There are so many beautiful Sunday scenic drives you can do from Brisbane. Being smack bang in the middle of both the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast definitely has its advantages, with mountains, beaches and multiple inspiring attractions all a simple car ride away. In fact, planning a day out on the road exploring the surrounds is one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to make the most of a free weekend. If you are looking for some inspiration on your next Sunday off, then below is a list of some of our favourite Sunday drives from Brisbane.
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1. Blackall Range Tourist Drive, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
One of the best Sunday drives from Brisbane has to be the Blackall Range Tourist Drive. The most scenic of the official tourist drives in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the well-signed route which spans nearly 150km weaves its way though lush, green, undulating hills with breathtaking views, lookouts and rainforest-rimmed roads.
With the three quaint and picturesque townships of Maleny, Montville and Mapleton all situated along this route, as well as the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, there are plenty of places to stop off and stretch your legs, explore and admire along the way. You will be spoilt for choice with craft shops, cheese stores, nature reserves, lookouts and more. Pack a picnic to enjoy at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve or visit one of the many delightful cafes at one of the towns.
Getting There: Starting in Mooloolaba take the Sunshine Motorway to join the Bruce Highway heading south, then hop on Steve Irwin Way towards Landsborough. From here follow Landsborough-Melany Rd until you see the brown #23 signs for the Blackall Range tourist drive and just follow along the smooth, winding roads. The tourist road loops around back to Landsborough-Maleny Rd where you can head the way you came back to the coast.
Distance: 150km
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Highlights: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Maleny, Montville and Mapleton, views, lookouts
2. Mount Tamborine
Mount Tamborine has to be one of the most simple but beautiful drives from Brisbane on a lazy Sunday afternoon. For starters, it is so close! Halfway down the coast, the drive to reach the base of the mountain from Brisbane is only 30 minutes, but the leisurely drive up and around the winding mountain roads is stunning. Add to that the fact that there are multiple places to stop and check out when you are up there and this is a real Sunday drive destination winner.
Once there, you will be spoilt for choice with things to do with the kids. You can swim in the rock pools, picnic in the parks, visit one of the many arts and craft shops along the main street or even doing the Treetop Walk. There are many rainforest trails to explore, waterfalls to find and spectacular wildlife to uncover within this gorgeous rainforest wonderland.
Getting There: Situated about 80km south of Brisbane you can travel via Beenleigh (exit 35) and follow state route 92 along the Beaudesert Beenleigh Road through Tamborine Village, meandering through the rainforest up to the Mountain. Or take a direct route on the Pacific Highway south from Brisbane turning off at Oxenford (exit 57) and follow the scenic route signs up the Tamborine-Oxenford Road.
Distance: 14 km
Drive Time: 1 hour
Highlights: Mountain views, rainforest walks, rock pools, main street shops and cafes, lookouts, waterfalls.
3. Samford / Dayboro
Another picturesque Sunday drive idea is to head north-west of Brisbane and plan a visit to the delightful neighbouring towns of Samford and Dayboro. Both towns may only be a short drive from Brisbane but with their decidedly country feel and family-friendly laidback attitude, you will feel like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of fast-paced city living.
Samford, your first stop, has a wonderful old-world charm about it and offers plenty of fun, family-friendly things to do upon arrival. Make sure to pack your swimmers so that you can cool down at the Cedar Creek Falls and if you have any Harry Potter fans in your family you will definitely want to make time for a visit to the Store of Requirement while there. Continue on to nearby Dayboro, which also provides the small-town country feels in bucketloads and have a spot of lunch at their incredible bakery or visit the Ocean View Estates Winery for a fantastic family-friendly dining experience.
Getting There: For the most scenic drive from Brisbane, head north along Waterworks Road and through Mt Nebo. Take a break at Samford to enjoy all it has to offer and then consider the option to divert off towards Mt Glorious and wander the Greene’s Falls Track among others. You will have to pass back through Samford Village to continue north to Dayboro.
Distance: 100km round trip
Drive Time: 2 hours return driving trip (plus any time you spend visiting the towns)
Highlights: Ocean View Winery, Dayboro bakery, country towns, Cedar Creek Falls, Store of Requirement, Flying Nun Cafe, The Mathema Gallery
4. The Tourist Drive through the Bays
The Brisbane bayside towns and tourist spots make for a stunning and leisurely Sunday drive. You can either start in Wynnum or head straight to Redland Bay and then work your way back to Brisbane along the coast.
