📍13 Best Day Trips From Brisbane Within 2 Hours Distance From A Road Trip Enthusiast. (2024.)

Greater Brisbane.

You don’t have to venture far out of the CBD to discover some fantastic places to visit. Brisbane has some excellent choices within close proximity. Some may require a hop, skip and a jump to reach, but these places are more than worthy of the added expense to do so.

1. D’Aguilar National Park. (South).

If you’re a nature lover in search of an outdoor adventure, one of Brisbane’s best day trip destinations is D’Aguilar National Park. The southern section starts about 13km west of the CBD and is the most accessible and spectacular. With winding roads gentling meandering through the mountains leading to numerous lookouts along the way, such as Jolly’s Lookout and Wivenhoe Outlook, it’s easy to see why this stretch of road between The Gap and Wivenhoe Pocket is considered to be one of South East Queensland’s best drives.

Instead of heading back along the same road to Brisbane, this lovely drive can also be incorporated into a wonderful scenic loop by continuing west to the vast regional lake of Wivenhoe Dam, and then southwest to the stunning heritage city of Ipswich before heading back to the River City at the end of the day. This is perfect for those who love to see as much as possible within a short amount of time.

As for those who’d like to do more than just drive and see the lookouts, this part of the expansive national park is also home to a Walkabout Creek, where visitors can swim and kayak, and a comprehensive network of trails where they can hike and bike to their heart’s content. There’s everything from short and easy family-friendly walks to long and challenging tracks for the more experienced. It even has remote camping grounds for those who want to make an overnight adventure out of it.

LOVE TRAVELLING? BUT HATE PACKING?

Want a FREE comprehensive packing list to streamline preparations for your next adventure? I’ve got you covered!

Send me my FREE Packing List!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

2. Moreton Island.

If you came to Brisbane thinking there were no island experiences to be had nearby, you’d be wrong. And pleasantly surprised. The Queensland capital is home to several outstanding islands that sit just off the mainland.

One of these is Moreton Island, a beautiful and unspoiled paradise a 25-minute drive and an hour and 15-minute passenger or 90-minute car ferry ride away from the bustling CBD. This adventure hotspot has everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine beaches, premium snorkelling spots (the Tangalooma Wrecks are a must!), numerous walking tracks to lakes, lookouts, lighthouses and even an old fortification!

Adding to the adventure is that all of these are only reachable by high-clearance 4WD, as there are no sealed roads on the island. Bring your own or hire one to build your own trip, or join a day tour that’ll take you to and across the island for the ultimate hassle-free trip to one of Brisbane’s best-unspoilt nature playgrounds.

3. North Stradbroke Island.

Not to be outshined, North Stradbroke Island is another fantastic island paradise close to Brisbane that is well worth visiting. Affectionately known as “Straddie” by locals, this beautiful place just south of Moreton Island one-ups the latter in a key way. It has sealed roads connecting the three townships of Dunwich, Amity, and Point Lookout, meaning this fun place isn’t just for those with 4WD, which is especially great for day trippers looking to make their own way there.

For those with conventional vehicles, there are plenty of things to do, such as swimming at one of the many unspoilt beaches or at the beautiful Brown Lake, walking to the Gorge and getting magnificent views of the island and watching pods of dolphins and whales frolicking in the ocean from the viewing platform at Point Lookout to name a few.

Meanwhile, those with high-clearance offroad-4WDs can drive the miles of coastline and explore the numerous walking trails that reside in the southern half of the island.

4. Lady Elliot Island.

When people think of the River City, they don’t usually think of the Great Barrier Reef. That’s a thousand miles away, right? But what surprises many is that the southern part of this globally recognised region of outstanding marine biodiversity is much closer to the Queensland capital than many people realise.

This is what makes visiting Lady Elliot Island one of the most unusual day trips from Brisbane, and one of the most magnificent. Although it’s expensive, booking a day tour with Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort will pay you back tenfold with memories that will last a lifetime.

The all-inclusive trip starts and ends with a spectacular 80-minute flight from Redcliffe Aerodome to the breathtaking coral cay 260km north and includes activities such as a glass bottom boat excursion and snorkelling where you’ll encounter the likes of majestic sea turtles and friendly reef sharks swimming around the incredible underwater formations like bommies, arches and caves.

At least that’s what I experienced when I did it, departing Bundaberg and I can’t speak highly enough of it. It is an exceptional trip especially if you don’t think you’ll ever get the opportunity to get closer to the Great Barrier Reef but always wanted to see what this renowned marine environment is all about.

Gold Coast.

