brisbane day trips winter

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Arts & entertainment, design & style, travel & leisure, search concrete playground, ten country towns near brisbane you should day trip to this winter.

These picturesque spots offer everything from ancient rainforests to cosy pubs with fireplaces.

Brisbane's winters aren't as harsh as those endured down south, but that doesn't mean that Queenslanders don't feel the cold. Within a couple of hours' drive of Brisbane there's a stack of country towns ideal for visiting when swimming and sunbathing are off the agenda.

Plan one of these short trips and you could be tucking into local produce beside roaring log fires, warming up with walks through ancient rainforest, meeting super-friendly locals in old-fashioned pubs and whale watching from some of the best vantage points on Australia's east coast.

If you don't have much time, but desperately need a hit of fresh air to take you out of your mid-winter stupor, journey to Mount Nebo. This super-cute village lies just 45 minutes' drive west of Brisbane, at the southern end of the D'Aguilar Range. On the way, stop at Samford for brekkie at The Flying Nun Cafe , where you'll be tucking into potato and feta hash cakes with poached eggs, roasted carrot purée and chorizo crumb beneath the stained glass windows of a former church. When you hit the actual Mount Nebo, warm up with a rainforest walk , such as the one-kilometre Pitta Circuit or the eight-kilometre adventure taking in Jollys Lookout, before heading to Mount Glorious for a fireside lunch at Elm Haus Cafe .

How far? A 45-minute drive

Tourism Queensland

TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN

Pack your scarf: winter on Tamborine Mountain, which is 530 metres above sea level, is noticeably cooler than in Brissie. If your day trip is an excuse for a feast, then book a table at Three Little Pigs Bar and Bistro . A stone fireplace takes care of central heating, while the chefs transform local produce into delectable dishes. Another lovely spot for lunch is among the log fires of Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard's Hamblin Room. Stay for a wine tasting, before rugging up to explore Tamborine Mountain's many walks, waterfalls and gardens .

How far? A one-hour drive

Encircled with farmland, and perched on the edge of the Main Range National Park, Maryvale packs a lot of punch. In town, you'll come across the Maryvale Crown Hotel , built in 1912. If you're not careful, you might find yourself spending your whole day (and night) there; it's a proper, old-fashioned country pub, filled with friendly folks. Should you manage to get away, you'll find plenty to pique your curiosity around Maryvale, including the ancient rainforest and breathtaking lookouts of heritage-listed  Main Range National Park , found five minutes' drive east from the pub.

For a day trip that involves plenty of wine tasting, make Stanthorpe your destination. It's the gateway to the Granite Belt, which is developing quite the reputation for its experiments with alternative varieties. At Balancing Rock , you'll be trying a wild yeast syrah, and at Ballandean Estate , there's a range of unusual drops, including jacquez, a grape believed to have originated in North America and also known as black spanish. Prefer beer? Get your winter warmer at Granite Belt Brewery , with a chocolate porter. In between drinks, wander around Stanthorpe's delis and cafes, and be sure to visit Suttons Farm for homemade apple pie — it's a perfect wintry afternoon tea.

How far? A two-and-a-half-hour drive

Another town where you can rise above winter is Mount Mee, which, like Mount Nebo, is part of the D'Aguilar Range, and lies around 75 minutes' drive northwest of Brisbane. Get your bearings and lift your spirits at Dahmongah/Mount Mee Lookout , which gives you panoramic views of Brisbane, the coastline to the east, and the Glasshouse Mountains to the west. Continue to soak up the mind-blowing scenery during lunch at Birches Restaurant . If time is on your side, then drive ten minutes' north to visit bohemian Woodford , famous for its huge annual folk festival, or stop by Dayboro on the way home, for idyllic countryside, cafes, breweries and wineries.

How far? A 75-minute drive

Maleny, at 436 metres above sea level, affords magnificent views of the Glasshouse Mountains. Since the 1980s, it has been a magnet for artists, craftspeople, writers and musicians, who find inspiration in the dreamy landscapes. There's an abundance of cafes, dishing up wholesome, homemade fare — exactly what you want to be eating on a chilly day. Visit Maleny Food Co for gourmet cheese, Shotgun Espresso for comforting dishes, including spiced poached chicken broth, and Monicas Cafe , for hearty burgers and gourmet sangas made from organic produce.

How far? An 90-minute drive

Home of the Blackbutt Avocado Festival (returning in September 2021), this historical settlement started out in the 1840s as a timber town. It must've been thirsty work because, in 1910, a population of 300 managed to keep five hotels open. These days, just one survives: the Radnor , which was built over a century ago. When you're done carousing with the locals, head to the Blackbutt Bakery to dig into a cracking pie, followed by a caramel snickers mallow crown (if you can get one — they sell out fast). Blackbutt is along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail , the longest continuous rail trail in Australia, which travels for 134 kilometres from Ipswich to Yarraman. Definitely consider taking your bike.

How far? A two-hour drive

Canungra, which lies in the Gold Coast Hinterland, was born as a timber town in the 1800s. These days it's home to numerous artists and artisans. Step back in time with a beer at the Canungra Hotel , before wandering around art galleries and workshops. Running through the heart of them all is Canungra Creek, where, if you're lucky, you might spot a platypus. Go beyond town to visit cellar doors, including Albert River 's grand Auchenflower House Billiard Room;  O'Reilly's , where you're welcome to spend the afternoon picnicking with a gourmet hamper in hand; and Sarabah , to escape to vineyards and banish all thought of winter in the city.

NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND

North Stradbroke Island isn't exactly a country town, and you probably wouldn't normally associate it with winter, but bear with us. For a start, it's the closest place to Brisbane where you can go whale watching while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. What's more, the North Gorge Walk is considered one of the best spots in Australia for spotting humpbacks. Don't forget your binoculars. More reasons we love Straddie in the winter include the spectacular sunsets and the fact that you can explore as you please, without jostling sweaty summer crowds.

How far? A 50-minute drive plus a 45-minute ferry ride

Tourism and Events Queensland

NOOSA HEADS

Another day trip destination that involves whale watching is Noosa Heads, on the Sunshine Coast. When it comes to vantage points, you're spoilt for choice — try your luck at Main Beach, Sunshine Beach, Castaways Beach or while strolling along the stunning 11-kilometre coastal walk in Noosa National Park. It's even more breathtaking at sunset. Alternatively, climb aboard a whale watching tour and head out to sea. As at Straddie, you'll be able to spend your day soaking up Noosa's extraordinary natural beauty without battling hordes of sun-seekers.

Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland

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25 of the best day trips from Brisbane

By Author Toni Broome

Posted on Published: August 27, 2018  - Last updated: January 16, 2023

Looking for fun and fabulous day trips from Brisbane. We have 25 top picks here from the beach to the rainforest, lakes and rivers, wildlife, family fun and adventure.

Brisbane is a great city to both live and visit.  It’s casual and laid back but there are options here for culture, great foodie experiences and more.  It doesn’t have to hurt your pocket either. If you’re visiting the city make sure you also see our top ideas for free things to do in Brisbane .

The sub-tropical climate you’ll find in Brisbane is ideal, it doesn’t hit the scorching highs in summer that some parts of the country do but winter is mostly spent in shorts and t-shirts with plenty of beach visits all year round.

The city has it’s own surf patrolled (man made) beach and plenty of parks and attractions but as with any city after a day or two, or a solid 9-5 week, you’re probably going to want to get outside and explore further afield so we’ve put together a list of our 25 best options for day trips from Brisbane.  You’ll find plenty of variety here to suit everyone – couples, friends, families and singles.

Table of Contents

1. Glasshouse Mountains

2. lamington national park, 3. north stradbroke island, 4. moreton island, 5. currumbin wildlife sanctuary, 6. sea world, 7. bribie island, 8. tamborine mountain, 9. springbrook national park, 10. toowoomba, 12. burleigh heads, 13. mooloolaba, 14. south stradbroke island, 15. northern gold coast beaches, 16. whale watching on the gold coast, 17. wivenhoe dam, 18. eumundi, 19. mary cairncross reserve, 20. southern gold coast beaches, 21. obi obi gorge, 22. byron bay, 23. the northern new south wales beaches, 24. currumbin sculpture festival, 25. sand safari, our recommendations for day trips from brisbane.

The Glasshouse mountains are at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast only an hour from the city.  This distinctive National Park includes 12 distinctive peaks that are the remnant cores of 26 million year old volcanos that once towered above the region.

Some of the peaks have paths you can walk up easily such as Wild Horse Mountain where this photo was taken from, other’s require climbing expertise and equipment for those we prefer the walking trails that circumnavigate them from below.  There are a few cafes in the area, our pick is the Lookout Cafe for its gorgeous outlook, then just carry on a few hundred meters further up the mountain for the lookout park with incredible views, walking trails and wildlife.

Use this guide to plan your visit to the Glasshouse Mountains

Heading south of Brisbane to the Gold Coast we are often drawn to the beauty of the Lamington National Park.  There are 2 sections to this park which are accessed in very different ways so make sure you are headed to the right part.  The Green Mountain section is our favorite and commonly known as O’Reillys for the family that originally settled here and a man that carried out an inspiring rescue against the odds when a passenger plane crashed in the area back in 1937.

Today you’ll find a variety of walks many suitable for the whole family in pristine rain forest and some great destinations on these walks such as the Elabana Falls shown above.  There’s car parking, BBQ’s, plenty of picnic space and a shop and cafe here.  If you’re looking for something longer than a day trip there’s a variety of accommodation right at the park entrance from camping to luxe apartments with private outdoor spa’s.  We’ve stayed here a couple of times and if you’re interested this article will give you an idea of whats available and some of the other activities.

If you love Australian wildlife this is a sure spot to see pademelons, a small species in the wallaby and kangaroo family and the bird life is extensive, we’ve seen a huge variety here including the elusive Alberts Lyrebird and rainbow pitta.

Find some of the best walks in the Lamington National Park

Just a 25-minute ferry trip across Moreton Bay is North Stradbroke Island, a laid back island paradise right on the door step of the city.  There’s a lot to love about a day trip to ‘Straddie’ as it’s known locally but for us, it’s a tie between the wildlife, scenery and fabulous beaches.  There’s also a couple of good cafes popped up on the island recently.

You can take a car across on the car ferry but you’ll have just as much fun jumping on the bus that meets the boat and heading up to Point Lookout.  This is where you’ll find stunning surf beaches, the gorge walk, lookouts and more amazing beaches. 

If you visit in the ‘winter’ you can watch the whales passing on their annual migration, pods of dolphins playing in the surf and sea turtles feeding in the gorge.  There’s also a big mob of kangaroos and you’ll usually spot at least some of those.  Surfing and beach days are popular on the island all year round. 

We met one young Kiwi visitor who was so impressed after having dolphins join her on her wave while body surfing that she was making an impromptu decision to turn her day trip into an overnight stay hoping to repeat the experience again the next day.

Read More:  Our tops picks of what to do on North Stradbroke Island

Moreton Island is sometimes referred to as Tangalooma after the major resort on the island.  It’s another top spot for a day trip from Brisbane but there is plenty to see and do out here on the island so it’s also a popular spot to stay a few days. 

The boat runs out here from Brisbane in the morning and after a short stop you can rejoin it during the ‘winter’ months to head out whale watching.  Early in the trip we spotted turtles, dolphins and off the coast of Morton Island is where I saw my very first dugong .  The whales are in transit from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef but they still show a natural curiosity in checking out boats so the sightings were good.

We had lunch on the boat then when you get back to there island there’s time to explore.  There are wrecks offshore that have formed into reefs and provide a home for a good variety of sea life, you can hire a kayak to take a look if you don’t want to snorkel or dive.  You can also hire cycles with sand tires or head out sand tobogganing.  As a day visitor we were able to use the resort facilities and we stayed on into the evening taking the last boat back to see the great sunset and the other special attractions of Tangalooma, the visiting dolphins.

Early in the evening a pod of wild dolphins come into shore and under a special licence you are able to feed them here.  The history of this goes back a long way and led to Nari, one of the dolphins a decade or so back being able to be rescued, healed and returned to his pod after he was badly mauled by a shark (you can read more about Nari in the article below). 

Care is taken to ensure they are given locally caught fish and that what they receive only makes up only a small portion of their daily diet so they eat and play naturally the rest of the time.  Not every dolphin in the pod comes in, and those that do don’t come in every day, trained staff supervise every encounter to ensure it is done in a safe way and of course you must not touch the dolphin.

