Where to go after iso ends for Gold Coasters? Starting with a day trip might be a way to ease back into the outside world and there are several amazing destinations perfect for an easy day trip from the Gold Coast. Here are ten picks under 150km away with map and travel times.
Getaway Map
Tamborine Mountain
The attraction of Tamborine Mountain centers on Long Road and Gallery Walk featuring cafes, cellar doors, craft shops, and galleries. Nearby is the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens, vineyards, waterfalls, walking trails, and adventure attractions.
South Stradbroke Island
South Straddie features an 1800-hectare conservation park along with 22km white surf beach on the eastern side and calm waterways on the islands western side. It’s the perfect destination for surfing, swimming, kayaking, fishing, native wildlife, and bushwalking. The island also features a cafe, Tipplers, and the Couran Cove Resort.
North Stradbroke Island
North Straddie features even more than its southerly counterpart offering scenic headlands, rich native wildlife, freshwater lakes, three village townships, rolling surf and endless white sandy beaches.
Springbrook National Park
Springbrook National Park is part of the larger UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest offering ancient 3000 year old Antarctic Beech trees, waterfalls, serene rainforests, walking tracks and spectacular lookouts.
Lamington National Park
Nearby to Springbrook National Park it is also part of the larger UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest area. Lamington National Park features some 160 km of walking tracks to explore taking in waterfalls and the sounds of rainforest birdlife. In the area you can also visit O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area
Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area covers 1200 hectares including wetland, eucalypt forest, salt marsh and mangrove habitat which is also home to native wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, birdlife and more. You can explore by foot or take your own bike.
Mount Coot-tha
Overlooking Brisbane, Mount Coot-tha offers visitors spectacular views over the city and out to Moreton Bay. You’ll also find several walking treks to explore the eucalypt forest, waterfalls, and picnic areas. You can also explore the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, and mountain bike trails.
Hinze Dam
The massive Hinze dam offers four picnic and barbecue areas with nearby playgrounds plus a state-of-the-art information centre on the dam, along with wall walk track, mountain bike trails, fishing spots, and a cafe with amazing views. The dam is popular with kayakers too.
Brisbane
Queensland’s capital has much to offer for day trippers from the GC including cafes, river cruises, zoo, museums, galleries, shopping, and much more. See the top ten attractions not to miss in Brisbane.
Mt Joyce and Lake Wyaralong
Located just past Beaudesert, Mt Joyce offers hiking trails and great views while the park surrounding Lake Wyaralong offers facilities for horse riding, mountain biking, watersports, and picnics. The area is managed by SEQ Water.
Important: Before traveling, please enquire with all destinations as to current operations and visiting requirements.