Brisbane Day Trips

13 Brisbane Day Trips

These day trips will have you back in Brisbane by evening so you can base yourself there if you wish. But having a campervan gives you the flexibility to stay wherever you like.

1. Moreton Bay is just 25 km from the centre of Brisbane and has a string of charming bayside villages – Wynnum, Wellington Point, Raby Bay, Victoria Point – providing restaurants, cafes, The Sirromet Winery with stunning bay views, art galleries, and seaside picnic spots. Between June and October watch for pods of whales playing off-shore.
   Distance: 78 km to cover it all and loop back to Brisbane.
   
   
2. Moreton Island is a nature lover’s day trip. A sand island, like Fraser, it has crystal clear lakes, forests, and massive sand dunes perfect for sand tobogganing. You can also hand feed wild dolphins. There are ferries from Scarborough. 
   Distance: 41 km | 45 min drive one way.
   
   
3. Mount Tamborine takes in rainforest walks, cute towns and amazing views and ends at the Gold Coast or loops back to Brisbane.
   Distance: 77 km | 1 hr 15 min each way.
   
   
4. D'Aguilar State Forest is a short distance into the hills behind Brisbane. It offers some beautiful lush rainforest walks and campervan-friendly camping at Archer Campground.
   Distance:47 km | 1 hr each way.
   
   
5. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Lamington National Park is an ancient, often misty, forest rich in wildlife.
   Distance: 84 km | 1 10 min each way.
   
   
   Lamington National Park
   
   
6. Springbrook National Park has stunning viewpoints across the forests and rolling hills to the ocean and city of the Gold Coast. The twin falls walk takes you behind two waterfalls and through moss covered gorges and monolithic trees. The Best of All Lookout (yep, that's it's name) is breathtaking if there are no low lying clouds. The path to the lookout has ancient gnarled trees covered in moss. The Natural Bridge walk takes in a waterfall that flows into a cave.
   Distance: 107 km | 1.5 hr
   
   
7. North Stradbroke Island has plenty to do. Hang out with the wildlife, snorkel with the marine life, surf the sand dunes, visit the excellent local art gallery, eat fresh seafood, walk the North Gorge Coastal walk, or swim in a tea-stained lake.
   Distance: 77 km | 2 h 40 min each way.
   
   
8. South Stradbroke Island (or ‘South Straddie’ to her mates) can be reached by charter boat, ferry and water taxi from several departure points along the Gold Coast. On the island you will find a luxury resort, Tippler’s Café (licensed), two campgrounds, plenty of sea birds, wallabies, scrub and beaches that you’ll have all to yourself. Just about the only sounds here are waves crashing on the shore, wind whistling through the spinifex, and the cry of gulls. You can take the campervan there on the ferry (around $80 - $100) and camp for a night or more, or you can leave the campervan behind and hire a bike to get around. There's a bike hire place near the ferry terminal on the island.
   Distance: 77 km | 1 hr 45 min each way.
   
   
   South Stradbroke Island. Photo: Casey_Eveleigh via IG
   
   
9. Byron Bay is a short drive south where you can sip chai lattes, eat vegan rice bowls, and take in the surf and hippie vibe of the place. The lighthouse walk is beautiful and worth the effort. From the many boutiques you can grab some great looking beach gear. Not far away is the Crystal Castle Gardens, beautiful and extensive gardens with large amethyst crystals.
   Distance 167 km | 2 hr each way.
   
   
10. Mount Warning is a volcanic peak that offers a challenging summit climb through rainforest and amazing views from the top.
    Distance: 146 km | 1 hr 50 min each way.
    
    
    View from Mount Warning. Photo: ChelseaGrace_ via IG
    
    
11. Coolangatta and The Tweed Valley is a short drive south on the NSW border and is a quieter alternative to the bustle of the Gold Coast. Stand Up paddle-boarding down the Tweed River and snorkeling with sea turtles are fun things to do. The beaches down here are superb! For more information read our article 11 things to do in Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.
    Distance: 100 km | 1 hr 15 min each way
    
    
12. Gold Coast is crammed with things to do and you could easily spend a few days here. There are more than ten theme parks, national parks, art galleries, markets and shopping, live music, beaches, tours, wildlife encounters and more.
    Distance 80 km | 1 hr each way
    
    
13. Glasshouse Mountains are to the north of Brisbane. Meander along 'Tourist Drive 23' through rolling green hills, misty valleys, forests and charming historic villages such as Maleny and Montville where you can pop into art galleries, tea shops and local boutiques.
    Distance 72 km | 1 hr each way
    
    
    Glasshouse Mountains. Photo: dcwarehouse_webp via IG
    
    If you have some more time on your hands, we've listed Australia's most beautiful road trips and ten leave from Brisbane.

Map of Australian Road Trips

Use the map below to customize your own road trip from Brisbane.