road trips Tag

Get ready for an unforgettable road trip through Queensland, following in the footsteps of musician Tom Busby on Rockhampton’s Busby Trail. 

Plenty of Australians think they know Rockhampton. They’ve driven past it, stopped for fuel and maybe even stayed a night on the way to somewhere else. Tom Busby thought the same. He grew up in Rockhampton. He left, built a career as one of Australia’s most respected musicians, and, like a lot of people who leave regional Queensland, assumed he’d seen everything his hometown had to offer. Then he brought his kids back for the first time, caravan in tow, and saw it completely differently. That’s the thing about Rocky. It has a habit of surprising people.

The Busby Trail, a five-day road trip

Sitting at the heart of Queensland’s Holiday Highway, Rockhampton is the kind of place that rewards families who give it time, and the Busby Trail, a five-day family itinerary that follows Tom’s homecoming journey across the region, makes a pretty persuasive case for why 2026 is the year to find out what they’ve been missing. The Busby Trail begins where the city gives way to open paddocks. Out at Alkoomi Adventure Farmstay, farm life unfolds at its own unhurried pace. The quality of quiet here is the kind that city-raised kids initially don’t quite know what to do with, before deciding they’d like to enjoy it forever.

From there, RMOA (The Rockhampton Museum of Art) arrives as something of a surprise. Free to enter, it is a lovely light-filled space and genuinely handson in ways that make it work as well for restless kids as it does for adults.

Rocky’s free Botanic Gardens and Zoo cheerfully dismantles any attempt at keeping to a schedule as you discover chimpanzees, meerkats and native wildlife with free daily Keeper Talks in a setting so relaxed and unhurried that what most families budget as a quick morning stop routinely turns into most of the day.

The Riverside Precinct offers a chance to stop and exhale. The parkland is wide and easy and the river moves at a leisurely pace. The effect is so relaxed and peaceful it will make you remember how holidays are supposed to feel.

In the afternoon, drive up to Mt Archer and watch the sun go down over the river from above. The Nurim Circuit boardwalk juts out over the treetops and looks back across the whole city, the Fitzroy threading through it and the beautiful Coast glinting in the distance. It’s the kind of view that will make even kids go quiet, which is a recommendation in itself.

Then the trail heads underground. Half an hour north of the city, the Capricorn Caves have been luring families into their ancient limestone depths for generations, and they remain genuinely spectacular. The Cathedral Cave tour winds through cathedral-like caverns and pockets of dry rainforest, with acoustics so extraordinary they feel almost supernatural, before delivering you back into the Queensland sunshine via suspension bridge.

The historic gold mining town of Mount Morgan, once home to one of the richest gold mines in the Southern Hemisphere, rounds off your Rocky adventures with weathered heritage and stories that effortlessly hold everyone’s attention. Rockhampton delivers more variety than most families see coming, and the Busby Trail invites them to wander, to stumble across weird little treasures, and to linger over five days of nature, culture, history and proper time together as a family. Odds are, it’ll catch you off guard, too.

What is the Busby Trail?

The Busby Trail is a family-focused travel itinerary designed to showcase the best of the Rockhampton region in Queensland. Created by the Busby family, it’s a curated road trip experience that brings together a mix of nature, wildlife, culture and relaxation. The Busby Trail is a multi-day journey where families can explore a series of destinations at a comfortable pace. It emphasises meaningful, memorable moments, with activities that are engaging for both children and adults.

Where is the Busby Trail?

The Busby Trail is located in and around Rockhampton, often referred to as the gateway to Central Queensland. The itinerary stretches across nearby natural and tourist attractions, including Capricorn Caves, Koorana Crocodile Farm, the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, and the Rockhampton Zoo. It also incorporates scenic locations like Mount Archer National Park, particularly the Nurim Circuit, which offers panoramic views over the region. The trail is designed as a driving route, making it accessible and convenient for families traveling by car.

Why should families holiday on the Busby Trail?

Families will enjoy the Busby Trail because it blends fun, education and relaxation into one cohesive experience. Children can get up close with animals at the zoo and crocodile farm, explore underground cave systems, and enjoy open green spaces in the botanical gardens. At the same time, parents can appreciate the region’s history, local art galleries and scenic landscapes. The itinerary is intentionally slow-paced, allowing families to spend quality time together without feeling rushed. Additional touches, like farm stays, local dining experiences and even a custom Spotify playlist to accompany travellers help create a well-rounded and immersive holiday atmosphere.

When is the best time to do the Busby Trail?

The Busby Trail can be enjoyed year‑round, with each season offering something a little different for visiting families. The cooler months are ideal for exploring outdoors, while warmer seasons are perfect for water-based activities, coastal adventures and relaxed road trip travel. With a mix of indoor attractions, nature experiences and family-friendly events across the year, there’s always a great time to visit the Rockhampton Region.

This article was produced in partnership with Explore Rockhampton and is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here below.

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