Australia’s “Sunshine State” offers a tremendous mix of destinations ideal for featuring on a family road trip. There are cities, beaches, national parks, and a fascinating hinterland dotted with a rich heritage and historic towns to explore.
While the state capital of Brisbane lends itself to at least a 24-hour exploration, it is also a great base for some terrific scenic drives. The Queensland coast enchants many, and there are great routes both to the north and south exploring the nooks, crannies, and yes, beautiful beaches. Consider Brisbane to Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, or the Gold Coast, to get you started. Each of these destinations can also be used as a base to explore further afield — there are some rewarding driving routes from Cairns or scenic drives from either the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking Queensland is all about the coast — the interior, including the Atherton Tablelands and Mount Tambourine, can be fascinating, while there is so shortage of heritage and history to explore in the west of the state.
