Top 10 Weekend Trips In Queensland, Australia - Updated 2024

1. Yuleba (from USD 167)

A rural town situated in the southwest of Queensland’s Maranoa Region, Yuleba is a really small town—so small that there are no more than 250 to 300 people living here. Yuleba is inspired by an Aboriginal word that means “the place of water lilies.” And it fits the name just right because some of the main attractions in the area comprise a serene lagoon with a combination of water lilies, an array of bird species, and Aboriginal rock wells. These rock wells are also said to be over 100 years old. Yuleba is located 420 km (260 miles) from Brisbane, and it takes about five hours to reach the place.

2. Fraser Island (from USD 225)

Located off the eastern coast of Queensland, Fraser Island is renowned as the largest sand island in the world, with a stretch of about 120 km (74 miles). This place is renowned for a unique natural attraction, which is the growth of tall rainforests on the sand dunes. This phenomenon happens only in this part of the world. This region also features some famous sweeping viewpoint attractions such as Indian Head, Cathedrals, Lake Wabby, Champagne Pools, and SS Maheno. It takes about six hours to reach this destination from Brisbane, with a total distance of 217 miles (350 km).

3. Mooloolaba (from USD 188)

Located less than 100 km (62 miles) from Brisbane, Mooloolaba is drivable in 1 hour and 30 minutes. It sits on land between stunning ocean beaches and Mooloolah River. A tourist resort township and a coastal suburb town, Mooloolaba has amazing shopping centers, cozy restaurants, and white powdery beaches that are perfect for surfing, swimming, etc. Visitors can explore Sealife Sunshine Coast Aquarium, Sunshine Coast, and Australia Zoo as well.

4. New Farm (from USD 160)

A quaint inner suburb town in Brisbane, New Farm lets you explore the outdoor lifestyle with its grassy fields, tree-lined streets, and lush, manicured parks. Visitors from all across the country coming to New Farm for a weekend getaway enjoy the picnic spots by the river, cycling lanes, BBQ spaces, and jungle gyms. You can also explore the town’s attractions like Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, South Bank Parklands, Story Bridge, and Queensland Museum, among others.

5. Ravensbourne (from USD 193)

There are so many hidden and mystical towns nestled in Queensland, which makes most people wonder, just how many hidden attractions are really there in the whole country? And the same goes for this town—Ravensbourne. With a population of literally a handful of people, not more than 300 residents, this small town in Toowoomba Region near Brisbane, with a distance of about 135 km (83 miles), boasts two serene lakes and Ravensbourne National Park. The town also offers beautiful options in terms of accommodations. Most of the attractions present in this region, including Ravensbourne National Park and Lake Cressbrook, give visitors a chance to go fishing, hiking, bird-watching, and more. Crows Nest National Park and Perseverance Dam are other great sights to see in Ravensbourne.

6. Moreton Island (from USD 120)

Renowned as the gem of South East Queensland, Moreton Island is famous for its crystal-clear lagoons, lakes, sand dunes, beaches, and wildflowers. While on a getaway here, you will have the opportunity to hand-feed the dolphins, explore underwater for shipwrecks and marine life, and marvel at a 19th-century lighthouse. For adventurous souls, try four-wheel driving, sandboarding, and quad biking. Indeed there are plenty of options to keep you busy. And because of this, you might even end up extending your stay. Moreton Island is drivable in three hours from Brisbane, with a distance of 70 km (43 miles).

7. Stanthorpe (from USD 58)

A rural town nestled in Southern Downs Region, Stanthorpe is a secluded destination with a population of just about 5,500 people. With a distance of 1,613 km (1,002 miles) from Queensland, the town is reachable in 16 hours. This place is a favorite weekend destination of many, for its remarkable seasons, national park, an abundance of local produce, and more. Stanthorpe is encompassed by Granite Belt, which is a renowned attraction here. Along with this, visitors must also check out Storm King Dam, Stanthorpe Museum, and Sutton’s Juice Factory, among others.

8. Brisbane (from USD 91)

The bustling capital of Queensland, Brisbane is a vast city sitting on Brisbane River and is sandwiched between mountainous national parks and the ocean. Although a hub for great dine-in restaurants, history, culture, and arts, Brisbane still reflects a lot of classic laid-back vibes amid nature settings. The city opens its doors to the stunning wonders of Gold Coast, Glass House Mountains, and Sunshine Coast. The famous attractions that keep visitors busy here include Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, and Wheel of Brisbane, among others. Brisbane is situated about 710 miles (1,143 km) from Central Queensland.

9. Dayboro

A town nestled in Queensland’s Moreton Bay Region, Dayboro is 47 kilometers (30 miles) from the state capital, Brisbane, and is reachable in less than an hour. It is a good old-fashioned town whose values are near and dear to the locals. A day trip or a weekend trip to Dayboro will instantly put a smile on your face. There are multiple activities you can indulge in here. Some of them are horseback riding, strolling around in the vineyards, adventuring in a four-wheel, and more.

Country House Retreat Room 2

Dayboro, Queensland, Australia

31 reviews  

Private room in house 1 Bed 1 Bedroom 1 Bathrooms

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

the bedroom i had was warm and comfortable the bed was awesome

the room was very comfortable and pleasant

like a home away from home very comfortable and a beautiful breakfast spread

Cleanliness:

the house is very clean and tidy

the accommodation was clean comfortable and well priced

great easy place to stay super clean would stay again

robyn’s place is very clean quiet & relaxing

it was very clean and organized and the variety of items for breakfast was amazing

Host:

very kind and amenable host

lovely hosts and a tranquil quiet spot

amazing host beautiful home i love all the animals

robyn is a perfect host she made you feel very comfortable

friendly and welcoming have two well behaved dogs

Location:

close to the local town with good cafes

a great place to stay

we definitely recommend robyn's place

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10. Cooladdi

A thriving railway town back in the day, Cooladdi slowed down a bit since the rail connection shut down. To this day, the town only sees a handful of locals residing here. It is as raw as it gets as the locals are keeping the Outback rich and live. But during September, this quaint town gets overcrowded with flocks of tourists as the annual Gymkhana festival commences. The town is popular for its fishing spots as well. One of them is Quilberry Creek, which is also great for camping and swimming activities. With a distance of 515 miles (827 km) from Brisbane, the town is reachable in nine hours.

Warrego house

Charleville, Queensland, Australia

48 reviews  

Entire house 3 Beds 3 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Top guest reviews

Cleanliness:

spotlessly clean and a super comfy place to stay

it was very clean and there was plenty of room

it was super clean and organised and had everything i needed

very clean nice comfy beds and a very helpful host

very nice garden spacious house with gas cooking and clean bathroom

Host:

great outdoor area and amazing fire pits for use made by the host walking distance from town centre

Location:

a very comfortable home in quiet part of town but still close to facilities

great place to stay close to everything large back yard and easy access for vehicles and trailers

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Weekend fun is just a week away

Pack all your essentials in a duffle. Head out solo or find friends to have a road trip with. Fill the tank and off you go on a new adventure. All you need to do is just pick a destination from this list, and you are all set to have a fabulous weekend trip in Queensland.