Day Trips from Brisbane: Best Getaways 2026

Day Trips from Brisbane 2026 — Overview

Brisbane sits at the heart of South East Queensland's extraordinary natural and tourist corridor. Within two hours you have the Gold Coast theme parks, the Sunshine Coast beaches, Lamington National Park rainforest, North Stradbroke Island's pristine beaches and the Granite Belt wine region. Here are the best day trips from Brisbane in 2026.

Gold Coast (1 hour south)

Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild theme parks plus 70km of world-famous surf beaches from South Stradbroke to Coolangatta. The Gold Coast is an easy day trip — or an overnight stay if combining theme parks. Trains run from Roma Street Station every 15 minutes peak. destinationgoldcoast.com

Sunshine Coast (1.5 hours north)

Australia Zoo (Beerwah), Noosa Heads, Eumundi Markets (Wednesday and Saturday), Mooloolaba Esplanade, Glass House Mountains and the hinterland villages of Maleny and Montville with stunning valley views. visitsunshinecoast.com

North Stradbroke Island (1 hour — ferry from Cleveland)

North Straddie is Brisbane's island paradise — 25 minutes by fast ferry from Cleveland, then pristine ocean beaches (Main Beach, Cylinder Beach), whale watching (June-November), Point Lookout headland walks, and the 18-Mile Swamp walking circuit. stradbrokeisland.com

Lamington National Park (1.5 hours south)

World Heritage listed subtropical rainforest. O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat (Green Mountains section) and Binna Burra Lodge. Tree-top walks, 160km of hiking trails, extraordinary birdlife. npsr.qld.gov.au

Granite Belt Wine Region (2.5 hours south-west)

Queensland's wine country around Stanthorpe and Ballandean — cool climate at 800m elevation. Over 50 cellar doors. Best in autumn (March-May) for foliage and harvest, and winter (June-August) for the annual cheese festival.

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