The Best Day Trips From Brisbane for a Break From the Hustle

A day trip is a great way to break up long swathes of time with no holidays in sight. Jump in the car, pack some snacks and explore somewhere new. You’ll return home refreshed, inspired and pleasantly tired.

There are plenty of viable day trips from Brisbane, all within a two-hour drive. You’ve just got to choose whether you’d like to explore stunning coastlines with big-name tourist attractions, hidden waterfalls, rainforest walks or island paradises teeming with marine life. Wineries, sandboarding, snorkelling, boating, treetop skywalks and surf beaches aplenty are also just a car trip away.

Want to discover where all these wondrous locations lie? Just keep scrolling for our guide to the best day trips from Brisbane.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a year-round delight located an easy hour from Brisbane. From iconic surfing spots to designer shopping destinations and an incredible line-up of global eats and tourism attractions, there’s enough for a week-long trip, but a day will do just fine, too.

Live like a tourist in your own backyard, and spend a day taking in the thrills of Warner Bros. Movie World or Dreamworld. Experience some of the best swells at Snapper Rocks, or relax on the golden-hued sand that stretches the length of the region.

Not sure where to start? Head over here for our top picks.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour

Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

North Stradbroke Island (or Straddie as locals like to call it) is the perfect place to get away from it all, even if it is just for the day. Catch a 45-minute ferry from Cleveland to the island, where you will have your pick of beaches.

Amity Beach is perfect for swimming, while Bradbury’s Beach is a great spot for fishing and crabbing. If it’s freshwater swimming you’re after then Keyholes, a freshwater swimming lake, is a must.

Otherwise, you can spend the day kayaking, hiking, four-wheel-driving or simply relaxing on the sandy shores. Find plenty more ideas on how to spend your day here.

Distance from Brisbane: 2 hours

Moreton Island

Set sail to an island paradise that is teeming with marine life, sand dunes and national parks. A 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane, Moreton Island is a memory maker’s dreamscape.

Go sand tobogganing or sand boarding at The Desert (some of the biggest sand dunes around), climb Mount Tempest — the largest stabilised dune in the world or deep dive into the ocean and explore the shipwrecks and offshore reefs. Treat it as a taster before booking a week long trip to look forward to.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Noosa

From national parks to surfing beaches and a world-class dining scene, Noosa is a standout when it comes to coastal getaways, and lucky for Brisbanites, it’s less than two hours away.

If you’re just nipping over for the day, don’t try and do everything. Instead, focus on one or two things and soak them up. If you’re looking for adventure, head to Noosa National Park which is full of coastal walks and hidden beaches. It’s the perfect place to work up an appetite before settling into a leisurely lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants that line Hastings Street. For water sports, Noosa River is the perfect backdrop.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour 50 minutes

Lamington National Park

Craving fresh mountain air? Lamington National Park will deliver if you’re willing to jump in the car for an hour and a half. Chase waterfalls, climb forested mountains and explore160km of hiking trails catering to various skill levels. One of the most popular trails is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to Morrans Falls, where you’re guaranteed plenty of photo ops along the way.

Feeling something a little more hair-raising? Head to Happitat Cliff Park for ziplines and cliff climbs.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Caloundra

A beachside town with a year-round holiday feel, Caloundra is a dreamy day trip from Brisbane. The best way to explore this seaside town is along the 25km coastal pathway which has headland cliffs, parkland, beaches and an esplanade lined with shopping and dining. The historic bathing pavilion at Kings Beach is a must, while Dicky Beach and its aquatic-themed playground are popular among young families. Add a thriving street art scene into the mix, and you have one amazing Brisbane day trip to make your weekend extra special. We’ve also curated the best cafes, restaurants and even more things for you to do in town. Click through for the goods.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Tamborine Mountain

This lush mountain haven is just an hour from Brissy, ready and waiting to refuel your soul with its small village-like feel and national parkland.

If you’re looking to really get amongst it, consider the Tamborine Rainforest Walk. This scenic wander will take you through the middle and upper canopies of the trees. For something more lowkey, the Botanic Gardens shine a spotlight on tropical plants and is a great day out.

In the national park itself, there are natural swimming holes and walking trails. Hungry? Check out these restaurants for a tip-top bite.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour

Toowoomba

Ninety minutes inland of Brisbane, Toowoomba is a country town with a whole lot of personality. One of the few places in Queensland where you can feel all four seasons, plus they have quite the reputation for being a garden city.

Boasting over 150 parks and gardens, you’re guaranteed a quiet spot for a picnic, and the burgeoning foodie scene is sure to delight. If heading out around Spring, check out the events calendar for their annual festival, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Bribie Island

Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Bribie Island is the only Moreton Bay island that you can drive to. With pristine beaches, untouched wilderness, and a marine park with the oldest fish habitat in Queensland (Pumicestone Passage), this glorious spot makes for an incredible day trip from Brisbane.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Springbrook National Park

Another gem in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Springbrook National Park is known for its picturesque waterfalls, ancient forests, and panoramic lookouts. The Natural Bridge and Purling Brook Falls are Springbrook’s claim to fame and have made many an Instagram-worthy moment in their time. Your day trip from Brisbane to Springbrook National Park will see you travel through the Gold Coast, so you can pick up some delicious snacks on the way to put together a picnic to enjoy in the serenity of the National Park. Just remember to leave nothing behind, to preserve the stunning surroundings for years to come.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Maleny and Montville

A short day trip from Brisbane, the neighbouring towns of Maleny and Montville offer a taste of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. You can easily spend a day exploring these sleepy spots, traipsing through boutique shops, art galleries and cafes. There are plenty of bush trails and waterways to wander through, or you can take a scenic drive through the Glass House Mountains to chase a connection to nature.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Bitten by the wanderlust bug? Perhaps it’s time to book a proper vacay away from the city’s centre. Plan your dream itinerary in Tropical North Queensland, or escape into the bold landscape of Australia’s outback for a new connection to the countryside.