One of Brisbane’s best day trip destinations is undisputedly the Gold Coast. With the tagline Famous For Fun, this renowned seaside city’s life goal is to provide its visitors with an unforgettable time. From its stunning beaches to its long list of top-notch attractions, adrenaline-pumping experiences, and peaceful hinterland escapes, there’s no shortage of fantastic things to do to keep visitors occupied for hours on end.

5. Surfers Paradise.

Surfers Paradise is the central hub of the Gold Coast and with many of its incredible attractions lying within close proximity to Cavill Mall, such as the beach, the intriguing Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and Wax Museum and the exhilarating Slingshot ride, it is a fantastic place to visit for a day. It’s also within striking distance of the Skypoint Observation Deck which is one of the best vantage points in the city offering magnificent 360 views overlooking the breathtaking coastal destination. The scenery is even better from atop the Crows Nest, especially knowing that at 270m high, it is Australia’s tallest building and highest external building walk!

Not only that, Surfers, as it is affectionately called, is also the departure point for numerous boat tours and activities that showcase the city’s stunning scenery in a multitude of ways. Scenic cruises are a great way to see the highrises and million-dollar mansions, but there are also more exciting ways to take in the sights, such as on an exhilarating jet boat ride, a relaxing tandem parasail or by zooming past on a jetski! But the fun on the water doesn’t stop there, there’s also surfing, hydrofoiling, and flyboarding to name a few of the most thrilling things to do around here.

As for those who love animal encounters, whale-watching cruises are fantastic ways to encounter the marine giants of the deep during the whale migration season between June and October, while Wave Break Island provides fantastic year-round opportunities to snorkel with turtles and fish.

Note: You can also catch a train, then a tram to Surfers Paradise.

6. Tamborine Mountain.

For those who love peace and tranquillity, the Gold Coast is just the place. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle in the hinterland, Mt Tamborine is just over an hour’s drive southwest of Brisbane and provides a serene escape from the chaotic nature of the two cities. This place is especially great for families, as the short and easy tracks are a fantastic way to get kids engaged and excited to be out in nature.

Two of the best trail offerings include the 1.1km return or 2.5km circuit walk to the gorgeous rainforest-shrouded Curtis Falls and the 1.1km return track to the stunning rock pools of Cedar Creek Falls, where a refreshing dip in the cooling mountain-fed waters is a must.

Mt Tamborine is also home to some spectacular viewpoints, with the most easily accessible being Robert Sowter and Rotary Park Lookouts, which are particularly romantic spots to watch the sunset over the vast plains of the Scenic Rim. The former is also a hang glider launch area, so if you’re lucky, you may see even pilots and paragliders taking off while you’re there. (Usually on weekends and when conditions are favourable.)

7. Springbrook National Park.

Inland from the bustling beaches, towering skyscrapers and vibrant city lights of the Gold Coast lies another fantastic Brisbane day trip destination: the unspoilt Gondwanian rainforests of Springbrook National Park. This magnificent wilderness plateau is a haven full of pristine natural beauty, and with a fantastic network of trails leading to clifftop viewpoints and towering waterfalls, it has, undoubtedly, some of the best hiking trails on this side of the capital.

One of the highlights is Purlingbrook Falls. There are some easy access lookouts at the top, but follow the 4km, grade 3 trail to the base and the reward is a peering up at a gorgeous horsetail waterfall plunging magnificently off a sheer 106m cliff face into the rocky plunge pool below from a suspension bridge.

Canyon Lookout is another captivating spot within the park. From this roadside vantage point, you can enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of the rugged volcanic landscape, with its deep gorges and dramatic cliffs. It’s particularly beautiful at sunset when the soft golden light touches the sheer escapements.

Down from the plateau is perhaps the most magical part of Springbrook National Park, the Natural Bridge, a stunning waterfall flowing through the collapsed roof of a cave. Being inside the natural amphitheatre is incredible. Feeling the sheer power of the water gushing through made me feel spiritually connected to the Earth, which was both intimidating and enlightening at the same time. And if you don’t mind getting back to Brissy late, I also encourage you to stay until after dark, when glow worms living in the cave emit a soft green light you can’t help but be enchanted by.

8. Lamington National Park.

Further inland from Springbrook lies Lamington National Park, an even more expansive wilderness rainforest well worth a day trip from Brisbane. Comprised of two sections, Binna Burra is the closest at 106km away and takes between 1.5 half to two hours to reach, while the Green Mountains section is slightly further away at 114km, but takes at least two to two and a half hours to reach because while both have winding roads through the national park, the latter is longer, narrower and requires more concentration as it narrows to one lane in many areas.

