Brisbane to Surat: A self-drive itinerary

Your campervan journey west takes you past the Lockyer National Park, home to sandstone gorges, unspoilt eucalypt forests and rare flora and fauna like the brush-tailed rock wallaby.

Then it’s on to Toowoomba, the surprisingly hip capital of the Darling Downs region. Discover the city’s enthralling history, browse a fine collection of Australian art at the gallery, and enjoy an array of excellent cafes, bars and restaurants. There are a number of campgrounds on the outskirts of Toowoomba, or you could spend the night at nearby Murphy’s Creek or the Jondaryan Woolshed.

Inspiration:

• Zen out at Australia’s largest Japanese garden
• Glimpse Queensland’s horse-drawn past at the fascinating Cobb & Co Museum
• Admire paintings by Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Rupert Bunny at Toowoomba’s art gallery
• Check out local street art at Kontraband Studios
• Get a jaw-dropping view of the Lockyer Valley from Picnic Point

Spend the morning enjoying more of Toowoomba’s cosmopolitan country charms before continuing west to Dalby, a bustling farming town on the black soil plains of the Northern Darling Downs. Delve into the area’s agricultural past at the Pioneer Park Museum or follow the Dalby Heritage Trail to explore the town’s many historical sites. The best time to visit Dalby is during March, when the town hosts an extremely lively cotton festival.

Inspiration:

• Stop for a real country lunch at the 150-year-old Jondaryan Woolshed
• Spot waterbirds with a stroll along Myall Creek
• Wander through the extraordinary estate gardens of Jimbour House

Jimbour House

Discover some of Australia’s biological treasures at the Myall Park Botanic Garden near Glenmorgan, home to a remarkable collection of acacias, grevilleas, eucalypts and more.

Then head on to Surat, a picturesque outback town with a heritage-listed picture theatre and historic Cobb & Co changing station. Find out about bush tucker at the Aboriginal Bush Gardens, meet some scaly friends at the freshwater aquarium or catch a few of your own in the nearby Balonne River, an angler’s paradise.

Inspiration:

• Admire Myall Park’s famous Gordon grevilleas
• Fish the Balonne River
• Enjoy local and travelling exhibitions at the Surat on Balonne Gallery
• See colourful water lilies in the Beranga Creek between January and May

Head back through Dalby to the Bunya Mountains National Park, Queensland’s second-oldest national park and one of its most breathtaking. The distinctive peaks are covered in virgin rainforest and shelter the world’s largest forest of ancient bunya pines. The park’s many walking tracks take visitors past waterfalls, fern glades, and jaw-dropping lookouts. You’re also likely to see an array of colourful parrots and satin bowerbirds. There are three camping areas to choose from in the national park.

Inspiration:

• Stop for a bite at Condamine’s old-style roadhouse
• Discover the Bunya Mountains’ significance to local Aboriginal groups
• See the ancient bunya pine, hoop pine and red cedar

Take the back road home through the beautiful Yarraman and Benarkin State Forests. Thrill-seekers might want to try skydiving at Toogoolawah, while travellers looking for a more sedate experience can visit the superbly restored Bellevue Homestead near Esk – a lovely spot for lunch and a wine tasting. Drop off your Cosy Camper on arrival in Brisbane and start thinking about your next adventure!

Inspiration:

• Walk through Benarkin’s hoop pine and blackbutt forests
• Take the plunge at Skydive Ramblers Toogoolawah
• Visit a real sheep squatters’ estate – Bellevue Homestead