The Best Weekend Getaways from Brisbane
You don't have to travel far from Brisbane to have a short vacation or a weekend away that feels remote from everyday life.
You would never guess that city life was less than two hours away while you're making friends with animals like dolphins and alpacas, exploring vintage jetties and motels, stocking up on wine on a cellar door tour, learning about the indigenous history of the area, or even unwinding with a guided meditation.
When you live in the hustle and bustle of Brissy, getting away for the weekend offers the ideal chance to unwind, renew, and revitalise. GoGet’s here to help with a guide to the best weekend getaways from Brisbane. And if you need wheels to get you there, GoGet can help with that too!
These are the best destinations for a weekend getaway from Brisbane, regardless of whether you prefer the idea of exploring the hinterland of the Gold or Sunshine Coast, taking a trip on a ferry to a tropical island, visiting a well-known location like Byron Bay or Noosa, or getting away from it all at a national park or in the mountains. When it comes to getting away from the city, Brisbane is such a terrific area to live!
Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island
1. North Stradbroke Island
One of the very best destinations for a weekend getaway from Brisbane is North Stradbroke Island, roughly two hours’ drive from Brisbane (plus a ferry). Families and couples looking for romantic plus individuals or friends looking for a relaxing break, will all find North Stradbroke Island hits the spot. Boarding the ferry from Cleveland's Toondah Harbour, will get you there where beaches, swimming, sports, wildlife, and marine life all await. The second-largest sand island in the world, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah, almost touches Moreton Island. You can also view whales passing by each winter from here. On the island, you are free to lead an active or relaxing lifestyle; swim in the ocean or in Brown Lake, Blue Lake, or Lake Bummiera. Play golf or bowls, go surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, or sandboarding; go hiking along the Goompi Trail or the North Gorge Walk; view Aboriginal art; or learn about the area's history.
2. Lamington National Park
For those looking for weekend getaways from Brisbane, National Parks in Queensland provide another choice, and one great location for a weekend away is Lamington National Park. Think scenic rim views, subtropical rainforest, wineries, restaurants and more. The drive to Lamington National Park from Brisbane takes only around 90 minutes. Track down your favourite waterfall, go hiking, have a delicious meal, or visit a vineyard while keeping an eye out for the local animals. Wander around here to discover a landscape more than 225 million years old. It’s no surprise that Lamington National Park was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Australian Gondwana Rainforests due to their antiquity, beauty, and flora and wildlife. But this national park stands out not merely for its extremely old trees. It's the scenery, the unique animals that you won't see anywhere else, and the opportunity for exploration that come with heavily wooded mountains, thundering waterfalls, and walking trails that connect them all. Depending on your hunger for adventure, there are more than 160km of routes up here that range in difficulty from class 1 to 5, perfect for any level of hiker.
3. Redcliffe
Looking for some classic seaside entertainment? Take a stroll down Bee Gees Way on the Redcliffe Peninsula, named in honour of Redcliffe's most well-known sons. Visit the Redcliffe and Bayside Region by car with the family or friends; this old beach town in the north is the ideal place to go if you want to get away from the bustle of inner Brisbane. One of the oldest settlements in the Brisbane region was on the Redcliffe Peninsula. As a result, Redcliffe and the surroundings nearby still have many old structures. The peninsula started to gain popularity as a tourist destination in the early 20th century. People would go to Redcliffe in droves in order to unwind on the beaches. As the century went on, fewer people visited the Peninsula. This tiny little beach village just underwent a facelift. The development of Bee Gees Way and the Rejuvenation project contributed to the Redcliffe Peninsula's resurgence in prominence. Redcliffe still has the modest charm of a historic beach village despite its makeover. Go for a swim, wandering Redcliffe Jetty or Woody Point Jetty, pick up some fish and chips, and relax in this quaint seaside region.
4. Surfers Paradise & the Gold Coast
Surf, sun, fun and attractions all await in Surfers Paradise, about an hour drive from Brisbane. While it is a built-up resort town, it’s also got one of the best surfing beaches in the world - hence the name! You’ll never be stuck for something to do in Surfers Paradise, which is why it makes one of the best weekend away trips from Brisbane. Admire the architecture and art at HOTA (Home of the Arts), visit Miami Marketta (a happening night market three times a week), or relive your inner child by visiting the famous theme parks in the region. The world is your oyster when it comes to shopping and dining, and there are options for all budgets, as well as plenty of tourist attractions to entertain visitors of all ages,
5. Moreton Island
For those that love glamping, 4WD trips, wildlife and beautiful beaches, Moreton Island needs to be on your weekend getaways bucket list. From Brisbane, you can board the Tangalooma passenger ferry to get to Moreton Island. Despite being only 40 kilometres from Brisbane, Moreton Island seems far away. Majority of the island (98%) is a national park and the Tangalooma Island Resort is a great option to stay at, allows visitors to feed savvy wild dolphins and fish at twilight. Swim out to shipwrecks farther down the beach with your snorkel to interact with fish and turtles. Cruise on the beach in your 4WD, relax on the beautiful beaches, or cook your dinner over a campfire. Go swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, snorkelling, and glamping – the options are endless.
