Travel Blog

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.

The Brisbane to Gold Coast scenic route via Tamborine Mountain and the Scenic Rim adds just 90 minutes to the 80km motorway drive, delivering rainforest skywalks, waterfalls, pie stops at Yatala and hinterland lookouts that beat the M1 traffic crawl

The Mt Coot-tha and West Brisbane scenic loop is one of the easiest short scenic drives from Brisbane, pairing city views, botanic gardens, family stops and rainforest walks with a breakfast or sunset meal at The Summit.

Trade the beach towel for the rainforest canopy and head inland for one of the Sunshine Coast’s best family escapes. While the coast gets plenty of attention, the real magic starts when you steer your rental car up into the Hinterland.

What makes Mount Nebo Road Brisbane’s best drive? Mount Nebo Road is widely considered Brisbane’s best drive because it offers an immediate escape from the city into sub-tropical rainforests, sitting right on the edge of D'Aguilar National Park.

What is the best route for a Lamington National Park Rainforest Drive? The ultimate Lamington National Park drive starts from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast, heading through the historic town of Canungra.

Start by flying into Sunshine Coast Airport, picking up your hire car, and heading inland to the Blackall Range for the first half of the trip before swinging back to the coast for the last two days.