For more information see:  Whales, dugongs, dolphins and more at Morton Island

While I’ll highlight many spots to encounter Australia’s wildlife in their natural setting near Brisbane in other sections of this post,  visitors may want to include a wildlife sanctuary during their time in Brisbane to see a variety of Australian animals and for the educational aspect.

For that, we’d recommend either Currumbin or the nearby  David Fleay Wildlife Park .  These two have a strong conservation focus, they prioritise local wildlife over exotics their priority is animal welfare, conservation and education.

Read more about the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary |  Check for deals at Currumbin Sanctuary

There are a number of theme parks within easy access of Brisbane that make a great family day trip.  Sea World in Australia is heavily involved in marine rescue and many of the birds and animals here are rescues that were unable to be released back to the wild for various reasons related to their own safety.

Sea World is located on The Spit on the Gold Coast around an hours drive from Brisbane.  It’s also possible to get here with public transport or joining a tour that includes transport but we’d highly recommend driving so you can stop off at some of the stunning beaches in the area.

In addition to the animals there’s also water ski and jet bike shows, thrill rides, a water park and the Nickelodeon area featuring shows and rides for the younger family members.

Read our tips for a day at Sea World Australia   |  Check out deals on Sea World tickets

Another of Queensland’s large sand islands, Bribie, is attached to the mainland by a causeway so you won’t even need a boat to get out here.  On the inland side of the island are calm waters perfect for a day at the beach with the family, on the seaward side there’s some incredible surf.

Bribie has had increased residential development in recent years but most of the island is National Park with no roads so you’ll need a 4-wheel drive, permit and sand driving experience to see more than the southern tip.  That said, the southern tip is beautiful and you don’t need to walk very far from the car parking to find a good stretch of sand to yourself.  The island is also a bird watchers paradise and has some interesting walkways and history to explore.

Read more | Tips on visiting Bribie Island

Mount Tamborine is a relaxed hinterland area halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  It’s only an hours drive to experience this beautiful area of rain forest on the Scenic Rim.  The National Park here is divided into 6 distinct parts containing walking tracks, lookouts, waterfalls and other attractions.  Some popular sections we enjoy are the Witches Falls and Cedar Creek tracks.

On Mount Tamborine, you’ll also find the Gallery Walk with restaurants and interesting shops to explore, a botanic garden, the Skywalk where you can observe the rain forest section from above and within, glow worm caves plus a variety of foodie treats from cheesemakers to wineries.

Another spot on the Scenic Rim with excellent National Park walks and fabulous scenery is the Springbrook National Park.  There’s a whole list of walks and lookout’s we enjoy down here but two I’d highly recommend when visiting are the Twin Falls circuit shown above and the Natural Bridge , click on either link for more visitor information. 

It’s quite possible to do one in the morning, visit another spot such as Goomoolahra Falls for your picnic lunch then complete the other walk in the afternoon.

Toowoomba is a provincial city 125 km inland from Brisbane.  A day trip out here can include the views from the impressive lookout , hiking trails and one of the best Japanese gardens in Australia.

For foodies, you’ll want to check out the farmer’s markets, farm gate sales and cellar doors.  In the city itself, there’s also a thriving cafe culture that’s sprung up in recent years and a fabulous collection of street art murals .

Our comprehensive guide to exploring Toowoomba

At the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, about a 90 minute drive from Brisbane is Noosa.  This popular holiday area also makes a fun and easy day trip from the city.  The main beach of Noosa is popular with surfers and can be quite busy but walk a little way down towards the river and the beach is just as good and almost deserted a lot of the time.  Keep walking and you’ll come to a sheltered calm water swimming beach and the river.  From here is a great place to watch the sunset.

The Noosa National Park has 15 km of walking tracks within the forest, along the cliff top and down on the beaches.  If you do the Coastal Track be aware that Alexandria Bay is illegally used as a nudist beach especially the southern end which you need to pass to rejoin and complete the 10.8 km return walk to Sunshine Beach. There are a number of excellent shorter walking tracks and a variety of wildlife including koala are regularly seen within the park

The Burleigh Heads National park is only 27 hectares but squeezed into this space you will find rainforest habitat, eucalypt forest, groves of distinctive coastal pandanus, tussock grassland, coastal heath, creeks and mangroves, the rocky foreshore and glorious sandy beaches. 

The rainforest circuit where this photo is taken from is 2.3 km return, there’s also an ocean view track which we normally like to take on the return walk.

If you enter from the northern end off of the Gold Coast Highway and turn into Goodwin Terrace you’ll find public parking here and also an excellent selection of local cafes to complete your day trip experience.

Mooloolaba is one of my personal favourites on the Sunshine Coast.  You have a long stretch of gorgeous sandy beach here, a shady boardwalk, many park areas, the river and a break wall between the ocean and the river that’s a popular walk and fishing spot.  You’ll also find Sea Life Sunshine Coast which we’ve reviewed previously and a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and accommodation.

There is so much to see and do in Mooloolaba and it’s only an 80-minute drive from Brisbane and makes an ideal day trip destination.

There are a number of tours that run out to South Stradbroke Island from the Gold Coast, it’s actually only 200 metres off the end of the Spit so it’s a quick trip over then you can spend your day as you wish, enjoy the facilities of the Couran Cove Resort, swim and explore the 22 km of sandy beaches & 1800 hectare conservation park.

For something a bit different you can kayak out to Wavebreak and South Stradbroke Islands  on a full day trip with time to explore, lunch, relaxation and activities on the island.  We’ve kayaked out with a group a few years ago and it was way easier than we expected.

The most famous and longest established of the Gold Coast beaches is Surfers Paradise, it’s still a lovely stretch of sand with a wide promenade and some great cafes, restaurants and accommodation.  Over the years Broadbeach & Mermaid Beach, one beach south, has become our favourite being a little more laid back and home to some of our top picks for cafes on the Gold Coast.

All three are surf beaches with wide expanses of soft white sand and have designated patrolled swimming areas.  Also in the northern group of beaches to explore are Main Beach, the Spit and the Broadwater.

We’ve been whale watching many times along the east coast of Australia.  Our most recent outing was on the Gold Coast.

This migratory group of humpback whales make their way from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef each year.  They are estimated to number over 30,000 based on an annual whale census and their numbers are recovering annually.  This means you have an excellent chance of some good sightings between August and October each year.  We booked for the morning trip as winds and waves tend to increase later in the day and saw a good number of whales, if you’re unlucky and for some reason don’t see a whale you can take a second trip for free.

Check Gold Coast whale watch prices and reviews

The Wivenhoe Dam was built on the Brisbane River in the 1970s to protect the city from floods.  Not only is it now the main water supply for the city but it’s also a great recreational destination for swimming, kayaking and sailing. 

There are a number of recreational parklands around the lake and not all of them allow for water based activities with restrictions for safety reasons around the spill wall.  This one closest to the spillway is one that doesn’t allow direct access to the water but it has an extensive park and picnic areas and it’s a great spot for koala spotting.

The town of Eumundi is well known for the huge and diverse Eumundi market, an ever-growing market encompassing local artists, craft, produce and more.  Originally it was all outdoor stalls but developments in recent years have expanded the market area including some undercover options.

The town has bars and cafes to stop and relax if you want somewhere to stop for a while or grab something from the market itself and you’ll find plenty of places to sit on the grassy banks.  There are regular events here too, one we really enjoyed is the Eumundi body art festival .

Just 15 minutes away is the Noosa Botanical Gardens on the shores of Lake Mackenzie and Eumundi is on the way to Noosa so the two can be easily combined into a day trip,

In the Blackall ranges on the Sunshine Coast, you will find the Mary Cairncross conservation park around 90 km from Brisbane.   There are 55 hectares of sub-tropical rainforest on the mountain here and a well developed walking path and boardwalk in parts.  Despite that it’s an excellent spot from seeing local wildlife including birds, pademelons a small marsupial in the kangaroo family and even the endangered mountain crayfish, a blue coloured found only in a couple of mountain ranges around here above 240 metres.

In addition to the walkway, you’ll find parklands, BBQ and picnic facilities an information centre and cafe.  A visit here is ideal to combine with exploring the mountain villages of Maleny and Montville.

With 66km of stunning Gold Coast beaches, it’s going to take a lot of time to visit them all so it’s necessary to make some choices to narrow it down.  The attraction of the southern Gold Coast beaches including Burleigh, Currumbin, Tugan and Kirra are that they are a little less developed and quieter than the northern beaches.

They are all strikingly beautiful surf beaches with wide white sandy stretches, many have dune areas and others have lagoon, mangrove and creeks heading inland.

The Obi Obi gorge is a diverse natural area on the Sunshine Coast near Maleny.  It’s located next to the Baroon Pocket Dam and from here you can take a 7 km return walk on the Baroon Lookout track, the views from the track are fabulous and you generally see diverse birdlife along the track.  Not far from the car park there’s a detour down to the gorge and swimming hole.  Another alternative is rock-hopping along the gorge but be prepared to get wet in parts.

The are picnic and BBQ facilities nearby at the lake edge and across the dam wall or head back up the road into Maleny for a variety of cafe options.

Byron Bay is a 2-hour drive from Brisbane and I have to admit I do prefer to stay down there for a night or two when we go but we’ve done it as a day trip several times with friends and visitors and if that’s what works for your itinerary then I’d definitely make this trip for the day, you can see and do plenty in that time.

Byron Bay retains it’s laid back surf vibe despite its ever-increasing popularity and while getting a car park can be a challenge some days you are sure to find yourself a wave and space on the sand at one of it’s 9 stunning beaches.  Byron is an iconic Aussie destination and we highly recommend a visit.

Read more about the Byron Bay beaches and other attractions in this article

Around an hour and a half from Brisbane, you’ll reach the northern New South Wales beaches including Fingal Head, Kingscliff and Salt beach.  It’s a popular holiday destination and increasingly growing as a residential subdivision but still relatively quiet.

The beaches here are gorgeous for long relaxed walks, beach days and there’s a wide walking and bike path shaded in part by the casuarina trees along the beach edge at Kingscliff.  From Fingal head and many of the other headlands along here you’ll see whales passing during the migration season and don’t miss the Giants Causeway, an interesting basalt lava rock formation that extends under the water to Cook Island.

Read more | What to see and do around the Northern  NSW beaches

My 2 final suggestions for day trips from Brisbane are annual events. There’s a big range of these and something to suit all interests, these are just 2 examples that make a great addition to your time in the region. 

The Swell Festival has been running for many years during the month of September and includes many local and international artists who create sculptures, often of significant size on the beach and foreshore in Currumbin.  During the festival, you’ll find coffee vans and food trucks offering a variety on top of the local cafes, live music and other entertainment.  The sculptures are also lit at night adding a different way to enjoy them.

Helpful tips for planning a visit to the Swell Festival

The Sand Safari is another annual event, this time in February and held predominantly at Surfers Paradise although related displays pop up around the Gold Coast.  The enormous sandcastles are created by international and local artists along the wide promenade in front of the beach. 

The artworks usually take the shape of fantasy and cartoon characters which are loved by kids and adults alike.  They are made entirely of sand and water then sprayed with an environmentally safe sealant to help them stand up to the elements for the duration of the festival.

During the event you an vote for the one you like the best and there’s an extra-large central display which is worked on by many artists for you to watch the creators at work and ask any questions.  The festival is perfect combined with a day at the beach or exploring Surfers Paradise, the best known of the Gold Coast beaches.

Have you visited one, or all, of these fantastic destinations near Brisbane?  Do you enjoy day trips as a way of exploring a region?  If you have any questions when planning your visit please ask in the comments section below.  For those places you want to add to your itinerary we have in-depth articles full of tips on many of them that we’ve also linked up above.

Interested?  Save these images to Pinterest to find again later

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North Gorge Walk, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

The best day trips from Brisbane

The Queensland capital of Brisbane is perfectly positioned for day trips of every kind.

By Katrina Lobley 

Want to get out of town for the day?  Brisbane  is surrounded by fascinating destinations to discover. Take your pick of coastal cities, island getaways and hinterland mountains topped with lush forests.

Where:  80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Brisbane. 

The glitzy  Gold Coast , attracts plenty of pint-sized thrill seekers keen to spend a day at one of its theme parks. But it's not just kids who will enjoy the region. With a thriving food scene, great shopping, pumping nightlife and even a well-established health and wellness offering, it's easy to see why "the Goldie" is a favourite getaway spot. Want to see how Surfers Paradise got its name? Sign up for a surf lesson along the iconic beachfront with  Get Wet Surf School  before relaxing at one of the Gold Coast's best day spas or restaurants .

