📍10 Best Coastal Weekend Getaways From Brisbane For Fun & Adventure From An Local Thrillseeking Outdoor Enthusiast. (2026.)

WONDERING WHAT THE BEST WEEKEND TRIPS FROM BRISBANE ARE?

Brisbane is Queensland’s spectacular capital, famous for its idyllic year-round weather, enviable riverine lifestyle and abundance of incredible, fun and unique things to do, such as summiting the spectacular Story Bridge, swimming at South Bank’s iconic resort-style lagoons and having a stunning backdrop of skyscrapers while climbing the sheer Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

But as a longtime local living on the fringes, I can tell you that the CBD is just the tip of the massive iceberg that this breathtaking part of Australia has to offer, with the coastline being one of its resounding highlights.

So, for those looking to venture out of the city and spend a few days exploring the unforgettable seaside destinations within striking distance of this unforgettable River City, enjoy this comprehensive list compiling the top weekend getaways & escapes from Brisbane. From beautiful Noosa on the Sunshine Coast to the idyllic Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region of NSW and everything in between, here’s where to go when nature and epic outdoor adventure are calling.

For Brisbane’s best day trips that you can turn into a weekend adventure, click here.

1. Coolangatta & Tweed Heads.
Gold Coast/ Tweed.

Straddling the Queensland/NSW border lie Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. Even though the twin towns look sleepy, there’s plenty more to them than meets the eye. They’re like the perfect mix of Burleigh Heads, where, on appearance, they exude a calm and peaceful atmosphere, and Surfers Paradise’s, which, if you dig under the surface, is also home to some of the greatest experiences the South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers regions have to offer. This makes it one of the most dynamic weekend escapes from Brisbane, both as a budget destination and an adrenaline-pumping adventure getaway!

Some highlights include its great swimming beaches, especially for families, thanks to Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay, which face northward and produce small waves ideal for kids to splash around. As for surfing, it doesn’t get any more top-tier than this, because Coolangatta is home to the world-famous Snapper Rocks, thanks to its iconic sandbar producing the longest, hollowest waves on the planet, turning it into a mecca for surfing enthusiasts and elites.

There’s also Point Danger, which has one of the most unique non-traditional lighthouses you’ll see! It also earmarks the easternmost point on the QLD/NSW border with a line on the ground underneath, which you absolutely must jump back and forth between. It’s also an epic lookout spot where you can gaze across both states, and a fantastic, albeit windy, picnic spot too!

And that’s just one of the three vantage points, with the other two being the under-the-radar Kirra Hill Lookout and Tom Beatson Lookout, providing even more breathtaking places to admire the scenery! Then there’s the Tweed River, which is great for boating and kayaking, Currumbin Rock Pool for wild swimming, and the Cougal Cascades in Springbrook National Park for hinterland nature.

Now for the truly epic one-of-a-kind stuff. The greatest experience I’ve ever had took off from here, and I absolutely cannot recommend it enough! It was an adrenaline-pumping aerobatic flight in a Yak-52 Russian Warbird. The pilot dived headfirst into an exhilarating non-stop barrage of high-intensity maneuvers of spins, turns, barrel rolls, Cuban 8s, loop de loops and more. I felt like I was in an active warzone, dodging enemy fire for 25 adrenaline-pumping minutes! And all of this was done with Surfers Paradise as the backdrop, which only made it even better.

Best of all, you don’t have to go that hardcore! It’s a tailored adventure, so if you just want a scenic flight in this beautiful aircraft, done. If you would like to test out a few fun tricks, sure thing. Or if going bat-s**t crazy like I did sounds more appealing, that’s completely up to you! (Or what your stomach can handle!)

And that’s not all! Adding even more adrenaline to the line-up, Coolangatta is also home to the Gold Coast’s only skydiving experience with a twist on the traditional landing. So, not only are you jumping out of a perfectly good plane and reaching terminal velocity speeds from an eye-wateringly 14,000 feet while soaking in magnificent aerial views of Australia’s world-famous coastal city, but you also get the unique opportunity to land on the beach, which is just the perfect way to cap off an unforgettably exhilarating experience.

