The Iglu Guide | Blog
5 of the best day trips from Brisbane
Known as the sunshine city for very good reason, Brisbane is pretty hard to beat as a place to hang out. But it’s also perfectly placed for a whole host of adventures that are easy to tick off in a day. Here’s the best of what you need to know.
1. Noosa
When it comes to the relaxing beach getaway, Noosa is very hard to ignore. Just 2 hours up the freeway north of the city, there’s something for everyone to enjoy whether that’s shopping, eating, surfing or more. Take a hike in Noosa National Park and soak up the incredible ocean views, look out for dolphins and whales as they migrate past, or jump in and give the surfing or paddleboarding a crack. There’s a cuisine to suit all tastes along Hastings Street, interspersed with some of Australia’s finest fashion labels. This is a place to eat, indulge and enjoy before heading home to bed.
2. Springbrook National Park
Just a couple of hours south of the city is potentially one of the best day trips you could choose to do. Springbrook National Park is a forest wildness formed by a volcano eruption over 23m years ago. Here you can enjoy some of the spectacular views that span this ancient land and form part of the world heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest. Take a wander through the rainforests and enjoy the stunning landscapes, watch waterfalls as they tumble down through canyons, and dip under the canopy for a sneak peek into another world. You’ll definitely be coming back for more.
3. Coochiemudlo Island
A mere 10-minute ferry ride across from Victoria Point Jetty and you’ll be lying on a tiny sub-tropical island as the waves lap at your feet. Peaceful and unassuming, this largely residential island has an abundance of natural wildlife on offer from dolphins and dugongs through to birds and crabs. Set up camp and picnic on one of the beaches, hire a bike and cruise round the island or circumnavigate it on foot in under 2 hours. And when you’re done, there’s time to enjoy a quick bite to eat at the Curlew Café before catching the boat home.
4. Tamborine Mountain
For an outstanding area of natural beauty, head to the scenic rim area of the Gold Coast Hinterland and discover the green island in the sky. Known to the locals as the ‘green behind the gold’, the mountain climate makes a perfect change from the heat of the city streets. Here you can explore the wonders of nature, browse the art and craft studios that populate the main drag of Gallery Walk, pick a hike that suits your ability level or take a glow worm tour in their very own sanctuary. Don’t miss the Rainforest Skywalk – 300m of steel bridges and the perfect place to admire the area from the treetops right down to the canopy floor.
5. Ipswich
Located just 30 minutes inland of the Brisbane CBD by car, Ipswich is a well-known heritage city that has undergone a major transformation over the past decade. Once a historic mining town, Ipswich was originally named Limestone Hills by the quarrying convicts. Renamed in 1842, it is now home to some of the finest examples of domestic architecture in Australia, alongside a large number of significant public buildings. Today there is a thriving café scene, heritage pubs, quirky events and laneway hideaways to keep visitors happily busy. Don’t miss the hidden art exhibition at Art Time or take in an underground movie in Goleby’s Basement that doubles up as studio space. For the more energetic visitor, pack your walking boots and get involved in one of the many heritage trails available. For rougher terrain and exciting views, check out the range of hiking trails that surround the area.