Bee Gees Way, Redcliffe Queensland © Dominika Lis

Where: 45 minutes north of Brisbane.

Redcliffe , a coastal city between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast , has one big musical claim to fame: it’s where the Gibb brothers, of Bee Gees fame, spent part of their childhood in the 1950s and signed their first music contract. The city pays homage to the stars with  Bee Gees Way , a 70-metre (230-foot) long multimedia walkway that's free and open day and night. The walkway runs between Sutton Street and the waterfront Redcliffe Parade (stroll along the promenade to enjoy views of Moreton Island). Redcliffe is also a spectacular seafood destination. Head to the Moreton Bay Boat Club for casual fare or Tempest for seafood that sizzles on a teppanyaki grill. For something more adventurous, hire a boat or jet ski from Boab Boats for a day cruising the waters of Moreton Bay. If it’s humpback migration season (June to November), hop onto a whale watching cruise to spot the curious whales.

Moreton Island

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Guests at Tangalooma Island Resort can join Eco Rangers in hand-feeding wild bottlenose dolphins that visit the shore every evening.

Where:  40 kilometres (25 miles) off the coast of Brisbane. Take the 75-minute ferry to reach the island.

Moreton Island is a favourite day trip for Queenslanders, but don't rule out an overnight adventure. Those who love four-wheel driving can ferry their vehicles to the island and explore the bush and beach tracks. Those who prefer modern comforts can head to Tangalooma Island Resort , which offers a variety of activities, including quad biking, kayaking, parasailing and scenic flights. Snorkelling or diving the partially-submerged Tangalooma Wrecks that lie just offshore is also popular. The island is home to an interior desert with soaring sand dunes offering a hefty dose of adrenaline-inducing activity. Sign up to toboggan the steep dunes, if you dare.

Bribie Island

Bribie Island, Sunshine Coast, Queensland © John Bowden, Tourism and Events Queensland

Where: Located between Redcliffe and the  Sunshine Coast , just under an hour's drive north of Brisbane.

For a beach holiday that's all about the simple things, head to  Bribie Island . Bribie is the only Moreton Bay island you can drive to (shuttles operate from Brisbane Airport, or take a bus from Caboolture train station). Pumicestone Passage, which runs between the island and the mainland, is home to dugongs (similar to manatees) that come to feed on the seagrass, as well as dolphins and turtles.  Ferryman Cruises  offers a range of passage tours while G'day Adventure Tours can take you on a 4WD adventure to spot wildlife before heading inland through forests and wetlands only accessible by 4WD. For surf action, head to the ocean beaches at Woorim .

North Stradbroke Island

North Gorge Walk, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland © Tourism Australia

Where: Drive 45 minutes east to Toondah Harbour to catch the ferry to the island.

Loved for its laid-back lifestyle and aquatic adventures, North Stradbroke Island is the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. ‘Straddie,’ as the locals call it, is home to some stunning beaches - don’t miss Cylinder Beach and Frenchman’s Beach - as well as freshwater lakes you can reach on foot. The island also offers incredible whale watching opportunities from late May to early October. The humpback whales migrate so close to shore that all you need is a pair of binoculars to watch them swim by; a  walk along the headlands is a great place to start your search. Continue your nature discovery from the glamping tents at Adder Rock , where you’ll have a chance to spot resident kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras.

Australia's most beautiful islands

Scenic Rim, Maryvale, Queensland © Mark Clinton, Tourism and Events Queensland

Where: A 1.5-hour drive south-west of Brisbane.

If photogenic mountains are your thing, head to the Scenic Rim in the Gold Coast hinterland . Known as Australia's Green Cauldron, these lush mountains were once a volcanic hotspot. Choose from over a dozen  trails that take you to breathtaking lookouts, rock pools and rainforest gorges. Prefer to see the Scenic Rim from the air? Gold Coast-based  Hot Air  offers hot air balloon rides over the region.

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itinerary: Discover Brisbane's top day trips

Adventure and exploration abound only a short drive from Brisbane’s city centre. Grab your camera, pack a picnic, jump in the car and spend a day discovering the natural beauty and history of the diverse Greater Brisbane region.

North Stradbroke Island /Minjerribah

An island paradise awaits your exploration, just a short ferry trip from Cleveland Marina. The abundance of activities and attractions on offer makes North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah  a perfect day trip destination for beachgoers and nature lovers. Start your day along the scenic North Gorge Headland Walk , keeping your eyes peeled for whales frolicking in the distance and turtles and manta rays in the clear waters of the gorge. Follow the coastline along to Cylinder Beach, the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the waves or on the sand.

Relax and let River to Bay do all the work for you, curating an all-inclusive, fun-filled Stradbroke Island Day Trip Tour including ferry transfers. If you’re making your own way to the island, book an unforgettable cultural experience with Yura Tours or, for a complete change of pace, snorkel or scuba dive among manta rays with Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre .

St Helena Island National Park

Transport yourself back to colonial times as you cruise from the mainland across Moreton Bay to  St Helena Island National Park . From its beginnings as an important Indigenous hunting ground to its foundation as a 19th-Century prison settlement, learn from knowledgeable local tour guides about the island’s rich and surprising history. Choose a day tour or a spooky night tour to enjoy the surroundings, a hearty meal and the colourful stories passed down through the years.  St Helena Island Tours  leave from Manly’s William Gunn Jetty daily.

Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin  

Plan a day of adventure at Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin. From underwater exploration to off-road action, there is no shortage of heart-pumping activities to fill your day. Getting to Moreton Island is easy with  Micat’s Moreton Island Ferry  taking passengers and vehicles on the 90-minute journey from Port of Brisbane every day except Wednesday. Once you’re there, dive with some of Queensland’s most colourful sea life at the  Tangalooma Wrecks Dive Site . Located only metres off the sandy shores of Moreton Island, the wrecks provide a shallow haven for snorkelling beginners and reach depths of up to 10m for more experienced divers.  River to Bay  runs daily guided snorkelling tours including transfers and lunch. Keen on the wrecks but not on snorkelling? Sunset Safaris’  Get Wrecked  one-day tour equips you with a unique transparent kayak so you can glide over the wrecks for a birds-eye view.  Tangalooma Day Trips  offers an array of other island experiences including sand tobogganing, desert safaris, dolphin-feeding, ATV quad bike tours and whale watching. 

Samford and Mount Nebo

Escape from the hustle and bustle and take a short drive through the green surrounds of Brisbane’s west. Samford is only a 45-minute drive from Brisbane City but it exudes a country town feel with plenty of quaint cafes, craft shops and museums. Take a leisurely walk along the  Samford Valley Heritage Trail  as it meanders through 13 historical sites, including galleries, heritage buildings and other significant sites. Continue your drive up to nearby Mount Nebo or Mount Glorious for a mountain walk and afternoon tea at one of its cafes such as the picturesque  Café in the Mountains  or  Mount Glorious Café , a popular stop with motorbike riders. 

Tamborine Mountain   

Standing proudly in the Scenic Rim is Tamborine Mountain , a spectacular oasis for nature lovers, art enthusiasts and adventurers. Spend your morning wandering the dense forests of Tamborine National Park and catch a glimpse of some of the area’s most colourful birds and wildlife. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and enjoy the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from high in the trees.

A short drive away, the nearby Gallery Walk and Main St beckon you to browse and shop at more than 60 art and craft stores and local cafes, perfect to refuel after your walk. Be sure to set aside time for a Tamborine Mountain Distillery Tour to sample its distinctive delights. If that whets your appetite, book a tour of Tamborine’s many wineries, breweries, distilleries and local food producers with The Vino Bus or Kiff & Culture . These tours ferry you in air-conditioned comfort from Brisbane to gourmet destinations throughout Tamborine.

Bribie Island  

Pumicestone Passage separates  Bribie Island  from the mainland and is a popular escape for water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and families. Just an hour’s drive from Brisbane City, spend your day relaxing on the sand or get among the action and take a guided kayak, windsurfing or kite surfing tour along the sheltered channel. Pumicestone Passage is also one of the east coast’s most vibrant marine environments so be sure to bring your binoculars to watch flocks of shorebirds dart across the sandbanks and mangroves. You may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dugongs as they make their way through the seagrass beds. You can explore the mainland with  G’Day Adventure Tours  offering a range of day trip tours from 4WD safaris to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. 

D’Aguilar National Park

Discover subtropical rainforest, shady gorges, luscious woodland and spectacular views of Moreton Bay at D’Aguilar National Park . Split into two distinct sections – the South D’Aguilar section at the southern end of the park and the Mount Mee section at the northern end – you can marvel at the contrasting landscapes and natural habitats as you make your way around the 90-minute circuit drive. At the southern edge, visit the Walkabout Creek  wildlife centre and grab a bite to eat or order a picnic hamper at the Walkabout Creek Café . As you make your way north, keep an eye out for lookout points near the Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious townships for beautiful views of the eucalypt forest.

Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology  

Spend the morning exploring a treasure trove of world history and ancient possessions at Caboolture’s Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology . From ancient Egyptian artefacts to local historical tours, the museum offers interesting activities to engage kids and adults. For lunch, drive just 15 minutes to Redcliffe’s Suttons Beach and find a shady spot to enjoy some of Brisbane’s best fish and chips. Spend the afternoon walking along the sandy beaches and letting the waves lap at your feet or stroll up to Settlement Cove and splash about in the public lagoon and free children’s water park.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary  

What better way to enjoy the Brisbane sunshine than by sharing it with some of your furry friends?  Mirimar Cruises  operates a daily  Koala and River Cruise  taking visitors from the heart of Brisbane to the doorstep of  Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary .  Spend your morning cruising along the Brisbane River as it meanders past historic landscapes, iconic attractions and spectacular home sites. Enjoy two-and-a-half hours exploring Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and meeting some of Australia’s most iconic native animals. Come face-to-face with more than 130 koalas, get close and personal with kangaroos, spot a shy platypus and witness birds of prey in full flight during a special showcase. Hop back on the boat afterwards to relax and share your stories as you head back to The City, or linger longer with Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary's night time experience, Nocturnal. Encounter Australian wildlife like never before and witness the sanctuary and its creatures as the sun sets and the lights go out. 

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Day Trips From Brisband

The Top 13 Day Trips From Brisbane

Surrounded by rainforests, beaches, mountains, and quaint country towns, Brisbane is an ideal base for exploring all that Queensland has to offer. As you get to know this diverse state, you will also encounter the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have lived across the continent now known as Australia for over 60,000 years. Brisbane itself is located on the lands of the Yuggera people. To the north, the traditional custodians are the Waka Waka and Gubbi Gubbi peoples, while to the south you'll find yourself on Bundjalung Country.

Whether you're stopping by on your way to the Great Barrier Reef or spending some time to get to know the city, don't miss these top day trips from Brisbane.

Ipswich: Historic Buildings and Great Food

Matthew Murray / Getty Images

This settlement was founded in the early 1800s as a coal mining town. It is home to some of Queensland's oldest and best-preserved heritage buildings and is the location of a modern foodie renaissance. In the part of Brisbane Street known as Top of Town (between Ellenborough and Waghorn Streets), you'll find vintage stores, fashion and homewares boutiques, and quirky cafes. We recommend Rafter & Rose for coffee and cakes and Fourthchild for something more substantial.

Getting There: Less than an hour south-west of Brisbane, Ipswich can be reached by car or train.

Travel Tip: Don't miss the beautiful gardens and parks of Ipswich, including Kholo Gardens , Ipswich Nature Centre , and Nerima Japanese Gardens .

Lamington National Park: Ancient Landscapes

Thurtell / Getty Images

This popular national park covers a section of the Gondwana Rainforests in the Gold Coast hinterland. This is a World Heritage Area that protects the remnants of the ancient landscape that once covered Australia. The mountains are known as Woonoongoora in the Yugambeh language and have spiritual significance to local First Nations groups.

The park is located on the southern edge of the Scenic Rim—a chain of mountains running inland from the coast—and offers camping, picnic areas, lookouts, and hiking trails.

Getting There: Around an hour and a half south of Brisbane, you'll need a car for your trip to Lamington National Park. The roads in the park can be narrow and winding, so be sure to drive carefully.

