Brisbane Day Trips by Distance

October 30, 2026

How far you can go in a day

Brisbane’s day trips fall into three groups: islands reached by boat from the bay terminals, hinterland hills reached by car, and the Gold Coast to the south. Past about 200 km the driving swallows the day. All fares below are in Australian dollars from operator pages, so confirm them when you book.

By boat: North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

The SeaLink passenger ferry crosses from Toondah Harbour, Cleveland, to Dunwich in about 25 minutes. Adult fares since 1 July 2026 are $13.50 one way and $23.00 return. Children aged 5 to 14 pay $8.75 one way and $13.50 return. The SeaLink fare page lists the full set.

Take a train from Brisbane to Cleveland, which takes about an hour. A TransLink bus, shown as route 271, serves Toondah Harbour and Middle Street, so check it in the journey planner before relying on it. Stradbroke Flyer is a different company with its own boats. It says no TransLink bus reaches them and runs a free shuttle from the station or Middle Street, and its getting here page explains the pickup.

On the island, buses run between Dunwich and Point Lookout at the 50 cent fare. The North Gorge Walk at Point Lookout is a free clifftop path. Swim at patrolled Cylinder Beach; Main Beach faces open ocean surf. Humpback whales pass the point from roughly June to November.

By boat: Tangalooma, Moreton Island

The resort launch departs Holt Street Wharf at Pinkenba, takes about 75 minutes and runs roughly four times a day. Pre-book and check in an hour ahead. Day cruise packages start from about $155. The MICAT vehicle ferry leaves the Port of Brisbane on demand, takes about 90 minutes and lands at the wrecks, with an 800 metre beach walk to the resort. Walk-on fares of roughly $35.50 to $39 each way have been quoted.

Evening dolphin feeding, around 6 to 7:15 pm, is for resort guests and for day visitors on selected packages that include it. It is not guaranteed, and the jetty is not a viewing spot for casual visitors. A strong current runs between the wrecks and the unpatrolled beach, so a guided snorkel is safer than swimming out alone. The Tangalooma site lists the packages.

By car: Tamborine Mountain and Lamington

Tamborine Mountain is about 70 km and an hour from the city, with no public transport. The Rainforest Skywalk charges $19.50 for adults and $9.50 for children aged 6 to 16. The Cedar Creek Estate glow-worm cave tour runs about 30 minutes, from roughly $28 to $30, daily between 10:00 and 16:00. Cedar Creek Falls rock pools close in wet weather, so keep swimming out of the plan and read the Queensland Parks alert .

O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk in Lamington National Park is free, with donations welcome, and sits about 2 hours away by road.

The Gold Coast

It is about 79 km south, a drive of 55 to 60 minutes. There is no direct train. The rail route goes to Helensvale and then switches to a tram, about 1 hour 45 minutes in all.

A convict island

St Helena Island National Park held Queensland’s high-security prison from 1867 to 1932. Guided tours need booking and cross from Moreton Bay in about 45 minutes. Treat it as a historic site and keep a respectful tone.

Too far for one day

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef lie about 1,700 km north, and Thredbo and Tumbarumba are more than 1,250 km south. Byron Bay is possible but long, around 2 to 2.5 hours each way by car. To compare packaged trips, try island day trips on GetYourGuide .