The best day trips from Brisbane in 2026 are Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, Noosa's beaches and national park, the Gold Coast's beaches and theme parks, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island's wrecks and dolphins, Tamborine Mountain and the Glass House Mountains.
Brisbane sits between two great coastlines: the Gold Coast an hour south and the Sunshine Coast an hour or so north, with the islands of Moreton Bay offshore and the green hinterland behind. Trains run to the Gold Coast and part of the way to the Sunshine Coast; for the hinterland and Noosa, a car is easiest. Leave early on weekends and school holidays. See also our best Gold Coast attractions.
The Irwin family's famous zoo, an hour north.
Australia Zoo, home of the late Steve Irwin and his family, is a large wildlife park on the Sunshine Coast with crocodile shows in the Crocoseum, Australian animals and big animals from around the world.
It's about an hour north of Brisbane; allow most of a day.
Good to know: Plan your day around the main Crocoseum show time.
1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah QLD 4519
A stylish beach town with a coastal national park, two hours north.
Noosa has a sheltered main beach, the cafés and shops of Hastings Street and Noosa National Park, where a coastal walk passes headlands and bays where koalas and dolphins are often spotted.
It's about two hours' drive. Arrive early to get parking at the national park.
Good to know: Walk the Noosa National Park coastal track to Hell's Gates in the morning.
Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Surf beaches, Burleigh Heads and theme parks an hour south.
The Gold Coast is an hour south by car or train. Spend the day at Burleigh Heads' beach and headland, the high-rise beach at Surfers Paradise, or one of the theme parks.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a great family option.
Good to know: Take the train and the G:link light rail to avoid parking hassles.
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Beaches, whale views and the Gorge Walk, a ferry from Cleveland.
North Stradbroke Island has surf beaches, freshwater lakes and the North Gorge Walk at Point Lookout, where you can see turtles, dolphins and, from June to November, migrating whales.
Ferries run from Cleveland, about 45 minutes from Brisbane.
Good to know: Walk the North Gorge Walk at Point Lookout; turtles are often below.
Point Lookout QLD 4183
Snorkel shipwrecks and toboggan down sand dunes.
Moreton Island is a sand island in Moreton Bay with the Tangalooma Wrecks for snorkelling, giant sand dunes for tobogganing and clear water. Day trips run from Brisbane.
Stay overnight at Tangalooma Island Resort to see wild dolphins visit the jetty in the evening.
Good to know: Book a day tour that includes the wrecks snorkel and the sand dunes.
Tangalooma, Moreton Island QLD 4025
Rainforest walks, a skywalk, galleries and cellar doors.
Tamborine Mountain, about an hour south-west, has rainforest walks, waterfalls, Gallery Walk's craft shops and cafés, and cellar doors and distilleries.
It's cooler than the coast and makes a relaxed day.
Good to know: Go on a weekday; Gallery Walk is crowded on weekends.
Gallery Walk, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
Volcanic peaks and green hinterland villages an hour north.
The Glass House Mountains are dramatic volcanic plugs rising from the plains. The lookout gives a view of all the peaks, and short walks suit most fitness levels.
Continue to Maleny and Montville for cafés, galleries and views over the coast.
Good to know: Stop at the Glass House Mountains Lookout first for the full panorama.
Glass House Mountains Lookout, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518
Beaches and the lighthouse walk, about two hours south.
Byron Bay, just across the New South Wales border, has surf beaches, the Cape Byron lighthouse walk at mainland Australia's most easterly point and a laid-back town.
It's a long day at about two hours each way; stay overnight if you can.
Good to know: Walk to the lighthouse at sunrise; it's the most easterly point of the mainland.
Byron Bay NSW 2481
Noosa, about two hours north, for Noosa National Park's coastal walk, Main Beach and Hastings Street. Families often choose Australia Zoo, an hour north.
Take the train or drive to Cleveland, then a passenger or vehicle ferry to Dunwich, about 25 to 50 minutes depending on the boat. Buses run around the island.
Yes. It's about an hour by car or train. Head to Burleigh Heads or Surfers Paradise for the beach, or spend the day at a theme park.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is in Brisbane itself; on a day trip, Australia Zoo and the Daisy Hill Koala Centre are good options, and wild koalas live on North Stradbroke Island.
The hinterland (Tamborine Mountain, Maleny and the Glass House Mountains) is cooler, and the islands have shady walks and swimming.