Travel Tip: Keep an eye out for rare flora and fauna like the spotted-tailed quoll and Albert's lyrebird, as well as ancient Antarctic beech trees and hoop pines.

Lockyer Valley: Farms, Museums, and Wineries

 Pobblebonk / Getty Images

The rolling hills of the Lockyer Valley rise between Ipswich and the regional city of Toowoomba. This is a traditional farming region, packed with chances to sample the local produce and experience quirky country attractions. You can visit a lavender farm , learn about organic and sustainable farming , eat at a retro garage , check out the Queensland Transport Museum , and finish your day out at Preston Peak Wines .

Getting There: Public transport connections are available, including via the Brisbane to Toowoomba bus and the train to Rosewood. If you'd rather drive, the Lockyer Valley is an hour and a half west of Brisbane.

Travel Tip: If you've got a few days spare in your itinerary, take the chance to immerse yourself in the agricultural lifestyle of the Lockyer Valley at a local farm stay like the one at Fordsdale Farmstay .

Caloundra: Gateway to the Sunshine Coast

James Bartram / EyeEm / Getty Images

Brisbane is sandwiched between two iconic Aussie vacation destinations, with the Sunshine Coast to the north and the Gold Coast to the south. Caloundra is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. This relaxed beach town has a family-friendly atmosphere thanks to the many protected beaches along Pumicestone Passage that offer respite from the East Coast's notoriously wild surf. In the hinterland, the picturesque Glass House Mountains dominate the landscape.

Getting There: Caloundra is located just an hour and a half's drive from Brisbane. You can also take the train to Landsborough and change onto a bus to Caloundra. The public transport trip will take around two hours.

Travel Tip: Stop by Pocket Espresso Bar at Moffat Beach or White Picket Fence at Bulcock Beach for brunch while you're in town.

Shorncliffe: A Quiet Seaside Suburb

Colin Baker / Getty Images

The bayside suburbs of Shorncliffe, Sandgate and Brighton in Brisbane's north-east make a refreshing escape from the city. Here, life moves at a slower pace, whether you're watching the sunrise, grabbing a coffee from a local cafe or sharing fish and chips on the waterfront. The heritage houses that line the waterfront make for a pleasant stroll, while Shorncliffe pier is one of the city's most iconic landscapes.

Getting There: It'll take you 40 minutes to reach Shorncliffe by car or 50 minutes on the train from Brisbane.

Travel Tip: The protected water of the bay are ideal for paddle boarding, sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Contact Surf Connect for all the details.

Moreton Island: Hiking, Snorkeling, and Swimming

Jules Ingall / Getty Images 

Moreton is a sand island known for its beaches, hiking trails, sand dunes, snorkeling, diving, and plentiful wildlife. Most of the island is covered by a national park , but beachside camping is available, as well as more traditional accommodation options.

There is plenty to do and see within walking distance of Tangalooma Resort, where the ferry from Brisbane drops off passengers, but if you want to venture further afield you will need to book a tour or bring your own car on the ferry .

Getting There: The pedestrian ferry journey to Tangalooma Resort takes 75 minutes, with multiple departures daily from the Holt Street Wharf.

Travel Tip: The Traditional Custodians of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) are the Quandamooka people and there are many cultural sites on the island, including shell middens and a stone quarry. If you come across one of these sites, be careful not to disturb it.

Dayboro: The Ideal Roadtrip Destination

The town of Dayboro is another quaint road trip destination. With a population of only around 2,000 people, it punches well above its weight thanks to venues like the Dayboro Art Gallery , Ocean View Estates winery and restaurant , and the nearby Mount Mee. The mountain's main attraction is Dahmongah Lookout Park , with views over the Glass House Mountains, Caloundra, and Moreton Bay.

Getting There: Northwest of Brisbane, Dayboro can be reached by car from Brisbane in just under an hour.

Travel Tip: Half an hour further north, the town of Woodford is home to a garden cafe and a classic local pub .

The Gold Coast: A Glitzy Resort City

 Mike Mackinven / Getty Images

The Gold Coast stands out as Australia's most traditional resort city, with theme parks, nightlife, and high-rise hotels on the beach. With 35 miles of beaches (including the famous stretch at Surfer's Paradise and local favorite Burleigh Heads), the Gold Coast is a great place to take some surfing lessons, go snorkeling, or even try skydiving.

Refuel at Elk Espresso or Bam Bam Bakehouse before shopping for a new swimsuit at Pacific Fair or browsing the weekend markets. If you've got a few days to spare, you can stay at the luxurious Palazzo Versace (yes, that Versace) or boutique gem the Island .

Getting There: The Gold Coast is an hour's drive south of Brisbane and can also be reached by train in around the same amount of time.

Travel Tip: If you're celebrating a special occasion, be sure to treat yourself to a meal at Yamagen or Social Eating House .

Springbrook National Park: Rainforest, Waterfalls, and More

Masahiro Noguchi / Getty Images

Springbrook National Park is located in the Gold Coast hinterland. Like Lamington National Park, Springbrook is part of the  Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area . The main attraction is the Natural Bridge, where water pours through a hole in the roof of the cave. At night, especially between December and March, sparkling glowworms light up the cave.

Getting There: Springbrook is just under two hours' drive south of Brisbane.

Travel Tip: Lucky visitors may encounter pademelons (a type of rainforest wallaby) on the way to the Best of All lookout .

Tambourine Mountain: Marvel at the Glowworms

RobertDowner / Getty Images

At Tambourine Mountain, you can see glow worms all year round in an artificial cave . This area is packed with adventurous activities for families, including the Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk , Botanic Gardens , Thunderbird Park , and the Treetop Challenge . There are plenty of waterfalls and hiking trails on the mountain itself, which is mostly a part of a national park. Start with the Curtis Falls and Cedar Creek Falls walks. There are plenty of accommodation options in town, ranging from camping to boutique hotels.

Getting There: Tambourine Mountain is an hour's drive south of Brisbane.

Travel Tip: For the adults, Fortitude Brewery and Tambourine Mountain Distillery offer tastings of beer and spirits respectively.

North Stradbroke Island: Watersports and Whale Watching

Hakan Deliç / Getty Images

Arguably Brisbane's most popular day-trip destination, North Stradbroke Island is the world’s second-largest sand island. (The largest, Fraser Island, can be found further north in Queensland.) Stradbroke has something for everyone, with SUPing, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, and hiking, as well as whale watching between June and October. Buses and taxis are in service on the island, which also has lots of accommodation options.

Getting There: Ferries and water taxis regularly depart from Cleveland (40 minutes by car or train from Brisbane city center) and take around 50 minutes to reach North Stradbroke Island.

Travel Tip: The island is known as Straddie for short, or Minjerribah to the Traditional Custodians, the Quandamooka people.

Coochiemudlo Island: Relax by the Beach

mvaligursky / Getty Images

Coochiemudlo Island is protected from the open sea by North Stradbroke Island on its eastern side, with deserted beaches and calm waters for SUPing, kayaking, and fishing. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to spot dolphins, dugongs, turtles, and whales from the shore. The permanent population is only around 700 people and you can easily get around on foot, although boat and bicycle hire is available.

Getting There: This little island paradise is not far away, just a 10-minute ferry ride from Victoria Coast south-west of Brisbane.

Travel Tip: If you're traveling on a budget, you can pack a picnic and make the most of the free barbecue areas. There are no grocery stores on the island, but you can also dine in at the beach kiosk, cafe, or hotel restaurant.

Byron Bay: Surf, Shop, and Party

TripSavvy / Ana Alarcon

Initially developing as a hippie and surfer hub during the 1960s and '70s, today Byron is one of Australia's hottest beach destinations with world-famous hotels , restaurants , and boutiques. Of course, the real drawcard is the beaches, known for their incredible surf and postcard-perfect settings. Head to Main Beach to be in the center of the action or Wategos for a bit more solitude.

Getting There: Byron is a two-hour drive south of Brisbane or around three hours on the bus.

Travel Tip: Keep an eye out for humpback whales between June and November and beware of the crowds in late December and early January.

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33 of The Best Day Trips from Brisbane

Are you looking for some of the best day trips from Brisbane?  Awesome because in this guide we have put together some of our favourite Brisbane day trips.  This guide on the best Brisbane day trips as been complied with some help from some other travel bloggers, who were only too happy to share with me their favourite day trips out of Brisbane.

We love living in Brisbane and when we’re not travelling the globe we love to get out and about and do as many day trips around Brisbane as we can.  Living in Brisbane we are spoiled for choice as we can easily access the Sunshine Coast attractions as well as the Gold Coast attractions within an hour or so drive, and of course there plenty of great Brisbane tourist attractions to explore too.

In this Brisbane day trips guide you will find a vast range of Brisbane attractions, from the exciting theme parks, to stunning Queensland beaches, to wonderful animal encounters and the gorgeous National Parks.  So whether you’re local looking for some Brisbane day trips ideas or you are coming to Brisbane for a holiday and looking for tips on the best tourist places in Brisbane and the surrounding area, you’re sure to find plenty of great ideas from this guide.

Planning a trip to Queensland? Have any questions? Join our Queensland Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Page Contents

• 1.1.1 1. North Stradbroke Island Day Trip from Brisbane
• 1.1.2 2. Moreton Island
• 1.1.3 3. Tangalooma Day Trip from Brisbane
• 1.2.1 4. Movie World
• 1.2.2 5. Sea World
• 1.2.3 6. Dreamworld and White-Water World
• 1.2.4 7. Wet n Wild
• 1.2.5 8. Aussie World
• 1.3.1 9. Paradise Country 
• 1.3.2 10. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• 1.3.3 11. Australia Zoo
• 1.3.4 12. Lone Pine
• 1.4.1 13. Redcliffe Lagoon (Settlement Cove)
• 1.4.2 14. South Bank Parklands
• 1.4.3 15. Broadwater Parklands
• 1.5.1 16. Tamborine Mountain
• 1.5.2 17. Springbrook National Park
• 1.5.3 18. Lamington National Park
• 1.5.4 19. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
• 1.6.1 20. Noosa
• 1.6.2 21. Coolum
• 1.6.3 22. Caloundra
• 1.6.4 23. Surfers Paradise
• 1.6.5 24. Broadbeach
• 1.6.6 25. Tallebudgera Creek
• 1.6.7 26. Palm Beach
• 1.6.8 27. Currumbin
• 1.6.9 28. Coolangatta
• 1.7.1 29. Tropical Fruit World
• 1.7.2 30. The Ginger Factory
• 1.8.1 31. Maleny
• 1.8.2 32. Toowoomba
• 1.9.1 33. Eumundi Markets

33 of the Best Day Trips from Brisbane  

Island day trips from brisbane  .

If you’re not from  Brisbane  you may be surprised to learn that there are some stunning island day trips from Brisbane.  Whilst many of these Brisbane islands are best explored over a few days, those short on time can nevertheless explore the island’s highlights in a day.

Whilst you can often catch a passenger ferry to the various islands and explore on your own, quite often one of the Brisbane island tours is your best bet for an island day trip.

1. North Stradbroke Island Day Trip from Brisbane

Stradbroke Island is the world’s second largest sand island, being 38 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide and is located only 30 kilometres southeast of Brisbane. 

As well as it’s stunning beaches, North Stradbroke has some great opportunities for wildlife spotting.  Keep an eye out for koalas and kangaroos on the mainland and dolphins, whales, turtles and pelicans in ocean.  You can also visit stunning lookouts and swim in the gorgeous Brown Lake (yes despite it’s less than glamorous name, it is gorgeous!).

You can either take a passenger ferry across to the island, but you will need a vehicle to get around and explore.  Whilst it’s possible to take your own vehicle across it is very expensive for a day trip and may work out better to join a North Stradbroke Island day trip from Brisbane.  Click here to see a range of tours that leave Brisbane.

For more information on North Stradbroke Island, click here for my full guide.  

2. Moreton Island

Moreton Island is the world’s third largest sand island and is located just off the coast only 40 kms north east of Brisbane.  On Moreton Island you will find stunning beaches, amazing scenery and absolutely massive sand dunes – perfect for sandboarding!

Moreton Island is just stunning and perhaps most well known for the Tangalooma Wrecks.  Around these purposely sunk ships you will find gorgeous coral and fish.  Other marine life you can see around Moreton Island include dolphins, whales and dungeons.

