Brisbane Bound: Guide for an Adelaide to Brisbane Trip
- Things to Know
- Best Time to Visit Brisbane
- Where to Stay
- Mungo Lodge
- Quest Dubbo
- Oaks Toowoomba Hotel
- Where to Eat
- The Province
- Reflections Restaurant
- Blackbird
- What to Do
- See cellars, garden mazes, and dunes in Mildura
- Stroll along the ancient outback landscapes of Mungo National Park
- Get up close to endangered animals and visit an old prison in Dubbo
- Look for gold and ride horses in Bingara
- Learn about cotton farming in Goondiwindi
- Relax in the gardens and see valley views in Toowoomba
- What to Expect from Brisbane Climate
Dreaming of a great Adelaide-to-Brisbane trip involving ancient lands, spine-tingling gallows, and a bizarre flat mountaintop where plants don’t grow? Well, you came to the right guide!
From ogling at 40,000-year-old landscapes in Mungo to petting spider monkeys in Taronga, this travel guide packs history, action, and all the restos, stays, and pit stops you’ll need!
Things to Know
Distance: Around 2,032 kilometers
Best Time to Visit Brisbane
The best time to visit Brisbane for milder weather and reduced crowds is from March to May (fall) and September to November (spring).
During these periods, the average temperatures range from around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), providing comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.
Where to Stay
Mungo Lodge
Address: 10142 Arumpo Rd, Arumpo, NSW 2715
Contact Details: +61 3 5029 7297
Pricing: $ to $$
Mungo Lodge is where your chillaxation goals meet the wild side. This posh and rugged accommodation is a blend of the great outdoors and a touch of contemporary opulence.
Their Deluxe Cabins are pimped out with all the bells and whistles: slick modern furnishings, king-sized beds, regional artworks, and top-notch amenities that’ll make you forget you’re in the outback.
For outdoor enjoyers, Mungo Lodge’s glamping tents are cozy cocoons equipped with snuggly queen-sized beds and trendy decor. They’re also in the heart of the bushland, so the sights are awe-inspiring, especially during sunsets and starry nights.
Quest Dubbo
Address: 22 Bultje St, Dubbo, NSW 2830
Contact Details: +61 2 5809 8600
Pricing: $$
Once you reach Dubbo, you’ve already traveled over a thousand kilometers, so resting at the modern and convenient Quest Dubbo is a no-brainer.
Their One-Bedroom-Apartment is 40 square meters of comfort, boasting a separate bedroom with a king-size bed for those royal snoozes, a chill living area with a snug sofa and a fully loaded kitchen, and a European-style laundry.
But if you need more space to spread out or want privacy galore, the 50-square-meter Two-Bedroom-Apartment is your ace in the hole, offering a master bedroom fit for a VIP and a second bedroom that’s totally customizable for your crew.
Oaks Toowoomba Hotel
Address: 25 Annand St, Toowoomba City, QLD 4350
Contact Details: +61 7 3053 8890
Pricing: $
Oaks Toowoomba Hotel will provide you with buzzing city scenery and gorgeous greenery, along with its super dandy rooms packed with amenities.
There’s the classic Hotel Room with a king bed (or two singles if that’s your preference), travel essentials like air conditioning and Wi-FI, and luxuries like a balcony for a bit of unwinding.
For those cruising with their fam or friends, Oaks’ Two Bedroom setup is where the real magic happens! This pad clocks in at a whopping 55 to 58 square meters and comes with two king beds or four singles and a kitchenette for all your cooking shenanigans.
Where to Eat
The Province
Address: 29 Langtree Ave, Mildura, VIC 3500
Contact Details: (03) 5021 5550
Pricing: $$$
The Province might pinch your wallet a bit, but each mouthwatering dish and drink they serve is definitely worth every penny.
Their house-baked Italian bread is a top-tier antipasto served with Boundary Bend extra virgin olive oil, caramelized balsamic vinegar, and a dash of local Murray pink salt.
