Plan a safe road trip and know what to do in an emergency 

AS THE winter school holidays approach, many may be looking to take a road trip, and new research from LifeFlight Lotteries reveals the Sunshine State’s most searched driving routes, with coastal escapes and outback adventures topping the list.

And the research shows that heading north to the warmer parts of the state is the most sought out journeys.

The Great Barrier Reef Drive is Queensland’s favourite road trip, attracting 2,900 monthly Google searches, more than four times the search volume of second-placed Capricorn Way (720 searches).

Travellers are searching for routes ranging from the 20.3-kilometre Highest Road in Queensland to the 5,282-kilometre Savannah Way.

LifeFlight want to ensure that everyone is safe when tackling a road trip, and the emergency service operator stated that the first minutes after an emergency matter. Knowing how to call Triple Zero (000), give your exact location, carry basic first-aid supplies, and support someone until help arrives can make a real difference.

With Queensland offering everything from tropical coastlines and ancient rainforests to vast outback landscapes, travellers have no shortage of routes to choose from.

1. Great Barrier Reef Drive 
Claiming the top spot as Queensland’s most popular road trip, the Great Barrier Reef Drive between Cairns and Port Douglas attracts an average of 2,900 Google searches every month. The 140-kilometre route can be completed in around three hours and features 65 restaurants and 12 petrol stations along the way, making it one of the state’s most accessible and traveller-friendly drives.

Must See: Palm Cove, Ellis Beach, Rex Lookout, Mossman Gorge, Four Mile Beach, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

2. Capricorn Way 
Securing second place in the ranking, Capricorn Way attracts an average of 720 Google searches each month from travellers eager to explore Queensland’s heartland. Stretching 583 kilometres between The Caves and Barcaldine, the route takes approximately six hours and 40 minutes to complete and features 18 restaurants and 13 petrol stations along the way. Capricorn Way offers a classic Queensland road trip experience beyond the state’s well-known coastline.

Must See: Capricorn Caves, Blackdown Tableland National Park, Emerald, Sapphire Gemfields, Lake Maraboon and the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine.

3. Black Mountain Road 
Taking third place, Black Mountain Road attracts around 480 monthly Google searches despite being one of the shortest drives in the ranking. Covering just 43 kilometres between Kuranda and Julatten, the route can be completed in around two hours and features 24 restaurants and six petrol stations. Its popularity is driven by spectacular rainforest scenery, winding mountain roads and easy access to some of Tropical North Queensland’s most celebrated natural attractions.

Must See: Kuranda Village, Barron Falls, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Black Mountain National Park, Mount Molloy and Julatten.

4. Highest Road in Queensland 
Ranking fourth overall, the Highest Road in Queensland generates an average of 390 Google searches every month. Although the route spans only 20.3 kilometres between Herberton and Ravenshoe, it offers a unique journey through Queensland’s highest sealed road and can be explored in around two hours. Along the way, travellers will find six restaurants and two petrol stations, as well as sweeping views across the Atherton Tablelands.

Must See: Herberton Historic Village, Millstream Falls, Windy Hill Wind Farm, Ravenshoe and Tully Falls National Park.

5. Matilda Way 
Earning fifth place in the rankings, Matilda Way attracts approximately 170 monthly Google searches from travellers seeking an authentic outback adventure. Stretching 1,808 kilometres from Barrigun to Karumba, the route requires almost 21 hours of driving and is supported by 29 restaurants and 20 petrol stations. The route showcases the landscapes, stories and pioneering heritage that helped shape the Australian outback.

Must See: Charleville Cosmos Centre, Blackall Woolscour, Longreach, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum, Winton and Karumba Sunset Point.

EMERGENCY TIPS TO KNOW  
With many of Queensland’s popular road trips taking travellers through regional, rural and remote areas, help may take longer to arrive. In those moments, simple actions taken by bystanders, friends or family members can make a real difference while emergency services are on the way.

LifeFlight First Minutes Matter regional medical educator Tim said preparation should include knowing how to respond in a medical or roadside emergency.

“Road trips are a great way to explore Queensland, but emergencies can happen anywhere — on the roadside, at a rest stop, at a campsite, or in an area with limited phone reception,” Tim said.
“The first few minutes after an incident can feel overwhelming, but simple actions matter. Knowing how to call Triple Zero (000), give your exact location, identifying and  controlling serious bleeding, and supporting a person’s airway who is unwell can make a real difference until help arrives.”

To help more Queenslanders build these skills, LifeFlight delivers the First Minutes Matter program — a practical, free education initiative that gives people the confidence to act in the moments that matter most, before emergency services arrive.

FREE online emergency training – https://www.lifeflight.org.au/first-minutes-matter/