Need a break from spending your weekends in the hustle and bustle of busy, happening Brisbane? Want to take the chance to recharge and refresh in a more peaceful, scenic and restful destination? Now is the perfect time to get out of Brisbane and take a relaxing weekend break. And the great news is there’s plenty of gorgeous scenic destinations located within a few hours from Brisbane that offer the ideal chance to unwind and get back to nature for the weekend. Here are some that you can’t afford to miss.
Within three hour’s drive from Brisbane
The Bunya Mountains
Soaring over 900m above the surrounding plains, and less than a three-hour drive from Brisbane, the Bunya Mountains feature panoramic mountain scenery and breathtaking views over pristine, peaceful and spectacular scenery. Here you’ll find rainforest walks, waterfalls, majestic bunya pines and a huge variety of friendly native wildlife. It’s much cooler than the surrounding plains and is the perfect place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Where to stay: There’s a vibrant holiday home scheme at the Bunya Mountains, offering a huge variety of fully equipped holiday homes to book. Have a look at the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre here:
Within two hour’s drive from Brisbane
Noosaville
Situated on the northern tip of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Noosaville is a popular retreat for many, and offers safe swimming and a friendly, laid back atmosphere. There’s plenty of great places to eat out and shops if that’s what you feel like, or you can spend your time on the beautiful beaches swimming, doing water sports or just relaxing. There’s also spectacular scenery to explore, and you may spot dolphins, sea turtles or koalas as you make your way around.
Where to stay: From luxury hotels and resorts to holiday apartments, there’s plenty of accommodation choice in Noosaville. Have a look here:
Lamington National Park
Not only is Lamington National Park chock full of ancient trees, thick rainforests and breathtaking scenery, the drive to get there is also beautiful. Here you’ll find waterfalls, rainforest walks (including a 54km track that runs from Lamington to Springbrook National Park), rock pools where you can swim and a remote and usually uncrowded location. To make it even better, take the magical O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk – a 180-metre-long suspended boardwalk that meanders high among the lush treetops.
Where to stay: There are plenty of nearby hotels, motels and guest rooms at Lamington – have a look here
Within one hour’s drive from Brisbane
Bribie Island
Located a short drive via a road bridge from Brisbane, Bribie Island offers the perfect chance for a holiday in your own backyard. Here you can set up camp, swim in the lagoons, go four-wheel-driving on the beaches, go boating, fishing, kayaking, birdwatching, bushwalking or just enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. It’s a beautiful, low key place to spend a relaxing weekend.
Where to stay: There are numerous hotels, holiday houses, caravan parks and camping sites to stay at on Bribie – have a look here: https://www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au/precincts/bribie-island
Glow Worm Caves
Located at Tamborine Mountain, just a short drive from Brisbane, the Glow Worm Caves provide the only opportunity in Queensland to see glow worms during the day. You can go on a guided glow worm tour through a purpose-built cave set in a rainforest. As well, you can explore the frog exhibit, take the rainforest boardwalk, and end up at the Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery.
Where to stay: There’s plenty of places to stay on beautiful Mount Tamborine – have a look here: