Our Tips for Travelling in Queensland

Queensland is blessed with tropical rainforests up north and pristine sun-kissed beaches on the coastline. No wonder it's the most popular state for holidaymakers from both within Australia and around the world. There is no better way of experiencing the beauty of Queensland than packing up the car and heading off on the ultimate road trip. So in this guide, we are going to provide you with some top tips to make the most of your holiday. We’ll cover everything from the most exciting destinations, the apps you should download and the precautions you should take to keep you and your family safe on the road. Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime? Then let’s get started. 
 

Preparing To Travel

The unique climate of Queensland means you must be prepared for varied weather. Regular visitors will be aware of these precautions, but if this is your first visit, the following tips will help to keep you out of trouble. 

 

Plan Your Route

The first and most important step is to plan your route. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people set off on a road trip without knowing where they are going. In the remote parts of Queensland, this can very quickly lead to trouble. 

So sit down and carefully plan your route. Take note of landmarks, towns and settlements along the way. You should also work out your fuel consumption for the route and make sure you take a note of any petrol stations on your route. 

Try to plan your route so that you are not driving for more than 2 hours at a time. This will ensure you stay alert at all times. Some of the road conditions in remote Queensland can be challenging, so you need to stay alert. 
 

Check The Weather

You should also check the weather for the region you are heading to. The weather in Queensland can change quickly, so don’t assume if it is sunny when you set off, it will stay that way.  The best app for checking weather is Weatherzone.com.au. You should also sign up for local weather alerts and warnings.

 

Download Useful Apps

Apps are a great way to keep yourself informed while you’re on the road. Here are some of our favourite apps to help keep you safe when travelling in Queensland:

Tripit: This travel planner app is one of the most comprehensive available. Use it to plan your routes and pick out places to visit.

Waze: Most cars have satellite navigation these days, but few of them provide real-time traffic and accident reports. That’s why you need the Waze app on your phone.

Beachsafe: There are 1,711 beaches in Queensland. You can check the beach you want to visit for weather, hazards and water quality on this app.

AllTrails: Queensland has more than 7,000 km of coastline to explore. AllTrails is one of the leading walking and biking trails app. Use it to plan your hiking and biking trips.

Weatherzone: Get the latest weather reports for the region you are heading to using the Weatherzone app.

 

Pack An Emergency Kit

You should never travel anywhere in Queensland without first packing an emergency travel kit. This should contain essentials to keep you safe on the road. Make sure your kit contains the following items.

• First aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Toilet paper
• Torch
• Batteries
• 4 litres of water per person per day
• Shovel
• Tow rope
• Blanket and tarpaulin
• Tool kit
• Fire extinguisher
• An Esky to keep your water cool
• Matches, lighter or ember rock

 

Must See Regions of Queensland

Queensland is a diverse state that is divided into nine geographic areas. You can’t possibly hope to explore it all in a single visit. Our advice is to pick a single area and explore it to the full. Here are four must-see regions in Queensland:

 

Brisbane

No trip to Queensland is complete without a visit to the state capital Brisbane. This is one of the most diverse cities in Australia. There is something for everyone, from shopping in Queen St Mall to sampling the delicious street food on Eat Street and North Shore. The city is also a short hop to the Bunya Mountains National Park. This spectacular wilderness contains more than 120 species of birds and mammals, but don’t forget your walking shoes because there is around 1000km of hiking trails to explore. 

 

Townsville & North Queensland

Townsville is the largest city in North Queensland and is the best place to stay when exploring the region. This part of Australia offers stunning beaches, tropical gardens, and spectacular mountain ranges. There is something for all the family here, and the kids will love exploring the rare aquatic life at ReefHQ and feeding the animals at Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary. The adults, meanwhile, can combine their holiday in North Queensland with a history lesson by taking the Townsville Military Tour.

 

Cairns

Cairns is home to vibrant nightlife, bustling street markets and beautiful beaches. You can go for a swim at Esplanade Lagoon, learn to scuba dive at Marine World or take the cableway up to Kuranda for stunning views across the bay. 

Cairns is also the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, with boats leaving from Cairns to visit the reef daily. Small tours are ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling, but families may prefer the larger pontoon tours which provide more space and supervised activities for children. 
 

Central Queensland

Few areas in Australia can match the beauty and diversity of Central Queensland. You can snorkel in the pristine waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, picnic on a secluded beach, or swim in Queensland’s largest infinity pool. The area is also home to pristine rainforests, towering sandstone cliffs and dormant volcanoes. These offer several hundred miles of hiking and biking trails at a range of difficulties from Grade One to Five.

 

Book A Hire Car

The best way to explore the beauty and vibrancy that Queensland has to offer is to hire a car and head off on an unforgettable road trip. At 1300 Meteor Rentals, we pride ourselves on offering the best hire cars and the most competitive rates. We offer a range of cars, minibuses, 4x4s and utes to suit all budgets. And with branches in Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa, we offer convenient pick-up and drop off points across Queensland. So give us a call today on 1300 638 367 and tell us where you want to go. Our experienced team will then recommend the perfect car for the trip. Alternatively, if you already have a car in mind, complete the booking form to check availability and obtain a quote.