For the main, try their gamey lamb rack with pumpkin and ricotta croquette.
Pair the lamb with a glass of Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir 2021. The vino’s hints of red berries, spice, and a touch of earthiness complement the lamb’s mild flavor profile.
Reflections Restaurant
Address: 165 Whylandra St, Dubbo, NSW 2830
Contact Details: 0435 660 040
Pricing: $$
Reflections Restaurant serves up Aussie bites that cater to everyone, from families to foodies. This joint dishes classics like the crumbed calamari with a zesty touch of lemon pepper served alongside a lemon wedge and tartare sauce.
If you’re feeling more on the veggie side, their halloumi salad is a fresh mix of lettuce, cherry tomato, onion, cucumber, and capsicum, all finished with their house dressing. Meat lovers, on the other hand, can opt for their crispy pork belly with mashed potatoes.
Reflections’ caramel-infused sticky date pudding crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a must-have for those with a sweet tooth. For a smoother finish, the panna cotta with raspberry compote and white chocolate crumb hits just the right spot.
Blackbird
Address: Riverside Center, 123 Eagle St, Brisbane, City QLD 4000
Contact Details: (07) 3229 1200
Pricing: $$$
Blackbird Bar is where Executive Chef Jake Nicolson works his culinary magic, crafting a menu focusing on global flavors and seasonal ingredients.
For those craving a meaty adventure, the sweet, savory, and sour tamarind glazed duck leg is a showstopper. If you’re rolling deep with a crew, the Moroccan spiced lamb shoulder or shellfish platter is fit for 2 to 4 hungry folks.
Vegetarians are covered too! The resto’s bean sprout, almond, and fregola risotto is a plant-based delight, rocking red quinoa, zucchini ribbons, and toasted almonds for that crunch and flavor pop!
What to Do
See cellars, garden mazes, and dunes in Mildura
- Sunraysia Cellar Door: 125 Lime Ave, Mildura, VIC 3500
- Woodsies Gem Shop: 516 Cureton Ave, Nichols Point, VIC 3501
Mildura is a true-blue hub for wine enthusiasts and adventurers. For starters, the city has Sunraysia Cellar Door, where you can sample 250 wines all huddled under one roof, including the iconic Shinas Estate Guilty Shiraz with peppery and fruity hints.
If you crave a challenge, head to Woodsies Gem Shop and complete their twisty and tricky Garden Maze filled with one-way gates. But that’s not all; the Woods family also owns crystals, fossils, and carvings tucked away in Aladdin’s Cave!
Lastly, you can step off the beaten track and venture into Perry Sandhills to see fascinating dunes and ancient sandhills. You might recognize these dunes from films like The Man from Snowy River II and Flying Doctors.
The landscapes have been around for over 40,000 years. Skeletal remains of gigantic mega-fauna like kangaroos, lions, emus, and wombats have been unearthed here, too!
Stroll along the ancient outback landscapes of Mungo National Park
Address: Garnpang Rd, Mungo NSW 2715
Contact Details: (03) 5021 8900
You don’t need to fly to the moon to see lunar landscapes when you’re at Mungo National Park. This otherworldly spot has dried-up lake beds and towering dunes, creating views that look straight out of a sci-fi flick.
In addition, the national park is a testament to Aboriginal history, as it’s where the remains of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, roughly 40,000 years old, were discovered. You can learn more about them by joining an Aboriginal Discovery Tour.
If you prefer more sights, swing by the Walls of China, a series of white dunes that once hugged Lake Mungo over 14,000 years ago. This natural wonder can be marveled from boardwalks, up close through guided tours, or from a scenic flight.
Get up close to endangered animals and visit an old prison in Dubbo
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo: Obley Rd, Dubbo, NSW 2830
- Old Dubbo Gaol: 90 Macquarie St, Dubbo NSW 2830
At Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo, you can cruise the five-kilometer circuit on foot, whip around in your wheels, or roll through on hired bikes and carts to get close to hundreds of rare and endangered species.