There are also experiences to swim with humpback whales in winter and go diving and snorkelling trips out at the nearby Cook Islands, just to add more adventure to these phenomenal twin destinations.

Oh, right. Can’t forget that Coolangatta is also a departure point to Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost coral cay of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, which you can visit on a day tour! Bet you weren’t expecting that, which just adds ten layers of top-tier awesomeness to these twin towns’ destinations.

• Distance From Brisbane: 106km. (~1hr 20min incl. flight..)
• Best Coolangatta Weekend Accommodation Option: Tessa’s On The Beach.

2. Byron Bay.

There’s no place more synonymous with the idyllic Australian lifestyle than Byron Bay. It is essentially the poster child for it, which goes a long way to make one of Brisbane’s top-tier weekend coastal escapes.

It has a super lively small town atmosphere, beautiful beaches for swimming and learning to surf and a gorgeous heritage lighthouse that sits atop the spectacular Cape Byron headland, where stunning panoramic views of the northern and southern coastlines and the vast Pacific Ocean await. Perfect for watching both the sunrise and sunset.

You can also go on paddle adventures to see pods of dolphins swimming in the water year-round, or cruises to encounter whales performing their mesmerising surface behaviours up close during their annual migration in winter. There’s also a walk that leads from the lighthouse to the rocks at the base of the headland, which is a must-do as this is no ordinary piece of land, but the easternmost point of mainland Australia!

But where Byron Bay truly comes into its own and earns its elite status is that it is also home to some unforgettably exhilarating experiences that capitalise on its breathtaking beauty. This includes a magnificent hang gliding experience over the lighthouse with a beach landing, an adrenaline-pumping skydive freefall from 15,000 ft, and a rare and spectacular scenic flight in an open-air, 2-person gyrocopter, covering the iconic coastline and hinterland, which are all exceptional ways to tackle this iconic destination.

• Distance From Brisbane: 164km (~1hr 50min.)
• Best Byron Bay Weekend Accommodation: Byron Palms Guesthouse & Spa.

3. Maroochydore.

Another great place to go for a coastal weekend is Maroochydore. It is the biggest destination on the Sunshine Coast, and the only city. However, it doesn’t have those big city vibes like the Gold Coast does, perfect for those looking to tone down the touristy atmosphere and chaotic nature and enjoy something more peaceful and idyllic.

It has some lovely ocean swimming and surfing opportunities, and a picturesque creek that is especially great for young kids to splash around, while the older kids and adults enjoy stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. The headland that the Point Cartwright Lighthouse is on is the only lookout in town and a stunning spot to watch the sunrise over the ocean and set over the mainland, perfect for kicking off or capping off the day.

Some great ways to inject some fun and adventure into your trip are to go jet boating and tear around the water, enjoy spectacular views over the region’s gorgeous coastline while playing eye-spy with the iconic Glass House Mountains scattered across the Sunshine Coast on a scenic flight in a helicopter or a seaplane.

And if you come in the cooler months, you can also have unforgettable close encounters with majestic humpback whales who are swimming up and down the east coast of Australia for their annual breeding and calving migration, adding a little marine wildlife magic to your seaside weekend.

• Distance From Brisbane: 104km. (~1hr 20min.)
• Best Maroochydore Weekend Accommodation Option: Alexandria Apartments.

4. Surfers Paradise.

Surfers Paradise is the beating heart of the Gold Coast and the perfect place for first-time visitors to explore, as you can dive headfirst into many of the attractions and experiences that make it the revered world-class destination it is. And here, you’re spoilt for choice as nowhere else incorporates a vibrant city atmosphere with nature and thrills more perfectly than this place does. And you can do it on a budget or go all out. Dealer’s choice.

Kicking things off with the iconic, there’s no better way to start the trip than with a swim or surfing lesson at Surfers Paradise Beach, at one of the most famous stretches of sand on the planet, before going shopping mad at Cavill Avenue during the day and partying until dawn at the unique IceBar and many nightclubs.

