4 Day Family Country Road Trip from Brisbane to Stanthorpe

If it’s time for the kids to breathe in some fresh country air, reconnect with nature (and each other!) and go offline, then bundle them in the car for a road trip and head southwest from Brisbane to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt. Say howdy to life in the country where there’s horses to ride, berries to pick and stars to gaze!

Road Trip Day One: Brisbane to Maryvale

The road trip from Brisbane to the Southern Downs is an easy one. Leaving Brisbane, head out through Ipswich and onto the Cunningham Highway. If you need to stop halfway, the roadside town of Aratula provides a handful of eating spots and service stations. From there, you’ll start your ascent up to Cunningham’s Gap, where you’ll pass through the Great Dividing Range. At the crest, keep an eye out for the carpark on your right hand side where you can pull over and embark on one of the many walks in the Cunningham Gap section of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area. Rest the legs afterwards and enjoy a packed lunch with the family at one of the park’s shaded picnic areas nestled in cool forest beside a clear mountain stream.

After lunch, jump back in the car to continue the road trip and start your descent down the mountain and into the Southern Downs region. Head to one of the farm stays the in the region where the kids can experience firsthand how a functioning farm works. There are a couple of farm stays in the Maryvale area with plenty of activities including live shearing demonstrations, horseback riding, milking cows, whip cracking and plenty of one-on-one time with the animals.

Road Trip Day Two: Warwick and Allora

Your road trip adventure continues as you say goodbye to farm life and head to the Southern Downs main centre, Warwick, about 30 minutes down the road. Known as the rose and rodeo capital, Warwick is a charming country town steeped in history. Sitting gracefully on the banks of the Condamine River, Warwick features some of Queensland’s finest original sandstone buildings. The town of Warwick is best explored by embarking on one of the 5 Walks of Warwick. Particularly, ‘The River Walk’ is a perfect break from sitting in the car to stretch the legs and get some fresh air – bonus points if you packed the bikes!

While in Warwick, make sure to head to the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre, exhibiting interactive and static displays, to give the kids a taste of what life was like in rodeo-lovin’ town of Warwick. If the kiddies need to use some energy up before continuing with the road trip, a stop at the Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre (WIRAC) is a must. Featuring a huge indoor pool and rock-climbing wall, your little one’s are bound to be exhausted after an afternoon of swimming and climbing. Or, if you’re looking for a more outdoors activity to wear out the kids before hoping back in the car, head to Leslie Dam, about 10 minutes out of Warwick for endless swimming and fishing (and plenty of kangaroos to spot!).

While in Warwick, you’ll find endless options for lunch, with takeaway joints, local cafes, country pubs, bakeries or supermarkets to by your own lunch and snacks for the road trip.

After lunch, hop back into the car and head 20 minutes north to the charming town of Allora, which has a significant literary history and ties to Hollywood. The author of Mary Poppins, PL Travers, lived in Allora and you can take a tour of her Heritage listed childhood home. During summer in Allora, spectacular sunflower fields line the highways and country roads attracting thousands of snap-happy visitors.

Once you’ve had your fill of site seeing and activities in Allora, head back to your accommodation in Warwick and take in one of the famous Southern Downs sunsets before resting up for the night to continue your trip in the morning.

TOP TIP: If you’ve got extra days up your sleeve for the road trip, step back in time with a trip on Warwick’s Downs Explorer, which operates steam train tours from Warwick to Clifton and Stanthorpe. 

Road Trip Day Three: Warwick to Stanthorpe

Quart Pot Creek in Autumn
Quart Pot Creek in Autumn

Enjoy a quick breakfast before leaving Warwick and hitting the road for Stanthorpe. It’s only approximately a 50-minute drive south to the Granite Belt before you’ll find yourself smack bang in the main town of Stanthorpe. With wineries, breweries and romantic BnBs, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Granite Belt is an adults-only destination. But that’s not the case, there are plenty of kid-approved activities to fill your Stanthorpe itinerary.

As you drive down the New England Highway, you won’t be able to miss the Big Apple, a classic large Australian fruit icon, marking that you’re now in apple-country! A road trip to Stanthorpe isn’t complete without a photo at the Big Apple, so pull into a side road and grab a selfie, before heading across the highway to Sutton’s for their famous apple pie! Close by to the Big Apple, there’s several family-friendly activities to choose from including:

  • The Granite Belt Maze – get those brains working with a maze, tricky riddles, mini golf course and giant chess set.
  • Granite Belt Christmas Farm – This farm brings the Christmas Spirit alive all year round, with festive goodies, animals and real pine trees for sale.
  • Ashbern Farms – from October to May, embark on a pick-your-own strawberry adventure!

For lunch, there are plenty of options to choose from in Stanthorpe to fuel up with, or head to Quart Pot Creek for a picnic amongst the trees. After lunch, it’s time to burn off some energy at Girraween National Park, featuring 30km of walking trails Girraween National Park is the perfect spot for restless legs! Make sure to try the Granite Arch Walk – it’s a fairly short, easy trail that’s perfect for all ages and follows some fascinating rock formations, with granite archways and secret caves, allowing the kids to play bushranger for the day.

Head back to your accommodation in Stanthorpe for a good nights rest before embarking on the final leg of your road trip.

Road Trip Day Four: Killarney to Brisbane

Say goodbye to the Granite Belt, as you jump back in the car and head north to Killarney via Mount Lindesay Road. The road trip from Stanthorpe to Killarney will take you an hour, with part of the road not sealed, but still very accessible by all cars and caravans. You’ll cross over the border twice before you enter Killarney, where rolling hills, secluded valleys and dramatic waterfalls greet you.

The waterfall chasing in Killarney is next level. Head off on The Falls Drive, which takes in Browns Falls, Daggs Falls and the popular Queen Mary Falls, part of Main Range National Park, which provides ample picnic spots and spectacular views. Spend some time exploring the Queen Mary Falls circuit, a 40-minute walk that takes you from the lookouts at the top of the falls to the creek below. Across the road at Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park the kids will love hand-feeding king parrots and crimson rosellas.

Continue the Falls Drive to your final destination, Carr’s Lookout, where you can stop to take in the stunning views before finishing up your road trip and driving back to Brisbane via Boonah.

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Contact Information

Stanthorpe Information 07 4681 2057
Warwick Information 07 4661 3122
Email us: visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au

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