Nothing beats Queensland: all your holiday must-dos within four hours of Brisbane

Five incredible regions sit within four hours' drive of Queensland's capital, each of them with their own personality and brimming with holiday must-dos. From the World Heritage splendour of Fraser Coast to the charm of Queensland Country, the laid-back freedom of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts to the diverse city, island and countryside experiences of Brisbane - the southern part of our state is open, ready and waiting.

While Queensland's been through so much in the last couple of years, our quintessential optimistic energy and resilient spirit makes it the perfect place to recharge, reconnect and rediscover right now. No matter how you travel or who you're with, nothing beats Queensland for a break that does the world of good.

Here are some of the best things to do within just a few hours of Brisbane.

Brisbane

• These days, you'll find dining experiences in Brisbane to rival anywhere in the world. A who's who of chefs helm an array of eateries serving very impressive fare - and where better to enjoy it than Brisbane's iconic riverside? From Eat Street Northshore and Portside Wharf in the city's east, snaking past the likes of New Farm, Howard Smith Wharves, Eagle Street Pier, Kangaroo Point and round to South Bank and beyond, the tempting options with a view are endless.
• Get your pulse racing or see the city from a different angle by making the most of Brisbane's unique adventure activities. Riverlife Adventure Centre is your go-to for kayak, bike or waterbike hire, or the rush of abseiling down Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Or why not go even higher on a climb up and over Story Bridge for the ultimate vantage point?
• Discover Brisbane's dedicated cultural heart at South Bank, featuring some of the country's best galleries, museums and events. This ever-changing precinct will capture your imagination each and every time.
• Jump in the car and point your bonnet away from the city on a country Brisbane road trip. Explore the heritage sights of Ipswich, the natural beauty of Moreton Bay, or the picturesque vistas and farm-to-table delights of the award-winning Scenic Rim.
• Head the opposite way, and just off Brisbane's coast lie two islands that'll have you forgetting you're only minutes from the city. Whether you choose Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) or Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), you'll be rewarded with crystalline sea, powdery white sands and plenty of marine life to spot.

Gold Coast

• Take your pick of any energetic golden stretch from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta, or for calmer waters, try vibrant blue creeks Tallebudgera or Currumbin Alley. Swim, surf, SUP, or fish and make the most of the relaxed beachside lifestyle this region is famed for; or gain a deeper connection to the coastline with a visit to Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Heads.
• Take a breather from the beach in the cool green of the Gold Coast hinterland; multiple national parks including Springbrook and Lamington lie only a short distance away. Visit Tamborine Mountain for kitsch charm with a side of glow worms, or O'Reilly's Treetop Walk or a stay at their retreat for full rainforest immersion therapy.
• It wouldn't be a Gold Coast holiday without indulging your kids (or your inner kid) with a visit to at least one theme park. Wondering which park's for you? Take our quiz to see which one will really blow your hair back.
• Speaking of which, the Skypoint Climb in Surfers Paradise is one of Australia's highest external building walks and delivers jaw-dropping views of the region, from the sparkling blue horizon, over the silver skyline to the hazy green hinterland.
• Find a thrill of a different kind with a wildlife encounter. Come face-to-face with furry and feathered friends at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or David Fleay Wildlife Park; or spend the night farm-stay style at Paradise Country.
• Enveloped by parklands and a lake with Surfers Paradise as the backdrop, HOTA, Home of the Arts is a colourful hub of art, live events, lakeside strolls, star-gazing, cinema-watching and dining, where you could easily spend all day.

Queensland Country

• The Granite Belt's altitude and crisp climate combine to produce some of the most awarded wines in Queensland - not to mention some very scenic wineries to sample them at, such as Balancing Heart Vineyard, Hidden Creek Winery and Ballandean Estate.
• See heritage relics and modern street art collide with a wander through Toowoomba, a country city famous for its gardens (and Carnival of Flowers), burgeoning food scene, and spectacular nature right on its doorstep.
• For nature on a scale to truly make you catch your breath, head to Girraween National Park. The surreal rock formations, some flat as a moonscape, others seemingly precarious towers, make for a hike you won't soon forget.
• Some of the most delicious local produce you've ever sampled combined with generous country portions will see you loosening your belt before very long in this region. Must-adds to your foodie itinerary include Suttons Juice Factory, 9 Dorf Farm, Schulte's Meats, Jamworks, Pechey Distilling, Jimbour House, and Essen restaurant.
• From wineries to woolsheds, abbeys to observatories, and cabins to cottages, there's no shortage of unique and quirky accommodation out this way. Make your visit one to remember by booking a place to stay that's just as much a part of the rustic experience as anything else.

Sunshine Coast

• Queensland's famous Australia Zoo is the beloved Steve Irwin's legacy, and his family continues to care for the 1200 animals that range from native to exotic. With interactive exhibits, bookable encounters (want to walk a wombat?), live shows, a wildlife hospital and more across around 110 acres, you'll want comfy shoes for this jam-packed experience.
• Get a new perspective on the region's beaches and marine life at Sea Life Sunshine Coast and meet blue penguins, sea lions, sharks, rays, seahorses and more; out on the water with Sunreef Mooloolaba, or Saltwater Eco Tours to experience the ocean through an Indigenous lens.
• Tour the verdant hinterland with a road trip: the eclectic Eumundi Markets; the galleries, boutiques and eateries of Montville; Maleny's delightful Botanic Gardens and Bird World; and north through the townships of Kin Kin, Pomona, Cooran and Cooroy. Think mountain views, pretty vineyards, historic pubs, and cosy cottages.
• Even further north, you'll find idyllic Rainbow Beach, named for its striking colourful sand dunes. On the way up, an inland detour through the mining town of Gympie will deliver heritage charm, including scenic steam train experience the Mary Valley Rattler.
• Impressive natural wonders are in no short supply: the mirrored corridors of the Noosa Everglades (one of only two everglades systems on earth), the towering Glass House Mountains with their deep Indigenous significance, and the enchanting Kondalilla Falls are must-adds to your list.

Fraser Coast

• This is 4WD heaven - jump behind the wheel and explore the Fraser Coast leg of the Great Beach Drive, the sandy highway of K'Gari (Formerly Fraser Island). Explore 75 Mile Beach, Indian Head and cool off at Eli Creek.
• Don't have your own wheels? Experience the splendour of the world's largest sand island by basing yourself at Kingfisher Bay Resort, and taking one of many guided tours available to see it from water, road or air.
• Hang out in Hervey Bay: the world's first Whale Heritage Area, it's the place for whale-watching between June and November. And there's plenty more to do: stroll Urangan Pier, wander the Botanic Gardens, and make the most of ultra-fresh local produce.
• Further inland, immerse yourself in the glorious Mary Valley's riverine rainforest. From the lush brilliance of Amamoor to Little Yabba Creek and Imbil, this beautiful part of the Fraser Coast offers a different, but no less impressive, vibe to the region's sandy coastline.
• Step into a storybook in historic Maryborough, the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. Follow the art trail (and the pub trail), and don't miss the Story Bank Mary Poppins Museum. Mary mad? Time your visit for the Mary Poppins Festival, held in July.