There are no roads on Moreton Island, it is completely sand, so the only way to get around is by 4WD.  You can come across on a barge with a 4WD, but it can be pricey so a Moreton Island day tour from Brisbane is often your best option.  A range of Moreton Island day trips from Brisbane exist – you can read our guide here on tours to Moreton Island.  

3. Tangalooma Day Trip from Brisbane

Whilst Tangalooma Island Resort is in fact located on Moreton Island, the resort is massive and so I thought it was worth listing it separately.  You can easily reach Tangalooma Island Resort by passenger ferry and be there within 75 minutes.  Given it is so close to the CBD, a Tangalooma day trip from Brisbane is the perfect outing.

During a Tangalooma Island day trip you can enjoy a range of activities including snorkeling the Tangalooma Wrecks, sandboarding, parasailing, glass bottom boat rides, dolphin feeding and more.  During a day trip you also have access to all the resorts facilities such as their swimming pools, playground and food outlets.

You can’t access Tangalooma Island Resort on your own and must join a day trip or stay in their accommodation to access their facilities and activities.  Click here to see a range of Tangalooma Island Day tours  

Click here for my full guide on visiting Tangalooma Island Resort  

Theme Parks  

When it comes to Gold Coast and Brisbane attractions, many tourists flock to South East Queensland for the theme parks!!!  Whether you want to see your favourite movie characters come to life at Warner Bros. Movie World or get your heart pumping on the thrilling rides at Dreamworld there is something for everyone.  Theme Parks certainly make one of the best family day trips from Brisbane.

4. Movie World

Contributed by Christina from Travel 2 Next

Movie World is a great one day trip from Brisbane – particularly if you’re visiting with kids.  This theme park has 28 attractions and a range of rides suitable for younger children. Toddlers and pre-school-aged children will love riding the Looney Tunes Carousel, driving around on the mini cars at Speedy Gonzales’ Tijuana Taxis and the thrill of Sylvester’s Pounce ‘N Bounce.

For family fun, the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster is a wild indoor roller coaster in the dark. It has a height requirement that riders must be 120cm tall or 110cm tall if riding with an adult. Adrenalin junkies will love the big roller coasters and there’s a programme of shows to entertain the entire family. 

Warner Bros Movie World is an easy 50 minute drive from the Brisbane CBD and public transport is also available by train (to Coomera Station) and by bus on the TX7 route every 15 minutes.

Warner Bros Movie World is open all year round from 9:30AM to 5PM (rides operate from 10:00AM to 5PM). The park is closed on ANZAC Day and Christmas Day. Ticket prices for a single day pass are $95 (adult), $89 (children aged 3 to 13 and pensioners).

If you are on holiday in Brisbane, you can book Movie World tickets that also include transportation from the CBD.   If you’re planning to visit other theme parks such as Sea World and / or Wet’n’Wild, it’s recommended you purchase one of the Gold Coast theme park deals to save money.  Click here to book your cheap Movie World tickets .

5. Sea World

Another one of the top day trips from Brisbane is a visit to Sea World.  Located in Main Beach, Sea World is an hour’s drive south of the Brisbane CBD and is one of the Gold Coast theme parks that the whole family to enjoy. 

At Sea World you will see some of Australia’s most beautiful marine life including Polar Bears, Stingrays, Dolphins and Penguins.   There are rides and shows as well as educational presentations and an interactive splash zone for the little ones, hands down one of the best things to do in Gold Coast with the kids.

Whilst this Queensland theme park does seem to cater best to families with young children, there are a few thrill rides that the older kids will love and come on who doesn’t love seeing a cute Polar Bear!  Older kids will love rides such as Jet Rescue and the Storm Coaster, whilst little ones will love seeing Dora the Explorer and Spongebob.

One day Sea World tickets start from $79 per adult and $69 per child with children under 3 free.  If you plan on visiting other theme parks such as Movie World and / or Wet’n’Wild, it’s recommended you purchase one of the combined Gold Coast attraction deals to save money.  Click here to book your discounted Sea World Movie World Pass.

6. Dreamworld and White-Water World

Dreamworld is one of my personal favourites when it comes to awesome day trips from Brisbane with kids.  Dreamworld offers some of the most exciting rides on the Gold Coast and is home to the Big 9 Thrill Rides including the BuzzSaw, the Giant Drop and the Tower of Terror II.  But there is plenty for the little kids too including ABC Kids World and Tiger Island.

Also right next door to Dreamworld is their water park which is called White Water World.  Your Dreamworld entry ticket includes entry to the water park.  Here you will find water slides and activities suitable for all ages so the whole family can enjoy the day.  From Wiggle Bay for the little ones to the Triple Voretex for the older thrill seekers, whilst the entire family will love the massive wave pool.

At the time of publishing one day Dreamworld tickets start from $95 per adult and $85 per child with children under 3 free.  You really do need a full day at both Dreamworld and WhiteWater World though, so if you do this its best to get a multi-day pass which starts at $109 for adults and $89 for children with under 3 free.  Click here to book your tickets.

Dreamworld is a 50 minute drive south of the Brisbane CBD and is located on the Pacific Highway (M1) at Coomera. It is much easier to drive yourself, however there is the option of public transport.  Alternatively, you can book theme park tickets which include transfers – click here for more information.

Dreamworld is one of the Gold Coast top attractions and is open 7 days a week between the hours of 10 am to 5 pm.  

7. Wet n Wild

Located right next door to Movie World, if you’re visiting during the peak of Summer a visit to Wet’n’Wild is an absolute must!  This Gold Coast water park is suitable for families with children of all ages you will find some of the tallest and fastest waterslides as well as the Wet’n’Wild Junior area and family favourites such as the Wave Pool and Calypso Beach.

One day Wet’n’Wild tickets start from $74 per adult and $69 per child with children under 3 free.  If you plan on visiting other theme parks such as Movie World and / or Sea World, it’s recommended you purchase combined Gold Coast theme park tickets to save money.  Passes for the 3 parks start at $129 per person at the gate or buy online from Experience Oz and save $10 per ticket.   Click here to book your discounted tickets .

Wet’n’Wild is open 7 days from 10 am and closing at 5 pm during the warmer months.  At other times of the year it closes at 3.30 pm or 4 pm.

8. Aussie World

Whilst much smaller than the Gold Coast theme parks, Aussie World – Sunshine Coast certainly makes up for this in the fun to be had, no queue lines and ticket prices are much cheaper!  Located 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD on the Bruce Highway at Palmview, families are guaranteed to have a fantastic day at Aussie World.  As they say “fun is our thing”, and they are not lying!

There are over 18 Aussie World rides and attractions spread out over 15 acres.  All your family favourite rides are here including chair plane, Ferris wheel, dodgems, giant slides, swimming ship, carousel and tea cups.  There are also a few thrill rides for the older rides and gentle rides for the tiny tots.

As well as rides there is roving entertainers, Professor Bogglesworth’s Illusionarium, horror house ( must be over 12 yo), water play area (bring swimmers and towels), mini golf, sideshow alley, crazy mirrors and arcade games.   

Aussie World opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day and Anzac Day).  Aussie World tickets are $40 per person, under 3s are free and discounted family passes are available.  

Animal Encounters  

Whether you want to cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo or see one of the fearsome crocodiles made famous by Steve Irwin you can experience it all in the various zoos and animals’ sanctuaries all accessible from Brisbane.

9. Paradise Country  

Paradise Country is full of animals and shows that the whole family will enjoy. There are a variety of farm animals you can come face to face with as well as a range of glorious Australian Wildlife that you are able to get up close with. You can also see the very cute babies in the Animal Nursery, one of the best kid friendly activities Gold Coast has.

The cost of getting into Paradise Country for admission is $27 per adult and $17 per child or you can select the option of having lunch included which makes the prices $39 per adult and $29 per child. 

The park is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm daily and is located on Production Drive in Oxenford in South East Queensland, which is around a 55 minutes’ drive south of the Brisbane CBD.  

10. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the favourite Gold Coast attractions for families who love Australian wildlife is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.  Located a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from south of the Brisbane CBD, at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary you get the opportunity to get up close with a range of animals.

Arrive by 8 am so you can join in the lorikeet feeding where you may be lucky enough to have a lorikeet or two sit on your arm whilst they eat breakfast.  Then wander through the park checking out a range of Australian wildlife as well as other exotic animals from across the globe.

Of course the Australian favourites are here including the cute and cuddly koalas as well as kangaroos and emus.  You can even hand feed the kangaroos and emus, a Gold Coast must do!

There are a range of shows throughout the day where you can learn more about the animals.  Shows include the pelican and eel feeding, snakes, crocodiles, birds, Australian show (see sheep shearing) and the Blinky Bill show.  One of the best shows would have to be the bird show.  It fantastic seeing a range of different birds as they fly right above the heads of the audience.  So close in fact that the wedge tail eagle had its tail feathers brush across my head!

At the time of publishing tickets at the gate were $49.95 per adult, $39.95 per child and $149.95 for a family pass (2A+2C).  Kids under 4 are free.  You save by purchasing your tickets online from Experience Oz.  Online tickets are $39 per adult, $39 per child and $125.93 per family pass.   Click here to book your discounted tickets.

11. Australia Zoo

Contributed by Sophie from Baby, Toddler and Kids

Australia Zoo is just over an hour away from Brisbane by car, so it’s not so far that the kids will get cranky on the drive. If you don’t feel like driving you could book a transfer through a tour operator or catch the train to Beerwah and there is a free courtesy coach from the station.

Whilst exploring the park, there are loads of great opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the animals. You will be able to stroke a koala and take a walk through the kangaroo enclosure to give them a feed. The world famous wildlife warriors show is sure to thrill the kids, with birds swooping overhead, a crocodile feeding display and tons more.

 As well as all the incredible animal species to learn about, there are various play parks dotted throughout the zoo, including a great water splash park for the kids to cool off at whilst parents take a rest on the grass nearby.

Kids under 3 go free, an adult ticket is $59 and a child ticket $35 – click here to book tickets online . If you’re staying in the Brisbane CBD you can also book tickets which include bus transfers – click here to book these tickets .

With the park open 9am to 5pm every day, except Christmas Day, there are plenty of chances to miss the busy periods. Next time you are stuck for ideas to entertain the kids, definitely consider a trip to Australia Zoo!

12. Lone Pine

Contributed by James from Travel Collecting

A day out at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of the perfect Brisbane day trips with kids.  There are dozens of koalas (mostly sleeping) and you can get your photo taken with them (for an additional fee).  There is also a large lawn with kangaroos.  You can purchase food from the gift shop to feed them. 

Other Aussie animals you can see include dingoes, platypuses, Tasmanian Devils, wombats and enormous monitor lizards.  Each day there are special shows including a sheepdog demonstration and birds of prey show, as well as keeper talks where you can learn more about snakes, platypuses, Tasmanian Devils and koalas. 

The sanctuary is in a suburb of northern Brisbane and you can drive there easily.  However for people staying in the Brisbane CBD, the easiest way to get there is by boat.  Lone Pine is right on the river, and a boat leaves daily at 10:00am from the city center and returns at 2:15pm, taking 1.25 hours each way.   

The boat costs $80 return for adults and $48 return for children, but this incudes entry to Lone Pine – click here to book your tickets .  Entry to Lone Pine only costs $38 for adults and $22 for kids – click here to book your tickets without boat transfers . The sanctuary is open daily 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Lone Pine is easily on of the Brisbane top attractions and well worth a visit.

Parklands  

One of the fun day trips Brisbane offers is without a doubt a visit to one of the various parklands.  These parkland’s are fantastic for families with plenty of play equipment, walking trails and quite often swimming areas.  Bring a picnic lunch and stay all day – one of the best day trips around Brisbane and its free!  

13. Redcliffe Lagoon (Settlement Cove)

Contributed by Alex from Get Out With Kids

Redcliffe Lagoon, also known as Settlement Cove, is a man-made lagoon located in Redcliffe on Marine Parade and is one of the best Brisbane attractions for families. It hosts a large pool (lagoon) for older children, and a small paddling pool for little kids. If you haven’t been, you’re really missing out on heaps of fun for the entire family. We like to have our Australia Day breakfast there, as the lagoon hosts quite a few barbeques.

The lagoon is on the beachfront, although I like to stick to the pool. The lagoon is under watch of lifeguards and has some man-made island looking mounds in the centre of the lagoon. You can’t jump off from the islands though, as tempting as it looks. If you don’t feel like swimming or want to get some exercise in a different way, there are also walking tracks along the foreshore in both directions.

