5 Family Day Trips from Brisbane with Kids
Brisbane is the perfect base for family day trips by car, with easy drives to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Redcliffe on Moreton Bay, island adventures on Moreton, Bribie and North Stradbroke, plus rainforest escapes in the Scenic Rim within about 1 to 2 hours. With Brisbane family car hire from RaD at Brisbane Airport, you can add approved child seats, keep drive times kid-friendly and reach hidden playgrounds, lagoons and lookouts most tour buses never see.
How to think about family day trips from Brisbane
Walk up to the RaD Car Hire counter at Brisbane Airport with kids in tow and say, “What can we do in a day with the car?”, and the team will usually reach for the same mental map:
- South to the Gold Coast for beaches and attractions.
- North to the Sunshine Coast or Redcliffe for calmer swimming and foreshore playgrounds.
- East to the Moreton Bay islands for sand, wildlife and ferry adventures.
- South west to the Scenic Rim for farms, rainforest and mountain views.
Tourism Australia and Brisbane visitor guides routinely list Gold Coast, Redcliffe, Moreton Island, Bribie Island, North Stradbroke Island and the Scenic Rim among the best day trips from Brisbane, highlighting that most are within 1 to 2 hours’ travel. The key with kids is keeping individual drives under about 90 minutes where you can, wrapping them around naps, snacks and play stops.
RaD Brisbane Airport tip: When you pick up your car, tell staff your children’s ages; they can pre-fit the correct forward or rear-facing child restraints and boosters that meet Australian Standards, so you are legal and safe from the first kilometre.
Below are five family day trips plus a Scenic Rim bonus, all designed as easy out-and-back routes from Brisbane with kids.
1. Gold Coast – beaches, Currumbin & Lone Pine combo
Yes, the Gold Coast is the obvious answer, but with your own car, you can do it your way rather than being stuck at one crowded beach. The Gold Coast is known as one of Brisbane’s classic day trips for its long beaches, surf and family attractions.
Kid-friendly route
- Drive from Brisbane Airport to Burleigh Heads or Broadbeach in about 1 hour 15 minutes in typical traffic.
- Stop at a patrolled family beach like Burleigh, Currumbin, or Broadbeach for a swim and sandcastles.
- Add Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for koalas, lorikeets and a miniature train if you want a wildlife component without an extra day.
RaD Brisbane Airport staff tip: Leave by 8–9am to beat the heaviest Brisbane M1 traffic and aim for a mid-afternoon return. Pack a change of clothes and a bag for wet togs so kids can travel home warm and dry.
Hidden gem twist
On the way back, if the kids still have energy and you want a city-based wildlife fix another day, plan a separate half day to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Brisbane family guides list Lone Pine as one of the best things to do with kids, combining koala encounters, kangaroo feeding and river views in Fig Tree Pocket, about 20 minutes from the CBD.
2. Sunshine Coast – Caloundra & coastal playgrounds
The Sunshine Coast is an easy 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane, with a chain of family-friendly towns from Caloundra up to Noosa.
Kid-friendly route
- Drive from Brisbane Airport to Caloundra in about 1 hour 25 minutes via the Bruce Highway.
- Base yourself around Kings Beach or Bulcock Beach, which both have patrolled swimming, coastal boardwalks and playgrounds.
- Explore the Caloundra Coastal Walk in bite-sized sections suitable for scooters or prams.
RaD Brisbane Airport staff tip: With younger kids, Caloundra makes more sense than pushing all the way to Noosa in one day. The drives are shorter, and there is less walking between car parks, playgrounds and cafés. Our team often recommend a bakery stop in Glasshouse Mountains on the way back if the kids are still awake.
3. Redcliffe & Moreton Bay – lagoon, jetty and seafood
The team at Brisbane Airport reckons Redcliffe is one of the best day trips from Brisbane, describing it as a “beautiful headland and beaches” destination about 40 minutes north of the city with a laid-back atmosphere, foreshore playgrounds and Sunday markets.
Kid-friendly route
- From Brisbane Airport, drive 30–40 minutes to Redcliffe via the Houghton Highway.
- Spend the morning at Settlement Cove Lagoon, a free saltwater lagoon on the foreshore with a graduated depth that is “especially kid friendly”.
- Walk or scooter along Redcliffe Parade foreshore paths; there are multiple playgrounds and a jetty perfect for fishing or spotting dolphins in Moreton Bay.
Food and hidden gems
The team love Redcliffe for the food options, calling it “a spectacular seafood destination”, recommending casual spots like the Moreton Bay Boat Club or Tempest for teppanyaki grilled seafood overlooking the marina.
RaD Brisbane Airport staff tip: Redcliffe is their go-to suggestion for families who want a short drive and low stress day one. It’s close, flat, stroller-friendly, and you can always bail early if jet lag hits. Sunset over Moreton Bay from the jetty is an easy win before a short drive back.
4. Bribie Island – an island without the long ferry
Bribie Island sits in Moreton Bay north of Brisbane and is described as “the perfect destination for a short family day trip” in about an hour from the city. It’s one of the only Moreton Bay islands you can drive to via a bridge, making it ideal for families who do not want long ferry logistics.
Kid-friendly route
- Drive 1 hour to Bribie Island via the Bruce Highway and Bribie Island Road.
- Head to the Pumicestone Passage side (Bongaree and Woorim) for calmer beaches, playgrounds and pelican spotting.
- Explore the Bribie Island Seaside Museum for a quick, free cultural stop if kids need a break from the sun.
RaD Brisbane Airport staff tip: Stick to the sealed roads and family beaches if you are in a regular rental. Many 4WD tracks and soft sand areas are not suitable for standard vehicles and are often excluded from hire agreements. Pack a beach tent or umbrella, as shade can be limited on the sand.
