The unforgettable Queensland long weekends to take when you’re craving an adventure

If you’re looking for a long weekend in Queensland that offers just a few minutes’ travel time between baggage claim and the beach, head to Kirra. Not nearly as busy as Surfer's Paradise or Burleigh Heads, this tiny pocket of southern coastline flies under the radar of most visitors to the Gold Coast, which makes it all the more special.

Life is laid back here, but that doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on great dining or places to stay. Check into Nirvana By The Sea or newcomer Kirra Beach House and you’ll enjoy beach views any moment you’re not on it. And when it’s time to wash the sand off and grab a bite, it’s an easy stroll to all the favourites, like lunch at locally-loved Siblings @ Kirra, elevated pub grub or a sundowner in the beer garden of recently revamped Kirra Beach Hotel, or the highly anticipated Kirra Beach House, which just flung open its doors this December, showing off panoramic views of Kirra Beach, a terrace that takes advantage of the sunshine, Mediterranean bites and coastal inspired wines and cocktails. 

Charming Coolangatta is just steps to the south, while the Gold Coast’s iconic experiences from theme parks to wildlife sanctuaries and surf schools are just a short drive away.

Discover more: 48 hours in Kirra Beach

3. Heron Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef might be a trip of a lifetime, but don’t spend a lifetime waiting to visit –you can experience it in a long weekend in Queensland.

Off the coast of Gladstone, Heron Island is a jewel of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. And if you’re convinced you need to head to the state’s far north to experience the beauty of this natural wonder, folks like Sir David Attenborough will attest that some of the best reef experiences in the world can be found right here.

Set off from Gladstone by cruise or heli and you’ll quickly discover Heron Island is more than sparkling sands surrounded by reef – though that is a spectacular sight to witness. It’s also home to a world-class research centre, eco-tourism experiences, a resort with everything you need for a barefoot adventure, and renowned snorkelling and diving – with more than 20 dive sites just minutes from the beach. You won’t be the only visitors, though. Depending on the time of year, you’ll share this patch of paradise with migrating birds, nesting loggerhead turtles, and manta rays.

Discover more: a long weekend on Heron Island.

Queensland long weekends are made for clocking up beach time, and Noosa is made for just that, and more.

This stylish hamlet on the Sunshine Coast is blessed with some of the best beaches in southeast Queensland, from the calm, grommet-friendly Noosa Main Beach to the hidden coves ready to discover along the coastal track of Noosa National Park.

While you could spend your entire weekend on the sand, we recommend taking a break to explore what makes this neck of the woods so special: Noosa Everglades is a flourishing UNESCO biosphere with shimmering waterways to discover by kayak or boat tour, the Noosa River is ideal for an afternoon cruise, and the town’s vibrant bar and dining scene shows no signs of slowing down, with exquisite local flavours to enjoy from your morning cuppa to nightcap, and every bite in between.

Discover more: Noosa long weekend itinerary

5. Magnetic Island, Townsville

Just 20-minutes’ ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island is one of the most accessible Queensland long weekends for island lovers, with a taste of the Great Barrier Reef.

Charming Maggie has a little bit of everything. Palm-fringed beaches to laze about on. Hiking trails that lead to epic island views and WWII forts. Coral reef that can be explored via snorkelling trails and award-winning eco tours. And with 78% of the island being national park or conservation park, brushes with native wildlife including koalas and rock wallabies are guaranteed. Your days may be action-packed, but your evenings should include savouring the sunset, either from sailboat or beach bar.

Discover more: 48 hours on Magnetic Island

6. Brisbane City

There’s just something different about Brisbane. Having long ago shaken the “big country town” reputation, our riverside capital city has blossomed into a vibrant cosmopolitan centre. But alongside boundary-breaking art exhibits, a thriving live music scene and top-ranking restaurants, the best bits of the “country” remain: life’s pretty relaxed and you’ll always find a few locals ready to stop for a yarn.

Craving cultural immersion? Make QAGOMA your first stop to wander through beautifully curated collections of Australian, Asian and international art – alongside an exciting calendar of exclusive exhibitions. Catch a show at Queensland Performing Arts Centre, taste your way through a food tour that’ll steer you into the city’s yummiest restaurants, urban wineries and more, or shop Aussie designers in between bites and sips along James Street.

And if you crave an adventure further afield, you can always day trip to frolic on one of the world’s largest sand islands or wander through the ancient Gondwana Rainforest.

Discover more: Brisbane long weekend itinerary

Ever wanted to visit not one, but two, UNESCO World Heritage sites in a short escape? Tucked between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest Port Douglas ranks as truly unforgettable among the Queensland long weekends to add to your 2024 plans.

Fly into Cairns and Port Douglas is just an hour’s scenic road trip along Great Barrier Reef Drive, a picturesque stretch of highway that winds passed lookouts that peer over the Coral Sea.