Our family would happily swim at this lagoon for a full day out. There is also a huge playground near the lagoon with a sandpit and pirate ship, cafes and restaurants on Marine Parade and plenty of BBQ’s and picnic areas. Pack your suncream and make a day trip to Redcliffe Lagoon.

The Redcliffe Lagoon is located around a 40 minutes drive from the Brisbane CBD and is one of the awesome attractions near Brisbane CBD for families.  

And if you happen to visit on a Friday – stay a little longer for the Dolphin Wild Island Sunset Cruise.

14. South Bank Parklands

Without a doubt one of the best Brisbane city attractions is the South Bank parklands.  Located right in the heart of the Brisbane CBD, you could easily spend your entire day at here. 

In the hotter months you can’t beat a swim in the man-made Street’s Beach as well as the surrounding rock pools.  For the kids there are also playgrounds and everyone will love the Brisbane Wheel.  Other things to do in South Bank include dining at the various food outlets, cafes and restaurants, see a movie or shopping at the markets.

Click here for my full guide on things to do at South Bank.

If you’re looking for the best Brisbane City tourist attractions – you will find them all here at South Bank.

15. Broadwater Parklands

Located on the Gold Coast (about an hour’s drive south of the Brisbane CBD), the Broadwater Parklands a fantastic for families with young children given the large lagoon like body of water here is calm.  The Parklands also include the most innovative and imaginative kid’s playground that you have ever seen and the Rockpools which is a great water park for small children. 

If you’re looking for a day trip to Gold Coast from Brisbane with the kids – make sure you stop in here at the Broadwater Parklands.

National Parks  

From Brisbane you are spoiled for choice when it comes to National Parks as you easily access both the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast National Parks.  The National Parks have a range of different walking trails from easy to difficult and all levels in between.  The walking trails take you through thick lush tropical rainforest, where you can see waterfalls, spot a native animal and enjoy the local fauna.  

16. Tamborine Mountain

Contributed by Holly from Four Around the World

One of our favourite family day trips from Brisbane is Tamborine Mountain and the Gold Coast Hinterland. It takes around an hour from Brisbane by car or bus and there is plenty to do for the whole family.

If you are looking for a family friendly place to explore the great outdoors, Mount Tamborine has plenty of opportunities for rainforest walks, wildlife spotting and waterfall views. Visit Tamborine National Park to enjoy getting close to nature. The Cedar Creek Falls walking track is a good option for younger children as it is an easier option and under 1KM return. 

For a bit more adventure and fun, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a popular family attraction, taking you over bridges and walkways high in the rainforest for a different perspective. Entry is $49 for a family of four. 

Big kids will love the TreeTop Challenge at Thunderbird Park with Australia’s longest zipline. There are plenty of other things to do for the whole family too, including a rope climbing adventure park, fossicking and crystal mining, horse riding and mini golf, just to name a few. Check their website for pricing packages and times.

Otherwise simply enjoy a stroll along Gallery Walk, stop for an ice cream or enjoy yummy food at one of the many restaurants in Tamborine Mountain. 

If you’re looking for good day trips from Brisbane that will keep the whole family entertained, you can’t beat a day out at Mount Tamborine.

Read our complete guide to Mt Tamborine here.

17. Springbrook National Park

The Springbrook National Park is a stunning region where you can take various walks to see beautiful water falls, rock pools, lush rainforest and some of the oldest trees in Australia.

Some of the must see in Springbrook National Park include:

• Natural Bridge – Springbrook National Park: Located in the western part of the Springbrook National Park it is a little isolated from the other attractions but well worth the drive.  It is an easy 30 minute return walk to see the Natural Bridge rock arch.
• Purling Brook Falls – Springbrook National Park: This is an easy waterfall view from the lookout just a few minutes’ walk from the car park.
• Canyon Look Out – Springbrook National Park: Gorgeous views across the valley towards Surfers Paradise.  This is also the start of the Twin Falls walk.
• Twin Falls Circuit – Springbrook National Park: Its a short 30-minute walk to see these waterfalls.  Here you can see lush rainforest, rockpools and waterfalls.
• Best Lookout of all – Springbrook National Park: Fantastic view across the southern edge of the Springbrook Plateau – the lookout is located an easy 350m walk from the carpark.

The Springbrook National Park is around 1.5 hours’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

18. Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park is made up of two different sections, the Green Mountain which is located on the western side and includes the area called O’Reilly’s (see below) and the Binna Burra section.

Across the Lamington National Park visitors can enjoy a range of walking tracks which will take you through rainforest and past creeks and waterfalls.  You can also find some fantastic views across the region at the look outs.

One of my favourite things to do in the park is to visit Picnic Rock and Elabana Falls.  The falls are set deep in the Green Mountains section and surrounded by lush rainforest with water gushing down shiny rocks make it a stunning sight.  It is 3.3 kms each way to reach the picnic area and a total of 7.6 km to Elabana falls.

The Lamington National Park is around 1.5 hours’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

19. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Contributed by Karen from Smart Steps to Australia

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a resort in the Gold Coast hinterland. Set within Lamington National Park, two hours south of Brisbane, it makes a great family day trip from the city.

The road to O’Reilly’s is long and winding, so be prepared with travel sickness preventatives (and sick bags!) if any of your little ones are prone to being travel sick. The journey is well worth it though, so don’t let that put you off.

There are a wide range of paid activities on offer – booking ahead is a good idea if you’re only visiting for the day, especially during school holidays. These include the Birds of Prey Show, Wildlife Encounters, a Flying Fox Adventure, a Segway Safari and – our personal favourite – the Glow Worm Experience (although as this takes place at night you really need to be staying over to take part in this one as you wouldn’t want to do the mountain drive back home after dark).

Prices range from $8 upwards per person, with many activities offering a family price. You can also do the free Tree Top Walk, watch the daily bird feeding and explore the walking tracks so you can mix in some free time in between paid activities.  

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a great weekend retreat with kids but even if you don’t have that much time, you can still get a lot out of a full day experience there as there is so much to see and do. 

If you are holidaying in Brisbane and don’t have a car, you can join a tour which includes bus transfers from Brisbane and a range of other activities.  Click here for more information.

Queensland Beaches  

You will find all the best beaches from Brisbane either on the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast and I might be a little bias here, but Queensland has some of the best beaches in the entire world!  Not only that but Queensland has some of the best weather to make the most of these gorgeous beaches too. 

Don’t come to Brisbane without spending a day or two exploring the gorgeous South East Queensland beaches.

Here is a short list of some of my favourite beaches accessible from Brisbane in a day trip.  

Contributed by Sophie from Remote Rainforest Mum

One of our favourite day trips from Brisbane has to be a trip to Noosa! We are a real outdoors, beach bum family and Noosa just has everything we need for a great day out.

It’s about a 90-minute drive away from Brisbane, so not to epic of a journey for young kids and if you’re not keen on driving there are tour operators who offer full day tours with transfers.

The great thing about Noosa is you can have a whole day there and spend next to no money at all. The main beach is very popular with surfers so it can get a little crowded but if you walk down towards the river the beach becomes much quieter and is still just as beautiful. The surf club looks out over the main beach and is a great spot to grab some lunch looking at the ocean.

There are a ton of walks around the forests, clifftops and beaches of the National Park so plenty of space to get some fresh air and burn off some energy.

Next time you need a day away from the city, I’d definitely recommend a trip to Noosa to explore everything it has to offer!

Click here for our full guide on things to do in Noosa with kids.

Contributed by Jan from Budget Travel Talk

Coolum Beach is a laid-back surfing town 1.5 hours by road north of Brisbane in Queensland. Whether you love the beach life, chilling in a Café or climbing Mount Coolum, Coolum Beach makes a great day trip from Brisbane.

Fit families with 1.5 hours to spare, make a pilgrimage of Mount Coolum just 3.5 km south of Coolum Beach.  At 208 metres tall, the 360° views from Double Island Point in the north to Caloundra are breathtaking, but don’t forget water bottles and snacks for the summit.

Australian Professional Surfer Julian Wilson, is a Coolum boy and even if only day tripping, learning to surf is great thing to do with kids or the whole family. Coolum Surf School has daily 2 hour beginner lessons from 10 am to 12 noon, with another in the afternoon during peak times. Price $60.

For watery fun minus the waves, Blast Aqua Park Coolum has a variety of fun inflatables in a fresh water lake. Sessions or all day passes can be booked on line and are suitable for the whole family 3 years and over. Prices range from $20 p.p. for 50 minutes to $55 for an All Day Pass. Spectactors are free. BYO food and non-alcoholic drinks and enjoy the free BBQ’s.

Coolum Surf Club overlooks the patrolled beach with a family friendly outdoor deck with amazing views. Try their gourmet pizzas or wood fired steaks and kids eat free on Mondays from 5.30 pm till 7 p.m.

22. Caloundra

Caloundra is such a great area to visit for a family day out.  There are numerous beaches to choose from, multiple kids playgrounds and some lovely casual family dining options – including the classic fish and chips on the beach.

Some of the best beaches in Caloundra for kids are Bullock Beach and Golden Beach with their calm waters backing on to Bribie Island.  Currimundi Lake is another excellent one too as is the free pool at Kings Beach.

Another great thing to do is to stroll the Caloundra section of the Coastal Pathway for some great views.  The Caloundra section is 9 kms, but you can choose where you start and finish.

Caloundra is located 1.25 hours’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

Click here to read my full guide on everything there is to do in Caloundra.  

23. Surfers Paradise

The main tourist spot on the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise.  Here not only will you find a gorgeous stretch of swimming, but you will also find the largest amount of family friendly attractions on the Gold Coast.  From putt putt golf, to massive gaming arcades, interactive cinemas, thrill rides and more.

Surfers Paradise is located a 1 hours drive from the Brisbane CBD or you can take the train also.

Click here to read my full guide on everything there is to do in Surfers Paradise.

24. Broadbeach

Similar to Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach is a very popular area for tourists.  Home to the Broadbeach Mall full of shops, restaurants and family friendly hotels as well as Jupiter’s Casino, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, the largest shopping precinct on the Gold Coast.  There is also an excellent swimming and surf beach at Broadbeach with a fantastic playground, one of the best kids’ playground, Gold Coast has.

Broadbeach is located an 1 hours’ drive from the Brisbane CBD or you can take the train also.

25. Tallebudgera Creek

In my view one of the best kid friendly beaches, Gold Coast to offer and one of my all-time favourite places to swim on the Gold Coast.  In fact, not technically a beach but a creek, although don’t let the word “creek” put you off, this creek is absolutely stunning with bright turquoise coloured calm water, perfect for little ones.  This is a popular spot for SUP and kayaking.

Tallebudgera Creek is located 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

26. Palm Beach

Another great choice if you’re looking for the best beach for kids Gold Coast has is Palm Beach, also another personal favourite.  Palm Beach has the benefit of having both a surf beach as well as being situated on one side of the Currumbin Creek.  Currumbin Creek is perfect for the kids as the water is calm.  Whilst a fairly quiet area in terms of shops and restaurants, there are plenty of great family apartments available as well as an excellent playground, another one of our favourite kids parks, Gold Coast has on offer.

Palm Beach is located 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

27. Currumbin

Similar to Palm Beach, Currumbin has the advantage of having both a surf beach and the stunning Currumbin Creek, yep you guessed it another one of my favourites!  This is a popular spot for families to enjoy a variety of water sports such as surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking.

There’s not a great deal of accommodation here, but what is here is certainly family friendly and there are a few cafes sprinkled throughout the area.

Also a 15 minute drive inland you will find the gorgeous Currumbin Rock Pools.  There are varying pool depths, rope swings, rock slides and ledges to jump off providing plenty of fun for the whole family.

Currumbin Beach is located 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

28. Coolangatta

Another fantastic spot for families that want to be in a central location to shops, restaurants, gorgeous beach and playgrounds is Coolangatta.  This stretch of beach is 800 metres long, north facing and also protected by the headland. This beach is generally safe and has low waves making it fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Included in Coolangatta are the two smaller beaches of Greenmount and Rainbow Bay – both absolutely stunning beaches and my favourite stretch of beach on the entire Gold Coast, Rainbow Bay.  As well as plenty of family friendly accommodation and a shopping centre there is also a lovely walking trail that wraps around Greenmount Hill.  You can walk right up to the New South Wales border here.

Coolangatta is located 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.  

Food Related Attractions  

Queensland has the perfect climate for growing a range of produce and some of the best attractions to visit are based around food!  Come for some fun whilst getting the opportunity to try some delicious Queensland grown local produce.  