5. North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) or Moreton Island – bigger adventures
If you are looking for something a bit more adventurous, the team will often recommend North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) as standout Moreton Bay day trips with dolphins, sand dunes and snorkelling, often accessed via guided day tours from Brisbane.
With a hire car you usually:
- Drive to the relevant ferry terminal (Cleveland for North Stradbroke; Port of Brisbane / Holt Street for Moreton).
- Park and take a walk on the ferry or book your vehicle if allowed and within your rental’s terms.
North Stradbroke Island highlights
- Cylinder Beach for family swimming and surf.
- Point Lookout Gorge Walk for whale and dolphin spotting in season.
Moreton Island highlights
Guided day tours from Brisbane advertise:
- Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks.
- Sand tobogganing and 4WD beach driving.
- Wildlife watching for dolphins, turtles and seasonal whales.
RaD Brisbane Airport staff tip: Check your rental terms carefully before booking vehicle ferries. Many standard cars are not covered for beach driving or off-road use. For most families, they recommend parking on the mainland and joining a guided island tour so you can relax and let someone else handle the sand and tides.
Bonus: Scenic Rim – farms, skywalks and fresh air
Image credit: Skywalk Tamborine
Brisbane’s Scenic Rim, just 1 to 1.5 hours south and west of the city, is described as “a rural escape right on Brisbane’s doorstep” with World Heritage rainforest, mountains, farms and adventure parks.
Our team suggests:
- Visiting farms like Summer Land Camels and Tommerup’s Dairy Farm for hands-on kid experiences.
- Taking the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and TreeTop Challenge for sky bridges and ziplines.
- Exploring O’Reilly’s or Binna Burra in Lamington National Park for short rainforest walks and bird feeding.
RaD Brisbane Airport staff tip: The Scenic Rim is best for slightly older kids who can handle winding roads and short hikes. Plan lots of snack and photo stops, and be realistic about how long your crew actually enjoys being in the car.
Safety tips and car add ons for families
Child seats and Queensland law
Queensland law requires that children up to 7 years of age use an Australian Standard approved child restraint that is properly fastened and appropriate for their age and size.
Here are the highlights when it comes to car child seat safety:
- Infants up to 6 months must use a rear-facing restraint.
- From 6 months to 4 years, children can use rear or forward-facing seats with built-in harnesses.
- From 4 to 7 years, they must use a forward-facing seat with a harness or an approved booster with a lap sash belt.
Children under 4 cannot sit in the front seat of a vehicle with more than one row, and those 4 to 7 years old can only sit in front if all rear seats are occupied by younger children.
RaD Brisbane Airport tip: Pre-book your child seats with RaD so they are installed before you arrive. Staff can help adjust harnesses to the right height and show you how to check the fit each time you buckle the kids in.
General safety on family drives
- Keep drives under 90 minutes where possible. Use parks and playgrounds like those at Redcliffe or Caloundra as built-in pit stops.
- Stick to sealed roads unless your rental agreement explicitly allows otherwise.
- Carry water, snacks and sun protection. Queensland UV is strong even on cooler days.
Conclusion
Brisbane is one of those cities where hiring a car turns a simple family holiday into a series of mini adventures, from Redcliffe’s foreshore lagoons to Bribie’s easy island escape, Moreton Bay’s dolphins and dunes, and the Scenic Rim’s farms and rainforests.
With Brisbane family car hire from RaD at Brisbane Airport you can match the car to your crew, add compliant child seats, keep drive times kid-friendly and chase beaches, playgrounds and lookouts at your own pace instead of somebody else’s schedule.
Ready to plan your day trips Brisbane style?
Rent with RaD Car Hire from one of their three Queensland branches - Brisbane Airport, Gold Coast Airport or Sunshine Coast Airport - and let the local teams help you build a week of family days out that feel like the best bits of south east Queensland, not just the obvious ones.
FAQs – Brisbane family car hire & day trips
How far are the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast from Brisbane for a family day trip?
The Sunshine Coast is roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Brisbane and coastal towns like Caloundra are about 1 hour 25 minutes away, while the Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise / Broadbeach area) is typically around 1 to 1.5 hours south in normal traffic, making both realistic day trips with kids.
Is Redcliffe a good short day trip with small children?
The RaD team say that Redcliffe is “the ultimate short day trip from Brisbane”, about 40 minutes north, highlighting its calm beaches, beachside playgrounds, Sunday markets and the Redcliffe Lagoon at Settlement Cove, a free saltwater lagoon with graduated depth that is especially kid-friendly.
Do my kids legally need car seats in Queensland hire cars?
Queensland government guidance states that children up to 7 years of age must be in an Australian Standard approved child restraint that is properly fastened, adjusted and appropriate for their age and size; infants up to 6 months must be rear facing, 6 months to 4 years can be rear or forward facing with a harness, and 4 to 7 years must use a forward facing seat or booster.
Can I drive a rental car onto Bribie, Moreton or North Stradbroke Island?
Bribie Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and its town beaches are accessible on sealed roads suitable for standard hire cars, but soft sand and 4WD-only tracks are usually excluded. Moreton and North Stradbroke often involve ferries and, in Moreton’s case, extensive 4WD sand driving. Many rental agreements do not cover beach driving, so most families park on the mainland and join guided tours or walk on ferries instead.
Is the Scenic Rim manageable as a day trip with kids from Brisbane?
The RaD team describes the Scenic Rim as about an hour’s drive from Brisbane, offering farms, rainforests and adventure parks. Many families do it as a day trip, visiting attractions like Summer Land Camels, Tommerup’s Dairy Farm or Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, but parents should be mindful of winding roads and build in plenty of stops for fresh air and breaks.