Starting at Redland Bay, drive slowly up the coastline through Victoria Point before stopping off at Cleveland for a break. Here the kids will be able to check out the historic lighthouse and playground and you may even want to have a spot of morning tea at one of the cafes or restaurants in the main street. Next stop on the drive will be Wellington Point, although if you have time you may also want to check our Raby Bay and its amazing foreshore as a detour as well.
If you get to Wellington Point later in the day you may be able to do the short walk over to King Island and back. To do this it has to be the start of a low tide so the sandy path is visible for you, otherwise the kids can enjoy the water-side play space and amazing climbing trees. Finally, continue on to Wynnum and Manly – both fantastic places for families. Cool off at Wynnum Whale Park, play in the playground, grab some fish and chips and enjoy a leisurely walk or ride before heading back to Brisbane.
Getting There: From Brisbane drive straight to Redland bay to commence your journey. This should take just over 30 minutes. You can then follow Cleveland Redland Bay Road/State Route 47 and Benfer Rd to Victoria Point and change to via Shore St W/State Route 22 and Main Rd/State Route 46 to continue on to Raby Bay / Wellington Point. It is then less than 20 minutes drive from there to Wynnum on State Route 43.
Distance: 50km one way
Drive Time: Maybe 2-3 hrs depending on how long you choose to stop.
Highlights: Wynnum Whale Park, Cleveland Lighthouse, Wellington Park
5. Mt Coot-tha Scenic Drive
The Mt Coot-tha Scenic Drive takes a circuitous route through the Mount Coot-tha Forest and Walkabout Creek section of D’Aguilar National Park.
A great spot to stop off at the start of your trip is either the Brisbane Botanical Gardens to take in the gorgeous local flora and fauna or the Sir Thomas Brisbane Plantarium – especially if you have a space-obsessed family member. After an hour or two visiting these you may want to stop off at one of the many picturesque BBQ and picnic site as the drive continues its winding path up the mountain. At the top of the mountain, you will be greeted with breathtaking views of our city and out to Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland during from the Mt Coot-tha Lookout.
Situated at the top and with views to die for, you can choose to eat at either the Summit Restaurant or head to JC Slaughter Falls Park in the Reserve where there are a number of gorgeous picnic spots. Afterwards, enjoy a moderate walk to the semi-rainforest shrouded falls before heading home.
Getting There: Get on the M3 from Edward St and Alice St, Brisbane City. Continue for 5 minutes and then take the Milton Rd/State Route 32 exit to Mount Coot-Tha Road. Continue on Mount Coot-Tha Rd until you reach your destination.
Distance: Tourist Drive is 10km
Drive Time: 3 hour round trip
Highlights: JC Slaughter Falls, Mt Coot-tha lookout, Sir Thomas Moore Planetarium
6. Redcliffe
One of the most popular Sunday drives and destinations is one that take you to Redcliffe and its surrounding jewels. One of the most family-friendly destinations, with spectacular beaches, playgrounds, waterfront cafes and restaurants, weekend markets and whale watching to enjoy, this drive is a wonderful one to plan when your entire family can join you.
Begin by driving over the Hornibrooke Highway to Redcliffe and around the Headlands. First stop on the driving itinerary is the Woody Point Jetty. Visit the popular Pelican Park playground and for those families who love to fish, the jetty is a great place to throw in a line before continuing north to Redcliffe. On the way, stop in at Margate Beach for a stroll or quick dip.
Once at Redcliffe the options are endless. While a few hours away at the markets, on the beach or in the shops and cafes. Make sure you continue your drive up to Scarborough Point and Beach before you leave though. A place you may choose to spend most of your time when you are there, kids will love the park as well as the beach and casual dining opportunities nearby.
Getting There: Take Elizabeth St and Queen St to Gipps St/State Route 15 in Fortitude Valley. Take Airport Link, Southern Cross Way, M1, Exit 120A and State Route 26 to Woody Point. Drive north to Margate Redcliffe and then on to Scarborough Point.
Distance: 80km round trip
Drive Time: 1hr up stop for a couple of hours and then 1 hr back
Highlights: Pirate Park at Scarborough, Woody Point Jetty, Pelican Park, Beaches
7. Bribie Island / Sandstone Point
A great Sunday day trip and drive from Brisbane involves heading 1.5 hours north to Bribie Island, the only island in Queensland connected to the mainland by a bridge. At 34-kilometres long and 8-kilometres across at its widest point, Bribie Island is the smallest of the three main sand islands of Moreton Bay. Most of the island is devoted to national park, while the remainder is inhabited and features plenty of retail, service and recreational facilities for the local community and visitors alike.
