Family Campervan Holiday

Road Trip The Big Sky Events Trail

15 Day Loop From Brisbane

Trip duration: 2923 kms – 15 Days

Driving distance: 2923 kms

Queensland is a versitle destination for everyone to experience from coastal cities to the great outback. In this drive, visit Chinchilla - home of the quirky Melon Festival. Take a behind the scenes tour of Winton's Dinosaur attractions. There is just so much to enjoy, for the whole family!

Day 1 & 2: Brisbane to Toowoomba

Driving distance: 167km

Time in the car: 1 hour 45 minutes

Head west along the Warrego Highway and get ready to eat, laugh and play at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers during the September school holidays. Ride the park shuttle bus to experience a riot of colour and music on show at the Garden City's beautiful public parks. The kids will love Sideshow Alley in Queens Park and the giant ‘caterpillar’ and ‘train’ shaped hedges in Laurel Bank Park. The dedicated children’s program at the food & wine festival is bound to be a hit for all. Don’t miss the spectacular floral parade to see beautiful flowery floats wind their way through the heart of the city. Drive a short distance to the Woolshed at Jondaryan’s campsite, a great country base for the kids to chill and run off some steam. Join in the rural activities, enjoy campfire dinners and download the app for a self-guided tour of the heritage buildings.

Accomodation:

• Toowoomba Central Plaza Apartment Hotel
• Oaks Toowoomba Hotel

Campsites:

• BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park
• Woolshed at Jondaryan

Day 3: Toowoomba to Roma

Driving distance: 305km

Time in the car: 4 hours

Point your van west this morning and watch for melon paddocks as you head towards Chinchilla, home of the famous Chinchilla Melon Festival (held in February). Continue on the road to Roma, gateway to the Outback, and home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest cattle saleyards operating free tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tonight, head to The Big Rig Night Show to experience an entertaining sound and light show telling the pioneering story of Australia's oil and gas industry.

Accomodation:

• Roma Explorers Inn
• The Overlander Homestead

Campsites:

• Big Rig Top Tourist Park
• Roma Gun Club Caravan and Camping

Day 4: Roma to Tambo

Driving distance: 384km

Time in the car: 4 hours

Enjoy a relaxing dip at Mitchell’s Great Artesian Spa Complex and soak up the curative powers of this natural artesian mineral water. Drive northwest along the Matilda Way to the tiny township of Augathella, once a popular stopover for bullock teams and drovers. See a Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade teddy being made at the Tambo Teddies, then stroll along Coolibah Walk with its many swimming holes and fishing spots.

Accomodation:

• The Overlander Homestead

Campsites:

• Tambo Mill Motel & Caravan Park

Day 5-9: Tambo to Winton

Driving distance: 492km

Time in the car: 5 hours and 25 minutes

Begin your drive early this morning, as there is plenty to see along the road to Winton! Visit the historic Blackall Woolscour, the only fully intact steam powered woolwashing plant in Australia. Continue along the Matilda Way to Ilfracombe and the historic Wellshot Hotel. Make sure you check out the ceiling covered in money! Last stop west is Winton, home of Waltzing Matilda, dinosaurs and the biennial Outback Festival, held in the September school holidays. Enjoy a packed family-friendly program of events to include the famous Australian Dunny Derby, Outback Ironman events, sunset dinners, Indigenous cultural programs, free kids events and workshops. Explore Winton’s nearby Dinosaur attractions – Australian Age of Dinosaurs and Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry.

Accomodation:

• North Gregory Hotel
• Boulder Opal Motor Inn

Campsites:

• Matilda Country Tourist Park
• The Pelican Fuel Stop & Caravan Park

Day 10 & 11: Winton to Longreach

Driving distance: 180km

Time in the car: 2 hours

Say farewell to Winton and drive east to Longreach, the heart of the West. Visit the Qantas Founders Museum to take a wing walk or test your skills in the flight simulator. Take your seat for the entertaining Outback Stockman’s lunch and show at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, then meet the Walkers on nearby Camden Park Station for a station tour and sunset barbeque. Board the Cobb & Co coach for an exhilarating ride through the scrub and see the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show. Wander downtown Longreach then give the kids some well earned chill time with a refreshing swim back at the Tourist Park. Join the Drover’s Sunset Cruise (including dinner & show) on the Thomson River tonight.

Accomodation:

• The Staging Post
• Mitchell Grass Retreat

Campsites:

• Longreach Tourist Park

Day 12: Longreach to Lake Maraboon, Emerald

Driving distance: 415km

Time in the car: 4 hours 30 minutes

Make a pit stop in Barcaldine. Stand under the impressive Tree of Knowledge where once stood the 180-year old ghost gum, significant to the Shearer's Strike in 1891. The kids can test their musical skills on the outdoor Thong-a-phone and Marimba, before tucking into a tasty snack at one of the local bakeries or cafés. Continue east to Lake Maraboon for a spot of recreation and relaxation. Hire a kayak, throw a line or dip your toes in the water. Tonight, make use of the free barbeque facilities or have someone else do the cooking at the Lakeside Café & Bar.

Accomodation:

• Emerald Maraboon Motor Inn
• Nightcap at Emerald Star Hotel

Campsites:

• Emerald Tourist Park
• Emerald Cabin & Caravan Village

Day 13: Lake Maraboon to Biloela

Driving distance: 320km

Time in the car: 3 hours 25 minutes

Spend a lazy morning at Lake Maraboon then make your way into Emerald. Take a ‘selfie’ at the world’s largest Van Gogh sunflower painting some 25 metres high! Travel via Blackwater to the small township of Dingo. If time permits, take a side trip to the spectacular Blackdown Tableland National Park, with its deep gorges, picturesque lookouts and scenic waterfalls (not suitable for towing caravans) before ending the day at Biloela.

Accomodation:

• Raintree Motel Biloela
• Hotel Settlers

Campsites:

• Biloela Caravan Park
• Discovery Parks - Biloela

Day 14: Biloela to Kingaroy

Driving distance: 439km

Time in the car: 5 hours

Visit Eidsvold, known for its beef cattle and home of the RM Williams Learning Centre, then travel to Mundubbera, the citrus capital of Queensland. Sip your way through South Burnett by visiting some of the local wineries in the area like Moffatdale Ridge, Kingsley Grove Estate and Crane Wines. Tonight, see the moon, stars and planets up close at the Kingaroy Observatory.

Accomodation:

• ROOM Motels
• Burke & Wills Motor Inn

Campsites:

• Kingaroy Holiday Park
• Wondai Free Camp

Day 12: Kingaroy to Brisbane

Driving distance: 221km

Time in the car: 3 hours

Stock up on your choice of over 20 lipsmacking flavours of locally grown peanuts at the iconic Peanut Van, then visit the Pottique Lavender Farm to sample their lavender scones! Hit the road, wind down your windows and capture the fresh country air as you make your way back to Brisbane.

This road trip was provided by Queensland's Big Sky Country Drives.

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