29. Tropical Fruit World

Tropical Fruit World is great attraction for the family which is located just over the New South Wales border in the gorgeous Tweed Valley.

At Tropical Fruit World families get the opportunity to taste a range of different tropical fruits from around the world.  I hadn’t even heard of most of these fruits – including Black Sapote which is basically chocolate mousse in a fruit!

Entry into the attraction also includes a tractor tour around the gorgeous property, where along the way your guide will share interesting facts about the various fruits as well.  It isn’t all about fruit either, here are some great family friendly activities including cracking macadamia nuts straight from the tree, patting the animals at Old McDonald’s Farm, riding the miniature train around Treasure Island as well as taking a boat cruise down the property’s stunning river.

The fruit tasting, and tractor tour takes 2.5 hours, but you’re quite welcome to spend as long as you like at the property. 

Located on Duranbah Road, Duranbah you will need a car to get to Tropical Fruit World.  The attraction is open daily from 10 am to 4pm.  Entry into Tropical Fruit World is $47 per adult, $25 per child and $115 for a family pass (2A+2C).   Click here if you wish to purchase your tickets online.  

Tropical Fruit World is located 1 hour and 30  minutes’ drive from the Brisbane CBD.

30. The Ginger Factory

Contributed by Sharee from Inspire Family Travel

Around an hour and a half north of Brisbane is one of the most family-friendly places to visit on the Sunshine Coast. The Ginger Factory has everything from great food, fun activities, exciting tours all surrounded by sub-tropical gardens.

Open everyday entry is free which allows you to visit as often as you like to enjoy the children’s play area, rainforest walk, ice creamery, and café.

There are three paid attractions and major drawcards a the Ginger Factory. Moreton is a 116-year-old retired sugar cane train that you can ride around the 9 hectares of gardens and factory grounds. From train to boat join the gingerbread man on the overboard ride as you float around the magical world where puppets come alive to animation and music. It has similarities to the Disneyland attraction it’s a small world and lots of fun as you try to name all the countries along the way. Sweet tooths will enjoy the live bee show and tasting the different variety of honey. If you are going to partake in at least two of these tours, they have a bundle ticket option to save money. 

The Ginger Factory is a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from the Brisbane CBD and prices for activities vary.  Click here to book your tickets online.

Cities  

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Brisbane CBD, there are various little quaint towns and cities you can easily explore as a day trip from Brisbane.  

Contributed by Ngaire from Brisbane Kids

Maleny is a relaxing day trip adventure for Brisbane families looking to escape the city for a day. Located just one and a half hour’s drive from the Brisbane CBD, Maleny is nestled atop the rolling green hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. 

The Maleny Botanic Gardens, featuring Bird World is the perfect midmorning pitstop for some Devonshire tea and a chat to some local parrots.  For those families keen for a country experience, take the kids on a farm tour at Maleny Dairies, feed the animals and take a tractor ride. 

To cool off after your farm experience head to Kondalilla Falls or Gardner Falls and enjoy a cool dip in a rainforest waterhole. Both are best experienced after some seasonable rains, with Kondalilla Falls more suited to older kids and Gardner Falls more suited to younger ones looking to splash in the shallows.  For those interested in local food options, book a lunch at King Ludwigs German Restaurant and finish the day with a gelato at Maleny Food Co.   

32. Toowoomba

Contributed by Stacey from Adventure By 3  

A visit to the ‘Garden City’ of Toowoomba is perfect for a family day trip from Brisbane. In just a 90 minute drive west of Brisbane via the Warrego Highway, you will find yourself perched high on top of the Great Dividing Range. 

Toowoomba is home to a range of family-friendly attractions and activities. With over 150 parks and public gardens such as Queens Park, there is plenty of wide-open, green spaces for the kids to explore, play or to enjoy a picnic lunch in. Best of all, they are free to visit! 

Follow up with an excursion into history at one of the many historical attractions in Toowoomba. The Cobb+Co Museum is home to Australia’s National Carriage Collection (entry fees start from $12.50 for adults and $10.00 for kids). See Toowoomba’s railway history preserved at DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum (entry by donation) or Australia’s only road-building museum at The Transport and Main Roads Heritage Museum ($2 entry fee).

For more adventures, go searching for the hidden alleyways and cute coffee shops that boast amazing street art, or hike to the top of nearby Tabletop Mountain for panoramic views.

Markets  

If you feel like combining some shopping with your Brisbane day trip, go find a market!  There are some fantastic markets around Brisbane all offering a great range of items (quite often made locally), local produce and entertainment.  

33. Eumundi Markets

Contributed by Sinead from Map Made Memories

Shopping with kids is always an unpredictable gamble and not an activity that usually features on our family travel to do list! But we were surprised how much we all enjoyed our day spent at Eumundi markets.

The free to enter markets are held every Saturday 7 am – 2 pm and Wednesday 8.00 am – 1.30 pm in the rural, inland town of Eumundi around a 1 1/2 hour easy drive north of Brisbane. They are a very popular attraction for both tourists and locals.

The market contains hundreds of stalls covering an enormous site. There are food and drink stalls (both farmers and artisans), clothing, jewellery, ceramics, wellness and even furniture stalls. There is a diverse range of high-quality handmade crafts for sale, many of which we had not seen elsewhere on our travels through Australia. You won’t leave empty handed!

There is live music which helps to create a buzzing, lively atmosphere, plus a playground as an escape from shopping. Our kids were kept engaged and entertained by the many free samples of food and drink and by the range of unique and unusual toys on offer. Their favourite purchase was a fabric beach ball that you use with balloons – great for travelling families! 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that should make any bookings using my links, I may be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.  This allows me to provide this information free of charge – thank you for supporting our website.

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Top 10 things to do in Brisbane in winter

There’s no excuse for staying in during the winter months in the Sunshine State capital. Here’s what you can’t afford to miss.

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Winter? What winter? Oh, you mean when the average temperature plunges alarmingly to the point where perhaps a jumper is required? Yeah, Brisbane has those.

Brisbane winters are glorious. With a surfeit of mild, sunny days on offer and scant likelihood of rain, the Queensland capital is a great place to visit for a midyear pep-me-up.

Here are 10 fabulous things to do when you get there:

Explore South Bank

South Bank is Brisbane’s premier lifestyle and cultural destination. Located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River in the centre of the city, its 17ha of parklands, al fresco eateries, stunning river views and hundreds of diverse events all year round make it the perfect place to spend the day.

It’s home to the Queensland Museum , the Gallery of Modern Art , the Queensland Performing Arts Complex and the State Library of Queensland , plus there’s a swimming lagoon complete with lovely sandy beach and a lifeguard on duty.

It’s a place to feed your mind and body, or just rest your soul.

visitbrisbane.com.au/south-bank

Go on a bike trail

Hire a bike or bring your own, because exploring Brisbane on two wheels is a great way to blow away the chilblains. There are hundreds of kilometres of bikeways in and around Brisbane, and using them is a fun way to see a lot of Brisbane close-up.

You can cycle from the river to the bay, through mangroves and along bush trails. For a real challenge try riding up the city’s imposing Mount Coot-tha , then reward yourself with tea and scones at the observatory at its summit.

cyclingbrisbane.com.au

Visit the botanic gardens in Brisbane

Brisbane is blessed with not one but two botanic gardens. There’s the original one in the CBD that is more of a park and a good place for office workers to have lunch. Lovely to stroll around but hardly a major attraction.

The real deal is at the base of Mt Coot-tha in the city’s west. These 52ha gardens are only 7km from the city centre, and offer the visitor the chance to explore a variety of environments and see some wildlife. Highlights include the Japanese gardens and a Freedom Wall monument. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is also located on the grounds.

Rock climb and abseil at Kangaroo Point

At a bend in the river opposite the CBD are some sheer rock walls called the Kangaroo Point cliffs, and it is to these imposing facades that adventurers flock to rock climb and abseil.

There are sections of the cliffs to cater for all skill levels, from beginners up, and several guiding operators to help you climb high above the city for some impressive views and the thrill of a lifetime.

riverlife.com.au

pinnaclesports.com.au

Go swimming on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts

If you are coming to Brisbane in winter, don’t forget to pack your swimming togs.

The stunning beaches of the Gold and Sunshine coasts are little more than an hour’s drive south or north of the city, and there is nothing like jumping in the surf and then sunning yourself on the golden sands afterwards to thumb your nose at the cold weather in the rest of the country.

Visit the islands near Brisbane

Brisbane has so many playgrounds to choose from for a daytrip or an overnight getaway it is hard to single any out, but the bay islands would be hard to beat.

The city is built on the shores of Moreton Bay, which is dotted with some imposing islands, chief among them being Moreton Island and the two Stradbroke islands, North and South. They are all different.

North Straddie has one of Australia’s most spectacularly located pubs at Point Lookout, Moreton is a 4WD enthusiast’s dream, and South Straddie is a surfing hotspot. They are great places from which to observe the winter whale migration. Excellent fishing, camping, and boating options, plus regular passenger transport services and accommodation aplenty.

Take the CityCat (Brisbane's river ferry)

The Brisbane River plays a big part in city life, and of course is the reason the original colony was built there. It is a waterway thoroughly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, and the transport system that uses it is not just for commuters.

The CityCat fleet of sleek, fast catamarans and their smaller cousins, the monohull CityHoppers and dinky little cross-river ferries are a great way to get around and explore. They run about every 15 minutes and by getting a day pass you can hop on and off as you please.

brisbane.qld.gov.au

See crocodiles at Australia Zoo

An hour’s drive north of the city, on Steve Irwin Way near Beerwah in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, is the Australia Zoo , the home of the Crocodile Hunter. Steve Irwin was a wildlife hero to many and the Irwin family have continued where he left off, making this zoo one of Australia’s premier attractions.

The crocodile feeding sessions are particularly informative and the African exhibit is spectacular. There is a tour that leaves daily from Brisbane to the zoo if you don’t have your own transport. There is also a train and coach transfer available .

australiazoo.com.au

Listen to live music in Brisbane

Brisbane has been a crucible for innovative music for decades and its vibrant live music scene offers something for everyone. Rock, metal, hip hop, country, electronica, symphonic, opera ... You name it and it will be playing somewhere.

Two of the city’s favourite venues — The Triffid and The Tivoli — have between them hosted many of the best artists Australia and the world have produced. Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall looks and feels like what it actually is, a saloon bar built in an old strip club. It’s a great place to get a fix of rockabilly.

Drink at one of Brisbane's craft breweries

Brisbane is a craft-beer enthusiast’s nirvana. With a change to the licensing laws which has seen dozens of small bars and a laneway culture similar to that in Melbourne spring up, and a bunch of local breweries making excellent beer, you could while away some happy hours exploring this vibrant part of the city’s personality.

Two breweries with on-premise bars and food options can be found within walking distance of each other in the inner-city riverside suburb of Newstead, Green Beacon and Newstead Brewing Co .

The same can be said for bohemian West End, with the Brisbane Brewing Co and the Catchment Brewing Co only a few hundred metres apart on Boundary Street.

Or head to a bar

There are plenty of great bars to choose from too, like Scratch at Milton ,    Tipplers Tap at South Bank and The Charming Squire at South Brisbane , which also has an on-site brewery.

If you are after a taste of the wine scene in Queensland — and it’s growing fast — a visit to the Sirromet winery and restaurant in the bayside suburb of Mt Cotton will surprise visitors from more established winemaking regions.

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The 10 Best Winter Holidays in Queensland

Warm up with these amazing winter holidays and explore Queensland’s best getaways and luxury travel destinations.

While some of us are hunkered down and hibernating for winter (we’re Queenslanders, after all!), we keep hearing whispers about winter being the best time to travel. Never ones to shy away from holiday planning , we’ve scoped out the best winter holidays to chase warmer weather (or to dive into even frostier temps, for those who are brave). Scroll on to find our recommendations for the best winter holidays in Queensland.

Duke Islands

Dreaming of escaping reality on a private island? It’s not out of reach. Explore the Duke Islands , a trio of islands off the Great Barrier Reef that are privately owned and available to book for your very own luxurious getaway. The winter months are the perfect time to escape to the tropical side of Queensland. Marble Island is perhaps the most popular choice, with a charming cottage kissed by the Coral Sea. You can enjoy year-round swimming and snorkelling in clear, protected waters, shucking oysters fresh off the rock, collecting farm-fresh eggs and many more wholesome and restorative activities.