When there, explore the beaches, checkout the museum and art centre or visit one of the different markets that are hosted here on most Sundays. While in Bribie, make sure you visit the infamous Sandstone Point Hotel. More than just a simple eating spot, the Sandstone Point Hotel offers families a huge array of fun including a free animal petting farm, jumping castle, lawn games, a jetty and multiple fantastic family-friendly dining options.
Getting There: Head straight up the M1 and take exit 63 to Bribie Island. From here there are multiple signs pointing you in the direction of the island.
Distance: 160km round trip
Drive Time: 3 hours round trip. If you drive up the beach you can go for however long you like.
Highlights: Beaches, Museums, Art Centres, Sandstone Point Hotel, Animal Farm
8. D’Anguilar State Forest
The D’Anguilar State Forest is a gorgeous destination at the end of a beautiful, scenic Sunday drive from Brisbane.
South D’Aguilar, formerly Brisbane Forrest Park is made up of Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious. Mt Mee and surrounding areas and is an exciting, yet relaxing day out for Brisbane families. Begin at Waterworks Road, The Gap and continue along Mount Nebo Road following Tourist Route 8, up the D’Aguilar Ranges until you reach the townships of Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious. The area combines historical interest sites, geological phenomena and plenty of walking tracks with awesome views!
This is a great spot to get out and stretch your legs, venture down a stunning walking trail and immerse yourself amongst the natural flora and fauna.
Continue travelling through the D’Anguilar State Forest before heading back down the western side to Wivenhoe Dam and Fernvale. At Wivenhoe Dam there are a number of both land and water activities that kids can get involved in and it is a great spot to set up a picnic lunch before heading back home to Brisbane.
Distance: 90km round trip
Drive Time: This is a bit longer probably 2 hr drive to Wivenhoe or 3-4 hr round trip depending on stop time.
Highlights: Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious, D’Anguilar National Park, Wivenhoe Dam
9. Southern Hinterland Drive
It’s not all about heading north or west though. One of our favourite scenic drives is a trip down the coast and into the Southern Hinterland.
For this trip, head south towards the Gold Coast and at Mudgeeraba head towards Advancetown. Travel around the lake and visit Lower Beechmonth before heading through the Numinbah Valley to the NSW border. Whilst in Springbrook National Park, walk the Natural Bridge Circuit, a stunning one-kilometre circuit walking trail through the subtropical rainforest in the beautiful Numinbah Valley that ends at the spectacular Natural Bridge. Take in some of the other walks, lookouts and waterfalls before stopping at Apple Tree Park for a picnic lunch.
On your back back to Brisbane, head around and back into NSW through the Tweed Valley and Crystal Creek before continuing on to Murwillumbah and back towards the Currumbin Valley.
Getting There: Head on the freeway to the Gold Coast and at Mudgeeraba head towards Advancetown. From here travel around the lake to Lower Beechmount before heading to the Numinbah Valley. On the way back head around the back into NSW through the Tweed Valley, Crystal Creek and Murwillumbah and back towards Currumbin Valley.
Distance: 200km round trip
Drive Time: Round trip 3-4 hours plus stop time.
Highlights: Numinbah Valley, Natural Bridge, Lookouts, Springbrook National park, Scenic drive, Crystal Creek.
10. Scenic Rim
Another south-west drive is one from Brisbane to The Scenic Rim’s northern hub of Kalbar, Harrisville and Peak Crossing. Think gorgeous fields of fresh flowers, historic towns, camels and a great country atmosphere.
On your way to Kalbar, stop in a Peak Crossing and Harrisvale. At Harrisville check out the Summer Land Camels to learn more about these magnificent creatures and maybe even book in for a camel ride! Harrisville is also home to the Historical Society Museum. Stop for a bite to eat before heading on to the beautiful and picturesque Kalbar.
Just four minutes south of Kalbar, the Scenic Rim Flower Farm grows fields of cut and meadow flowers. Time your visit right for the Sunflower Festival and watch the farm come alive with yoga amongst the blooms, a flower maze, sip and paint classes, photo sessions and entertainment for the kids.
Getting There: Kalbar is approximately 86 kilometres from Brisbane and just over an hour by car. To get there, from Mt Coot-tha, follow the M5 and Centenary Hwy to Ipswich Boonah Rd/State Route 93 in Purga. Continue on Ipswich Boonah Rd/State Route 93. Take Munbilla Rd to George St in Kalbar.
Distance: 87 km one way
Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Highlights: Fresh flowers, country feels, camel farms, historic towns
Any one of these Sunday drives from Brisbane makes for a stunning and memorable trip with the family. If you want more activity based outings then check out our short day trips close to Brisbane.
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