Monday 10 August 2026
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Best Day Trips from Brisbane: Beaches, Rainforest and Wine Country

Brisbane is well placed for day trips in almost every direction. The Gold Coast is an hour south along the motorway, while Noosa and the Sunshine Coast sit an hour to the north. Inland, the Scenic Rim and Tamborine Mountain offer rainforest walks and local produce, and North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is a ferry ride from Cleveland for beach walks and wildlife. The Glass House Mountains and their surrounding hinterland are popular for hiking and views of the volcanic peaks. Most destinations are manageable in a full day from the Brisbane CBD.

Best Day Trips from Brisbane: Beaches, Rainforest and Wine Country
  1. 1

    Gold Coast Beaches

    Surfers Paradise

    The Gold Coast is under an hour south of Brisbane, with Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin and Coolangatta offering very different beach experiences along a 70km coastline.

  2. 2

    Sunshine Coast, Noosa

    Noosa

    Noosa and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland are 90 minutes north, Noosa National Park, Hastings Street and the Eumundi markets are the highlights.

  3. 3

    Tamborine Mountain

    Tamborine Mountain

    A Gold Coast hinterland escape one hour from Brisbane with rainforest walks, art galleries, winery trails and craft distilleries on Gallery Walk.

  4. 4

    Glass House Mountains

    Glass House Mountains

    A dramatic volcanic landscape one hour north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, popular for rock climbing, bush walking and Aboriginal cultural tours.

  5. 5

    Moreton Island

    Moreton Island

    A sand island 75 minutes by ferry from the CBD with the Tangalooma Island Resort, whale watching (June to October), sand tobogganing and the Tangalooma wrecks snorkelling.

  6. 6

    Lamington National Park

    Canungra

    A World Heritage rainforest in the McPherson Range, two hours from Brisbane, with outstanding bird life, 160km of walking trails and the historic O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.

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