GETTING AROUND

Travelling tips to enhance your experience in Queensland.

Traveling around in Queensland

Queensland offers both large modern, cosmopolitan cities and laid-back regional towns across a stunning and diverse landscape that includes national parks, rain-forests, coral reefs and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Getting around Queensland is easy and trouble free. Our comprehensive transport network and motorway system will enable you to explore Queensland and its attractions with ease.

Travel times across major Queensland cities

Approximate travel time from Brisbane:

Cairns

1,703 km from Brisbane

Car: 20 h 32 min
Bus: 29 h
Train: 23 h 55 min

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Townsville

1,356 km from Brisbane

Car: 16 h 10 min
Bus: 23 h 53 min
Train: 17 h 20 min

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Mackay

967 km from Brisbane

Car: 11 h 27 min
Bus: 17 h 56 min
Train: 12 h 25 min

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Rockhampton

635 km from Brisbane

Car: 7 h 39 min
Bus: 12 h 32 min
Train: 7 h 38 min

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Hervey Bay

292 km from Brisbane

Car: 3 h 31 min
Bus: 5 h 25 min
Train: 5 h 43 min

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Sunshine Coast

103 km from Brisbane

Car: 1 h 20 min
Bus: 1 h 40 min
Train: 2 h 48 min

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Gold Coast

78.5 km from Brisbane

Car: 58 min
Train: 1 h 34 min

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Toowoomba

124 km from Brisbane

Car: 1 h 35 min
Bus: 1 h 56 min
Train: 4 h 05 min

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Car Travel

As Queensland has so many interesting and exciting destinations to explore, it would be well worth your while to hire, borrow or buy a car during your visit. Important things to know about driving in Queensland: Australians drive on the left side of the road. All drivers must follow road rules, drive a registered and insured car and carry their driver’s license with them at all times.

Some Australian road rules may be different from those in your home country. Queensland police actively enforce laws, which prohibit driving if you have been drinking alcohol or talking on a hand-held mobile phone. Driving above the speed limit is also illegal as is hitchhiking or picking up hitchhikers in your car. The Queensland Government website can provide you with more information about road rules, road safety and maps of Queensland roads while RACQ offers a handy trip planner.

Air Travel

Queensland caters well for overseas visitors, with a choice of international and domestic airports located throughout the State. International airports are located in Brisbane, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.

Major domestic airports in Queensland include:

Bundaberg
Charleville
Emerald
Gladstone
Hervey Bay
Longreach
Mackay
Sunshine Coast
Maryborough
Mt Isa
Whitsunday Coast
Rockhampton
Roma
Townsville
Weipa

For more information about air travel to, and around, Queensland including maps and travel times, visit the Queensland Holidays website.

Public transport

Most of South East Queensland is serviced by buses, trains and ferries on the Translink network. Visit the Translink website for timetables, maps, and other useful information for planning your travel around Queensland. The Queensland Government’s Q-Connect initiative provides public transport services that connects regional towns throughout Queensland.

Some safe travel tips:

When using public transport it is important to be aware of your surroundings, stay near other people and closely observe your belongings.
If you are using public transport at night, travel with friends if possible and keep to well-lit, busy areas when walking between train or bus stations and your destination.

The Queensland Transport website provides comprehensive information about services and safe use of public transport by road, rail, air and water.