Best Day Trips from Brisbane by Car

Why Brisbane Is the Perfect Base for Queensland Day Trips 

Prepare yourself for coastal escapes, tropical islands and hinterland mountains when you base yourself at Queensland’s most underestimated launchpad: Brisbane. 

It’s true, the River City has a chip on its shoulder. But once you realise that Brisbane’s central location and direct highway access make it perfectly placed for a day trip, you’ve got ample opportunity to fill your cup beyond the city borders. 

Scroll on for our favourite day trips from Brisbane, where the 300 days pretty much guarantee a healthy dose of Vitamin D. 

In summary

• Brisbane’s central location makes it Queensland’s most underrated launchpad,  with coastal escapes, hinterland adventures and tropical islands all within reach. 
• There’s a Brisbane day trip for every kind of traveller. The best day trips are under two hours from the city in every direction, but there are some that are worth the multi-day trek. 
• A hire car is the only way to do them properly since public transport doesn’t come close. 

Best Day Trips from Brisbane Under 1 Hour 

1. Mount Tamborine & Scenic Rim region 

Best for: Feeling on top of the world 

Gaze into the lower canopy with a view normally reserved for the birds. The Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk is one of the best ways to experience the verdant beauty of Mount Tambourine from above if you’ve already dipped into the rock pools below. Once you’ve seen the Scenic Rim from all its angles, explore the villages’ high-quality distilleries, cafes, boutiques and wellness experiences. This day trip is a welcome contrast to Brisbane’s jungle of a concrete kind.  

2. Gold Coast hinterland 

Best for: Jurassic-esque forests and cellar doors 

This isn’t the glitzy and glamorous side of Goldy that you’re used to. Instead, get deep into the ancient Gondwana rainforest and cellar doors worth stopping at. Springbrook and Lamington national parks offer dramatic waterfalls and rock caves (visit Natural Bridge!), while farm-fresh producers, vineyards and distilleries make a compelling case for staying well past sunset on a Brisbane day trip.  

3. North Stradbroke Island 

Best for: Adventure seekers and world-class diving 

The locals fondly call it ‘Straddie’, and soon you’ll know it well enough to call it that too. Dive one of Australia’s top sites at Manta Bommie, where rays move gracefully like kites underwater. Walk sun-drenched cliffs at the Gorge spotting dolphins and turtles, then back it up with a float in tea-tree waters. End by dining on impossibly fresh seafood as the island bares its untamed soul. It’s an unmissable day trip from Brisbane. 

4. Sunshine Coast hinterland  

Best for: Produce to fill your boot  

It’s 30 minutes from the beach, but pack your togs anyway. Swap sand for rolling green pastures, charming country towns and producers worth taking a pit stop for. Visit the iconic Australia Zoo, wander Montville and Maleny, then indulge your taste buds along the trail of eateries, breweries and wineries. Round out the day with a waterfall swim before returning to Brisbane. 

Best Day Trips from Brisbane 1–2 Hours Away

1. Noosa 

Best for: Many modes of luxurious relaxation 

Noosa operates at its own pace. Hike coastal trails in Noosa National Park where dolphins and sea turtles poke their heads to say hello, kayak one of the world’s only two Everglades systems, or just find a spot on Hastings Street and let the town put you under its spell. 

2. Glass House Mountains 

Best for: Swimming holes and views worth the climb 

Eleven volcanic peaks rise dramatically from the Sunshine Coast hinterland, creating one of Queensland’s most striking natural playgrounds. Walk the trails, swim in waterholes and explore the townships below. The views from the summit lookouts are worth every step, and so is the feed you’ll tuck into in the valley. 

3. Toowoomba 

Best for:  Biting into an undiscovered food scene 

Colonial streets, booming food scene and one of Australia’s great floral festivals. There’s a reason why Toowoomba is known as Queensland’s garden city. Wander antique shops brimming with totchkas, climb Table Top Mountain at sunrise, cool off in Crows Nest’s natural pool and finish the day at a high country cellar door. 

Unusual Day Trips from Brisbane Worth the Drive 

• D’Aguilar Highway loop — A full-day country drive through Kilkivan, Kingaroy and Blackbutt with bakeries, butchers and roadside stalls. 
• Mount Glorious — Just 50 minutes from Brisbane, this tiny mountain hamlet shows off its big personality with lush rainforest walks and stunning views. 
• Whale watching in the Gold Coast – Between August and October each year, 30,000 gentle giants make their annual migration from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef.  

Weekend Road Trips from Brisbane — Overnight options 

1. Byron Bay 

Best for: Surf, sunsets and a social scene 

Hippies and Hollywood, holidayers and hunger-driven epicureans converge in this coastal paradise of creativity, culture and endless summer. Catch every breathtaking hue of pink at Cape Byron Lighthouse as the surfers move with the world-famous tide. Mornings are filled with the blitz of espress and acai, while afternoons blur into sizzling beach days and eclectic markets. As sunset approaches, barefoot visitors transform into glamorous patrons, cocktails in hand, until they do it all again tomorrow. 

2. Cairns Coast 

Best for:  One of the greatest Queensland road trips 

The drive from Brisbane to Cairns stretches 1,700 kilometres of coastline and hinterland, so you’re going to want to stop. We offer one-way rentals for the full journey north, making it one of Australia’s great road trips rather than one very long 19-hour drive.  

3. K’gari (Fraser Island)  

Best for: Exploring the world’s only sand island 

World Heritage-listed K’gari is unlike anywhere else on earth as the world’s only sand island. Drive wide-open beaches, swim in iridescent lakes and spot dingoes wandering the shoreline. Only 4WD vehicles are permitted on the island, so you’ll need to hire one when you arrive, book a tour or let someone else do the driving. 

Tips for Day Tripping from Brisbane by Car 

1. Don’t leave your tank empty 

 Road tripping 101 means you should always top up the tank before you go. And be sure to take plenty of stops to avoid tiring yourself out. 

2. Traffic timing 

Brisbane traffic on a weekday morning is forgiving. Brisbane traffic at 9am on a public holiday weekend is not. An early start puts you on the road before everyone else has the same idea. 

3. The right car changes everything 

Back roads through the Scenic Rim and roads that follow the contours of a mountain need a capable car.  We’ve got standard and 7-seater SUVs from Brisbane that handle every turn comfortably and fit everyone (and all their belongings!). 

Go a little further with a little help from us

Browse our SUVs available in Brisbane or discover our full fleet ready for your Brisbane road trip from the airport.