While you could give a quick visit to both sections, it’s best to just stick to one if you only have a day. The short walk highlight of the smaller Binna Burra is the Caves Track. The name is a little misleading, there are no caves along this circuit, well, unless you count a small archway, but rather two stunning rock overhangs well worth visiting. It’s important to note that the track ends at a different place along the road from the start, so there’s the option to just visit the overhangs and head back or go to the other side, and then back along the asphalt.

Green Mountains, or O’Reilly’s as it’s also commonly known, has more variety when it comes to short and long trails. Some of the best ones accomplishable in a day included the family-friendly Tree Top Walk, which features a suspension bridge going up into the canopy and a ladder to climb a tree even higher to a viewpoint to overlook the rugged landscape and the Python Rock & Morans Falls track which both have spectacular viewpoints, and Picnic Rock, Elabana Falls & Box Falls, which is a fantastic little trifecta at the intersection of several trails.

Sunshine Coast.

A little way north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is this paradise for all those who love nature and a slower pace, making it full of unforgettable day trips. Between the quaint coastal and country towns, the endless beaches and the lush mountains, stunning lookouts and serene waterfalls, the beautiful region spoils you for choice.

9. Glass House Mountains.

If there’s one thing to see on the Sunshine Coast, it’s the Glass House Mountains. This dramatic series of 13 shard-like peaks rising out from the plains offers plenty of epic and challenging hiking experiences that lead to some of the region’s most magnificent lookouts. Two of my favourite ones easily accomplishable in a day are Wild Horse Mountain and Mt Ngungun.

Wild Horse Mountain is a short but physically demanding 1.4 km return hike along a relentlessly steep, exposed concrete driveway to a fire watchtower, that’s bound to leave your calves and buttcheeks in better shape than before. From the 123m elevation, enjoy breathtaking sweeping panoramic views of the other Glass House Mountains, Bribie Island, Pumistone Passage and the Bruce Highway.

While Wild Horse Mountain is one of the outer peaks, Mt Ngungun lies in the centre of these magnificent formations. The scenery from this spectacular 2.8km return, grade 4 hike is unforgettable. The exposed 253m high summit provides a captivating almost 360° uninterrupted panoramic showcasing all the other volcanic plugs rising dramatically up out of the landscape in all directions, providing what is no doubt one of the most majestic natural lookouts in South East Queensland.

10. Noosa.

If you’re looking for an incredible day trip from Brisbane that involves being by the seaside, Noosa in the northern part of the Sunshine Coast is an unbeatable place to do so. This dream town 2 hours north epitomizes the idyllic Australian lifestyle boasting a relaxed atmosphere, pristine beaches, and a breathtaking national park with undoubtedly the best-rugged coastline this far north or south of the capital.

Most notable are Hell’s Gate and the Devil’s Kitchen, rocky headlands with sheer cliffs that are a mesmerizing sight to behold. Between those incredible formations lies Alexandria Beach, one of the best, pristine and isolated stretches of sand you’ll find. It’s like something you’d experience as a pirate washed up on a foreign shore. At least, that’s how it felt to me.

Noosa also has plenty more easily accessible beachfront and with the relaxing vibe of the town and a river to enjoy, there’s no shortage of peaceful and relaxing things to do and places to enjoy at this humble seaside town.

Darling Downs.

The Darling Downs lies just outside South East Queensland but offers a peaceful country escape from Brisbane City’s hustle and bustle. This beautiful region, known for its rolling hills, rich farmland, and stunning rural scenery is a fantastic place to travel to experience a more peaceful way of life.

13. Toowoomba.

Head out from the CBD past Ipswich, then west along the Warrego Highway for 125km, and you’ll find yourself in Toowoomba, Queensland’s largest inland city uniquely perched upon the continent-spanning Great Dividing Range.

At 700m above sea level, it enjoys a much cooler climate than the surrounding areas, perfect for hot days, but that also means it can get windy. That aside, its mountaintop position means, among its many attractions, it also has many beautiful lookout points, especially at Picnic Point which has stunning views looking across the vast plains of the Lockyer Valley, and, most dominatingly, Tabletop Mountain, which distinctly has a flat summit. It’s not just for gawking at either, as it’s home to one of the region’s best walking trails!

If you’re visiting Brisbane in September (which is a great month to go, as this is when Brisbane Riverfire & Brisbane Festival is on), this is also a fantastic time of year to venture out to Toowoomba as that’s when it springs to life with the Carnival Of Flowers, a colourful celebration that showcases its status as the Garden City.