Best Day Trips from Brisbane

Brisbane is a cosmopolitan city, full of life and with plenty of things to do in it. But beyond what you can find in the city, can you imagine exploring pristine beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, challenging mountains and historic towns? All this and much more awaits you on the amazing day trips you can take from Brisbane.

Read on to discover what awaits you on the Sunshine coast, Tamborine Mountain or Stradbroke Island. Here we go!

If you are planning a getaway from Brisbane that combines lush natural beauty with Australia's rich cultural history, a full day tour to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa Beach, approximately 103 kilometers by road and 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Brisbane.

An opportunity to embark on a journey through beautiful landscapes and subtropical rainforests, where you can see koalas and kangaroos, among other animals. You will also have the opportunity to discover the local culture through charming villages such as Montville, steeped in art and culture at every turn, and Yandina, one of the oldest and most historic towns in the region.

You can experience the essence of the Australian Sunshine Coast, for example, by strolling through the Eumundi Markets and relaxing on Noosa's stunning beach. Oh, and there's one more place that's a must-see in this area, the Gingerbread Factory! With a trip to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa you'll enjoy the best of Queensland culture outside the big city.

Details of interest

• Price: from 96 euros.
• Duration: 9 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
• Means of transport: bus.
• Advantages of this option: it is a comfortable and organized way to spend a full day on the coast.
• Disadvantages of this option: Generally, you will have to travel from the hotel to the departure point of the cruise.

I also recommend you immerse yourself in Australia's rich wine culture with a Gold Coast winery tour. You can tour the Mount Tamborine wineries, home to several family-owned wineries, while learning about native winemaking. Each stop usually includes tastings of 6 to 10 wines, accompanied by a 2-course lunch, cheese tastings, sweet treats that will embark you on a sensory journey through Australia's rich wine culture.

Typically, each winery tells some of the secrets of winemaking, followed by a tasting of carefully selected wines, from intense reds to fresh whites and sparkling. You will learn to appreciate the aromas and flavors that define each variety and about the unique terroir of the region.

Savor a delicious gourmet lunch paired with the winery's wines, delight your palate and let yourself be carried away by the stories and anecdotes that the wine experts will share with you. Whether you are an experienced wine lover or just starting your journey into the world of winemaking, this tour will surprise and captivate you.

Tamborine Mountain is magical not only for its lush rainforest, waterfalls and firefly caves. It is also for its wineries. But let's take it one step at a time, because Tamborine Mountain has a lot to explore. Embark on an enriching and captivating journey exploring the lush natural beauty that Australia has to offer.

If you choose this tour, the first thing that will surprise you is the Numinbah Valley, which will greet you with panoramic views that will take your breath away, offering a spectacular display of the Australian rainforest in all its splendor.

Some of the places you will discover in this area are, for example, Tamborine Mountain will captivate you with its waterfalls and hills, offering the perfect setting to enjoy a romantic sunset and explore the eclectic Gallery Walk.

You can also immerse yourself in the serenity of Springbrook National Park, where diverse native wildlife and majestic waterfalls surround you in an idyllic landscape. Of particular note is the Natural Bridge, where a waterfall cascades through the rocks, creating a dreamlike setting in the heart of the rainforest.

And last but not least, the darkness of Cedar Creek to discover the Glow Worm Caves, where luminous larvae create a glow in the gloom of the Firefly Cave.

All this, surrounded by the rainforest, which can be seen from Curtis Falls in Joalah. This experience will take you through an unforgettable journey through some of Australia's most breathtaking natural treasures.

Details of interest

• Price: from 118 euros.
• Duration: 8 hours and 45 minutes approximately.
• Means of transport: Bus.
• Advantages of this option: You will have the opportunity to experience an exceptional variety of landscapes and natural attractions in a single day.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is a journey of approximately 9 hours with multiple stops, so if you are looking for something relaxed, this is not the ideal experience for you.

There are several cruises from Brisbane, but I highly recommend this one. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience in Brisbane, I highly recommend a dolphin feeding cruise. You will embark on an exciting boat adventure to Moreton Island, where you can interact with these amazing animals in their natural habitat.

During the cruise, you will enjoy a boat ride with breathtaking views of Moreton Island, with the opportunity to see wild dolphins up close and feed them from the boat. A dolphin expert will be on hand to help you learn more about these fascinating creatures.

This is a unique opportunity to interact with these intelligent and playful animals in their natural environment. In addition, you will be supporting a company that is dedicated to the conservation of dolphins and their ecosystem.

I recommend you reserve your place in advance, as these excursions are very popular. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, you will need them! I am sure that a dolphin feeding cruise will be one of the best experiences of your trip.

Details of interest

• Price: From 139 euros.
• Duration: 1 day.
• Means of transportation: Boat.
• Advantages of this option: Getting up close and feeding dolphins is an unforgettable experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: You must weigh the time it takes to do this activity to fit it into your trip.

