Gatton to Toowoomba drive: Distance, time & best stops

The best stops on the Gatton to Toowoomba drive include Lake Apex Park and the Picnic Point Lookout. By car, the distance from the Gatton to Toowoomba is 38km, and the driving time 32m.

The Gatton to Toowoomba drive connects the home of the Queensland Transport Museum to Queensland’s largest inland city. Neither is really on the tourist radar, but you might pass this way if heading from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba or Brisbane to Roma.

Gatton to Toowoomba distance and driving time

The distance of the drive from Gatton to Toowoomba is 38km. That makes for a Gatton to Toowoomba driving time of about 32 minutes.

The quickest driving route leaves Gatton to the south-west, passing Lake Apex Park. The Gatton-Helidon Road then largely follows Lockyer Creek toward the Warrego Highway in Helidon. The Lockyer National Park and Lockyer State Forest are to the north

Gatton to Toowoomba road trip: Helidon

However, you don’t get to spend long on the highway. The required exit to the Toowoomba Connection Road is just to the west of Helidon Spa.

Just before entering Toowoomba you’ll go close to the Table Top/ Meewah hiking area, Redwood Park and the Picnic Point Lookout.

Attractions in Toowoomba include the Botanic Gardens in Queens Park, steam train tours at the DownsSteam railway museum and the National Carriage Collection at the Cobb & Co Museum.

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.