5 fantastic day trips you can do from Brisbane
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A chance to chill out, breath in some fresh air and see something different. Luckily, Brisbane is in the perfect spot to reach so many different places that a day trip away from the city is super easy. So if you’re planning a trip to Brisbane, as well as soaking in the tonnes of things to do in the city, make sure you hop away for a bit and explore some of these beautiful places!
North Stradbrook Island
North Stradbrook Island, or ‘Straddie’ as it’s mostly known sits just 30km from Brisbane and is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. It’s teaming with wildlife, sealife, lagoons, a surfers haven and a great place to chill out. There’s a variety of accommodation available on the island ranging from campsites to resorts, so you could even turn your stay into a weekend away. Make sure you check out the Straddie website for any upcoming events too.
How to get there
The Stradbrook Flyer Water Taxi runs from Cleveland which is just a short way out of the city. Catch either a bus or train to Cleveland and then make use of the free shuttle that will take you right to the ferry port at Toondah Harbour. Alternatively, you can drive to Toondah Harbour and either park up and get the passenger ferry or take your car with you on the car ferry.
Mount Coot-tha
I love this little gem of a place! If you’re looking for a nice walk that’s not going to take you ages and is guaranteed to have a great view at the end, this is perfect for you! Take a nice walk through the forest on one of the tracks ranging from 15 minutes to an hour and make your way up to the stunning Brisbane lookout at the top. And after all the hard work, a slab of delicious cake from the Kuta Cafe is a must! Chill for a while and soak in the views of Brisbane – it’s especially magical at sunset.
How to get there
A number of buses run out towards Mt Coot-tha then it’s just a short walk to the track leading through the forest. Alternatively, if the walk isn’t for you, buses do run up to the summit from Adelaide Street in Brisbane or there is parking available at the top.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
This amazing sanctuary is cuteness to the extreme. It has been open since 1972, starting out as a place to help injured and sick koalas and continues to do so today, along with education and research about these adorable animals. Along with the koalas, you also get the chance to see kangaroos, reptiles and birds up close. And yes, you do have the opportunity to cuddle a koala!
How to get there
Buses run regularly from Queen Street Station and Adelaide Street right to Lone Pine’s front doors. I would recommend getting there fairly early as it can certainly get crowded.
Byron Bay
Ah, one of the most iconic Australian beaches! While it would be incredibly easy to spend days indulging your inner hippie here, the good news is that if you’re short on time, you can get a great taste for it on a day trip. Here’s another great chance to learn to surf and be sure to take a walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse which offers stunning views. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins passing through too!
How to get there
A car is the most efficient way to visit Byron for the day, taking just 2 hours to get there following the coastal road. Easy!
The Gold Coast
Made up of 14 neighbourhoods and just an hour or so away, there are tonnes of things to do on the Gold Coast. Surfer’s Paradise is famed for being a bit of a party place with stunning beaches. Take a walk between Main Beach and Broadbeach or maybe even try your hand and surfing.
How to get there
You can use your Queensland Go card to catch a train out to the Gold Coast. Once you arrive, jump on a bus from outside the station and make your way to the beach.