Brisbane to Darwin road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Prepare for an almighty outback road trip. The Brisbane to Darwin drive is epic, covering 3,426km of rugged, remote Australia. Best stops to add to the road trip itinerary include Roma, Longreach and Katherine.
A Brisbane to Darwin road trip is an adventure through some of the most remote parts of Australia. It is not going to be to everyone’s taste. But for those who love big open spaces, quirky outback towns and rugged scenery, this might just be the perfect epic Australian journey.
Darwin brings schooner cruises, airboat tours and cage-swimming with massive crocodiles. To search for the best Darwin accommodation deals, head here. To check out the full range of tours and experiences available, go here.
It’s a long, long drive from the Queensland capital to the Northern Territory capital, though. You’re going to need to spread it out over a few days – preferably a week or so – and plan an itinerary full of fun overnight stops.
This is your guide to doing just that.
Brisbane to Darwin distance and driving time
The distance from Brisbane to Darwin by car is 3,426km. If, by magic, you did that in one stint behind the wheel, the driving time would be 36 hours. Quite clearly, the Brisbane to Darwin road trip is going to take longer than that.
9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
- Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
- Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
- Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
- Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
- XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
- Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
- See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.
Australia Travel Questions has researched guides to the separate legs of the journey. Click through for the detailed versions if planning a road trip itinerary. In the more concise version further down this article, you can click through on the town names for more detailed guides to these particular destinations.
Brisbane to Darwin road trip itinerary sections
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
Best stops between Brisbane and Darwin
The best stops between Brisbane and Darwin are Roma, Longreach, Winton, Mount Isa, Daly Waters and Katherine. But there are other options, too.
6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday
- Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
- Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
- Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
- North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
- Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.
On the initial Brisbane to Roma leg of the Brisbane to Darwin road trip, the largest city is Toowoomba. This is a place of parks and gardens, but the DownsSteam railway museum is also worth a visit.
Top Toowoomba accommodation recommendations
The best Toowoomba accommodation options are:
- For central location and undercover parking at a 4.5 star with a pool: Oaks Toowoomba.
- For well-equipped apartments: Athena Motel Apartments.
- For a holiday park with plenty for the kids: Big4 Toowoomba Garden City.
- For a surprisingly good motel at cheapish rates: Applegum Inn.
Further along the route southern Queensland, local history fixes come courtesy of the Pioneer Park Museum in Dalby or the Chinchilla Historical Museum in Chinchilla.
Best places to stay in Chinchilla.
The top Chinchilla accommodation options are:
- First choice for overall quality: Chinchilla Downtown Motor Inn.
- For villas at bargain rates: Chinchilla Motor Inn.
- For a good outdoor pool and affordable prices: Palms Motor Inn.
Keep going to Miles, where Chinamans Lagoon fills with with rare pink water lilies.
Well-reviewed Miles motels include the Western Downs Motor Inn and the Starlight Motor Inn.
Click through to the next section: Roma or Charleville?