In the meantime, for the kids, there are strange exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and celebrity sculptures at the Wax Museum come face-to-face with. Or you can see how you fare getting launched straight up into the sky at breakneck speeds on the exhilarating Slingshot ride!

Then, for scenery, just down the road is Australia’s tallest building and the Gold Coast’s most easily identifiable, the striking Q1, which has the gorgeous Skypoint Observation Deck on its top floor, where magnificent panoramic views of this breathtaking city await.

However, I highly recommend going a step further and taking things outside, because this is where the Skypoint Climb allows you to conquer the country’s tallest external building climb and get those same epic views, only higher, with no windows, making for a truly memorable experience.

And just when you thought that was enough to jam-pack into a weekend away, things don’t stop there. In fact, they only get better, because I haven’t even mentioned the Gold Coast Broadwater, which is where the heart of the action lies and is what elevates this city into being the epic place it is to visit, which is all just a stone’s throw away from Surfers Paradise.

You can go gently with a scenic cruise on a luxury boat, the unique amphibious Aquaduck or an even quirkier aquatic car hybrid. Or you can crank up all the notches to eleven and experience so much of what this thrill-seeking destination can throw at you by going through the list of its many adrenaline-pumping river activities, such as jetboating, jetskiing, fliteboarding, flyboarding, and so much more!

And there’s more, because those are just some of the surface-level experiences departing near Surfers. There are also some incredible things happening underwater. Snorkelling or diving with tropical fish off Wave Break Island is one such wonderful endeavour.

But it’s the wintertime when something truly special happens: pods of majestic humpback whales are making their annual migration up and down the east and west coast of Australia, coming right past the Gold Coast. Thanks to dedicated cruises and the whale’s penchant for curiosity for coming right up beside boats, you can get extraordinary up-close encounters with these marine giants, a quintessential Surfers Paradise wildlife experience you don’t want to miss.

Best of all, you don’t even need a car to get there or around. A single train from Roma St Station goes to Helensvale Station, where the G:Link tram takes you the rest of the way to Cavill Avenue. Once there, you can hire one of the wickedly fun Lime Scooters or bikes that are everywhere and whizz your way between the gorgeous skyscrapers and along the stunning foreshores lining the seaside and river, which is a great way to inject even more fun into this spectacular, jam-packed weekend getaway from Brisbane.

• Distance From Brisbane: 78km. (~1hr 5min drive.)
• Best Surfers Paradise Weekend Accommodation Option: Narrowneck Court Holiday Apartments.

5. Theme Parks.

If you’re a young adult, couple or family with anything from toddlers to teens, there’s no better weekend escape from Brisbane for non-stop fun and thrills than its famous theme parks and water parks. Better yet, 4 of the 5 there are are located next to the highway in side-by-side suburbs 10 minutes from each other, perfect for getting them all done in one fell swoop.

Dreamworld is the quintessential Australian one and features the world’s first triple-launch rollercoaster, the Steel Taipan, a revitalised version of the iconic Giant Drop, one of my favourites, and is in the process of getting a bigger version of the beloved ride, The Claw, called King Claw.

Highlights at White Water World next door are the Hydrocoaster, a super fun mechanical waterslide hybrid, and the Green Room, which provides is a great, thrilling experience created named after the revered hollow wave surfers love.

Meanwhile, down the highway, Movieworld has even more of the country’s best high-intensity rides, such as the Superman Escape and the elite, DC Rivals Hypercoaster, the longest, tallest, fastest rollercoaster in the southern hemisphere, and the family-favourite soon-to-be reopened Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster.

Last but not least is Wet ‘n’ Wild, the oldest and largest water park on the Gold Coast. It has the classic Super 8 AQUA Racer, perfect for racing your family and friends to the finish line, while the Kaboom is a fantastic thrill-seeking side-by side mechanical slide that you can race others with.

Psst: White Water World is closed in the cooler months.

6. Burleigh Heads.

For a place between Brisbane and the NSW border that perfectly represents this idyllic Australian lifestyle, it’s hard to go past, Burleigh Heads. Located midway down the Gold Coast’s breathtaking 35km stretch of seaside real estate, this suburb is the perfect alternative to Surfers Paradise for those looking to get off the tourist trail and enjoy a more relaxing weekend by the water.

