Brisbane, the state capital, is about 1 hour North.
The Sunshine Coast lies north of Brisbane.
Byron Bay is only an hour's drive south
Lamington National Park (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au...) is half an hour's drive west
The Tweed (http://www.tweedtourism.com.au) is just south of the Gold Coast
Spend a day or longer in the hinterland - visit Springbrook Falls, Mt Tamborine, Natural Arch see glow worms at night.
