Extend Your Next Adventure With The Best Brisbane Day Trips

Press pause on the Big Smoke for nature-embracing meandering with the best Brisbane day trips.

Emerging foodie scenes, lush urban parklands, sparkling riverfront dining – Brisbane hums with the good life. But I also love Queensland’s capital for its proximity to out-of-the-box adventure in the great outdoors. Just a drive away from ancient rainforests, laidback beach towns and authentic country life, any one of the best Brisbane day trips fills my cup before dropping me back into the city’s non-stop action. Here are some of my regular routes.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Brisbane day trips, make it the Gold Coast. I’m biased because I live there, but pristine beaches, world-class dining and direct Pacific Coast Way access make the one-hour drive a no-brainer.

1. Springbrook National Park

Purling Falls in Springbrook National Park — Brisbane’s picturesque Purling Falls is less than two hours by car. (Image: Matt Raimondo)

Best for: Spotting glow worms

Yet to tick a glow worm immersion off your bucket list? Springbrook National Park is worth every second of the detour out of Brisbane, home to one of the country’s largest colonies of the fly species Arachnocampa flava, which radiate soft blue light after the sun sets.

To reach the little fellas, I trail the very doable one-kilometre Natural Bridge Circuit that leads me straight to a cave filled with twinkling creatures. I highly recommend bringing a torch, but visitors should note that you shouldn’t shine it directly onto the glow worms as it might disrupt their natural feeding process on local midges and mosquitoes. Speaking of which, spray your mozzie repellent prior to departure to ensure the spritz doesn’t harm this incredible natural light show.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: An hour and 10-minute drive.

2. North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

view from the North Gorge walk — Take the North Gorge walk for jaw-dropping views. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: An island escape

I love the easy-access island life of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) just as much as I love its profound connection to its Traditional Custodians. I hop on a vehicle ferry from Cleveland (so convenient) to find picturesque coastal vistas, a tight-knit township and awesome boutiques and eateries at the very Hawaiian-feeling Point Lookout. Overnight camping is common, but you can still experience the best bits in one day.

Once I land in Dunwich, I grab a pub feed and craft beer from Straddie Brewing Co (a must while you’re near the ferry entrance), before getting behind the wheel with Yura Tours and familiarising myself with every culturally significant spot. From the tea tree-flushed Brown Lake to the midden shells at Myora Springs, a tour with this company is guaranteed to stir the soul. North Gorge Headland is the place to spy local wildlife and Point Lookout offers a scenic boardwalk stroll like no other.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: It’s a 45-minute drive to reach Cleveland’s ferry terminal before jumping aboard for another 50 minutes or so.

3. Gold Coast

roos at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast — Get a close encounter with roos at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Hayley Williamson
Photography/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Big city energy by the beach

Theme parks, up-all-night revelry, hipster bars and an incredible craft beer scene – the Gold Coast is a great place to call home, but an equally rewarding single-day journey. I highly advise skipping well-trodden Surfers Paradise for the southern end’s countless charms including Burleigh Heads’ James Street for buzzing eateries and shopping, Currumbin for my favourite, eternally-chilled, beach and the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary , and Kirra Point for top-notch waterfront dining. Venture a little further to the NSW border into Coolangatta where you’re a beat away from the Tweed’s Public Supply’s viral Coco Pops latte and Biscoff scrolls.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: A one hour’s drive if traffic on the M1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Way) plays kind.

4. Bribie Island

a guided 4WD tour along the beaches of Bribie Island — Take a guided 4WD tour straight to Bribie Island. (Image: The Edit Suite/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Untamed coastal exploration

Forget the ferry. Bribie Island is the city’s most convenient island escape thanks to a bridge that connects from Sandstone Point. It’s an old single-lane-each-way structure, set to undergo a multi-lane upgrade in the future, but once I crawl over to paradise, I don’t give it a second thought. Chilled-out pubs, epic water sports, 4WD trails through Bribie Island National Park, boat charters, family-friendly swimming conditions (especially at Bongaree) and a handful of great eateries (don’t miss Lo-Kee for American-inspired comfort food) speckle this forever soothing escape.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: About an hour’s drive.

5. Ipswich

sunrise morning view over Grandchester area of Ipswich — Breathtaking sunrise views over Grandchester, Ipswich. (Image: Getty/Matthew Murray)

Best for: Time warp transportation

One of Queensland’s oldest cities, Ipswich fills heritage streets with a serious cafe culture, laneway eateries and cool boutiques. Colonial buildings and Tower Central’s iconic clock tower mightn’t look like more than old postcards but wander the suburb’s Top of Town precinct (bordered by Ellenborough and Waghorn Streets) for a highly contemporary retail fix. On the flipside, unearth a vintage gem at the Ipswich Antique Centre , situated inside an 1895 heritage building, as is White Rock Conservation Park if beautiful bushwalks are your thing. Thirsty? Grab locally crafted brew (more than 70 varieties, in fact) at Tap’d inside the locally loved PA Hotel.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: About an hour’s drive.

