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.

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay — Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay — Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine. Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.

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