Cost: From $1600 per night per cottage

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Nestled in the stunning hinterland of the Tallebudgera Valley, lies the one and only Gwinganna Retreat . With scenic views of the coast and valleys, you’ll instantly be transported into a calmer and relaxed state when you escape the busy-ness of the every day on a Winter Wellness retreat at Gwinganna. With programs rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and holistic healthcare, you’ll unwind, refresh and renew yourself, mind body and soul here. All meals and transfers are included, along with an 80-minute massage.

Cost: Starts from $1925 per person 

192 Syndicate Road, Tallebudgera Valley

Talaroo Hot Springs 

The newest tourist attraction to the Savannah Way combines the culture and hospitality of the Ewamian people with one of North Queensland’s most incredible geological wonders. Not only does soaking in a hot spring sound like the perfect way to warm your bones, but these waters have healing properties that will restore you to your very best self. Bubbling up from kilometres underground and heated by granite rocks, The Talaroo Hot Springs are a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any Queenslander!

A Gulf Savannah Way, Mount Surprise

Gold Coast 

Where better to staycay than the Gold Coast? So many options await you that it might be a little tricky to pick… so we thought we’d tell you about one of our favourites. The Star Grand at the Gold Coast has everything you need for the ultimate getaway. Not only is the location prime for day trips, shopping and tourist hotspots but within the hotel, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied. With multiple restaurants and bars, you can try out the celebrated Kiyomi Restaurant with their recently reinstated chef’s Omakase degustation. Start your day with the opulent buffet breakfast, then stretch out in the sun by the pool with a book, or rug up and watch a movie on the huge outdoor projector of an evening. 

Sitchu Tip : Check out our guide to the coolest luxury hotels to book for your next GC getaway. 

Magnetic Island

One of Queensland’s favourite holiday spots, Magnetic Island is a short ferry trip from Townsville and offers a gorgeous, untouched tropical paradise experience. There’s no shortage of things to do, with delicious and healthy foodie spots, live music and eco-adventures to explore. Famed for its distinctive landscape (crafted in part from volcanic activity many millions of years ago), hoop pines, stunning beaches and coral reefs, we recommend spending plenty of time outdoors soaking up the winter sunshine on your getaway.

2-hour flight from Brisbane to Townville, then 40-minute ferry ride to Magnetic Island

Escape the polar frosts for the warmth of Tropical North Queensland , where the locals call a sunny 17-degree day “so cold!”. There’s plenty to do and see in Cairns whilst avoiding the chilly weather and you can still soak up plenty of nature whilst keeping out of the cool breeze. Explore the Great Barrier Reef by helicopter , glide through the rainforest on the SkyRail , or stay dry underwater with the Sunlover Reef Cruise which heads out to its very own pontoon where experiences like glass bottom boats, semi-submersible boat tours and underwater observatories await you. Not to mention the thriving food and beverage scene that Cairns has to offer that will help you add a layer of full-belly comfort and cosiness on your next getaway to gorgeous Tropical North Queensland. 

Sitchu Tip : We’ve written an itinerary to help you experience the best of Cairns in just five days, so your holiday planning just got even easier. 

Double Island Point

For the adventurers among us, Double Island Point is an amazing winter getaway location for those who love four wheel driving and camping under the stars. You do need a 4WD to access the Point, but there are hire companies if you don’t have your own beach-ready vehicle. Double Island Point is part of the Great Sandy National Park, next to Rainbow Beach, so you can explore this gorgeous pocket of coastline on your next winter getaway! We recommend hiking around and visiting the historic lighthouse during your stay. For those who prefer the finer things in life, Double Island itself is now available for limited bookings, so you can stay on a private island… celebrity style.

3.75-hour drive from Brisbane

Okay, so we know Stanthorpe is a frosty place to be (they hold the record for the lowest recorded temperature in Queensland at -10.6 degrees), but that’s why it’s made the list! The subtropical highland climate is perfect for growing award-winning produce, so why not make the trek to this rural town this winter? An off-season visit means that you can score a deal and find the best accommodation available, after all! Alure has our vote, with their pet-friendly and luxurious accommodation under the starry night’s sky, which is bound to make your winter getaway to Stanthorpe an absolutely unforgettable experience.

A short road trip from Brisbane up the coastline is Noosa , a hotspot loved by tourists and locals alike! Noosa offers gorgeous beach walks, wildlife and one of the best shopping scenes on the Sunshine Coast. Book a beachy escape close to Hastings Street, and trawl the restaurants , cafes, bars and of course the boutiques. Shopping is cardio after all, so that will keep you warm on your winter getaway to Noosa! 

Sitchu Tip : Not sure where to stay? Explore our list of Noosa’s most luxurious accommodation to help you narrow it down. 

Mount Tamborine

The lush, hinterland oasis of Mount Tamborine is a relatively short and scenic drive from Brisbane and is a gorgeous spot for your next winter getaway! Famous for it’s boutique shopping, bush walks, incredible wineries and the Gallery Walk, you’ll never be short of things to do in Tamborine. There’s no other way to begin the day than with coffee, so head into the Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation for locally grown and roasted beans. And for your second favourite beverage of the day, our top spot for a tipple is the Witches Falls Winery , where you can try their wild-ferment wine. We recommend booking accommodation with a hot tub, so you can warm up after a busy day exploring in ultimate relaxation and comfort. 

1-hour drive from Brisbane

We can’t wait to hear about your holiday, so make sure you tag us in your highlight reel on Instagram @sitchu.brisbane and don’t forget to hashtag #sositchu. If our Stanthorpe getaway has inspired you to take your pooch on holiday with you, check out our favourite pet-friendly accommodation across Queensland ! Need to book something for the whole family? Find our recommendations for the best long-weekend getaways for the whole family here .

By Lexie Mamo

Posted 2 Apr 24

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13 Of The Best Day Trips From Brisbane This Autumn

By Urban List Writers

30th Apr 2024

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Sick of spending your weekends on your home turf? Time to schedule in one of our favourite day trips from Brisbane and explore more of what our incredible part of the world has to offer. Whether you're after waterfalls and wineries or surf and seafood, you'll find it all within just an hour or two of the city—all you need to do is plan your routes. So fill up the tank and hit the road, here are the best day trips to take from Brisbane.

Lamington National Park 

If we had to pick a favourite of Brisbane's nearby national parks , Lamington would be it. It has it all—stunning waterfalls, tranquil rainforests, stunning Valley views and even a spa for the type who prefer to take it all in from the comfort of a a cedar wood bathtub. On your way in, make sure you stop in Canungra for a slice of cake and a coffee at the local bakery to fuel you up, and on the way out, you can stop in at Mountview Alpaca Farm for a picnic with a friendly alpaca—no doubt you'll have worked up a hunger with all that hiking.

Glass House Mountains 

If you've got a desperate need to stretch your legs, there's plenty of hikes to tackle in the Glass House Mountains, from gentle strolls, to epic scrambles up steep rocky climbs. You've got your pick of mountains—Mt Ngungun, Mt Tibrogargen and Mt Beerwah are the best known and most hiked, and all of them offer absolutely spectacular views from their peak that are well worth the effort. Just be sure to  check the grade  of your chosen walk before you start—some of them require some pretty intense rock scrambling.

Tamborine Mountain

Any drive to Mt Tamborine is guaranteed to be scenic since you’re surrounded by rainforest, but the official circuit is something special. The route will take you past the green pastures of Beechmont, through historical towns and finally lead you to the enchanting rainforests atop Tamborine Mountain. Once you're there, you can visit the region’s wine vineyards and distilleries, check out the local art galleries and hit the trails in Tamborine National Park. Find our road trip guide  here .

Any list of day trips from Brisbane wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the Scenic Rim. Located only an hour’s drive south of the city, this massive area covers everything from lush rainforests and waterfalls to vineyards and antique stores. Start with a hearty brunch at the Scenic Rim Farm Shop and cafe, stop in Kalbar for a spot of antique shopping—we could go on, but really, you can just plan your whole day with our guide here . 

A road trip through Redcliffe ticks all the boxes for the perfect day out—beautiful beaches, good food, and chilled-out vibes. Start your journey by driving over the Ted Smout Bridge, and witness the pelican feeding frenzy at Pelican Park. Pick up some fish and chips to eat out by the water on the Woody Point Jetty, and go for a stroll (or even a dip) along the foreshore at Settlement Cove. Follow the coast line all the way up to Scarborough for some spectacular strolls along the seaside.

Bribie Island

The easiest to access of the all the islands near Brisbane, with no boat trip necessary, Bribie is conveniently found floating between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Stroll the beaches, take a dip, or, if you've got the equipment, head out for kayak around the inlet. Once you've worn yourself out, drop in to the Sandstone Point Hotel , where you'll find The Oyster Shed open for seriously good takeaway fish and chips to eat along the grassy shore.

North Stradbroke Island

The picturesque island that is North Stradbroke Island is only a 45-minute drive away from Brisbane—making it the perfect day trip location. Highlights of island life include the stunning North Gorge Walk, Brown Lake and Point Lookout, which serves as an excellent spot to watch the yearly humpback whale migration when winter rolls around. More adventurous weekend wanderers might also want to take a shot at sand-boarding or go for a bike ride along the crisp white stretches of Straddie’s many beaches. 

Samford and Mount Nebo

It takes around 45 minutes or so to get from the heart of Brisbane out to Samford, but it’ll feel like you’re a world away on this perfect day trip. Once there, visit one of the great local cafes or restaurants in the area, then continue the drive to Mount Nebo or Mount Glorious. Stroll through the bushland, have a leisurely afternoon picnic or check out some of the great local shops, selling everything from sweet treats to books, vintage goods and arts and crafts. We've planned an entire itinerary  here .

Moreton Island

The many islands off the coast of SEQ makes for some incredible day trips from Brisbane and none more so arguably than Moreton Island. Just an hour away by ferry the island is almost entirely declared National Park territory, which means it is largely untouched. From pristine blue waters and beaches, lush rainforest, historical lighthouses and famed natural wonders such as Mount Tempest, the world’s largest coastal sand dune structure, and the iconic Tangalooma Wrecks make Moreton Island the perfect day trip or weekend stay-cay for lovers of the outdoors. 

Montville And Maleny

Montville is the quaint gateway to the gorgeous Sunshine Coast Hinterlands area. Combining European-style stores and cafes, Montville more than deserves its reputation as the creative soul of the region. Start your day with brunch at one Montville’s pretty cafes, before taking a hike through Kondalilla National Park—home to a beautiful waterfall and rock pools perfect for swimming. Hop in the car and head south to Baroon Pocket Dam, a beautiful and incredibly peaceful lake tucked between Montville and Maleny that will serve as the perfect picnic spot. Check out more to do here .

Springbrook National Park

Probably one of the best day trips from Brisbane, Springbrook National Park offers you amazing scenery and plenty of places to explore, not to mention the insanely good views. Be sure to visit the Purling Brook Falls, Canyon Lookout, Wunburra Lookout and the amazing Best Of All Lookout. Here you’ll find panoramic views stretching across both Queensland and New South Wales. Finish it all of with lunch, drinks and enjoy your relaxing day spent out in nature, soaking in the fresh air. 

Jump in the car and take the 1.5 hour drive west from Brisbane to Toowoomba. It turns out, Toowoomba has quietly been cultivating an amazing food scene. You’ll find so many great restaurants and cafes, such as The Baker's Duck and their epic baked goods, as well as surprisingly colourful street art scene. Explore the local shops, immerse yourself in stunning views, go for a hike or drive through farmland. Check out our guide h ere .

Lockyer Valley

The Lockyer Valley is probably best known as Australia’s salad bowl—it's home to some of the most fertile soil in Australia—but it also boasts some epic natural beauty and a winery or two well worth the visit. Start your journey with a stop at Cunningham’s Crest Lookout and be treated to breathtaking views across Laidley Plains. Stop in at a local winery along the way or just enjoy the scenery.

Coochiemudlo Island

Hop a ferry from the Victoria Point Jetty to get over to Coochiemudlo; it only takes you 10 minutes to get across to Coochie and should only cost around $4 each way. Once you’re there you can set up camp at one of the beaches, set up a picnic, host your own BBQ or hire a bike and explore the island yourself.

Of course, you could just take a day trip to the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast , both of which are less than 150kms away—in which case we've got you well and truly covered with our sister sites.

Image credit: Urban List Archives

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