Surrounded by beautiful coastal regions, islands and lush forested hinterland, there are so many amazing day trips that you can take from Brisbane. To help you plan your best Brisbane day trip, I’ve rounded up the best day trips from Brisbane including the Gold Coast, Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland & more!

I grew up in Brisbane, and lived there for twenty years, so I’ve been lucky enough to explore so much of Southeast Queensland, which is so accessible to Brisbane. Let me know if you have any favourite Brisbane day trips in the comments!

1. The Gold Coast

A day on the Gold Coast is the best day trip from Brisbane. Arrive in the morning, to hit the beach at Burleigh Heads before the heat of the day sets in. The short but steep hike at Burleigh Heads National Park starts beside the beach, and offers gorgeous views over Burleigh and Tallebudgera Creek. For brunch, head to Palm Springs in Burleigh or The Milkman’s Daughter in Mermaid Beach.

When you’re ready for a break from the sun, catch an exhibition at HoTA (Home of the Arts) & stop for a coffee afterwards on the rooftop, which has great views over the canals. Alternatively, zip up to the viewing deck at Skypoint in Surfers Paradise for the best views of the Gold Coast.

For a dreamy early dinner, book at The Tropic at Burleigh Pavillion for an early seating time, 30 minutes before sunset. Check your weather app for precise sunset times, and book accordingly. Ask for a table along the balcony on the deck, for dreamy views over the water during golden hour and sunset.

Estimated drive time: 60-90 minutes

2. North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island, know as “Straddie” to locals, is a beloved day trip from Brisbane. Easily accessible via a frequent ferry service from Cleveland, Stradbroke Island is the easiest island to access from Brisbane. Use the local bus service to reach patrolled beaches, like Cylinder Beach and Main Beach at Point Lookout.

Stradbroke is also the world’s first “Slow Island.” The Slow Cities initiative is an offshoot of the Slow Movement, started by Carlos Petrini in Italy, and embraces a slower pace of life.

One-way: 20 min ferry from Cleveland

3. Springbrook National Park

Tucked away in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Springbrook National Park forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. The park is split into four sections – Springbrook Plateau, Natural Bridge, Numinbah and Mount Cougal.

In all four sections you can do nature walks and picnic. The shorter tracks in the Springbrook Plateau section is perfect for waterfall spotting – the return circuit that begins at the Tallabana and Goomoolahra picnic areas passes up to nine waterfalls!

One-way: 1 hr 30 mins

4. Moreton Island

Moreton Island is the third-largest sand island in Australia, making it an adventure paradise. While you’ll need a few days (and a 4WD) to explore all of what Moreton Island has to offer, you can visit on a day and hit the beach at Tangalooma, near the resort. Hop on a ferry from Pinkenba and collapse onto the white sandy beaches or snorkel around the shipwrecks in the crystal clear water.

Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island offers a range of day trip packages from Brisbane, which makes it easy to get the most out of your day on the island.

One-way: 75 min ferry

6. Noosa National Park 

Noosa National Park is a popular day trip from Brisbane, thanks to its proximity on the Sunshine Coast. Noosa National Park has short and long trails suitable for all fitness levels, and after your hike you can drop into Noosa for a swim at the beach, or lunch on Hastings Street.

One-way: 1 hr 22 – 1 hr 45 mins

5. Mt Tamborine

One-way: 1 hr

Mt Tamborine is a charming rainforest town in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Visit Mt Tamborine on a day trip from Brisbane to visit Mt Tamborine National Park, which is the third-oldest in the world, as well as a variety of breweries, wineries and distilleries, like Fortitude Brewing, Tamborine Mountain Distillery and Witches Falls winery.

7. Mt Glorious

One-way: 45 mins

Strap on your walking shoes and spend a day trip from Brisbane in D’Aguilar State Park, on beautiful Mt Glorious. The scenic drive around the mountain is worth the trip alone! Pack a picnic or stop in at one of the quirky cafes on the way to D’Aguilar State Park’s picnic area. The rainforest walks through the park and very easy and super relaxing, year round.

8. King Beach, Caloundra

Kings Beach in Caloundra is one of the closest and most popular beaches on the Sunshine Coast. After your swim at the beach, head to the local pub, King’s Beach Tavern, for lunch and enjoy the views overlooking the ocean from the deck.

Distance: 102 km

9. Australia Zoo

One-way: 1 hr 5 mins

Australia Zoo, founded by the late Steve Irwin, is an amazing day trip from Brisbane. The zoo has a range of animals from all over the world, but you won’t want to miss the special crocodile show in the afternoon. Unlike every other zoo or theme park I’ve ever visited, Australia Zoo has really good food, so you don’t need to stress about bringing something edible. Read more about Australia Zoo here.

10. Lamington National Park

One-way: 1 hr 47 minutes

Lamington National Park on the Gold Coast is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and is known for its diversity of wildlife and ancient trees and plants. There are more than 500 waterfalls and more than 150km of walking trails in the park, so there is plenty to see! It’s a longer drive, but it is possible to visit on a day trip from Brisbane if you get an early start. If you want to make a longer stay out of it, stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

11. Bribie Island

One-way: 1 hr 20 mins

Bribie Island is a sleepy island community, connected to the Brisbane mainland by bridge. It’s an easy day trip to Brisbane, with a great patrolled beach. Head to the ocean side of Bribie Island to Woorim Beach, which has the best swimming beaches. On the way home, stop at the recently renovated Bribie Island Hotel for lunch.

12. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

One-way: 1 hr 30 mins

The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a popular day trip from Brisbane, with the charming townships of Montville, Mapleton and Maleny, the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains and the popular Eumundi Markets. Stop in at Strawberry Fields at Palmview on the way to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, to pick your own strawberries. In Montville, check out Poet’s Café and Flame Hill Vineyard. Maleny’s chilled out main street is a great place for a morning wander, especially if you’re stopping in at Maleny Food Co for ice cream or a coffee.

13. Whale Watching in Moreton Bay

One-way: 45 mins

Most people don’t realise that you can go whale watching on a day trip from Brisbane! Every year between June and November, you can spot humpback whales migrating along the east coast of Australia. Brisbane Whale Watching run tours in Moreton Bay, departing from Redcliffe Jetty. I saw more whales than I can count and loved EVERY minute of it!

Whale sightings are guaranteed and the luxury, eco-friendly catamaran is comfortable for guests and quiet enough for whales to swim right up to the boat. Brisbane Whale Watching is the only tour in the Redcliffe area, which means it’s much easier to get close to whales. Boats are legally limited from crowding around whales, so if there are already three boats near a whale, all the others have to keep their distance. This is never a problem with Brisbane Whale Watching!

14. Byron Bay

One-way: 1hr 50 mins

Hop over the border and head to Byron Bay in North Coast NSW, for a beautiful day at Watego’s Beach. Spend your day wandering through the hippie shops, at the beautiful beach and end it watching sunset under the lighthouse at Cape Byron.

15. Queen Mary Falls, Killarney

Take a day trip from Brisbane into Southern Queensland Country, to find Queen Mary Falls. The waterfall plunges 40 metres, from Spring Creek into the Condamine River, inside Main Range National Park. From the Queen Mary Falls picnic area, it is a 2km round trip walk to the lookout for Queen Mary Falls. Main Range National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, treasured for its biodiversity and for being home to rare and endemic species.