Best Day Trips from Brisbane

Brisbane is a cosmopolitan city, full of life and plenty to do. But beyond what you can find in the city, can you imagine exploring pristine beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, challenging mountains and historic towns? All this and more awaits you on incredible day trips from Brisbane.

Read on to discover what awaits you on the Sunshine Coast, Tamborine Mountain or Stradbroke Island. Here we go!

If you're planning a getaway from Brisbane that combines lush natural beauty with Australia's rich cultural history, a full day tour to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa Beach, approximately 103 kilometres by road and a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Brisbane.

An opportunity to embark on a journey through beautiful landscapes and sub-tropical rainforests, where you'll see koalas, kangaroos and other wildlife. You'll also have the opportunity to discover the local culture through charming towns such as Montville, steeped in art and culture at every turn, and Yandina, one of the oldest and most historic towns in the region.

You can experience the essence of the Australian Sunshine Coast, for example, by strolling through the Eumundi Markets and relaxing on Noosa's stunning beach. Oh, and there's one more must-see place in the area, the Gingerbread Factory! A trip to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa will give you the best of Queensland culture outside of the big city.

Interesting details

• Price: from 96 euros.
• Duration: approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: bus.
• Advantages of this option: it is a comfortable and organised way to spend a full day on the coast.
• Disadvantages of this option: Generally, you will have to travel from your hotel to the departure point of the cruise.

I also recommend you immerse yourself in Australia's rich wine culture with a Gold Coast winery tour. You can tour the Mount Tamborine wineries, home to several family-owned wineries, while learning about indigenous winemaking. Each stop usually includes tastings of 6 to 10 wines, accompanied by a 2-course lunch, cheese tasting, and sweet treats that will embark you on a sensory journey through Australia's rich wine culture.

Each winery usually tells some of the secrets of how their wines are made, followed by a tasting of carefully selected wines, from intense reds to fresh whites and sparkling. You will learn to appreciate the aromas and flavours that define each variety and about the unique terroir of the region.

Savour a delicious gourmet lunch paired with the winery's wines, delight your palate and let yourself be carried away by the stories and anecdotes that the wine experts will share with you. Whether you are an experienced wine lover or just starting your journey into the world of winemaking, this tour will surprise and captivate you.

Tamborine Mountain is magical not just for its lush rainforest, waterfalls and firefly caves. It's also for its wineries. But let's take it one step at a time, because Tamborine Mountain has so much to explore. Embark on an enriching and captivating journey exploring the lush natural beauty that Australia has to offer.

If you choose this tour, the first thing that will strike you is the Numinbah Valley, which will greet you with breathtaking panoramic views, offering a spectacular display of the Australian bush in all its splendour.

Some of the places you'll discover in this area include Tamborine Mountain, which will captivate you with its waterfalls and rolling hills, providing the perfect backdrop for a romantic sunset and exploring the eclectic Gallery Walk.

You can also immerse yourself in the serenity of Springbrook National Park, where diverse native wildlife and majestic waterfalls surround you in an idyllic landscape. Of particular note is the Natural Bridge, where a waterfall cascades through the rocks, creating a dreamlike setting in the heart of the rainforest.

And last but not least, the darkness of Cedar Creek to discover the Glow Worm Caves, where luminous larvae create a glow in the gloom of the Firefly Cave.

All this, surrounded by the rainforest, can be seen from Curtis Falls in Joalah. This experience will take you on an unforgettable journey through some of Australia's most breathtaking natural treasures.

Details of interest

• Price: from 118 euros.
• Duration: Approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes.
• Means of transport: Bus.
• Advantages of this option: You will have the opportunity to experience an exceptional variety of landscapes and natural attractions in a single day.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is a journey of approximately 9 hours with multiple stops, so if you are looking for something relaxed, this is not the ideal experience for you.

There are several cruises from Brisbane, but I highly recommend this one. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience in Brisbane, I highly recommend a dolphin feeding cruise. You'll embark on an exciting boat adventure to Moreton Island, where you can interact with these amazing animals in their natural habitat.

During the cruise, you'll enjoy a boat trip with stunning views of Moreton Island, with the opportunity to see wild dolphins up close and feed them from the boat. A dolphin expert will be on hand to help you learn more about these fascinating creatures.

It's a unique opportunity to interact with these intelligent and playful animals in their natural environment. You will also be supporting a company that is dedicated to the conservation of dolphins and their ecosystem.

I recommend you book your place in advance as these excursions are very popular. Bring a swimming costume, towel and sunscreen, you'll need them! I'm sure a dolphin feeding cruise will be one of the best experiences of your trip.

