Queensland: From the Coast to the Interior

Queensland is massive, and I’ve spent a fair chunk of time exploring it at a pace that actually allows for looking at the trees. My heart might be in the outback, but I’m just as happy on a coastal walk.

My guides are about finding a bit of peace and quiet, whether that’s a slow climb for a fantastic reward or a historic site that actually lives up to the name. No fluff—just the stunning views, the relentless uphill challenges, and the logistics you actually need to plan a trip into the interior or along the coast.

QUEENSLAND AT A GLANCE

Best Time: April to September (unless you like to sweat)

The Map: South East, Sandstone Belt, Central Coast, Outback and the Tropical North

The Standouts: Carnarvon Gorge, Lamington National Park and Girraween National Park

The Permits: Book your camping and vehicle access online so the rangers don’t have to kick you out

✨ Highlights: Ancient sandstone cliffs, rugged granite country, tropical beaches, vast skies and Gondwana rainforests

QUEENSLAND REGIONS

SUNSHINE COAST & BRIBIE ISLAND

Skip the beach for the volcanic Glass House Mountains and the Hinterland Great Walk.

GOLD COAST & SCENIC RIM

Gondwana rainforests and waterfalls. Full guides for Springbrook, Lamington, and Main Range.

GRANITE BELT & SOUTHERN RANGES

Hiking and massive granite monoliths. In-depth guides for Girraween, the Bunya Mountains and beyond.

CENTRAL COAST & INTERIOR

Where the bush meets the beach. Sandstone overhangs at Cania Gorge, and coastal camping at Deepwater.

THE SANDSTONE BELT & CARNARVON

Remote and rugged. Comprehensive guides to Carnarvon Gorge, Mount Moffatt, Expedition and beyond.

OUTBACK & NORTH QUEENSLAND

Big skies and small crowds. Guides for Porcupine Gorge, the Gulf Savannah, the dinosaur trail, and tropical hiking.

QLD PARK ACCESS AND CAMPING PERMITS

QNP Vehicle Access Permit: Unlike most other states in Australia, you don’t need a pre-paid entry pass for any of the Queensland national parks. What you do need is a vehicle access permit if you want do beach driving in the more popular spots, e.g. K’gari, Rainbow Beach (Cooloola) or Bribie Island.
Campsite Bookings: To camp in the national parks, you need to book your campsite online—don’t wing it. There are no honesty boxes anywhere. Some of the popular spots, e.g. Springbrook, Carnarvon Gorge or K’gari, can book out months in advance for peak holiday periods.
Local sports grounds and caravan parks are great alternatives. Use WikiCamps to find low-cost spots when the national parks are full or lack the amenities you’re after.

Stuck for ideas? If you can’t decide between the bush or the beach, have a look at my guide to 17 national park camping spots in South East Queensland and Northern NSW. It’s a list of my favourite places to camp across the region—from the rainforests, to granite country and sandy beaches.

ON THE BITUMEN (AND OFF)

The Reality: Getting to the best national parks usually involves a bit of dust or muddy tracks.
The Gear: A (high-clearance) 4WD is essential for many national parks in Queensland or spots like the Condamine River Road. I’m not a “hardcore” off-roader so you won’t find technical advice here—just practical tips on how to get to the trailhead without getting bogged.
The Warning: “Regional” often means no reception and very long drives in Queensland. Be prepared to navigate without a signal and don’t rely on Google Maps being accurate.

Don’t have a high-clearance 4WD? You don’t need rugged gear to access some of the state’s best spots. Have a look at my guide to the best 2WD national parks in Queensland for a roundup of great locations you can easily reach in a standard vehicle.