Queensland is a paradise for photographers, offering breathtaking landscapes, coastal beauty, and lush rainforests. If you’re looking for the perfect road trip to capture stunning Instagram shots, Queensland’s scenic drives provide endless opportunities. From winding coastal roads to dramatic mountain backdrops, here are the most Instagrammable scenic drives you can explore.
1. The Great Beach Drive (Sunshine Coast to Fraser Island)
📍 Best for: Golden beaches, 4WD adventure, and endless ocean views
The Great Beach Drive is a dream for photographers, stretching from Noosa to Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island. This unique drive takes you directly along the sand, with the ocean on one side and towering dunes on the other. Expect crystal-clear waters, rusted shipwrecks, and vibrant sunset skies to fill your camera roll.
Top Photo Spots:
📸 Noosa National Park’s coastal views
📸 The rusted Maheno Shipwreck on Fraser Island
📸 The coloured sands of Rainbow Beach
2. The Captain Cook Highway (Cairns to Port Douglas)
📍 Best for: Coastal cliffs, turquoise waters, and tropical rainforests
This stunning coastal drive is one of Queensland’s most picturesque routes, winding between the rainforest and the Coral Sea. Every turn reveals dramatic ocean views, making it a must for landscape photographers. Stop at Palm Cove or Rex Lookout for the best panoramic shots.
Top Photo Spots:
📸 Rex Lookout – perfect for sunrise over the Coral Sea
📸 Palm Cove’s beachfront with its famous palm trees
📸 Mossman Gorge for lush rainforest shots
3. The Waterfall Way (Atherton Tablelands Loop from Cairns)
📍 Best for: Waterfalls, swimming holes, and lush rainforest scenery
The Atherton Tablelands are a hidden gem for nature lovers and photographers. The Waterfall Circuit takes you past some of Queensland’s most photogenic waterfalls, with misty cascades, vibrant greenery, and secret swimming spots. Millaa Millaa Falls is a highlight—it’s one of Australia’s most photographed waterfalls!
Top Photo Spots:
📸 Millaa Millaa Falls – the ultimate Instagram shot
📸 Josephine Falls – a natural rock slide with crystal-clear pools
📸 Lake Eacham – a stunning volcanic crater lake
4. The Gold Coast Hinterland Drive
📍 Best for: Rainforest retreats, mountain lookouts, and charming villages
Escape the city and discover the Gold Coast Hinterland, a region filled with rolling hills, waterfalls, and charming mountain towns. The drive through Tamborine Mountain and Springbrook National Park offers incredible views and some of the most beautiful hiking spots in Queensland.
Top Photo Spots:
📸 Purling Brook Falls – a dramatic 100m waterfall
📸 The Natural Bridge – a unique rock formation with a waterfall inside a cave
📸 Hang Glider Lookout – panoramic views of the Gold Coast skyline
Final Thoughts
Queensland is a road-tripper’s paradise, offering some of the most Instagrammable drives in Australia. Whether you’re capturing the golden beaches of Fraser Island, the tropical coastline of Port Douglas, or the lush waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands, there’s no shortage of breathtaking scenery to fill your camera roll.
For a seamless and stress-free journey, consider Queensland Car Rental to explore these picturesque routes at your own pace. If you’re flying in, check out Brisbane Airport Car Rental for convenient access to your road trip adventure. Hit the road, chase the light, and capture the beauty of Queensland—one scenic drive at a time! 🚗📸✨
