Drives and road trips

Hit the road in Queensland with Roady

I’m Roscoe Price Moor, founder of Roady, and I recently hit the road through Queensland with my team to explore some of the best experiences the state has to offer. BIG4 Holiday Parks made the perfect base for our journey, and along the way, I was able to scout new places to add to the Roady app for future travellers to discover.

Kondalilla Falls, Sunshine Coast

Morans Falls, South East QLD

Introducing Roady

Roady started as a simple idea among a small team of travellers. We wanted to build an app that would make it easier for people to find incredible places and plan meaningful adventures. Since launching in New Zealand in 2022, the app has already supported more than 200,000 adventures and is now available in Australia.

It's designed to be a one-stop travel companion where you can discover experiences, create bucket lists, and save the things you have done by pinning them to your own interactive map. With our expansion into Australia, I headed north to see for myself what the Sunshine State had in store.

Why Queensland?

I have travelled through many breathtaking destinations, but Queensland always feels special. Its variety is astonishing. You can move from tropical beaches to ancient rainforests to mountain viewpoints in a single day. And coming from Wellington, the warm weather is a welcome change too.

Some of the highlights for me included a brilliant day spent on the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the palm-lined coastline near Cairns, and uncovering hidden gems like Morans Falls in Lamington National Park. Every one of these stops felt deserving of a place on the Roady app so future travellers can easily find them.

BIG4 Noosa North Shore Retreat

Laguna Lookout, Noosa National Park

BIG4 Holiday Parks: the perfect stay

Throughout the trip, BIG4 Holiday Parks were our go-to accommodation, and the standard truly impressed me. Each park along the Queensland coast offered excellent facilities, a welcoming atmosphere, and something unique to enjoy.

At BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, the resort style amenities stood out, including a swim up bar, fire pits, and tennis courts. It felt more like a high end resort than a traditional holiday park.

For a more peaceful experience, BIG4 Noosa North Shore Holiday Park was unforgettable. I spent my nights in glamping tents with kangaroos and kookaburras wandering past my door. It was one of those moments where nature leaves a real impression.

What surprised me most was the consistency across every location. Whether I was grabbing an espresso or heading to the waterpark, the quality was always high. Before this trip, I had never experienced that level of comfort from a holiday park.

The tennis courts at BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort

Tips for road trips

Here are some of the best tips I have learned from countless hours on the road:

Plan ahead, but stay flexible: I always give myself more time than I think I need. It keeps the trip relaxed and leaves room for spontaneous stops that often end up being favourites.
Curate some top tracks: Music sets the tone for long drives. My team and I love a mix of sing-alongs and guessing games.
Bring plenty of snacks: I am slightly obsessed with sour peach lollies and Dijon mustard snacks. It is an unusual combo, but it keeps the energy up.
Share responsibilities: When travelling with a group, dividing tasks makes everything smoother. Someone shops, someone navigates, someone keeps track of timing.
Stay open to new experiences: Our philosophy at Roady is to be a yes person. Some of the best memories come from trying things outside your comfort zone, like a sunrise hike or a cold swim.

Ellis Beach, Cairns

Mount Ngungun, Glass House Mountains

Must-See Spots in Queensland

Queensland is packed with incredible destinations, here are just a few of my favourite places from our travels:

The Waterfall Highway, Atherton Tablelands: Zillie Falls tops my list of scenic waterfalls.
Palm Cove & Ellis Beach: These palm-lined beaches near Cairns are picture-perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
Magnetic Island: The Forts Walk at sunset offers stunning views.
Noosa Spit: Ideal for a sunset BBQ by the beach.
Morans Falls: Located in Lamington National Park, this waterfall is a hidden gem.
Big Little Creek, Townsville: A fantastic swimming hole with a natural rockslide.

You can find all of these pinned on Roady so you can follow the same route or tailor your own.

Final advice

If you are worried about time or budget, remember that you do not need much of either to have a great adventure. Around 80% of the experiences on Roady are completely free. It is very possible to explore Australia’s best natural attractions without spending a lot.

Queensland was an incredible destination for this journey. With the help of BIG4 Holiday Parks and the Roady app, anyone can create their own unforgettable getaway. Whether you are planning a short break or a longer escape, Queensland is ready and waiting, and I will be there on the app to guide you along the way.