Stradbroke Island is the second largest sand island in the world, and possibly one of the most popular tour destinations in Brisbane, and for good reason! There are many things to see and do on this island, and you'll need to organize your time well to make the most of your trip to Stradbroke. By ferry, the island is 45 kilometers from Brisbane, which is about an hour's drive.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Stradbroke Island, the second largest sand island in the world. Just an hour's ferry ride from Brisbane, this natural paradise will amaze you with its paradisiacal beaches, rich wildlife and a variety of activities to suit all tastes.

Start your day touring the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Cylinder Beach, Main Beach and Amity Point Beach are just a few of the options that await you to relax in the sun, swim in the turquoise waters or practice water sports.

If you are passionate about hiking, the island offers a network of trails with stunning views of the coast and inland. Hike the North Gorge Walk to Point Lookout, enjoy the panoramic views from the Myora Springs Walk or choose the trail that best suits your pace and preferences.

In Stradbroke, nature comes alive. See kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat, watch dolphins and whales in the waters surrounding the island or discover the fascinating marine life by diving or fishing.

For adventure lovers, the island also offers exciting activities such as kayaking, 4WD or even camping under the stars.

As night falls, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the island's restaurants overlooking the sea. Relax with a cocktail while you watch the sunset and get ready for a new day full of emotions.

Stradbroke Island invites you to live a unique experience in an incomparable natural environment. A perfect trip for those looking to disconnect from routine and connect with nature in its purest form.

Details of interest

• Price: from 105 euros.
• Duration: 10 hours approximately.
• Means of transportation: Ferry
• Advantages of this option: This type of experience includes multiple stops that allow you to get to know the island better.
• Disadvantages of this option: It involves investing a day of travel, so weigh if in the time you have, you can make this trip.

Experience the thrill of scuba diving in Moreton Island's pristine Blue Lagoon. Immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters and discover vibrant marine life, including colorful tropical fish, sea turtles and schools of dolphins.

Explore the underwater wonders of the Blue Lagoon on an exciting diving excursion from Brisbane. Be guided by a team of experts who will take you to the island's best dive sites and provide you with all the necessary equipment for a safe and comfortable experience. Enjoy the personalized attention of experienced instructors who will accompany you at all times and help you discover the vibrant marine life of this pristine ecosystem. Book your adventure now and get ready for an unforgettable experience in Moreton Island.

Cruise to Tangalooma Island Resort from Brisbane

• Champagne Pools: Relax in these amazing natural pools formed by coral rocks and enjoy the gas bubbles emerging from the bottom.
• Tangalooma Island Resort. Enjoy quad biking, hiking, dolphin watching and snorkeling, among other activities.
• Cape Moreton Lighthouse: Admire the breathtaking panoramic views of Moreton Bay and the Pacific Ocean from this historic lighthouse.
• World War II Ruins: Explore the ruins of bunkers, trenches and cannons dating back to World War II.
• Wildlife: Observe the wide variety of animals that inhabit the island, such as dolphins, sea turtles, kangaroos and koalas.

Details of interest

• Price: from 164 euros.
• Duration: 1 day approximately.
• Means of transportation: Ferry.
• Advantages of this option: Enjoy the biodiversity of the area in first person.
• Disadvantages of this option: it requires investing a whole day of your trip, so you must calculate if this activity is adequate depending on the time you spend in Brisbane.

You may have already thought about these details when planning your trip, but I'm still going to give you some tips to make your excursions from Brisbane go much better, I hope they help you!

• Book in advance. The places I've told you about for day trips from Brisbane can be very busy destinations, so I recommend you to book in advance and not improvise, especially if you are traveling in high season.
• Plan your route. On any trip, I recommend planning everything from transportationfrom the airport to where to eat each day. Before you leave, decide what you want to see and do. This will help you make the most of your time, as these will generally be one-day excursions.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You are likely to do a lot of walking during your excursion, or you will be in a natural environment that requires comfortable clothing, such as the beach. So be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat. The sun can be very strong in Australia, so be sure to protect both your skin and eyes.
• Bring water and some food. There may not be many places to buy food or drink during your excursion, so it's best to bring your own water and some food, just in case. This way you won't run into the situation of going thirsty or hungry during your hike and not finding any stores nearby.
• Be aware of the weather. The weather in Australia can change quickly, so make sure you are prepared to go from sunny to rainy, or from hot to cold in a short time. To be prepared, it's best to bring several layers of clothing, so you can take off or put on clothes depending on the temperature.
• It is worth booking a day to do any of these excursions, but if you are in Brisbane for a short time and prefer to spend your time getting to know all that this great metropolis has to offer, you may also be interested in knowing the best tours of the city.