10 incredible day trips from Brisbane

Press pause on the Big Smoke for some nature-loving meandering on the best day trips from Brisbane.

Emerging entertainment precincts, lush urban parklands, sparkling riverfront dining — Brisbane hums with the good life. But Queensland’s capital is also a perfectly situated launchpad for out-of-the-box adventure just a little beyond the city. Offering proximity to ancient rainforests, intoxicating beach towns, charming country life and more, any one of the beautiful day trips from Brisbane are holidays in their own right. Here, we collate our favourites.

1. North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Perfect for: A beach break

Live the island life at North Stradbroke Island, or Minjerribah to the land’s traditional custodians. Grab your cozzies and hop on a ferry from Cleveland to immerse yourself in picturesque beaches, sleepy townships and Stradie Brewing Co., one very cool brewery drawing serious crowds.

Stradie Brewing Co. is worth the day trip alone. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Overnight camping on North Stradbroke Island is common but you can still experience the best bits in one day. Once you’ve arrived at Dunwich, there are a few shops and eateries to explore but it’s all about getting into nature on this day trip from Brisbane. North Gorge Headland is brimming with local wildlife, dolphins frequent Amity Point’s jetty and Point Lookout offers sensational views.

Point Lookout offers the best views of North Stradbroke Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: It’s a 45-minute drive to reach the ferry terminal (which transfers vehicles too) before jumping on board for another 25 minutes if you’re without a car and 50 minutes if you’ve got one.

2. Bribie Island

Perfect for: A slice of island life

Forget the ferries. Bribie Island is the city’s most convenient island day 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 coming years, but once you’ve hit paradise, you won’t give it a second thought.

Bribie Island is one of the easiest islands to visit from Brisbane in a day. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/G’Day Adventure Tours)

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 speckle this soothing escape.

Bongaree Foreshore is great for swimming. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: Just over an hour’s drive.

3. Ipswich

Perfect for: Discovering a new foodie scene

One of Queensland’s oldest cities, Ipswich fills its heritage streets with a serious cafe culture, laneway eateries and edgy boutiques.

Shop and eat along the heritage streets of Ipswich. (Image: Ipswich City Council)

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 energised dose of cool.

Step into the artsy boutiques in Ipswich. (Image: Ipswich City Council)

The Ipswich Antique Centre is also worth visiting during this day trip from Brisbane, situated inside an 1895 heritage building, as is White Rock Conservation Park if beautiful bushwalks are your thing.

Float above Ipswich in a hot air balloon.

Distance from the CBD: A 45-minute drive.

4. Toowoomba

Perfect for: Garden lovers.

The largest inland city in Queensland, Toowoomba is stunning to look at and brimming with an incredible sense of culture.

Hike up Table Top Mountain on the outskirts of Toowoomba. (Image: Ariana Potamianakis)

Best known for its Carnival of Flowers, one of the most unique things to do in Toowoomba, the day trip from Brisbane flows with lush parklands, the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co which charts a fascinating history of the entire state, the Table Top Loop bush walk at Table Top Mountain and outstanding dining at the likes of Bergen, Piccolo Papa and Host Dining + Wine Bar.

See colourful blooms at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: Just over 1.5 hours via car.

5. Redcliffe

Perfect for: A family-friendly escape.

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 the entire tribe. Plus, there’s Settlement Cove, a manmade lagoon that’s chockers come the weekend.

Settlement Cove Lagoon provides the perfect setting for a family day out. (Image: Visit Moreton Bay Region)

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 serious no-brainer.

Dine by the sea in Redcliffe. (Image: Kara Hamilton)

Distance from the CBD: A 45-minute drive.

6. The Gold Coast

Perfect for: Big city energy by the beach

Theme parks, up-all-night revelry, hipster bars and an incredible craft beer scene — the Gold Coast’s got everything a day trip from Brisbane should. Skip the tourist traps of Surfers Paradise for the southern end’s understated charms.

Dine by the beach at the Mediterranean-inspired Tropic Restaurant in Burleigh Heads. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Currumbin is home to the iconic Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and epic waterfront eateries like Tarte Beach House and Tommy’s Italian, Coolangatta’s got elegant Pipi’s and Kirra Beach House and the Burleigh Pavilion boasts The Tropic and breathtaking beachfront views.

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: A smidge over one hour’s drive if traffic on the Pacific Motorway plays kind.

7. Glass House Mountains

Perfect for: Hinterland magic

Located in the lush Sunshine Coast hinterland, the Glass House Mountains are a multi-sensory wonderland. Uncover hidden swimming spots, waterfalls, cosy towns (including Beerwah, littered with pretty walking trails and the always impressive Australia Zoo), mountainous views and unique flora and fauna.

Fog envelops Glass House Mountains. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Simply breathing in the Glass House Mountains National Park, no matter where you land, offers food for the soul however reaching the peak of Mount Ngungun presents views of the region that will utterly floor you.

Take the Mount Ngungun summit walking track for jaw-dropping views. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: A one-hour drive.

8. Tamborine Mountain

Perfect for: Wine tasting and distillery hopping.

Stomach the relentlessly winding roads up to Tamborine Mountain and you’ll be rewarded with a quaint village life and high-quality wines and spirits.

Pop by the Tamborine Living boutique retail store. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Hit Long Road for the main stretch of cafes, boutiques and the ever-quirky German Cuckoo Clock Nest before sniffing out Witches Falls, the region’s most beloved winery and tasting experience.

Visit the lush vineyards of Witches Falls Winery. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Then head to Tamborine Mountain Distillery, where you can book masterclasses, and Mason Winery for their beautiful restaurant and cellar door.

Join a masterclass at Tamborine Mountain Distillery. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: One hour’s drive.

9. Boonah 

Perfect for: Embracing Queensland’s countryside

Flagged as one of Australia’s best emerging regions within Queensland’s Scenic Rim, Boonah is seriously underrated. Craft breweries, wineries and culinary gems are hidden in this scenic country town, not to mention the mountainous views that envelope your exploration.

Ketchup’s Bank is a glamping haven in Boonah.

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 rainforest offerings.

The luxe set-up opens out onto a deck and a fire pit.

Distance from the CBD: A one hour and 15-minute drive.

10. Canungra 

Perfect for: A picnic in nature

Another standout town in the Scenic Rim region, Canungra is a top-notch day trip from Brisbane if you’re a sucker for country life.

Lamington National Park delivers spectacular views from every angle. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Don’t leave town without sampling one of the buttery homemade pies at The Outpost Cafe and locally produced wines at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard, but also carve out plenty of time to marvel in the tranquil West Canungra Creek within Lamington National Park, which is a magnet for picnic goers.

Picnic at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance from the CBD: A one-hour drive.