7 best day trips from Brisbane

Day trips compared

The day trips

80 km · About 1–1.5 hours by train and light rail

1.Gold Coast

Surf beaches, theme parks and the SkyPoint observation deck at Surfers Paradise. A day is enough for a beach and Burleigh Heads, or a single theme park.

Getting there

Train to Helensvale, then G:link light rail to Surfers Paradise

Best for

Families, Beach, Nightlife

80 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by car

2.Australia Zoo

Steve Irwin's family zoo in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is known for crocodile shows in its Crocoseum, plus koalas, Tasmanian devils and an African savannah area.

Getting there

Car, or train to Beerwah and the zoo's shuttle

Best for

Families, First-timers

40 km · About 1.5–2 hours by train and ferry

3.North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Surf beaches, the North Gorge Walk at Point Lookout — where turtles, dolphins and, in season, whales are often seen — and freshwater lakes make Straddie the city's favourite island escape.

Getting there

Train to Cleveland, then passenger or vehicle ferry

Best for

Beach, Families, Couples

40 km · About 75 minutes by ferry

4.Moreton Island (Mulgumpin)

A sand island with huge dunes for sandboarding and the Tangalooma Wrecks, a line of scuttled ships close to shore that are popular for snorkelling among reef fish.

Getting there

Ferry from the Port of Brisbane to Tangalooma

Best for

Beach, Families, Couples

70 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by car

5.Tamborine Mountain

A rainforest plateau in the Gold Coast hinterland with short walks to waterfalls, a treetop skywalk, wineries and the craft shops of Gallery Walk.

Getting there

Car or tour

Best for

Couples, Food lovers, Quiet stays

70 km · About 1 hour by car

6.Glass House Mountains

Volcanic plugs rising abruptly from the plain north of the city, with lookouts, short walks and a climb of Mount Ngungun for the classic view of the peaks.

Getting there

Car

Best for

Quiet stays, Families

140 km · About 2 hours by car

7.Noosa

An upmarket beach town on the Sunshine Coast with the coastal walk through Noosa National Park, where koalas are sometimes seen in the trees, and Hastings Street's restaurants by Main Beach.

Getting there

Car or coach

Best for

Couples, Beach, Food lovers

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• An extensive bus network covers the city and suburbs, including routes to Lone Pine and Mount Coot-tha.
• Suburban trains connect Central, Roma Street and Fortitude Valley with the suburbs, the Gold Coast line and the Sunshine Coast line.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask