Day trips from Brisbane
16 spots, costed and mapped.
Brisbane is surrounded by good days out. Everything below is within about two hours of the CBD, so you can leave after breakfast and still be home for dinner.
We've picked the trips a mate would actually drive you out for, not every town within range. Each one shows how long the trip takes, what you'll spend and what to do once you get there.
Bay islands and beaches are near the top, then the rainforest and mountain walks, then the theme parks. Half of these need a car, and the ones that do not carry a PT friendly tag.
Quick picks
Bay islands and beaches
$North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
The world's second-largest sand island, a ferry ride from the city
$$Moreton Island, Tangalooma Wrecks
Snorkel a shipwreck reef and sand-toboggan down desert dunes on a pristine sand island
$Coochiemudlo Island
A ten-minute ferry to an island you can walk right around before lunch
$Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Loop
Four islands in a day on the ferry locals use as a bus
$Bribie Island
Queensland's most accessible island, drive straight onto pristine beaches and calm bay waters
FreeSurfers Paradise
Iconic golden sand, surf breaks, and beachfront dining on Australia's most famous stretch of coastline
Rainforest, mountains and walks
FreeGlass House Mountains
Ancient volcanic peaks rising from the plains, an hour north of Brisbane
FreeSpringbrook National Park
World Heritage rainforest with waterfalls, trails, and glow worms
$Tamborine Mountain
Rainforest walks, boutique wineries, and quirky village shops in the Gold Coast hinterland
FreeMount Barney
South East Queensland's hardest day hike, under two hours from Brisbane
FreeD'Aguilar National Park + Walkabout Creek
Bushwalking and native wildlife in a national park just 15 minutes from Brisbane's CBD
Theme parks and big days out
$$Australia Zoo
Steve Irwin's legacy, one of the world's most famous wildlife parks, an hour north of Brisbane
$$Dreamworld
Australia's biggest theme park, roller coasters, Tiger Island, and wildlife experiences on the Gold Coast
$$Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast
Australia's biggest waterpark, wave pool, speed slides, and lazy river on the Gold Coast
Markets and country towns
Before you set off
If you are not driving, look for the PT friendly tag. Eight of these work on public transport, including a train and a free shuttle to Australia Zoo and to Dreamworld.
Two of the bay islands run on the 50c fare, Coochiemudlo and the Southern Moreton Bay loop. The Stradbroke passenger ferry is a separate ticket at about $20 return.
Check the Queensland Parks alerts page before you drive out to a national park, because trail closures for maintenance are common.
Questions people ask
What is the best day trip from Brisbane? +
North Stradbroke Island for a beach day, the Glass House Mountains for a walk with a view, and Eumundi Markets on a Wednesday or Saturday morning. All three are an hour and a half from the CBD or less.
Can you do a day trip from Brisbane without a car? +
Yes. Eight of the trips here carry the PT friendly tag. Straddie, Coochiemudlo and the Southern Moreton Bay islands go by train and ferry, Surfers Paradise by train and tram, and Australia Zoo, Dreamworld and Wet’n’Wild by train and a shuttle or bus.
Which day trips from Brisbane are free? +
Springbrook National Park, the Glass House Mountains, Mount Barney, D’Aguilar National Park and Surfers Paradise all cost nothing to visit. Only Surfers is reachable without a car.
How far can you get from Brisbane in a day? +
Comfortably about two hours each way. Toowoomba is 90 minutes west, Springbrook is an hour and a half south, and the Glass House Mountains are an hour north up the Bruce Highway.
Last updated October 2026