Brisbane to Toowoomba drive: Distance, time & road trip stops
The Brisbane to Toowoomba drive is 127km in distance, with a Brisbane to Toowoomba driving time of just over 90 minutes. Road trip stops on the way include the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Wolston Park Golf Club and Laidley.
Toowoomba is Queensland’s largest inland city, although it rarely features on tourist itineraries. For the population of Toowoomba, being relatively close to Brisbane is part of the city’s appeal. For visitors, however, taking the drive to Toowoomba is an opportunity to string together several key attractions.
Toowoomba accommodation picks include the roomy apartments of Oaks Toowoomba, the surprisingly plush Burke and Wills Hotel and the pool-toting Athena Motel.
Brisbane to Toowoomba drive: Distance and driving time
The distance of the drive from Brisbane to Toowoomba is 127km. That makes for a Brisbane to Toowoomba driving time of about one hour and 36 minutes.
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.
Tackle the Brisbane to Toowoomba drive, however, and you can string together several of Brisbane’s top attractions with only tiny deviations from the quickest route. Great road trip stops on the way out of the Queensland capital include the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Anzac Park in Toowong and Mt Coot-tha. Following the M5, you’ll also skirt the edge of Fig Tree Pocket – home to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
Brisbane to Toowoomba drive: Ipswich Motorway and Warrego Highway
The Brisbane to Toowoomba drive continues through suburbia – the Jindalee Pool, Sinnamon Park, Jamboree Heights – until you join the Ipswich Motorway. The Ipswich Motorway then skirts close to several points on the Brisbane River. These include the Gailes Golf Course, Wolston Park Golf Club and Moggill Ferry Park.
The route then skirts over the top of Ipswich, before joining the Warrego Highway.
Brisbane to Toowoomba road trip stops
There isn’t much to see directly along the path of the Warrego Highway, but there are a few good options if you’re happy to take a short diversion. These include the Kholo Botanic Gardens, Lake Wivenhoe, the Lockyer State Forest and heritage town Laidley.
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.
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.
More Queensland road trips
How long is the Dalby to Roma leg of the Toowoomba to Roma drive?
Stay beachside at the Dingo Beach Hotel on the Mackay to Bowen drive.
Stop at Hideaway Bay on Cape Gloucester on the drive from Airlie Beach to Townsville.
How long are the driving times in Queensland?
Stop at Clairview on the Yeppoon to Mackay drive.