Tenterfield to Toowoomba road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

The Tenterfield to Toowoomba drive covers a 200km distance in a driving time of around two hours and 26 minutes. The best stops to add to a Tenterfield to Toowoomba road trip itinerary are Ballandean, Stanthorpe and the Darling Downs Zoo.

Planning a Tenterfield to Toowoomba road trip

A road trip from Tenterfield to Toowoomba takes you from the north of the New England region in New South Wales to Queensland’s Darling Downs.

Tenterfield is surrounded by national parks. For Tenterfield accommodation deals, hunt here.

Top attractions in Toowoomba include the DownsSteam railway museum, Japanese Garden and Cobb & Co Museum. For Toowoomba accommodation, book here.

This guide is designed to help travellers plan their perfect Tenterfield to Toowoomba 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.

Tenterfield to Toowoomba distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Tenterfield to Toowoomba is 200km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 26 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.

Tenterfield to Toowoomba 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.

Hiking at Castle Rock in Girraween National Park. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

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 Toowoomba: 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.

Tenterfield to Toowoomba road trip: Warwick to Allora

The first town you’ll pass through on the route from Warwick to Toowoomba is Allora, which has a golf course and a couple of places to eat.

The main attraction in Allora, however, is Mary Poppins House – the former home of Mary Poppins author PL Travers. Visits to the house are by pre-booked tour only.

Tenterfield to Toowoomba drive: Darling Downs Zoo and lookouts

North of Allora, you can make a short diversion down the Gatton-Clifton Road to the Darling Downs Zoo. A step above most Australian wildlife park, this zoo has exotic animals including macaws, tigers, lions and meerkats.

Further along the Warwick to Toowoomba drive, you can pull over for a photo stop at the scenic lookout just before Hodgson Vale. There’s an expansive view over the surrounding farmland. A little further off the highway, there are more lookouts on the Panoramic Drive and Gormans Gap Trail.

Shortly after Hodgson Vale, you start to enter Toowoomba, passing the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance and Kearney Springs Historical Park on the way into the city centre.

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.