A 10-day drive itinerary of south east Queensland

Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast; South East Queensland really ups the ante in the sun, sea, sand and hinterland stakes. Each destination is uniquely its own, and this gorgeous pocket of Queensland is one best explored on four wheels.

There are some incredible things to do in South East Queensland, so cross them off your bucket list; here’s your 10-day drive itinerary.

Looking for a longer itinerary further north? Take a look at this ultimate two-week Tropical North Queensland explorer itinerary.

Day 1: Uncover Brisbane’s beating heart

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Rise with the sun and head north to Nudgee, meeting your tour guide from Nyanda Cultural Tours. Guided by a traditional owner, you’ll experience a smoking ceremony, taste and learn about bush foods among the Nugdee waterholes boardwalk facility, learn to make fire and about the tools used by Aboriginal people to navigate this unique environment.

It’s back to the city to spend time in the company of Australia’s and Asia’s best artists at QAGOMA. Part of South Bank’s cultural precinct, QAGOMA is regarded as one of the best modern art galleries in the world, thanks to incredible modern works and bi-annual showcases. Peruse at your own pace or join one of their free daily walking tours to brush up on your art knowledge.

PM

After lunch, it's time to hit the water. Take your pick from a relaxing sunbathe and soak at Streets Beach, Brisbane's iconic inner-city beach; or explore the sparkling river by paddle power on a kayak tour. 

Then it's time to seek out a different kind of adventure for sundowners with a view. Walk along South Bank's waterfront park to The Emporium Hotel’s Terrace Bar. With sweeping views out across the Brisbane CBD, toast with a classic Perrier-jouët champagne cocktail. The views continue at dinnertime, whether you choose from waterfront Italian at Otto or one of Howard Smith Wharves' hotspots. 

As for accommodation, you can't go wrong with so many options that will really get you into the holiday feels.

Day 2: Gold Coast bound (80kms)

AM

Set your sights on the glittering Gold Coast. With its stretches of sandy beaches and fresh surf, a morning ocean swim is rite of passage here. Settle in under the shade of the pandanus palms at Echo Beach, Tallebudgera Creek on the Southern Gold Coast, for a few blissed-out hours. This pristine cove is a much-loved local secret.

You’ll find stairs down to the sand just as you enter the Burleigh Head National Park headland on the southern side. Bonus points for seeking out Custard Canteen, the local coffee shop across the creek for an indulgent morning treat of coffee and a custard tart.

For a deeper understanding of the land you find yourself journeying, pay a visit to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, just moments from Tallebudgera Creek. Offering some of South East Queensland’s best Indigenous experiences, the centre offers a wealth of Aboriginal history and culture of the Gold Coast. Join a guided tour of the Burleigh Headland, meet traditional landowners and hear the Dreamtime stories of Jellurgal.

Check out this Indigenous local’s guide for more incredible things to do on the Gold Coast.

PM

For a Gold Coast venue with stellar ocean views, look no further than the Burleigh Pavilion. Take in the magnificent 180-degree views of the Pacific and lap up that ocean breeze as you shuck fresh oysters and wood-fired pizzas. For something a little more upscale with the same panoramas, head next door to The Tropic. 

For a place to stay within walking distance of the beach, take a look at our Gold Coast accommodation guide - there's something to suit every taste and budget. 

Day 3 & 4: Head for the green behind the gold (45kms)

Say goodbye to the salty sea air; you’re heading inland where the Gold Coast Hinterland boasts a vibrant shade of green. Your hinterland adventure starts just 30 minutes from the sand. For an easy route uncovering the best parts the region has to offer, follow the Tamborine Lamington Circuit. A visual feast for the eyes, cross off some of that iconic scenery: waterfalls, lookout points and bush walks.

For the cyclists, there are some incredible cycling tracks which take you through some of the oldest forests on Earth, while trail enthusiasts will revel in the challenge of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. If all that exertion leaves you in quite the sweat, take a day or two and hit the inner reset button at Gwinganna Retreat.

Where to stay in Gold Coast Hinterland

There are a slew of spectacular Hinterland accommodation options, but if luxe glamping on the edge of World Heritage-Listed rainforest sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that’s because it is. Spend a couple of nights at Nightfall Camp on the edge of Lamington Nation Park, where your luxury safari tent blurs the lines between 5-star digs and under-the-stars camping.

Day 5: Breathe in that mountaintop air (39kms)

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Only a short drive north through emerald hinterland is Tamborine Mountain. Impossibly quaint, and supporting a thriving local artisan community, this gorgeous mountaintop village will steal your heart - or at the very least, fill your camera’s memory card.

