Brisbane provides a base for day trips to explore the southeast of Queensland. The North Coast of New South Wales can also be reached in an hour if traffic is light, but allow up to two hours travel if traffic is heavy or there is an accident on the Pacific Motorway. Queensland Rail also provides extensive services out of Brisbane to the north and south of the city and to the Gold Coast.
North of Brisbane:
Glass House Mountains National Park
about an hour north of Brisbane. There is a scenic drive through the mountains with a couple of lookouts, or you can go for a hike - easy or difficult, depending on the mountain. Mt. Beerwah offers a stern but quick scramble and a good view of the area. There are a few small roadside shops in the area that sell homemade jams and varieties of macadamia nuts.Beerwah - home of the Australia Zoo (http://www.australiazoo.c...), run by the family of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. Admission is $57 for adults.
Sunshine Coast - 90 minutes north of Brisbane, suitable for surfers without the clutter of the more famous beaches to the south. The city of Noosa and several derivatively-named cities e.g., Noosa Heads, Noosaville offer short and long-term accommodation, some restaurants and a few stretches of shops aimed at tourists with and without a budget.
Sunshine Coast Hinterland - 90 minutes north of Brisbane. Crafts and galleries and cafés and lots of bushwalks and scenic views in the Blackall Ranges at Maleny, Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton.
Eumundi - famous markets on Wednesday and Saturday.
North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island - amazing beaches, 4WD and fishing, accommodation, all very close to Brisbane.
Moreton Island
(http://www.moretonislanda...) - Holiday destination very close to Brisbane. Dive and snorkel Tangalooma Wrecks, go sand tobogganing, 4wd and much more.Fraser Island - World Heritage listed site, offering pristine, unspoiled lakes, dunes, forests and wildlife. Camping is possible, or day-trips can be arranged from Noosa. World's largest sand island.
Redcliffe This peninsula located 45 minutes north is famous for its long stretch of beach, friendly locals and excellent food, shops and weather.
South of Brisbane:
Gold Coast - famous for being a tourist town, approximately 70km south of Brisbane on the Pacific Motorway.
Dreamworld and Whitewater World
(http://www.dreamworld.com.au/) - Theme park in the western Gold Coast suburb of Coomera, on the Pacific Motorway. Many large thrill rides including the 'Tower of Terror' and the 'Giant Drop' and roller coasters. There are also child-friendly rides and Australian animal attractions and shows, as well as a Tiger exhibit. Whitewater World is a water park adjacent to Dreamworld and offers the newest technology in water rides. It costs extra to get into, but you can buy a pass that gets you into both parks for a discounted price.Movieworld
(http://www.movieworld.com.au) - Another theme park near 'Dreamworld' and 'Wet 'n' Wild Water World.' Generally longer, more cinematic and atmospheric rides, shows and attractions.Seaworld
(http://www.seaworld.com.a...) - aquatically-themed park sandwiched on a peninsula between the Gold Coast Seaway and the Pacific Ocean, located in Southport just north of the Gold Coast. A few rides, but popular for its impressive animal shows and exhibits.Wet 'n' Wild Water World
(http://www.wetnwild.com.a...) - Water park on the Gold Coast, with heated rides and pools for winter. Large number of thrill rides and also mellow relaxation areas.Mt. Tamborine National Park
(http://www.epa.qld.gov.au...) - extensive areas of National Park plus arts, crafts, galleries and the like, near several forest hikes. There are some excellent fudge shops at the top of Mt. Tamborine that offer generous free samples and a staggering variety of flavours.Surfers Paradise - (http://www.goldcoast.tv) - tourist Mecca, and arguably the most upmarket area on the Gold Coast. Located on a life-guarded beach front, host to Caville Avenue, and several shopping malls.
Lower Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay
includes places like Moreton Island where Scooby Doo was filmed and St. Helena Island a former maximum security prison for convicts.West of Brisbane:
Ipswich - is situated 40 km west of Brisbane. 45 minutes by road from Brisbane City.
Brisbane Skydiving Centre
(http://www.brisbaneskydiv...) - offers tandem skydiving and advanced freefall courses. Willowbank.Workshops Rail Museum
(http://www.theworkshops.q...) - The whole family will enjoy the birthplace of Queensland Rail and enjoy the interactive exhibits at this award-winning museum. North Street, North Ipswich.Brookwater Golf Club
An 18 hole Greg Norman championship golf course and Australia's No. 2 public access course.Queensland Raceway
(http://www.queenslandrace...) - Queensland's premier race circuit. This is the only location near Brisbane where members of the public can drive on the same racetrack as professional drivers. Champions Way, Willowbank.Bunya Mountains National Park
(http://www.epa.qld.gov.au...) - Three hours west of Brisbane. One of the oldest national parks in Queensland. Home of the ancient bunya pine and many other species of plants, birds and other animals. Stay at least three nights to have time to hike in the park.