Best Country Towns to Visit in Queensland: Small Towns + Remote Places

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If you are looking for the best country towns to visit in Queensland, these beautiful landscapes and small towns in Queensland should strike your fancy. Queensland has a lot to offer in tourism because of its diverse landscapes from the beaches to the outback.

This northeastern Australian state is one of the best places to do a road trip and simply take in the change of scenery. When you journey for a few hours, you will be truly transported to another world… or two, depending on how long you drive!

Queensland is a vast state known for great weather and beautiful beaches. But there are many towns that are worth a road trip where you can experience true Australian culture, nature, and more. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and visit someplace new, this is the best idea for you! Let us tell you more about the best small towns and rural places to visit in:

  • Outback Queensland
  • Countryside Queensland
  • Rural towns in Queensland 
  • Historic towns in Queensland

Contents 

Best Country Towns to Visit in Outback Queensland 

The outback is more than just a remote, vast natural wilderness. The Queensland outback is scattered with interesting scenes and small country towns that cater to the lifestyles of their area

Mount Isa, North West Queensland

As a small mining town in Queensland, Mount Isa is one of the top ten producers of copper, silver, lead, and zinc. The vast mineral deposits in the area drew miners to the area and how there’s the rural town of Mt Isa caters to this mineral mining lifestyle.

To discover the history of mining, you can go deep underground on a mining tour for about 2.5 hours. A former miner will take you on the Hard Times Mine Underground Tour. Get an idea of life underground and be entertained by the stories that your guide has to tell!

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Adels Grove, Boodjamulla National Park, Outback Queensland

Whilst you are in the area (118km drive from Mt Isa), go and visit the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. With over 40,000 visitors per year, this popular off-the-beaten-track park has a massive 28,200 hectares of space to explore.

You can spend a night or more camping under the stars, surrounded by wildlife and lush vegetation. At night it can get cold, so always carry light linen or a throw when visiting the country. Those $13 Lyla throws from the Kmart catalog will serve you well.

Whilst this isn’t exactly a country town in Queensland (more like a village with a few buildings), the closest hub outside of the National Park is Adels Grove. In this little spot, you can visit the pub, stay in the hotel/campground, fill up with gas, or even fly into a tiny airfield.

It’s super close to Lawn Hill Gorge camping area and plenty of the National Park hikes, kayak areas, and activities.

Best Countryside Towns to Visit in Queensland

You will find some of the most spectacular countrysides at the heart of the granite belt in Queensland! Here are the best country towns to visit in Queensland in the Granite belt area, full of ruralfarming culture and great food!

Stanthorpe, Southern Queensland

Stanthorpe is a picture-perfect piece of countryside Queensland. Located in South Queensland near the border of New South Wales, Stanthorpe is home to plentiful farming, cattle ranches, and an interesting amount of public artworks. It has quite cool temperatures for Queensland due to its elevation, so it’s a great place to visit to cool down in summer.

Well known for its plentiful food offerings, you will come home with a host of food souvenirs. Only 2.5 hours from Brisbane, sample local cheeses at The Dairy Shop at Stanthorpe Cheese and pair them with some fine wines. There are also some wineries in the area that pair well with the farming culture – expect farm-to-table meals all over this small town.

Inhabited for quite a long time (in Australian terms), Stanthorpe is home to quite a few heritage-listed buildings you can visit while passing through from the mid-1800’s. There’s also a museum where you can learn about the country town’s history.

Mount Alford, Scenic Rim, Queensland

For another helping of scenic countryside Queensland, visit Mount Alford. It’s only a 1.5 hour drive from central Brisbane with a population of less than 300 people for one of the TRUE small towns in Queensland that pack a punch when it comes to scenery.

Mount Alford is a part of the ‘Scenic Rim’ area of southern Queensland, meaning it’s surrounded by luscious rainforests and mountain landscapes. Expect sprawling fields with mountainous backdrops, with bush walks and amazing fresh food never far away.

Quench your thirst with Stein-sized beer at the Scenic Rim Brewery. Don’t fancy a tipple? Have a cup of coffee and a slice of freshly baked cake from their cafe. This family-run microbrewery operates from a 130-year-old heritage-listed building. The interior shows the care and attention that goes into every handcrafted beer. It’s a great family-friendly destination. Sit on the outside deck and admire the views of the Queensland countryside.

Best Rural Country Towns in Queensland

These cute country towns in Queensland are under two hours from Brisbane but will make you feel a thousand miles from care. Experience true countryside vibes with wineries, bush walks, and scenery.

Montville, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Montville is a quaint town with a relaxed vibe. Think art galleries, coffee shops, and relaxing walks. It is one of the great rural towns in Queensland to spend some quality time. It has a population of less than 1000, but quick access to both the coast and some National Parks and forests in the Blackall Range.

Go for a lush and secluded walk at Kondalilla National Park located within Montville. Kondalilla means ‘rushing waters’ in the Gubbi Gubbi / Kabbi Kabbi Aboriginal Language. This is no surprise as the rumbling sounds of the impressive Kondalilla Falls are the heart of this nature and wildlife area during summer. Lake Baroon is also nearby, with lovely scenic outlooks and walking trails too.

Whilst you are here, visit the Flame Hill Vineyard for some incredible local wine right from Montville. A place to wine, dine and stay, there is plenty to explore on this beautiful estate with scenic views.  

Canungra, Scenic Rim, Queensland

Did you ever expect a lovely Queensland rural town with wine and alpacas?! That’s exactly what you will get if you visit Canungra. Approximately one hour away from Brisbane, take a drive down south to one of the delightful small towns in Queensland.

Canungra is at the foothills of the McPherson mountain range. Like a breath of fresh air, views of the rolling hills can have a calming effect.  Visit O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards for wine and more. Have a picnic lunch by Canungra Creek. No need to haul all the cutlery; pre-book a delicious picnic hamper of treats and artisan wine before you go!

When you are done, take a relaxing stroll through the vineyards or even venture into Lamington National Park for more views. Finally, make your way to the Mountview Alpaca Farm. There are over 70 alpacas all with their unique personalities and names (Brad Spit!). You can even pet and walk them for one of the most unique experiences in country towns in Queensland.

Historic towns in Queensland

Here are some of the best country town to visit in Queenslast for mind-blowing history… from the times of the dinosaurs to early 19th century heritage buildings. No matter what kind of history you are after, there are some cool small towns in Queensland where you camn get it!

Hughenden, Flinders Shire, Queensland

Hughenden is a historic town rich in dinosaur remnants and fossils due to an ancient inland sea that used to be there. Located right in between Townsville and Mount Isa, it’s one of the first Queensland outback towns you get to… and it’s full of beautiful canyons and scenery (and surrounded by 4 National Parks).

Hughenden is a small town known as “dinosaur country” and comprises 1/4 of the Aussie ‘dinosaur trail’ for the prehistoric sights in the area. Visit the rich fossils and dinosaur areas. Take a walk around the town and see “Hughie”, a seven-meter tall Muttaburrasaurus dinosaur replica at the Flinders Discovery Centre.

Discover the history of the town by visiting the Coolabah Tree, which marks the area where Fredrick Walker and a team searched for the missing explorers of the Burke and Wills expedition in 1861. In Hughenden, you can also swim and cliff jump on the Flinders River, the longest river in QLD.

Ipswich, Queensland

Ipswich is a historic city on the banks of the Bremer River with over 6000 heritage-listed sites. Just a 40 minute drive from Brisbane, it is the second oldest government town in Queensland. The town takes pride in its cultural heritage and encourages its conservation. 

Ipswich was originally a coal mining city. In the early 19th Century the first section of the railway opened between Ipswich and Bigge’s Camp. The Workshops Rail Museum has many hands-on exhibits, mechanical displays, and guided tours. A highlight is the genuine restoration of the Heritage Steam Train Fleet. 

With over 80,000 visitors per year the Ipswich Art Gallery is a must-see Queensland small town art gallery. Combining visual art and social history, it caters to everyone. It is the first museum in Australia to have a permanent childrens space designed for children under 12. The exhibitions change frequently, with lots to spark the imagination. 

Summary of Country Towns in Queensland

Some of the best places to visit in Outback Queensland are Mount Isa, an established mining town, and Boodjamulla National Park. The rural towns in Queensland, like Montville, are a relaxing getaway perfect for a weekend.

Historic towns in Queensland like Hughenden show the rich history of prehistoric fossils and explorers of the area. Countryside Queensland town examples include Stanthorpe – an attractive rural town with farms and great cheese. 

Let me know which of these country towns in Queensland you would prefer to visit, or if there are more than I must add to this ever-growing list!