Tenterfield to Brisbane road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The Tenterfield to Brisbane drive covers a 274km distance in a driving time of around three hours and 40 minutes. The best stops to add to a Tenterfield to Brisbane road trip itinerary are Ballandean, Stanthorpe and Warwick.
A road trip from Tenterfield to Brisbane takes you from the north of the New England region in New South Wales before heading into Queensland’s capital.
Tenterfield is surrounded by national parks. For Tenterfield accommodation deals, hunt here.
Top options in Brisbane include a Moreton Island day trip, climbing the Story Bridge and Segway tours through the botanic gardens. To browse the collection of Brisbane tours and experiences, step this way. For the best value Brisbane hotels, pick here.
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.
This guide is designed to help travellers plan their perfect Tenterfield to Brisbane road trip itinerary. Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off, however.
Tenterfield to Brisbane distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tenterfield to Brisbane is 274km. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 40 minutes.
The best things to do in Tenterfield include tastings at the local wineries, and getting a better understanding of Australian history at the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts.
Best Tenterfield accommodation
The top places to stay in Tenterfield are:
- For a cheap, solid motel: Tenterfield Motor Inn.
- For a little style and flair: Commercial Boutique Hotel.
- For a great value four star: Golfers Inn.
- For heritage charm: Stannum House.
Tenterfield to Brisbane drive: Tenterfield to Stanthorpe
From Tenterfield, you can detour north to Boonoo Boonoo National Park and Bald Rock National Park.
But the New England Highway continues over the Queensland border into Wallangarra. The Border Tree makes a decent photo stop here, but you’re better off continuing to Ballandean.
Ballandean offers several Granite Belt wineries, plus the bizarre Ballandean Pyramid. It is also the gateway to two national parks. You’ll realistically need a 4WD to explore Red Rock Gorge in Sundown National Park.
Where to stay in Ballandean
The best Ballandean accommodation options are:
- For a classic European heritage feel: Girraween Country Inn.
- For the on-site restaurant: Seventh Wines Villas.
- For bushland-surrounded cottages: Accommodation Creek Cottages.
Girraween National Park is more accessible, though, with several excellent walking trails. The walks to the summit of the Pyramid and Castle Rock offer the best views, though.
On the way into Stanthorpe, the main hub of the Granite Belt wine region, there are several more wineries.
Aside from the wine-tasting, highlights of Stanthorpe include the Granite Belt Brewery, Mount Marlay Lookout and Granite Belt Maze.
Best Stanthorpe accommodation choices
The top places to stay in Stanthorpe are:
- For bushland setting and a brewery: Granite Belt Retreat.
- For a good quality, low-priced motel: Boulevard Motel.
- For charm and character: Honeysuckle Cottages.
- For apartments amid the vineyards: Ridgemill Estate.
Attractions between Tenterfield and Brisbane: Stanthorpe to Warwick
On the way north from Stanthorpe to Warwick, you’ll pass the Conrad Distillery and Truffle Discovery Centre Stanthorpe. There are free truffle tastings available at the latter.
There are also several wineries. Summit Estate is on the New England Highway, while Heritage Estate in Cottonvale is just off it.
The highway continues to the frankly underwhelming Warwick in the Southern Downs. Australiana Park is the heart of the town, while you can learn about local history in the Warwick Museum at Pringle Cottage.
From Warwick to Brisbane, you can add in a few road trip stops near the Cunningham Highway.
The first worthwhile stop is Main Range National Park. The 6.8km return walk to the lookout near the summit of Mt Cordeaux is the star attraction here, although the 10.2km walk to the summit of Mount Mitchell arguably offers a greater sense of satisfaction.
Click through to the next section: Moogerah to Brisbane.