A road trip from the Queensland capital to Townsville is a journey filled with sweeping ocean views, rainforest-lined drives and urban diversions that make overnight stays irresistible. Get your culture fix in Brisbane, watch the sun set over a mountain lookout in Rockhampton, have a sweet taste of the state’s sugar industry in Mackay and sample fresh seafood at a restaurant in Townsville, checking into Quest Apartment Hotels at every stop along the way. Wind down the windows, keep an eye out for kangaroos, koalas and breaching whales at the right time of year, and enjoy that endless Queensland sunshine.
As the vibrant capital of the Sunshine State, Brisbane is brimming with sights and activities to explore. Quest Apartment Hotels has 11 properties conveniently located across the city – many of them accessible-accredited and some pet-friendly – so whether you want to be near iconic South Bank, The Gabba or the Brisbane River, we’ve got you covered.
Brisbane craft beer is a big deal, which comes in handy when you want to beat the Queensland heat. Set in a World War II-era industrial shed, Ballistic Beer Co Salisbury has a laidback atmosphere and is the place to unwind with a cold, crisp, local beer – there are 17 taps on offer here, a basketball hoop, board games for big kids and little, and a different food truck on site every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
This South Bank cultural centre is home to the state’s top museums, art and performance centres, and humpback whales. Yes, whales. Three of them, in fact. The trick to spotting them? Head to the Whale Mall and look up. You’ll also find an elephant doing a handstand here. The kids will love it.
It’s the place locals take out-of-towners, a vibrant and bustling dining precinct with Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and more cuisines covered. Take in panoramic views of the city skyline and Story Bridge and let the kids burn off some energy in the playground that was once a working boat.
Start your day with a well-brewed coffee at this cafe tucked away on a leafy suburban street. A short seven-minute drive from Quest Eight Mile Plains, Cenzo’s Cafe serves up all your morning faves from eggs Benedict to acai bowls, and for the more adventurous there’s even a breakfast gnocchi. Click here for more top spots in Brisbane.
Sitting right on the waterfront, the accessible-accredited Quest Rockhampton offers views from every one of its 73 self-contained apartments: boats bobbing on the Fitzroy River and the peaks of Mount Archer National Park to the northeast, and the cityscape to the south. The Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) is about a 15-minute stroll away, as are the city’s best restaurants, which are famous for their local-raised beef and other fresh produce.
Find one of the region’s best Aboriginal cultural experiences at this 12-hectare property on the outskirts of town. It’s home to ceremonial rings significant to the Darumbal Traditional Custodians, and operates several tours that help visitors learn more about local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island history. The evocative didgeridoo performance and boomerang-throwing workshop are highlights.
Nourishing plant-based cuisine is at the heart of this cafe (though there are plenty of options for meat eaters, too). The chilli scrambled egg bagel is a regular’s favourite, and the pulled chicken banh mi spices up lunchtime. If you’re in a rush, you can pre-order your choice, but locals prefer to grab a table on the shaded balcony.
Next door to Kinsfolk, Bryher is a delightful hodge-podge of high-quality vintage finds and conscious Australian labels. Fossick around and you could pick up a preloved embroidered frock or a pair of cowboy boots, or scoop up a fresh T-shirt from Northern Territory social enterprise House of Darwin.
Kids will clamour to get their energy out at the action-packed Kershaw Gardens, a sub-tropical, palm-fringed oasis just across the river from Quest Rockhampton. There’s a flying fox, an obstacle course with rope swings and tunnels, a water play park, and a pedal-it-yourself monorail. Pack a picnic and do lunch beside the waterfall or lily ponds.
The Mount Archer sunset views are unbeatable. Take a sunset trek to the top of Mount Archer Lookout, champagne and rug in hand, for an invigorating way to end the day. The treetop boardwalk to reach the summit is an easy 500 metre stroll, and gives visitors views across the Fitzroy River and the city. Local tip: elevate the experience with a cheese platter from Archer Cottage Cheese, a 10-minute walk from Quest Rockhampton.
The city, the coast, and the farmer’s markets at Bluewater Quay are all within easy reach of Quest Mackay on Gordon, an accessible-accredited property that features 115 spacious apartments and a guest-only pool. There’s plenty to do within the city itself – buzzy restaurants, beach outings and local galleries – and it’s also a great jumping-off point to explore the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef.
Mackay is sugarcane country, and this farm-to-table experience helps visitors learn more about the significance of the region’s sweetest industry. Take a Sarina Sugar Shed tour to watch the cane being crushed into syrup – having a little taste for quality control, of course – and join a rum-tasting session. The kids will love the fairy floss.
A short detour off the Bruce Highway around 50km north of Mackay, this quiet nature haven inside the Cape Hillsborough National Park is one of the best places to watch a sunrise anywhere in the state. Hot tip: you may not be the only ones with the same idea; the beach is often home to grazing kangaroos and wallabies catching the morning’s first rays glinting over the ocean.
The Dispensary is one of the best spots on the Mackay dining scene, with something for everyone, whether it’s breakfast, lunch and dinner – the flathead fish and chips are legendary – and there’s also a swish bar that does a mean espresso martini. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor cushioned nooks for any size group, and it’s home to the city’s largest whisky and wine collection. Click here for more top spots in Mackay.
Lazy afternoon wander in the Botanic Gardens? Wine and snacks at the waterfront entertainment precinct of The Strand? Or a Magnetic Island day trip on the ferry? They’re all within easy reach of Quest Townsville on Eyre’s 85 spacious serviced apartments. Drop your bags at this accessible-accredited, pet-friendly hotel, freshen up, and get out there to explore.
This 2.2km boardwalk with its rows of palm trees and epic views across to Magnetic Island is a great place for a sunset or sunrise promenade, or to get sand between your toes at one of the protected beaches. And a sunny day in Townsville isn’t complete without stopping for an ice cream or spider from Juliette’s Gelateria.
This four-metre-high sculpture of a young Wulgurukaba girl rises from the water just offshore from The Strand jetty, and changes colour according to the water temperature. She holds a shell, traditionally used for communication, in her hand, as a way to warn the world of the dangers of sea temperature change. This moving installation is part of the city’s celebrated Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA).
This local favourite, with its water views, is open all day, from coffee to cocktails, and they serve a great seafood platter, especially the fresh Queensland crabs and bugs. If the kids are tired, takeaway pizzas are available on weekdays to enjoy back at your serviced Quest apartment.
If you’re feeling energetic, join the hundreds of locals who trek to the top of this pink granite monolith every day to get unmatched views of the region – including a panorama of the city, and the Coral Sea all the way to Magnetic Island. The summit is also accessible by car.
Quest acknowledges the Traditional Owners and cultural Custodians of the land on which our apartment hotels are located throughout Australia and where we gather, work, travel and stay. We recognise and celebrate their continuing connection to lands, waterways and our local communities. We pay our respects to elders past and present for they hold the memories, cultures, traditions and hopes of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.