It is also home to one of the region’s most scenic beaches, with its foreshore behind the beach lined with beautiful, shady pine trees and the low-rise buildings taking a backseat to Burleigh Head National Park’s breathtaking beauty. Even the short walk through Burleigh Hill Park between the two places is gorgeous, thanks to its northward-facing orientation, giving distant views of the striking Surfing Paradise skyline, making it the perfect scenic spot for picnics and BBQs.

But it’s within the national park where the real magic happens, because this tiny remnant rainforest by the ocean is home to some of the best views in the city. The most notable being Tumgum Lookout, which overlooks the stunning azure blue waters of Tallebudgera Creek and the entire coastline south! It’s a gorgeous spot, but don’t just stop there, because you can do a loop of this place and enjoy even more beautiful views of the Gold Coast skyscrapers framed by the coastal vegetation coming back along the Oceanview Trail, which makes for a great photography shot, especially at sunrise.

You can also walk down to the aforementioned creek for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters that look like they belong to a distant paradisal island, which is just another thing that makes Burleigh Heads such a great weekend escape from Brisbane and my favourite Gold Coast destination. Or if you have a kayak, stand-up paddleboard or want to do a whole beach picnic, gazebo & all, it’s all just a short drive away.

• Distance From Brisbane: 87km. (~1hr.)
• Best Burleigh Heads Weekend Accommodation Option: Solnamara Beachfront Apartments.

7. Noosa.

Sitting right up there with Byron Bay, Airlie Beach and the town of 1770, Noosa is one of Australia’s most beloved idyllic coastal towns, and it’s easy to see why. Located at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, what makes this place so revered is that it prominently features as an epic seaside national park with unequivocally best coastline between here and the QLD/NSW Border.

The reigning highlights are its lookouts and headlands, with the Devil’s Kitchen being the most striking and Hell’s Gate close behind, separated by a gorgeous, isolated beach, which feels worlds away. There are also beautiful swimming beaches and a stunning river for boating and kayaking.

Another incredibly special thing about this town is that it is also on the doorstep of the Cooloola Section of Great Sandy National Park. I go into more detail about that below because there are plenty of epic remote adventures to have in there that definitely should have it’s own weekend at minimum to explore. As for the casual visitors, the 4×4 and kayaking adventure tour to Double Island Point and the Serenity Cruise along the Noosa Everglades are fantastic ways to get a taste test of this spectacular coastal nd riverine wilderness.

• Distance From Brisbane: 138km. (~1hr 45min.)
• Best Noosa Weekend Accommodation Option: Seaheaven Noosa Beachfront Resort

8. Rainbow Beach & Great Sandy NP.

Rainbow Beach is one of those magical seaside destinations that warrants repeated visits, and that all starts with its name, which is derived from its being on the doorstep of one of Australia’s most unique and mesmerising coastlines.

Known as the Coloured Sands, it is a spectacular natural phenomenon of towering sea cliffs with varying shades of red, oranges, yellows and greys that stretch a massive 16km just south of the town to Double Island Point.

It is Rainbow Beach’s most iconic landscape and resides within the Cooloola section of the enormous Great Sandy National Park wilderness, which is an outdoor enthusiast’s heaven. However, while it is mostly remote 4WD, hiking and camping terrain (more on its remote, self-sufficient adventures in the next section), what’s great about it is that you don’t even have to do any of those things to have an incredible weekend here, thanks to the several incredible attractions close to town and the tours that they offer.

On foot, you can reach the gorgeous clifftop Carlo Sandblow and enjoy elevated views of the magnificent southern coastline or even tandem paraglide from it, wild swim and snorkel in the crystal clear yellow – or sometimes red – waters of Seary’s Creek and hike to the picturesque Lake Poona.

You can also walk along the beach to the aforementioned Coloured Sands, which starts 1km from town or join a 4X4 and kayaking adventure tour, which takes you the entire stretch to Double Island Point to see its historical lighthouse. Alternatively, or additionally, opt for a northward trajectory to enjoy an even more off-the-beaten-path outing by touring the lesser-visited southern expanse of K’gari, formerly Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island.

