t experience as many switchbacks as the Italian Alps, you’ll be spoilt with views of Samford Valley as you wind your way up towards D’Aguilar National Park.
Plan your drive on a Saturday or Sunday and book a llama walk or feeding experience at Dayboro Cottages, to avoid the dreaded ‘are we there yet?’ from little ones in the backseat.
Stop by Ocean View Estates Winery & Restaurant or Pit Stop Café to refuel at the top of the mountain or wind your way back down to local-favourite Dayboro Bakery, before returning to your Brisbane-base.
Maleny and Montville
Distance from BNE: 100 kilometres
Perfect for: Couples
Looking for a scenic drive that promises artisan cheese, hand-made Belgian chocolates and gold-medal gelato? Think Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Head north on the Bruce Highway and turn off at Landsborough to take the Blackall Range (Tourist Drive 23) towards Montville and Maleny.
With award-winning dairy at the foothills of Maleny, make your first stop Maleny Food Co to sample their local produce - grab a table at the café, visit the fromagerie or sample some of the 100 gelato or sorbet flavours.
Continue 15 kilometres north to Montville for Country Chocolates, where Belgian chocolates have been handmade, packaged and sold for over 35 years.
If you need to burn off the cheese, choccies or gelato, step it out along one of the local bushwalks before you hit the road to BNE. Our pick? Kondalilla Falls which begs for togs and a towel as packing essentials.
Where to collect your hire car at BNE
Whether you’re touching down at the Domestic or International Terminal, all the big names in car hire have representatives in the Arrivals Hall or Baggage Claim area to get keys in your hand, luggage in the trunk and on your way to your scenic road journey in no time. Explore the car hire options at Brisbane Airport.
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