Day Trips & Excursions in Brisbane

Take a break from Gold Coast beaches to discover the livable urban charm of Brisbane on a full-day tour that offers plenty of time to explore Queensland's capital on your own. Take morning tea at a lookout atop Mt. Coot-tha or the Botanical Gardens, and see most of the main sights, including Kangaroo Point, King George Square, trendy South Bank, China Town, and more. Customize your day during free time to cruise along the Brisbane River, visit the Science Centre, or perhaps dine at one of downtime's excellent restaurants.

Try out Moreton Island's most popular activities - sandboarding and snorkeling - on an adrenaline-fueled small-group tour from Brisbane. Spend a full day exploring the island by sea when snorkeling through the Tangalooma Shipwrecks, and on land when sand boarding on giant sand dunes and visiting pristine beaches. Snap photos of the gorgeous scenery and learn from your guide about the abundant animal life. Travel in a small group that is limited to 16 people for a more customized experience with your guide.

Across the state line from Brisbane and the Gold Coast is Byron Bay, a coastal town with popular beaches and ocean views. Save time spent on booking rental cars and planning your itinerary with this day trip down the coast to Byron Bay. Visit Cape Byron Lighthouse and try and spot dolphins or turtles in the South Pacific Ocean and then explore the Crystal Castle and Shambala Gardens, filled with massive crystals and tropical flora.

Discover the natural beauty of Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, on a 4-wheel-drive day trip from Rainbow Beach or Noosa. As you traverse the island by purpose-built 4WD, make stops at lakes, white-sand beaches, the colored sand cliffs and other natural attractions, and keep your eyes open for wildlife like birds and reptiles. Lunch is included.

Explore the natural bounty of Queensland on this full-day tour to Lamington National Park from Gold Coast or Brisbane. Soak up spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from atop Mt Tambourine, and create your own adventure at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. Encounter flocks of king parrots and other native bird species on a treetop canopy walk, and try your hand at bird feeding on a ground-level bush walk. Visit a local alpaca farm for a furry finish to the day!

Leave busy Brisbane for a full-day tour that showcases the natural beauty of North Stradbroke Island. Swim in the surf or freshwater lakes, take a short guided hike, view whales and other marine animals from the beach and coastal lookouts, visit small towns including historic Dunwich and Amity, and go in search of the island's population of wild kangaroos and koalas. Your small-group tour has numbers limited to 13 people, which ensures a more personalized experience with your knowledgeable guide.

Explore Moreton Island on a full-day tour that travels to Tangalooma Island Resort from Brisbane on a luxury ferry. Depending on the option you select, explore activities such as snorkeling at Tangalooma Wrecks, stand-up paddle-boarding, taking a beach Segway tour, or scuba diving. A luxurious morning ferry cruise to and from the resort awaits for your adventure.

Explore Byron Bay and Mullumbimby at your own pace on this private tour from the Gold Coast. In the company of just your party (up to 11 people) and a guide, begin with tea and free time to explore the village of Mullumbimby before traveling to a working organic farm for lunch. Continue to Byron Bay to explore the town before heading to Watego's beach to embark upon a walk up to Cape Byron lighthouse for views of the coast and, possibly, dolphins or whales.

Spend a blissful day on Moreton Island exploring the beaches, snorkel sites and enormous sand dunes during this full-day tour from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast. Travel with an experienced guide in a rugged 4-wheel drive vehicle, going from sea to sand as you snorkel at the Tangalooma Wrecks and kayak around the coral reef, then head inland to try sandboarding on the dunes. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and soak in the tropical scenery of Moreton Island on this fun-filled tour.Please note: An additional cost of AU$50pp is to be paid in cash to your driver prior to departure to cover national park and ferry fees during this tour.

Explore the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day cruise from Bundaberg to Lady Musgrave Island. Enjoy close views of the reef as you snorkel, take a glass-bottom boat tour, and feed the fish, then see the island on foot during a guided walking tour. Keep your energy up with morning tea and a buffet lunch served on board your spacious boat, and have access to warm showers and quality snorkeling equipment. You can event try scuba diving (own expense) at this famous coral reef.

Discover the natural and cultural attractions of Australia's Gold Coast on this packed full-day tour departing from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Browse through the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Learn how to catch a crab and enjoy a seafood lunch, visit Burleigh Heads, a world renowned for its spectacular surfing conditions and drive through the Gold Coast Region to Varsity Lake, Robin and Advance Town. Enjoy the diverse experiences of the Gold Coast all in one day.

Leave busy Brisbane for a full-day tour to Australia Zoo and Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Have about four hours on your own at the Australia Zoo "” made famous by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and one of Queensland's top attractions. Afterward, continue to Montville for a stroll about town, then into Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve for an optional guided rain forest walk. Enjoy the fresh air of themountains and learn about the plants of this subtropical zone before returning to Brisbane in the late afternoon.

Discover the sun-bronzed shores and fashion-forward streets of Noosa Heads, one of the most famous towns of Australia's Sunshine Coast, on this full-day tour from Brisbane. Browse the shops along lively Hastings Street, walk the seafront promenade along Noosa Beach and enjoy a ferry cruise along the Noosa River. After lunch (not included), explore the arts and crafts village of Montville and enjoy a short hike through the Mary Cairncross Park, taking in dramatic views of the Glass House Mountains.

Soak up the natural beauty of Queensland's Scenic Rim area on this small-group day trip from Brisbane. Enjoy a classic Devonshire tea, walk to Queen Mary Falls, admire panoramas over Condamine Gorge and the Scenic Rim mountains, and enjoy a wine tasting and kangaroo-spotting on route back to Brisbane. Your tour includes Devonshire tea, lunch, National Park fees, wine tasting, and air-conditioned transport with hotel pickup and drop-off.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to see a lot of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in one day. Get out of the city and travel with a small-group to see a ton of highlights including iconic beaches, markets, one of the world's largest Ginger Factories, and artisan villages.