These are all excellent ways to experience the best of what this gorgeous small town and its breathtaking national park have to offer without all the kit required, perfect for tourists and casual visitors.

• Distance From Brisbane: 236km. (~2hr 45min.)
• Best Rainbow Beach Weekend Accommodation Option: Debbie’s Place.

9. Evans Head.

Super sleepy towns withing two hours drive of Brisbane don’t get much better than Evans Head. Located in the Clarence Valley region of New South Wales, this lovely, peaceful seaside destination is not on the radar of most tourists. But it should be, because the punch it packs is well worth turning off the Pacific Highway for.

The beaches and river system featured here are gorgeous, with some of the most picturesque, easily accessible places being Shark Bay and Watsons Beach, while Razorback Lookout is a stunning spot to see the coastal scenery from above.

And that’s just the start of why it is one of my favourite towns in this part of the state. It is also surrounded by a nature reserve and two national parks. Dirawong has spectacular rugged headlands, picturesque viewpoints and beautiful walking beaches. And thanks to the surfer letting me know, I also saw pods of dolphins playing in the waves, super close to shore! It was magnificent!

Broadwater National Park has massive dunes that make walking along the sand feel so far, wild and romantically distant from civilisation, while the northern end of Bundjalung National Park has a beautiful kayaking creek that meets up with the main Evans River for longer paddling adventures. Forewarning: Be wary of the rides as the creek almost completely empties. I had to drag my kayak through parts of it.

Adding to the town’s unique charm, it is also a site of historical fascination, with the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Museum is one of the town’s must-see attractions, providing an intruiging insight into the town’s role as a bombing and gunnery school during the World War II and featuring genuine, full-sized retired military aircraft, some of which you can even go inside of.

• Distance From Brisbane: 220km. (~2hr 20min.)
• Best Evans Head Weekend Accommodation Option: Reflections Holiday Park Evans Head.

10. Great Sandy National Park.

Diving deeper into this massive national park twice mentioned above unlocks epic wilderness adventures in nature you’ll never forget.

Relaxation and fun by the ocean are great, but for adventure that gets you into the heart of nature, no better coastal weekend getaway from Brisbane earns its spot on this list more than the expansive Great Sandy National Park.

Just to give you an idea of how massive this seaside wilderness is, it has three sections spanning three southern Queensland regions: the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, and the Fraser Coast, perfect for remote self-sufficient adventures.

The Cooloola section between Noosa & Rainbow Beach is the closest and has epic offerings. It features one of Australia’s most breathtakingly iconic seascapes, the magnificent Coloured Sands, spectacular clifftop sand blows, one of only two everglades in the world and a historical lighthouse, that’s just to start.

There are also extensive golden beaches, gorgeous natural waterholes, and even two Great Multi-Day Walks with many rustic campgrounds scattered throughout, so it’s jammed-packed full of isolated outdoor adventure for enthusiastic 4X4ers, hikers and paddlers, looking to get off the grid for a few days.

Rainbow Beach is also the under-the-radar access point to K’gari, formerly Fraser Island, where you can catch a ferry to the world’s largest sand island and explore the seldom-seen southern half of this entirely off-road destination in your 4WD while making your way to some of its many incredible natural attractions and campgrounds, such as Lake Birrabeen and the Maheno Wreck.

Meanwhile, the Inskip Camping Area on the mainland’s peninsula between the two sections is perfect for a late-night arrival before the weekend starts to make the most of your Great Sandy National Park adventure.

• Distance From Brisbane To Noosa North Shore: 145km. (~2hr 15min.)
• Best Great Sandy National Park Weekend Accommodation Option: I enjoyed staying at the Inskip Peninsula campgrounds, but there’s several incredible accommodation options at Rainbow Beach too.

From the Gold Coast’s gorgeous beaches and its substantial list of fun and thrill-seeking things to do, to the spectacular seaside wildernesses of Great Sandy National Park, there is absolutely no shortage of outstanding coastal weekend getaways from Brisbane to satisfy.

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