Brisbane is a beautiful city but if you like to get a break from the rushed life and enjoy the laid back attitude take a drive beyond Brisbane as there are a plenty of places to consider. The countryside of Brisbane has a lot to offer and you are in for a delightful time as these day trips are not only fun but also adventurous:-
Lamington National Park – If we mention day trips from Brisbane this national park surely deserves a mention. You will be mesmerised by waterfalls, ancient trees, scenic views, and wildlife. O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk here rewards people with great view, and if you just can’t get enough of this marvellous national park you can camp here overnight, there are two campgrounds available. There are a couple of restaurants as well here so the hunger pangs are taken care off. This 100 year old Park is worth ticking off your bucket list.
Moreton Island – Brisbane is a blessed city to have excess to this protected island as I can spend days around here without getting bored. This island is the third-largest in the world so you can imagine the activities and attractions you can have at this sand paradise. Few things to see here are Cape Moreton Lighthouse, Blue Lagoon which is filled with rainwater, Champagne Pools, Dolphin Lakes, Mount Tempest which is the highest coastal sand dune, and Tangalooma Wrecks where a bunch of 15 ships wrecked was sunken in by the government, and snorkelling to is common here.
There are plenty of activities to impress you here like helicopter ride, Beach Bike Rides, private tours, 4WD car rides, kayaking and these are just the tip of the iceberg to get you started on an ultimate trip to Moreton Island.
Gold Coast – I know not many of you would like to leave the city life to find yourself in another town but Gold Coast is unique as its a adventure capital. Here you can find theme parks, shows, theatre and shopping outlets which are not only entertainment hub but also gigantic. You can go for whale watching tours, or visit a observatory, and if this doesn’t fancy you head out to the Surfers Paradise Beach. Gold Coast is also home to some amazing resorts and spas so you can unwind yourself and let loose the tension.
Noosa Heads – You will consider yourself lucky if you spend a few days at Noosa, you can find infinite things to do here apart from enjoying the beach, and the view. You can shop here at Hastings Street or Nooseville, drive to the countryside of Noosa, they even have a Noosa Everglades where you can cruise or canoe and don’t forget to check out Tewantin which is also a charming village by the Noosa River.
Another advantage of heading to Noosa is that it is a gateway to Fraser Island and Cooloola which are a part of the Great Sandy National Park. Walk over the sandy beaches here, appreciate the wildlife or you can even take a guided tour to make things easier.
The Scenic Rim – The mountainous region of the Great Diving Range which also encompasses some of the World Heritage listed national parks is known to provide some of the most beautiful views. Many tourists head here for trekking, adventure, to explore wildlife or just to take a break from their busy schedules. You will encounter plenty of waterfalls, gorge, lakes, museums, shopping, and tours around here.
This area stretches from Tambourine Mountain and goes up until Christmas Creek where you can even find wonderful safari tents and then it leads up-to a town called Kalbar where you can see a lot of German influence.
Sunshine Coast – This pleasing town is pretty popular among the locals as it’s just an hour drive from Brisbane and if you like to explore another near by town this should be one of your options. You can surf, shop, relax and unwind at this charming town. Some attractions here are the Sea-life, Australia Zoo, Aussie World, Rainbow Beach, Caloundra Beach or Noosa.
Bribie Island – Nestled in between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane is this alluring island where you can get lost in the tranquility of nature. Having access to some stunning beaches, lodges, national parks and wildlife, this is an answer to a quick getaway from your engaged and energetic life. Somethings to check out here is Pumicestone Passage, museums and markets.
Toowoomba – Over an hour drive from Brisbane this city of Queensland is pretty captivating. It has some interesting sights to visit like the art deco Empire Theatre, Cobb & Co Museum which showcases the transport history of Australia, Picnic Point Lookout, Crows Nest National Park and my favourite Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens. You will be overwhelmed by the lovely sights of this town and would surely love to visit it often.
Burleigh Heads – De-stress at this coastal town of Gold Coast where you can find some award-winning restaurants, art and craft markets, fascinating oceanfront, and home to some superb shopping. Check out the David Fleay Wildlife Park, The Village Markets, John Laws Park, Justins Park, and Burleigh Head National Park. Its a holiday of a lifetime which you will ponder over the years
Brisbane is one of my favourites cities of Australia and I guess its because I didn’t expect much from it but after visiting and staying there I loved the vibe of the city and would love to venture more neighbourhoods and its surrounding areas. It makes for a great city for easy day trips and you can’t complain with that stunning coastline view especially while driving around!
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