6. Glass House Mountains
Only about an hour's drive separates the city from the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast's Glass House Mountains. So, if you just have a weekend to get away from Brisbane, staying here is a terrific option. Spend a weekend away from Brisbane in the Glass House Mountains, and you can use the nearby hiking trails to explore the national park. There is a tourist centre, hiking routes for all fitness levels, and a lot of viewpoint places with breathtaking views. Additionally, you can go to the Australia Zoo on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah, as well as nearby communities like Montville and Maleny. All five of the famous Glass House Mountains are breathtaking, but how can you get the finest view of the Glasshouse Mountains? Climb one of them, of course. Come prepared because there are several entrances to each mountain peak. Even though they all have benefits, Mount Ngungun needs to be included on the list of ultimate Queensland hiking destinations. You will have unrestricted views of the surrounding mountains during your time at Ngungun, and while any time is a great time to climb, you just must see a sunrise from the summit.
7. Byron Bay
Byron Bay is located in New South Wales, yet it can be reached from Brisbane in less than two hours by car, and of course, beautiful beaches and beach life await you. From once being a hippie hangout, the town has developed into one of Australia's most well-liked beach resorts. Now, the jet set and locals from Queensland both enjoy this breathtaking stretch of beach. Byron can be a good choice if you're seeking a weekend getaway from Brisbane. Byron Bay is known for its bodyboarding and surfing, and it is all about beach life. There is no better location for just kicking back and unwinding than this stunning length of beaches. Additionally, Byron has upscale restaurants, shopping, and resorts. Avoid missing Cape Byron Lighthouse, particularly at dawn or dusk.
8. Mount Tamborine
For those looking for weekend road vacations from Brisbane that don't need a long journey, Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland is perfect. One hours drive from Brisbane, Mount Tamborine is the perfect getaway to unwind, with tranquil surrounds and great bushwalking opportunities. This is a location where you can all fully unwind, whether you seek romantic or family weekend trips from Brisbane. Visit the area's fantastic cafés, restaurants, and vineyards, then take the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk to burn it all off. Visit the amazing Glow Worm Caves, take a stroll through the subtropical rainforest, tour the botanic gardens, swim in the rock pools, or have a picnic by the lake.
9. Bribie Island
Just under two hours from Brisbane will get you to Bribie Island; think 4WD trips, swimming, surfing and an unbelievable marine park. The Moreton, North Stradbroke, and Bribie Islands make up Moreton Bay's trifecta of islands. Since there is a bridge you can drive across, while being the tiniest, it is also the simplest way to get there. The drive takes around an hour and a half, making it the perfect weekend vacation from Brisbane for families or couples. The laid-back lifestyle of Bribie Island is a big part of what draws people here. In addition to a marine park, there are excellent surfing and swimming beaches. You can also take a 4WD or hike into the wilderness to search for native flora and animals. Woorim Beach and Bongaree Beach are two favourite beaches in Bribie Island, but the whole region will change your concept of weekends away.
10. Noosa
One of the most charming and relaxed locations on the Sunshine Coast is Noosa, about a 2-hour drive from Brisbane. It's ideal for weekend trips close to Brisbane, with shopping, sunbathing, nature and wildlife. There is a lot to do here, or you can just relax and take in the beach atmosphere. Take a picturesque paddle through the Noosa Everglades, which attracts over 44% of the bird species in Australia. Known as the River of Mirrors because of the flawless reflections of trees and plant-life, clouds, and sky, the 60 km long watercourse is a must-experience. Boat trips leave at Elanda Point, which is close by, while guided kayak tours leave from Boreen Point, which is 30 minutes' drive from Noosa Heads. Kayaking is a great way to see Noosa National Park, and you could even find a spot of beach to call your own. Alternately, peruse the charming shops and cafés or travel the coastal path to Tea Tree Bay to observe koalas.
There are numerous fantastic options to choose from, whether you want to go on family vacations from Brisbane or romantic getaways nearby for a weekend. Which will it be—a luxurious resort, a tropical island, a glamping getaway, or a mountain getaway? Brisbane locals have a tonne of options for spending time outside the city, no matter what they prefer!
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