SITE PARTNER:

Scenic Drives & Day Trips

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Escape the city and hit the road with these 7 scenic drives and day trips in South East Queensland that are a great way to spend a weekend:

Mt Coot-tha

Sir Samuel Griffith Drive is a picturesque route through Mount Coot-tha Forest. Beginning at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, the road circles the peak, providing access to picnic spots, bush walks and Mt Coot-tha Lookout with stunning views over Brisbane and beyond

Samford

For a green change, head north west from Brisbane to the tiny hamlet of Samford Village. Shortly after leaving the suburban outreaches of Brisbane, this scenic trip plunges into bushland and emerges shortly thereafter in a picture-perfect countryside of rolling green hills and valleys

Dayboro - Mt Mee

This lovely drive has it all - winding roads with stunning vistas, bushwalks with waterfalls, and a clifftop cafe where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a good cup of coffee, cold drink or light snack

Mt Nebo - Mt Glorious

Less than an hour from Brisbane, this scenic drive winds through beautiful eucalypt forest, through Mt Nebo to the tiny mountain hamlet of Mt Glorious - the epicentre of lush rainforest walks, stunning views and country cafes where you can refuel with

Day Tripping In Springbrook National Park

View down to Surfers Paradise from the Best of All Lookout Springbrook

A day trip to Springbrook takes you on winding roads through lush rainforest with plenty of breathtaking lookouts and short tracks including iconic Natural Bridge

Tamborine Mountain

Take a joyride up Tamborine Mountain with plenty of lookouts along the way offering spectacular views of the valleys below. Why not combine this scenic drive with a bushwalk

Road Trip through Currumbin Valley

A road trip to Currumbin Valley, the hidden jewel in the Gold Coast Hinterland, is the quintessential country drive

There are so many great places to explore for day trips from Brisbane. Check out our day trip suggestions here.

Want to make a weekend of it? Pick your destination, plan your itinerary with accommodation and enjoy a weekend away with so many options on offer here.

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

The Music And Life of Barbra Streisand

Celebrate the timeless music of Barbra Streisand in a dazzling new concert event starring Melinda Schneider.

Aug 21

Science Night - Amphibians with Dr Ian Brennan

Combine Friday night drinks with a fascinating journey into the world of frogs

Aug 21

ARCO - Bohemian Dreams Tour

Experience the magic of timeless classical masterpieces with ARCO

Aug 21

Cocktails and food in front of the Story Bridge

Bottomless Brunch

Enjoy bottomless brunch on Saturday's at Bar Pacino

Every Saturday

Suntory -196 MEKKA Raceday 2026

The yearly sell-out Suntory -196 MEKKA Raceday 2026 is back

Aug 22

Brisbane Ukrainian Festival 2026

Ukrainian Festival Brisbane is back with Ukrainian food, music, and community spirit in August.

Aug 22

Southern Realm Festival

Jousting, armoured combat, living history and fantasy is returning to Boonah

Aug 22-23

Walkabout Creek Wedding Showcase

Brisbane's favourite rainforest venue is hosting a wedding showcase

Aug 23

Vivaldi’s Legacy

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra returns to Brisbane this August with Vivaldi's Legacy

Aug 25

Brisbane Festival 2026

Get ready to switch on, light up and come alive at this year's Brisbane Festival - the city's biggest and boldest celebration of art and community

Brisbane Festival 2026

MUST DO

Origins Italian Cooking Classes

Bring a taste of Italy to your kitchen with Origins Italian Cooking Classes, where authentic recipes, family traditions and the joy of gathering around the table take centre stage

Origins Italian Cooking Classes

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Aug 21-23

From a vibrant Ukrainian festival, a medieval fantasy weekend and Brisbane’s biggest trackside party of the year, to a dazzling Barbra Streisand tribute and a brand-new romance-only bookstore

This Weekend Aug 21-23

Brisbane Festival - Festival Village South Bank

COMING UP

What's on in September in & near Brisbane

From Brisbane Festival taking over the city to the magical Jim Henson blockbuster at QAGOMA and Laidley Spring Festival, the best things to do in and around Brisbane in September:

What's on in September 2026

HOT TICKET

Southern Realm Festival

Southern Realm Festival is returning to Boonah this month transforming the Boonah Showgrounds into a weekend of jousting, armoured combat, living history and fantasy

Southern Realm Festival

BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs

Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars

Best Bars in Brisbane

Experience the wit, elegance and enduring brilliance of Gilbert & Sullivan