The animals you’ll see here include mighty elephants, towering giraffes, majestic rhinos, and prowling big cats. Plus, you can listen to keepers’ talks, feed spider monkeys or African wild dogs, and let your kiddos loose on a splash-tastic waterhole!
But hey, Dubbo’s escapades don’t end at the zoo; you can pop by the Old Dubbo Gaol, a 19th-century prison-turned-museum with absorbing displays showcasing the brutal grit and grind of prison days.
You can visit the museum’s Gallows Gallery, where you’ll come face-to-face with the stories of those whose crimes led them straight to the gallows. If you want a more immersive experience, head to the Exercise Yards for reenactments of prison work!
Look for gold and ride horses in Bingara
- Three Creeks Gold Mine: 5890 Upper Bingara Rd, Upper Bingara, NSW 2404
- Wade Horses Bingara: Keera St, Bingara, NSW 2404
Crowned as the “Gem of the Gwydir,” Bingara is a town you can’t miss when traveling from Adelaide to Brisbane. Here, you can head to the Three Creeks Tourist Gold Mine to uncover the secrets of old-school mining.
You can then check the mine’s collection of artifacts, from glittering gold to dazzling garnets and crystals. The best activity for us, though, is gold panning, hunting for garnets, and sieving for those picture-perfect quartz crystals!
For those who prefer a classic adventure, drive to Wade Horses Bingara. The riders here will lead you to bush trails along the Gwydir River while searching for animals like raptors, wrens, and koalas!
Learn about cotton farming in Goondiwindi
Address: 27 Herbert St, Goondiwindi, QLD 4390
Contact Details: (07) 4671 5611
Upon arriving in Goondiwindi, embarking on a cotton farm tour becomes an obvious choice. Goondiwindi Cotton’s tour of their bustling farm is a hands-on exploration of cotton’s journey via an informative ride.
On the guided tour, you’ll learn about the process of planting, growing, harvesting, and turning cotton into fabric.
The tour isn’t just confined to the farm, too, as it includes stops at the Gunsynd Memorial and Custom’s House Museum, treating you to morning tea, and wraps up with an exclusive visit to Goondiwindi Cotton’s fashion house!
Relax in the gardens and see valley views in Toowoomba
- Queens Park Toowoomba: 43-73 Lindsay St, East Toowoomba, QLD 4350
- UniSQ Japanese Garden QLD: Parking Area 5, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba City, QLD 4350
- Table Top Loop: LOT 101 TABLE TOP Rd, Rangeville, QLD 4350
Once stepping foot in Toowoomba, unwinding in enchanting gardens is a must. For instance, Queens Park stands out due to its ever-changing scenic spectacle, boasting a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the seasons.
Spring and summer burst with vivid blooms, autumn splashes a canvas of red and orange foliage, and winter blossoms with an evergreen backdrop.
There’s also the UniSQ Japanese Garden, a serene space with a meandering stream, a central lake, and a diverse array of Japanese and Australian native flora.
Those who prefer a rugged getaway should prioritize the Table Top Loop in the Table Top Bushland Reserve, a challenging yet rewarding 2-kilometer hike.
The panoramic Lockyer Valley spectacle at the flat, plantless mountain peak makes every step worthwhile!
What to Expect from Brisbane Climate
- Spring (September to November) has average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), making it a season of mild days and nights with low humidity levels.
- Summer (December to February) brings hot, humid days with temperatures averaging between 21°C to 30°C (70°F to 86°F). Thunderstorms are common, accompanied by periodic heavy rainfall.
- Autumn (March to May) has pleasant weather with decreasing humidity. Average temperatures range from approximately 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
- Winter (June to August) is characterized by mild and dry weather and temperatures averaging around 11°C to 21°C (52°F to 70°F). Skies are usually clear, and humidity levels drop during this time.
