Warwick to Brisbane: Distance, drive time & road trip stops

The Warwick to Brisbane drive covers a 118km distance in a driving time of around 1h30m. Good road trip stops to add to your itinerary include the Mt Cordeaux Track in Main Range National Park and Waterfall Gorge.

The Warwick to Brisbane drive connects the largely agricultural Southern Downs region to Queensland’s capital. Unless you’re a local, most people driving this route will be doing so as part of a longer road trip – probably from Tamworth to Brisbane or Armidale to Brisbane.

Highlights of Warwick include the Southern Downs Steam Railway and the Pringle Cottage Museum.

Brisbane, meanwhile, is the gateway for Moreton Island tours and offers attractions such as the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, river kayaking tours and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Warwick to Brisbane distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Warwick to Brisbane is 118km. This makes for a driving time of around one hour and 30 minutes.

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.

Of course, that’ll be a little longer if you 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.

Warwick to Brisbane road trip: Moogerah Peaks National Park

On the other side of the national park, there are a few scenic sights around Moogerah. You can go camping at Lake Moogerah and hike in Moogerah Peaks National Park. Waterfall Gorge is a highlight here.

You’ll then pass through Fassifern and the western end of the Scenic Rim region on the way towards Ipswich. Potential stops on the route include the Cunningham Lookout near Warrill View and Summer Land Camels in Harrisville. The latter offers farm tours and camel rides.

Around Ipswich, the main attractions are the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre and the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway.

Warwick to Brisbane drive: Ipswich Motorway and Brisbane

Just outside Ipswich, the Cunningham Highway merges into the Ipswich Motorway, skims a bend in the Brisbane River near the Moggill Ferry, then passes several golf courses as it grinds towards suburban Brisbane.

The Rocklea Markets and Queensland Tennis Centre come a little later on, before the route into central Brisbane passes the Gabba Stadium and finally crosses the Brisbane River.

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.