Best of Brisbane
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.
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- 1
Gold Coast Beaches
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.
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Sunshine Coast, Noosa
Noosa and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland are 90 minutes north, Noosa National Park, Hastings Street and the Eumundi markets are the highlights.
- 3
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
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
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
Lamington National Park
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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