As well as some fantastic outdoor activities on your doorstep – no less than 12 walking tracks, both Witches Falls and Cedar Creek, plus Tamborine Mountain’s Famous Glow Worm Tours all minutes from the centre - the village centre is a hive of activity and home to dozens of antiques and art shops, fondly known as Gallery Walk.

Do breakfast the right way at Tamborine Mountain Coffee House. The gorgeous property makes for a picturesque dining experience, where the grounds double as a coffee bean plantation and the breakfast menu is a who’s who of locally grown produce. Be sure to order the freshly baked scones with locally churned clotted cream.

Walk off breakfast amid the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, or tick off one of the best things to do on Tamborine Mountain.

PM

Reserve the afternoon for a trip around some of Tamborine Mountain’s award-winning wineries and distilleries. Just make sure you decide on who the designated driver is before you hit the road.

First stop, Tamborine Mountain Distillery. The quiet over-achiever of the South East Queensland boutique distilleries, this multi award-winning (300 international awards and counting), family-owned cellar door makes and sells liqueurs, schnapps, vodka, gins, and handmade liqueur chocolates in mind-boggling, but tastebud tantalising, flavours.

Wine lovers will feel right at home during a tasting at Cedar Creek Estate Winery. The vineyard grows two varieties, Chambourcin and Verdelho, as well as sourcing grapes from QLD’s best vineyards, making for quite the selection of fine local wines. Walk the grounds or simply take in the views over the vineyard with a wine in one hand, and a selection of Hinterland cheeses to make your way through in the other.

Wrap up three days of Gold Coast Hinterland bliss with a night at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Pamper yourself at the Lost World Spa, take a plunge in the infinity pool overlooking the valley, then kick back in your private studio with mountain views.

Day 6 & 7: Explore Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley (86kms)

For some of the best things to do in South East Queensland, head to the glorious Scenic Rim region - named by Lonely Planet as one of the world's best regions to visit in 2022. Country pubs, quaint farm gates selling local honey and jams, award-winning wineries, and idyllic historical villages; it’s impossible to experience all that the Scenic Rim has to offer in just a few days. But we’ll give it a go.

Lace up your walking boots: the Scenic Rim Trail calls. While the full trail takes a whopping five days to complete, there are miles and miles of smaller tracks easily accessible for day visitors. For a less strenuous way to take in the rugged landscape of the Scenic Rim, cruise the Boonah Rathdowney Road from Boonah towards Bunjergen. Boonah’s historical town centre is full of classic country village stores, bakeries and pretty coffee shops and the local pub.

Not far from here you’ll stumble across the achingly pretty Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm, as well as the Scenic Rim Brewery at Mt Alford. Either is a perfect stop for a late lunch; one amongst the backdrop of blooming lavender fields, one in a beautiful old Queenslander, surrounded by welcoming locals. It’s a tough choice, we know.

Time your visit right for Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, where you’ll, quite literally, eat your way around the region. Held each year in winter, meet the local growers and farmers, indulge in long table lunches in the paddocks, pick seasonal veggies and, importantly, sample the produce the region is made famous for.

Where to stay in the Scenic Rim

For two very different takes on Scenic Rim life, accommodation goes something like this; Tommerups Dairy Farm in Kerry will have you kicking up your city shoes in next to no time, while Spicers Peak Lodge will host you in the height of countryside luxury.

A sixth-generation, 200-acre working dairy farm, at Tommerups you’ll be immersed in the full farming lifestyle during your stay. Milking the farm’s cows is part of a day’s work here; put yourself to good use by learning to milk, feed, care and tend for these beautiful creatures.

Guests are encouraged to get their hands as dirty as they like, collecting eggs, feeding the cattle, and learning from the owners about the gorgeous property. The Homestead provides chic country accommodation, even a renovated 1800s cottage, for those wanting to simply peace out amongst the serenity.

Alternatively, Spicers Peak Lodge really emphasises winding down and enjoying the property’s luxury accommodation and manicured acreage. Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge and surrounded by World Heritage-listed National Park, paired with onsite gourmet dining, wine bar, plus award-winning day spa and outdoor pool (complete with a viewing deck out to the wilderness), we can safely assume you’re never leaving.

Looking for something different? Use this guide to the best Scenic Rim accommodation. 

Day 8: Get acquainted with historical Hinterland (218km)

AM

If you do manage to tear yourself away from such extravagant creature comforts, continue north as you approach the Sunshine Coast.

Arguably the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s food and art hub, you’ll be hard-pressed to leave Maleny empty-handed or hungry. Spend the morning in this quaint little town high up in the Blackall Range; the air here is notably crisper than at the bottom of the range, making even a visit in high summer a must-visit.

