Beaches to Rainforests:
Beyond Brisbane City
Delve into Brisbane’s beautiful regions. Feast on local produce with food and wine regions abound, hike through tranquil World Heritage-listed rainforests or seek out picturesque bayside villages.
Brisbane
Less than a 1-hour ferry ride from the city, lose yourself in the cascading sand hills and pristine blue waters of Moreton Island/Mulgumpin. Grab a toboggan and race down the sand dunes or jump on a Tangalooma Island Resort quad bike and bail down the beach. Day tour with Australian Sunset Safaris and hop in transparent kayaks to observe the wildlife below as you paddle the Tangalooma Wrecks or visit at nighttime and explore in their illuminated kayaks and discover the creatures that come out in the dark.
Lean into luxury and fly in an Elite Helicopters private charter to view the island’s white beaches and vibrant waters from an unrivalled perspective. Or embark on a city-to-island tour with River to Bay offering their signature Champagne and Oyster tour so you can spot the dolphins, turtles and rays at play while sipping sparkling and sampling the freshest of Brisbane’s seafood.
Moreton Bay Region
Moreton Bay Region is brimming with seaside villages, rugged mountain ranges, and thriving national parks. Venture to Ocean View Estates at Mount Mee to taste handcrafted wine and elegant dining, take in the views of the vineyard, lake and sprawling hillsides. Discover more of the hinterlands with a stay at Maiala Park Lodge, set on a hilltop amongst the forestry and oozing countryside elegance with grand four-poster beds and large verandahs with cosy nooks so you can absorb the tranquil surrounds.
For a little more adventure, join 4WD G’day Adventure Tours to experience the beautiful beaches of Bribie Island from a 4WD all-terrain vehicle or grab a paddle and head for the open water to try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding.
Explore this vast region further with a trip to secluded swimming holes. Hike to lesser-known oases like Rocky Hole and Stony Creek before taking a dip in the waters, alone in nature.
From June – November, join Brisbane Whale Watching to witness regal humpback whales travel across the bay, rolling and breaching their way through the sub-tropical waters.
Redlands Coast
Picturesque wineries, wildlife encounters and stunning coastlines beckon from the Redlands Coast.
Encounter the serene marine life of the bay as you sail across the Redlands Coast with Aria Cruises or Brisbane Yacht Charters on a private chartered vessel.
Make your way over the North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah and roam the quiet white sand beaches, trek through the brush to breathtaking lookouts and soak in the Brisbane sunshine.
For an inland activity, head to award-winning Sirromet Winery where you can sample their local wines and indulge in delicious meals while perched on the hillside amongst the vines.
Scenic Rim
Stand atop the mountains here and you’ll spot the row of volcanic peaks that so coined the name Scenic Rim. Crowded with World Heritage-listed rainforests and expansive mountain ranges, this lush region is made for hiking impressive summits, solo escapes immersed in the scenery and unassuming luxury.
Relax at tranquil swimming holes with the soft cascade of waterholes and streams soundtracking your day before checking in at the likes of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat’s luxe treetop accommodation to kick back and soak in the serenity.
Discover Scenic Rim’s renowned dining scene with an epic month-long festival, Eat Local Month, celebrating locally made produce with the likes of long table lunches overlooking the mountains, farmgate experiences and exclusive workshops. Or visit sprawling vineyards like Witches Falls and sample their curated drops, paired with culinary delights.
Ipswich
Head west towards Ipswich and discover the area’s rugged volcanic peaks from the skies above on an exhilarating Floating Images Hot Air Balloon ride. Sail hundreds of metres in the sky and look out over the basket as Brisbane’s landscapes pass by.
Then journey to Spicers Hidden Vale for a luxurious country retreat, featuring hatted restaurant, Homage, and lush acreage you can get lost in at dusk. Kickstart your morning at Hidden Vale Adventure Park with over 120km of weaving mountain biking trails set amongst brush to race through – how fast will you dare to go?
Logan
Discover lesser-known culinary delights and adventure in Logan. Get your heart rate up at the iconic Go Kart track, Kingston Park Raceway. Throw caution to the wind as you speed around the track, leaving your opponents in the dust.
Challenge yourself to get through all the best food at the vast dining and entertainment hub, Distillery Road Market. Sample brews from the impressive on-site brewery, rove the unique produce at the pop-up markets and don’t even try to resist tasting all the hits from Sugar Creek Smokehouse. Venture to Beenleigh Artisan Distillery to taste their delicious rum, made exclusively with Australian ingredients, and discover their boutique way of distilling this golden, stormy liquor.
From the urban paradise of the city centre to the white beaches of Moreton Bay and dense Scenic Rim rainforests in Brisbane’s backyard. Brisbane’s regions are waiting for you to come explore. You won’t be able to stop at just one.