Interesting details

• Price: From 139 euros.
• Duration: 1 day.
• Means of transport: Boat.
• Advantages of this option: Meeting dolphins up close and feeding them is an unforgettable experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: You must weigh up the time it takes to do this activity to fit it into your trip.

Stradbroke Island is the second largest sand island in the world, and possibly one of Brisbane's most popular tour destinations - and for good reason! There are many things to see and do on this island, and you'll need to organise your time well to make the most of your trip to Stradbroke. By ferry, the island is 45 kilometres from Brisbane, which is about an hour's journey.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Stradbroke Island, the second largest sand island in the world. Just an hour's ferry ride from Brisbane, this natural paradise will amaze you with its paradise beaches, rich wildlife and a variety of activities to suit all tastes.

Start your day by exploring the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Cylinder Beach, Main Beach and Amity Point Beach are just a few of the options waiting for you to relax in the sun, swim in the turquoise waters or enjoy water sports.

If you're a keen hiker, the island offers a network of trails with stunning coastal and inland views. Walk the North Gorge Walk to Point Lookout, take in the panoramic views from the Myora Springs Walk or choose a trail that suits your pace and preferences.

In Stradbroke, nature comes alive. See kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat, watch dolphins and whales in the waters surrounding the island or discover the fascinating marine life by diving or fishing.

For the adventure seekers, the island also offers exciting activities such as kayaking, 4WD or even camping under the stars.

As night falls, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the island's restaurants overlooking the sea. Relax with a cocktail as you watch the sunset and prepare for another day full of excitement.

Stradbroke Island invites you to live a unique experience in an incomparable natural environment. A perfect trip for those looking to disconnect from routine and connect with nature in its purest form.

Details of interest

• Price: from 105 euros.
• Duration: approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transport: Ferry
• Advantages of this option: This type of experience includes multiple stops that allow you to get to know the island better.
• Disadvantages of this option: It involves spending a day on the trip, so consider whether you can do this excursion in the time you have available.

Experience the thrill of scuba diving in Moreton Island's pristine Blue Lagoon. Dive the crystal clear waters and discover vibrant marine life, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles and schools of dolphins.

Explore the underwater wonders of the Blue Lagoon on an exciting diving excursion from Brisbane. Be guided by a team of experts who will take you to the island's best dive sites and provide you with all the equipment you need for a safe and comfortable experience. Enjoy the personal attention of experienced instructors who will accompany you every step of the way and help you discover the vibrant marine life of this pristine ecosystem. Book your adventure now and get ready for an unforgettable experience on Moreton Island.

Cruise to Tangalooma Island Resort from Brisbane

• Champagne Pools: Relax in these amazing natural pools formed by coral rocks and enjoy the gas bubbles that emerge from the bottom.
• Tangalooma Island Resort. Enjoy quad biking, hiking, dolphin spotting, snorkelling and other activities.
• Cape Moreton Lighthouse: Admire stunning panoramic views of Moreton Bay and the Pacific Ocean from this historic lighthouse.
• World War II Ruins: Explore the ruins of bunkers, trenches and cannons dating back to World War II.
• Wildlife: See the wide variety of animals that inhabit the island, including dolphins, sea turtles, kangaroos and koalas.

Details of interest

• Price: from 164 euros.
• Duration: approximately 1 day.
• Means of transport: Ferry.
• Advantages of this option: Enjoy the biodiversity of the area first hand.
• Disadvantages of this option: it requires a whole day of your trip, so you must calculate whether this activity is suitable depending on the time you spend in Brisbane.

You may have already thought about these details when planning your trip, but I'm still going to give you some tips to make your excursions from Brisbane go a lot more smoothly - I hope they help!

• Book in advance. The places I've told you about for day trips from Brisbane can be very busy destinations, so I recommend you book in advance and don't improvise, especially if you're travelling in high season.
• Plan your route. On any trip, I recommend planning everything from transportfrom the airport to where to eat each day. Before you leave, decide what you want to see and do. This will help you make the most of your time, as it will usually be a one-day trip.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You are likely to do a lot of walking on your tour, or be in a natural environment that requires comfortable clothing, such as the beach. So make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat. The sun can be very strong in Australia, so be sure to protect both your skin and eyes.
• Bring water and some food. There may not be many places to buy food or drink during your tour, so it's best to bring your own water and some food, just in case. This way you won't find yourself in the situation of going thirsty or hungry during your hike and not being able to find any shops nearby.
• Be aware of the weather. The weather in Australia can change quickly, so make sure you're prepared to go from sunny to rainy, or from hot to cold in no time at all. To be prepared, it's best to bring several layers of clothing so you can layer up or down depending on the temperature.
• It's worth setting aside a day to do any of these tours, but if you're only in Brisbane for a short time and would prefer to spend your time exploring all that the metropolis has to offer, you may also want to check out some of the city's best tours.