Five Fab Outings from The Gold Coast

When you’re ready to give the theme parks a boot and breathe in more natural turf, the Gold Coast has much to offer. Here are our top five spots to soak up the region’s natural beauty – all a half or full day trip from the coast.

Best Day Trips From The Gold Coast

Springbrook

About a 50 minute drive from the Gold Coast, depending on your departure point, Springbook offers a cool respite from the warmer weather found at sea level. Waterfalls, subtropical and temperate forest, and crisp mountain pools perfect for taking a dip, are easily accessed by clearly marked paths and published routes. One of our favourite things to do with family is to pack a picnic and enjoy the day hiking, swimming and relishing the fresh forest air.

Day trips from the Gold Coast, Queensland
Springbrook National Park

Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads lies at the southern end of the Gold Coast, and as such furnishes a postcard perfect view of the coastline and kilometres of white sandy beaches that the area is known for. Unlike Surfers Paradise however, these are more local stomping grounds. Fewer tourists means more genuine dining and shopping experiences, of which we highlight some of our favourite cafes in Burleigh here. Beach, parklands, restaurants, boutiques and a pretty walk around the headlands – there’s something for everyone at Burleigh.

Day trips from the Gold Coast, Queensland
Burleigh Heads

Byron Bay

Approximately an hour’s drive south of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay is perhaps one of the hippest spots to visit in the area (even if it is on the NSW side of the border). Stunning beaches, parklands, unique boutiques and a happening foodie scene, captivate visitors from all walks of life. We like to pack our swimmers and walking shoes and mix up our day with dipping, hiking, shopping and lots of cafe hopping. One of our favourites spots to grab a bite is Earth ‘n’ Sea for a mighty fine pizza with a wholesome base. Our top pick is the Staffies, but we’re rather fond of the Green Pizza too. We take them away and sit in the park in front of the beach. Bliss.

Byron Bay, NSW
Byron Bay, NSW

Mt. Tamborine

Pathed walkways circling the mountain top, nature trails, wineries, restaurants, galleries, and a whole lot of adventure, Mount Tamborine is must-do day trip from the Gold Coast. There’s so much to do, see and eat up here that’ve we’ve dedicated a post to the area. Read here to find our five favourite things to do on Tamborine Mountain. 

Day trips from the Gold Coast, Queensland
Mt. Tamborine
Witches Fall Winery, Mt. Tamborine
Mt. Tamborine

Currumbin Rock Pools and Mt. Cougal National Park

Currumbin rock pools is one of the choicest spots on the Gold Coast according to my niece and nephew (one can be seen mid-jump from the rock and the other has recently landed in the water). Less than a 40 minute drive from the Gold Coast, they make a superb picnic spot on a hot day. Go a little further up the road to Mt. Cougal National Park and you’ll find deeper pools, chillier waters and higher rocks from which to jump. One for the dare devils!

Day trips from the Gold Coast, Queensland
Currumbin Rock Pools
Day trips from the Gold Coast, Queensland
On The Way to Currumbin Rock Pools

Lamington National Park

Lamginton National Park abounds with nature trails for all levels. From 900 metres to 10s of kilometres there is something for everyone’s fancy here. Best to drive during daylight hours (not suitable for larger vehicles or towing caravans) as the roads are windy and at some passes narrow to a single lane only. On the way you can stop at the small township of Canungra and have a bite in the famous Outpost Cafe. Be sure to allow some time for O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, just a few minutes out of town – if not for the wine tasting for the lovely grounds (our favourite drop here is the Picnic Bubbles), and too make a stop at Mountview Alpaca Farm.

on the way to Lamington National Park, Queensland
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards
On the way to Lamington National Park
Mountview Alpaca Farm
top attractions from the Gold Coast
Lamington National Park

 

What day trips might you recommend to visitors?

 

7 Comments

  1. Not a fan of the Gold Coast for many reasons, but there are certainly many great
    attractions not far from the CBD area.
    The beaches and I believe the restaurants at Burleigh Heads are
    the best by far and up Mt. Tamborine way there is plenty of the active
    tourist to partake in.
    I also enjoyed Currumbin Rock Pools many years ago when far younger.
    I reckon El Caning Junior Cordobes would love to play Tarzan up there
    but would you, Monica, be prepared to play the part of “Jane”??????
    Great report and I suppose you now have control of the TV remote???
    Cheers
    Colin, “The El Cordobes of Terrigal”.

  2. Adorable alpaca! Beautiful photos, Monica, and what gorgeous and spectacular views! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely tour.

  3. good to see our homeland on your blog..

  4. Yet to pay a visit to the Gold Coast and Brisbane, I’ve family and friends there. Hope to hop over someday.

  5. Hoping to go one day, all that outdoors stuff looks so inviting!!

  6. The sky is so blue! Bet you don’t see this type of blue in Malaysia, right? 😉

  7. It looks fabulous 🙂

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.