10 of the best day trips from Brisbane

A classic coastal escape with surf beaches, buzzing markets and laidback Sunshine Coast vibes.

Get here: About 1.5 hours north of Brisbane

Things to do:

• Kings Beach: Soak up sun on one of the Sunshine Coast’s best family-friendly beaches and have a splash in the lifeguarded oceanfront pool.
• Caloundra Jet Ski: Zoom through Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay Marine Park on a heart-rushing guided tour. 
• Caloundra Street Fair: Pick up art, produce, yummy bites and gifts from 120+ stalls every Sunday.
• Sunshine Coast Art Trail: Spot colourful murals and visit local galleries dotted throughout town.
• Moffat Beach Brewing Co.: Sip award-winning small-batch beer just moments from the sand in Caloundra’s quiet hamlet of Moffat Beach. 

Have a weekend up your sleeve? Here’s how to make the most of your trip to Caloundra.

3. Lamington National Park day trip

Lose yourself in a rainforest that dates back 180 million years, yet is in easy reach of the city. With ancient trees, misty lookouts and rushing waterfalls, this World Heritage-listed haven is a hiker’s paradise.

Get here: Around 2 hours drive south of Brisbane.

Things to do:

• Hike to Elabana Falls: A more challenging 7.2km rainforest trek leads to a remote, dreamy waterfall you can take a dip at. Well worth the rock-hopping to get there.
• O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk: Views have never come so easy. Climb high into the forest canopy on nine suspension bridges set 16 metres above ground.
• Endless bushwalks: Choose your own adventure with short scenic loops or full-day treks through Gondwana wilderness.

Plan your trip with this complete guide to Lamington National Park.

Nature calling? Discover the epic multi-day Great Walk between Lamington and Springbrook.

4. Boonah day trip

A little bit rustic, a little bit fancy. Boonah is where country soul meets vineyard views. It’s the kind of place where you can hike a mountain in the morning, sip lavender-infused cocktails by lunch, and befriend a local at the farm shop before heading home.

Get here: 1.5 hours south-west of Brisbane.

Things to do:

• Scenic Rim Farm Shop: Kick off your day with a paddock-to-plate brekkie or homemade slice under the jacaranda tree. Then browse for local smallgoods, jams, and fresh-cut blooms from the onsite flower farm.
• Hike Mount Mitchell: A scenic workout along a 4-hour return trail with panoramic views from 1175m above sea level.
• Step back in time at Maynards: This family-run department store has been trading for generations.
• Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm: Soak up the good life with a long lunch overlooking rows of lavender and vines. Think seasonal produce, handcrafted wine, and a view that stretches across the Scenic Rim ranges.

Fallen for the region? Discover more with this Scenic Rim food trail, or turn your road trip into a romantic getaway.

5. Toowoomba day trip

Where heritage homes, blooming gardens and croissant runs collide. Toowoomba is like a country town with big city taste: a hilltop beauty delivering sweeping views and even bigger flavour in one of the best day trips from Brisbane.

Get here: 1 hour 45 minutes west of Brisbane.

• Walk Caledonian Estate: Take a self-guided stroll in this historic neighbourhood stacked with 19th-century Queenslanders and workers cottages. Don’t miss a wander through nearby Queens Park’s heritage listed gardens while you’re here.
• Ground Up Espresso Bar: Refuel at the local’s favourite laneway coffee spot, a great starting point to explore Toowoomba’s street art.
• The Baker’s Duck: Famous for their twice-baked croissants and inventive cruffin flavours. Go early!
• Picnic Point Lookout: Take-away your pastries and take in sweeping views over the Great Dividing Range, before exploring the walking trails.
• Cobb & Co Museum: Take a step back in time at this interactive museum home to carriage collections and kids activities.

Our advice? Don’t just do Toowoomba in a day, try this weekend guide. Our favourite time to visit? During the annual Carnival of Flowers when the gardens, food scene and entertainment gets next-level. 

6. Canungra day trip

Wedged in the hills between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, this Scenic Rim charmer serves up small-town vibes with big-hearted flavour. Think wine picnics, antique treasure hunts, and a couple of alpacas just casually roaming the vineyard.

Get here: 1 hour south of Brisbane.

Things to do:

• The Outpost Café: Fuel up with coffee and classic country breakfasts.
• Walk the Lahey Tramway Tunnel: Wander through this historic timber transport tunnel built in 1903.
• Picnic at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards: Pre-order a gourmet hamper or cook-your-own BBQ packs to enjoy beside serene Canungra Creek. Keep an eye out for the resident alpacas, or pick up some special food for them at the gift shop (you'll soon be besties).
• Treasure hunt: Browse the high street’s record shops, book stores and antiques for unique souvenirs.

Not ready to leave? Stay the night at nearby O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and wake up surrounded by Lamington National Park beauty. 

7. Shorncliffe day trip

Fish and chips on the pier are what weekends were made for. Or at least they should be, when you live in Brisbane and can get to Shorncliffe in less time than it takes to listen to that latest podcast episode. Cue: breezy bayside escape.

Get here: Just 40 minutes north-east of Brisbane

Things to do:

• Shorncliffe Pier: Walk the historic 350-metre timber boardwalk into Bramble Bay for sunrise or sunset snaps.
• Buy fresh prawns from the trawlers: Head to Sinbad Street early with an esky and score a seafood bargain.
• Lovers’ Walk: Stroll the seaside path towards Sandgate (pro tip: bring the pups at low tide for a run along the foreshore’s off-leash beach!)
• The Wired Owl: Friendly locals and seriously good coffee just off the foreshore.
• Explore Moreton Bay eats: Find more foodie faves in this local guide.

8. Queen Mary Falls day trip

Ready to hike to one of South East Queensland’s best waterfalls? Visit Queen Mary Falls for a misty adventure within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Prepare for a scenic drive worthy of a car commercial. 

Get here: About 2.5 hours south-west of Brisbane via Killarney.

Things to do:

• Queen Mary Falls Circuit: A short but steep 30-minute loop takes you to the base of a 40m cascade. Expect rainforest, birdsong and mist.
• Queen Mary Falls lookout: Just 100 metres from the carpark for easy-access views from the top of the plunge.
• Follow the Falls Drive: Tick off four more nearby falls including Daggs, Browns and Teviot.

Stay longer? Use this 48-hour guide to Killarney.

9. Mount Mee day trip

Tucked in the D'Aguilar Range, this hinterland haven serves up rainforest walks, scenic lookouts and one of the best winery lunches around.

Get here: About 90 minutes north-west of Brisbane.

Things to do:

• Dayboro stopover: Browse antique stores and grab a flat white and artisan deli supplies at The Old Storehouse.
• The Gantry & Piccabeen Trail: Take a forest stroll through old sawmill history and lush piccabeen groves.
• Ocean View Estates: Feast on local produce, sip estate-grown wines, take a behind-the-scenes tour and stay the night in one of the winery’s cottages if the vibe takes you.
• Hike in D’Aguilar National Park: Take your pick of trails through subtropical rainforest, or pull over at a lookout to take in the views.

Turn the day into a getaway? Here's how to explore more of the D’Aguilar Range.

10. Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) day trip