Whether spotting koalas on Magnetic Island or blissing out in Brisbane, the top weekend getaways in Queensland prove you don’t need a passport to get away from it all.
Blending adventure and relaxation, even a short escape is unforgettable in the Sunshine State. Chase a taste of the tropics, retreat to the hinterland or reconnect with family on a luxe island hideaway. Below is our curation of the best weekend getaways in Queensland for every travel taste.
A Moreton Bay mini break for young and old
Moreton Island is home to the famous Tangalooma Wrecks. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
What? This pristine pocket of paradise just 60 kilometres from Brisbane offers the perfect multi-gen getaway.
Tell me more: Take your tribe to Trevena Glen Farm to interact with goats, horses and alpacas; browse the family-friendly (and free) Redcliffe Art Gallery; see bottlenose dolphins and the famed Tangalooma Wrecks on a day cruise to Moreton Island; or simply admire the stunning sunsets together from Woody Point Jetty.
A blissful beachside stay on the Sunshine Coast
Splash into a sunshine state of mind at Avani
Mooloolaba Beach Hotel.
Treat yourself to a bubble bath with ocean views at the new hotel. (Credit: Rhiannon Taylor)
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel boasts a rooftop pool. (Credit: Rhiannon Taylor)
What? A fabulous stay in Mooloolaba that combines sailing, sunsets and seafood galore, plus a sleek new hotel.
Tell me more:Sight majestic migrating whales (June to October) or spot turtles on an Adventure Rafting wildlife cruise, sip your way through the region on a craft beer tour or shop till you flop at The Wharf Mooloolaba. Then re-energise with a return to your chic base at the new Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel to indulge in spa treatments, rooftop sundowners and seafood dining.
An escape to greener pastures in Toowoomba
Spot vibrant street murals in Toowoomba. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
What? A restful Queensland Country getaway offering far more than a breath of fresh air.
Tell me more: Filled with foodie finds and overlooking misty valleys from atop the Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba has a habit of exceeding expectations. Take a morning stroll through Queens Park, discover 100-plus street art murals and explore the host of eateries proving the city is worth its salt as a flourishing dining destination.
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A hiking adventure through the Scenic Rim
Hikers can now tackle the Scenic Rim Trail independently.
Mt Mistake is situated within the Main Range National Park.
What? Discovering the splendours of the Scenic Rim on a four-day hike, sans guided group.
Tell me more: Skilled ramblers, rejoice. You can now immerse yourself in nature’s glory on a multi-night walk, without the need to lug around a tent and meals or wrangle a guided group (though guided options are still available). Lace up for the Scenic Rim Trail’s 60-kilometre independent tour – for capable hikers – through World Heritage-listed subtropical rainforests, before treating tired muscles to a comfy private eco-camp, complete with hot showers, prepared meals and soft beds.
A nature-meets-city getaway in Townsville
A palm-fringed beach on Magnetic Island. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Tell me more: You had us at koalas. Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island draws nature lovers to one of the largest koala populations in northern Australia. Stroll among the gums to spot our national symbol in situ, snorkel from the beach to swim amid colourful corals, then sail back to your base in Townsville for all the city spoils.
Active wellness on Hamilton Island
A sunrise yoga session at The Sundays on Hamilton Island. (Credit: Kara Rosenlund)
Beachside eats at Catseye Beach. (Credit: Nikki To)
Climb to the top of the popular Passage Peak Hamilton Island hike. (Credit: Riley Williams)
What? A tropical island escape where hiking trails, watersports and wellness experiences prove holidays can be equal parts adventure and relaxation.
Tell me more: A short direct flight from many major Australian cities, Hamilton Island figures among the best short breaks in Queensland for good reason. Start the day on a high with an e-mountain bike ride along Hamilton Island’s scenic trail network before cooling off with a spot of kayaking, paddleboarding or snorkelling at Catseye Beach. It’s all about balance, so be sure to book a treatment at Spa wumurdaylin, join a sunrise yoga session and savour a mighty breakfast at Beach Club before you leave, returning home feeling refreshed in both body and mind.
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A luxe Brisbane stay with scenic flight to boot
You can reach Lady Elliot Island via a scenic plane from Brisbane. (Credit: Ben Andryc)
What?Emporium Hotel South Bank has launched a series of bespoke helicopter and scenic plane experiences to elevate special occasions.
Tell me more: From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef off pristine Lady Elliot Island to a gourmet grazing picnic on North Stradbroke Island, the flight packages promise true escapes without the need to sacrifice your convenient Brisbane base. Return to your room by evening, then toast the day with sunset cocktails and skyline views at The Terrace rooftop bar.
A taste of the tropics in Cairns and Port Douglas
Savour the flavours of Tropical North Queensland at the annual Taste Port Douglas festival.
What? A short break spotlighting Tropical North Queensland’s high-calibre cuisine.
Tell me more: Discover bars, breweries and Daintree delights with Cairns Tasting Tours, or tuck into a smorgasbord of fragrant fruit at Rusty’s Markets. Just north, the Taste Port Douglas festival is one to make room for each August. Join celebrity chef masterclasses, food trivia and long lunches aplenty.
Rainforest recovery in Tamborine Mountain
Cool off at Curtis Falls. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
What? Just 30 minutes from the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain offers lush canopies, national parks and boutique stays.
Tell me more: You’ll find endless exciting things to do in Tamborine Mountain, from a wellness session at SOL Elements bathouse to the ethereal Curtis Falls rainforest walk and a host of chic eateries dishing up delicious culinary creations. For a , bed down at beautifully restored The Tamborine boutique hotel, where a mineral pool looks out over jaw-dropping views.
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Leanne Archer is a journalist with decades of experience in the media industry. She currently works as a freelance sub-editor and writer for Australian Traveller Media working across Australian Traveller and International Traveller, as well as a...
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and...
Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.
While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.
Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.
Getting there
Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)
You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.
Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.
Best accommodation in Clermont
Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)
All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.
Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.
One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters, Four Mile, Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings. To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting. They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.
Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum. Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.
The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.
See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)
For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.
Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services. Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.
Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs. The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.
Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont
Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.
Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.
Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.
For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.
Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.