6. Toowoomba

a couple admiring Toowoomba Street Art — Toowoomba tops the burgeoning street art scene in Southern Queensland. (Image: Demi Gavin/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Village vibes

The largest inland city in Queensland, Toowoomba is stunning to look at and brimming with culture. Best known for its Carnival of Flowers, one of the most unique things to do in Toowoomba, the Brisbane day trip hot spot flows with lush parklands, and galleries including the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co  which charts a fascinating history of the entire state. Get out in the fresh air with a string of scenic trails including the Grade 5 Table Top Mountain Walk that loops through the bush, before rewarding your efforts with indulgence at the likes of Bergen , Piccolo Papa  and Host Dining + Wine Bar .

Distance from Brisbane CBD: Just under two hours in the car.

7. Redcliffe

sunset at Redcliffe beach — Visit Redcliffe Peninsula for sunset viewing. (Image: Getty/Andrew Pech)

Best for: Family-friendly hangs

Attracting beach-hungry Brisbanites for its ultra-calm conditions and spacious public barbecue facilities, Redcliffe’s Suttons Beach, one of Brisbane’s best beaches, offers sublime swims for your entire tribe. Plus, there’s Settlement Cove, a manmade lagoon that’s chock-full come the weekend. Just add a generous dash of seaside dining (including excellent fish and chips pit stops), a scattering of idyllic coastal trails, an always relaxed holiday atmosphere and this day trip from Brisbane is a reliable winner.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: A 45-minute drive.

8. Glass House Mountains

a scenic drive along Glass House Mountains, Brisbane day trips — Take a scenic drive to the Glass House Mountains. (Image: Harrison Candlin/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Hiking

Located in the lush Sunshine Coast hinterland, the Glass House Mountains are a multi-sensory wonderland that manages to blow me away amid repeat visits. Sure, there are hidden swimming spots, waterfalls, sweet towns (including Beerwah, littered with walking trails and the always impressive Australia Zoo), but the ancient volcanic peaks themselves are just the most dramatic, staggeringly beautiful mountains to gaze at. I highly recommend breathing deeply within the  Glass House Mountains National Park, and if you can reach the summit of Mount Ngungun (it’s a 2.8-kilometre return trek), you’ll score views of the region to utterly floor you.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: Just over an hour’s drive.

9. Tamborine Mountain

the Tamborine RainforestSkywalk, Brisbane day trips — Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk offers a view of the lush rainforest canopy. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Indulgence

I stomach the winding roads up to Tamborine Mountain for a reliably charming dose of village life (read: high-quality distilleries and wellness experiences) several times annually. It’s such a booming locale, no longer just a tourist strip, as Tamborine and North Tamborine, the suburbs, splinter into thriving locales with distinct personalities of their own. If you’ve never been, hit Long Road for the main stretch of cafes and boutiques (known as Gallery Walk Precinct), and don’t miss the touristy German Cuckoo Clock Nest for an incomparable retail stickybeak.

Once you’ve ticked off the obligatory attraction, find Zen at SOL Elements, a Japanese-inspired bathhouse at Tamborine Mountain Glades that offers serenity amid picture-perfect nature. Keep treating yourself at Witches Falls , the region’s most beloved winery, right next door to The Kennel at Boxer Brewing where craft beer excels. Wining and dining standouts include Saint Marthe for authentic French cuisine, Loborn Tasting Bar (across the road from Saint Marthe) for exceptional spirits and Picnic Real Food Bar (in the same North Stores complex as Loborn) for standout cafe culture.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: Just over an hour’s drive.

10. Boonah

the alfresco kitchen at Ketchup’s Bank Glamping — Ketchup’s Bank Glamping eco-tent overlooks Knapps Peak and the Border Ranges.

Best for: Exploring Queensland’s countryside

Nestled within the rolling hill-speckled Scenic Rim, Boonah is a seriously underrated Brisbane day trip. Craft breweries, wineries and eatery gems are hidden throughout the country town, not to mention the mountainous views that envelope outdoor exploration. Too much to savour in one day? The accommodation stakes are great too, particularly if you’re a glamping fan, as Ketchup’s Bank Glamping is one of the country’s most blissful overnight offerings. Consider a meal at the sensational Blume , too, a homely culinary favourite that oozes sophistication through elegantly imagined plating of peak local produce.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: A one-hour and 15-minute drive.

11. Canungra

exploring O'Reilly's Canungra ValleyVineyards — Embark on a vineyard tour through O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley. (Image: Picture Co./Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Chilled small-town exploration

Another standout town in the Scenic Rim region, Canungra is a top Brisbane day trip if you’re a sucker for country life. I never leave town without a homemade savoury pie, mushy peas and mashed potato at The Outpost Cafe , and it’s never a bad idea to lean into locally produced wines at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard . Carve out time to marvel at West Canungra Creek within Lamington National Park, too: a magnet for picnics.

Distance from Brisbane CBD: A one-hour and 15-minute drive.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

A holiday maker’s guide to the best Brisbane day trips