But first, a late breakfast. Want views down the range? Maleny’s Mountain View Café is known across the region for its fresh scones and Maleny clotted cream, along with breathtaking views that stretch right out to the Gold Coast on a clear day. Which, in Queensland, is frequently.

While you’re in town, make sure to stop in at The Maleny Marketplace for locally made arts, crafts and pantry staples, and Queensland’s famous Maleny Cheese. Visit the cheese factory’s dedicated tasting shop for a cheeky platter of QLD’s finest – and take some away for the journey.

If you find yourself here on a Sunday, hit up the Maleny Sunday Markets to pick up fresh produce (and pastries galore), plus beautiful arts and crafts from local artisans.

PM

New to the world of camping? Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp is a fantastic way to enrol the uninitiated. A far cry from the basic tent and caravan pit-stop of your childhood summer holidays, Habitat is a thoroughly modern camping ground, with all the eco-friendly bells and whistles.

Sitting in 65 acres of quiet, beautiful land on the shore of Lake Cootharaba, you can choose your own adventure; be it a luxe eco-glamping tent or bunking down in the self-contained dorms. Habitat even boats a craft beer bar and bistro, CootharaBAR, for evenings where you need a cold beverage and something (much) better than bush tucker.

Day 9: Explore the Everglades

AM

Waking up at Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp means you’re right in the thick of the Noosa Everglades country. Being one of only two everglade systems in the world, you’re amongst some pretty special flora and fauna.

You may wonder what weird and wonderful things there might be to do in a UNESCO Biosphere? Well, there’s plenty! You can explore the everglades and the sandy coves of connecting waterways at your leisure, but there are a handful of award-winning eco-tourism operators in the area which offer unparalleled access to this watery wilderness.

Both Everglades Eco Safari and Kanu Kapers offer guided half, full and multi-day tours of the intricate waterways that make up the Noosa Everglades. Adventure seekers, however, will jump at the chance to join the overnight kayak trail, taking you deep into the northern section of the Everglades. Gilde along the famous ‘river of mirrors’, past tea tree forests and giant banksias. At night the ‘glades come alive, with fish and a myriad of hunting birds out doing what they do best.

PM

Time to step into something a little dressier; tonight you’re going out on the town. Noosa is buzzing at any time of year, such is life when you’ve a bustling bar and dining scene, host world-famous food festivals, and offer some of the best beaches in the country. You could spend a week here and not feel ready to leave.

Start with Asian-inspired cocktails and feasting at Sum Yung Guys. A 10-minute drive from Hastings Street, this Noosaville restaurant punches far above its weight, thanks to owner and ex-Masterchef alum, Matt Sinclair.

If you’ve any room to move, wash it down with a nightcap at iconic Noosa establishment, Sails. With outdoor seating touching the sands of Noosa Main Beach, the views simply don’t come better than this.

Whether you choose a boutique hotel room beachside, a luxury suite in one of the 5-star resorts, or choose something more laid back in Noosaville or Sunshine Beach, Noosa accommodation has something for everyone.

Day 10: Sail the high seas 

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There are endless options for a beach trip on the Sunshine Coast, often feeling the age-old pull of either deciding to explore the region’s jaw-dropping coastline, or spending time admiring it from offshore. Whatever your speed, a day aboard a luxury yacht with Saltwater Eco Tours will blow away the cobwebs -  and satisfy your need for a beach day.

Hop aboard your vessel, the ‘Spray of the Ocean’ – a 100-year-old 58ft gaff-rigged Huon-pine ketch - at Penny Lane Jetty in Mooloolaba, where you’ll not only be treated to some of the finest views of the Sunshine Coast, you’ll be immersed in the legends of the Dreamtime in a once-in-a-lifetime traditional sailing experience.

Spending roughly 2-hours on the water, cruise along the Mooloolaba waterways and learn about the lives of the Kabi Kabi, or ‘Saltwater People’. Your Indigenous guide will tell stories of the waters, connecting you to the land around you and its people. With all hands-on-deck, watch immersive demonstrations with the gorgeous coastline as your backdrop, devour native bush tucker-inspired eats and a glass of bubbles, and spot the local turtles as they come up for air.

PM

If your final destination is Brisbane, end a phenomenal 10-day driving trip of South East Queensland with a stay at Crystalbrook Vincent – a luxury hotel carved into the cliff under Story Bridge.

Once you've settled in and soaked up the views, head to the nearby James Street precinct in Fortitude Valley to shop at Brisbane's fashion and style epicentre, where you can easily pop into a wine bar when you need to put your feet up. Follow it up with dinner at Agnes, highly regarded as one of the city’s best restaurants.

Ending on a high note never felt so filling.

Don’t have 10 days? Our 5-day driving tour of southeast Queensland will satiate your road trip dreams.