It may be difficult to tear yourself away from the Gold Coast’s stunning beaches and laid-back energy, but the coastal city also serves as an excellent base for day adventures of equal beauty and adventure. You may be standing at a World Heritage site, gazing up at 180 million-year-old trees, or living on an island time for the day in less than an hour or two. You have several options when it comes to good day trips from Gold Coast, with everything from hiking trails to waterfalls, paddock to plate restaurants and world-class cultural activities.
What are the best day trips to take from the Gold Coast? Visit vineyards in Southern Queensland Country, Brisbane for a city space, the Scenic Rim to experience the country charm, and Gold Coast Hinterland to enjoy nothing but nature. These are among the best day trips you can take from Goldie.
To Experience Purely Nature: Gold Coast Hinterland
The Gold Coast Hinterland, surrounded by thick rainforest, is a wonderful area to freshen up and take a stroll to discover where the green meets the gold. Springbrook and Lamington national parks provide ample opportunities to interact with nature. The parks within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area contain historic natural beauty. Among those is Springbrook’s Natural Bridge, an amazing waterfall that flows through the arches of a basalt cave.
You might also drive up Lamington National Park Road to see waterfalls and have a walk while being surrounded by O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat’s treetops. Or, take a seat at the foot of the mountain at the Canungra Valley Vineyards of O’Reilly’s, where you’ll enjoy a gourmet farmstead picnic with a free wine sampling, complete with a tartan rug.
Take your feast to the banks of the gurgling Canungra Creek, or choose for an alpaca picnic with two of the property’s fuzzy friends. Are you thinking about staying longer, and what are the best things to do on the Gold Coast other than the ones I mentioned so far? Check them out here https://goldcoastlifestyle.com.au/things-to-do/.
Scenic Rim Day Trips on the Gold Coast to Experience Country Charm
The Scenic Rim was previously overlooked when it came to day trips from the Gold Coast, but that has changed now that Lonely Planet has named it among the top vacation destinations in the world for 2022. It’s the ideal location if you wish to disconnect from the outside world but not go too far. The Gold Coast’s expansive backyard, which stretches from Tamborine Mountain to Aratula, delivers a heady dose of rural charm just a few clicks inland.
Follow the Great Dividing Range’s country roads while stopping for a cold beer at Fortitude Brewing Co. on Tamborine Mountain. This place is a traditional pub lunch at a true Queensland local (Beaudesert and Boonah have the most) or something a little more upscale at Lavender Farm and Kooroomba Vineyards.
If you’re travelling on a Sunday, the Scenic Rim has a tonne of regional markets that showcase the best locally grown fruit in the area, including olives, avocados, delectable cheese, and a pantry’s worth of preserves. Alternatively, simply pull over to a roadside vegetable stall and select your favourite. Walk along the Scenic Rim Food Trail or have a look at these activities if you’re the sort to base your day trip schedule entirely on food.
For a City Escape: Brisbane
Brisbane is located a leisurely hour’s drive north of the Gold Coast. It offers major city conveniences (such as fantastic shopping and hip restaurants) coupled with much of that laid-back Queensland charm. With renowned department stores and high street brands, the Wintergarden’s abundance of edgy boutiques, and QueenPlaza’s international designers (like Dior, Saint Laurent, and Chanel), Queen Street Mall offers shopping in the city’s centre.
Travelling uptown to James Street, which sits at the intersection of Fortitude Valley and Newstead, is worthwhile. You might easily spend several hours exploring the lovely, leafy street, filling up on Australian designer clothing, and sipping wine in a neighbourhood bar.
Brisbane’s cultural centre is South Bank, where you can find a variety of shows, exhibits, and historical tales at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Center, Queensland Maritime Museum, State Library of Queensland, and Queensland Museum and Sciencentre.
Visit Vineyards: Southern Queensland Country
Another worthwhile location you should include on your day tour from Gold Coast is Toowoomba. Many people’s final destination is Garden City because of its immaculately kept parks. It also has laneways covered in street art and coffee shops. But, the expansive region to which it belongs has lots to provide for Gold Coast day trips, too. In this region of Southern Queensland, you may experience all four seasons all year long.
In the spring, fruit trees bloom and fields bloom with wildflowers, while in the winter, snowflakes can be seen in Stanthorpe. Additionally, the region has some of the richest soils in Australia. So, it’s hardly surprising that this place’s fresh fruit and veg are unmatched.
You could (and should) sip and swirl your way through the Granite Belt wine path at any time of year. Here, well-known producers coexist with small-scale growers. There are numerous cellar doors to knock on, offering drops significantly higher than your typical Shiraz. Look out for the Strange Bird emblem for alternative varieties. Expand your wine vocabulary by learning a little about Sylvaner from Ballandean Estate Wines, Petillant Rouge from Hidden Creek Winery, and Malbec from Summit Estate Wines.
Additionally, the Granite Belt provides ideal apple-growing conditions. Sutton’s Farm in Stanthorpe grows apples from pasture to pie dish. Do not consider calling it a day until you have sampled a piece of their renowned handmade apple pie.
Are You Ready to Experience the Best Day Trip of Your Life?
There are many day trips from the Gold Coast you can choose from. From free to luxurious tours, enjoy the beauty of Queensland by trying these trips. Taking a day trip and being surrounded by nature will be a break away from the beach and sun and give you a well-rounded holiday experience while on the Gold Coast.