The tropical town offers luxury trimmings with a down-to-earth atmosphere, where wellness includes basking in the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest and melting into a massage treatment. Days can be spent discovering one-of-a-kind boutiques, markets and galleries along Macrossan Street, or splashing in the calm waters of Four Mile Beach. Adventure here can be serene or fast paced, with sailing trips to the Low Isles, marine biologist-led experiences on the Great Barrier Reef, Indigenous tours of sacred Mossman Gorge, or discovering the wild swimming holes of Cape Tribulation. There’s even three exceptional 18-hole courses close to town.

By night, choose to knock back a few drinks at the local bars or feast your way through the restaurants – perhaps even dining in the rainforest.

Discover more: How to spend 48 hours in Port Douglas.

8. Hervey Bay, Fraser Coast

Quality time feels more genuine among the unhurried coastal charm of Hervey Bay. It’s one of the favourite Queensland long weekends for those seeking relaxation and adventure, with pristine beaches, wild nature and captivating marine life. Hervey Bay proudly holds the title of Australia’s whale watching capital and the world’s first Whale Heritage Site, so if you’re here during humpback whale migration (June to November), taking a whale watching cruise is a must. Some operators even allow you to swim with the whales, too.

Spend your long weekend unwinding in the soothing coastal breeze, exploring the vibrant Esplanade, and indulging in fresh seafood at local eateries that range from beanbags on the beach to upscale diners. For a truly memorable couples escape, book a twilight bay cruise through the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park, or jump on one of these day trips to K’gari (Fraser Island).

Discover more: How to spend a perfect long weekend in Hervey Bay

9. Scenic Rim, Brisbane

Ready to wine, dine and hike your way through verdant countryside? The Scenic Rim is easy to visit from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, making it one of the best long weekends in Queensland.

Jump in the car and tracks through UNESCO World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest, wine trails, farm gates and award-winning restaurants are all at your fingertips, so you can squeeze a little bit of everything into a long weekend. For example, you could begin your day with a latte at Mount Tamborine Coffee Plantation, hike to a waterfall then savour wine tasting, wander local villages to discover art galleries and boutiques, pop into a brewery for an afternoon drink, then settle in for a farm-to-table dinner.

Your nights will be spent in style. Scenic Rim accommodation offers everything from cosy cottages and glamping to luxury lodges – and you’ll feel a world away from the city in the best possible way.

Time it right and you could savour the bounty of the region during Scenic Rim Eat Local Month (1 – 30 June 2024), where visitors get a backstage pass to the region's farms, producers and makers during workshops, long table lunches and degustations.

Discover more: A food lover’s long weekend guide to the Scenic Rim

Explore a side of The Whitsundays that you’ve probably not seen in the brochures. It comes sans crowds and sprawling five-star resorts, instead offering a local slice of paradise. Where the daily catch is served fresh and fried at the local fish and chip shop, and idyllic bays are waiting to be explored by kayak, SUP and snorkel.

Bowen lies an easy hour’s drive north of Whitsunday Coast Airport, and it’s a nature lovers paradise – so be ready to spend your long weekend in the great outdoors. It might be most best known for the Big Mango, but there’s plenty to explore here, from the beachside Sunday Markets to the fringing reef of Horseshoe Bay. But if you prefer a pace that simply involves a beach towel, a sunset, and little else – the serenity found here will make three days feel like a total reset.

Discover more: the best things to do in Bowen.

Queensland long weekends in 2025

Thinking about using public holidays to enjoy a long weekend in Queensland? Add the following ideas to your mini-break list.

What’s on over the Easter long weekend 2025

Queensland’s endless summer makes Easter a perfect time to visit: all the sunshine, but with slightly less humidity. It’s one of the best times to travel, take a hike, pitch a tent for a camping adventure, or get a taste of the tropics during shoulder season.

It’s also a great time for events. Roma’s Easter in the Country continues to attract thousands of holidaymakers looking for a good time with a good country community, competitors set sail for the 78^th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, and city-slickers can enjoy the best of Brisbane with blockbuster exhibitions, food-sensation Night Feast, and the action of Brisbane Cycling Festival taking over town.

Ideal Queensland long weekends over Easter: witness turtle hatching season and snorkel the reef on Heron Island, immerse yourself in Brisbane’s unique inner-city culture, or enjoy the slower pace of coastal life in Gladstone’s Agnes Water and 1770.

What's on over the June long weekend 2025

Many states, including NSW and Victoria, have a public holiday in June to commemorate the Monarch’s Birthday. And it’s an incredible time to come to Queensland – which celebrates the birthday with a public holiday in October instead (read: less local crowds at popular holiday destinations).

Looking for June events during your visit? Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is one of the best opportunities to taste the bounty of southern Queensland’s produce, go retro at the Gold Coast’s Cooly Rocks On, or discover the huge calendar of events that heat up our short but ever-sweet winter.

Ideal Queensland long weekends in June: Make your way to the Scenic Rim to explore during Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, travel to Port Douglas when the tropics are at their prime conditions, escape to Magnetic Island, or bask in the sunshine at Bowen, a Whitsundays’ gem.

Source: Taking a break: Exploring the restorative benefits of short breaks and vacations, Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 2021