One of the things I love most about living on the Gold Coast is how easy it is to escape for a few days.
Whether it’s hiking in the hinterland or wine tasting in the Granite Belt, there are so many bucket-list destinations that make for the perfect weekend getaway from the Gold Coast.
Over the years, I’ve slowly ticked off all of these destinations – some on a whim, others after plenty of planning. So I decided to write this post and share all my favourite adventures and romantic trips from the Gold Coast.
My favourite weekend getaways from Gold Coast
Stanthorpe & The Granite Belt
Travel time | 3 hours
Stanthorpe lies in the heart of the Granite Belt region. In my never-ending search for wineries and breweries, I stumbled upon this gem, and it’s now one of my favourite weekend getaways from the Gold Coast.
The region might be famous for its vineyards, but it offers so much more.
Girraween National Park has epic granite boulders and hiking trails, and in winter, it’s one of the few places in Queensland where you might actually see snow.
We stayed at this little cottage with a wood fire, and after a long day of exploring, we’d come back, pour a glass of local wine, and play board games by the fire. This ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
If you’re planning a couples getaway, check out these amazing places to stay near Stanthorpe.
Mt Tamborine
Distance | 45 minutes
Most people visit Mount Tamborine on a day trip from the Gold Coast, but I think it’s much better as a weekend escape.
It’s such a short drive, yet once you’re there, it feels like you’re worlds away.
We hiked to Curtis Falls and Witches Falls, and the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk was a highlight.
The Gallery Walk is another must. It’s lined with quirky shops, chocolatiers, and little cafés. I can highly recommend Cinnamon Bun Café and Granny Macs for a sugar fix.
And yes, there are wineries here too! Here are my favourite wineries in the area.
Montville and Maleny
Distance | 2.5 hours
Just north of Brisbane, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, lie the beautiful towns of Montville and Maleny. Both are equally charming and really capture that cosy rainforest vibe.
We stayed in a cabin surrounded by trees, did the Kondalilla Falls walk, and spent hours browsing the little shops in town. Don’t miss the Cuckoo Clock Nest shop – it’s fascinating!
Montville is also famous for the Montville Growers and Makers Market. This takes place every second Saturday of the month.
Byron Bay
Travel time | 1 hour
Byron Bay needs no introduction! The famous hippy town is only an hour’s drive south of the Gold Coast and is a popular weekend getaway in summer.
The foodie scene is hard to beat, and the beaches are beautiful. But so is the underwater world!
Just off the coast of Byron lies Julian Rocks, a dive site famous for Leopard Sharks, Grey Nurse Sharks, and Manta Rays. You can also snorkel with turtles here.
Boonah
Travel time | 1.5 hours
Boonah is a hidden gem I only discovered a few years after moving to the Gold Coast.
It’s part of the Scenic Rim, and the landscape here feels totally different from the hinterland. It’s more rolling farmland than lush rainforest.
During our weekend getaway to Boonah, we went wine tasting at Bunjurgen Wines and had the most delicious farm-to-table meal at the Scenic Rim Farm Shop. Summer Land Camels is a popular spot for families, and you can feed (or even ride) the camels. Here’s my post on things to do in Boonah.
I stayed at Ketchups Bank Glamping, a romantic retreat overlooking the rolling hills of the Scenic Rim. Highly recommend!
Nimbin
Travel time | 1.5h
Everyone should visit Nimbin at least once! It’s eccentric, colourful, and unlike anywhere else in Australia.
Located in the Byron Bay Hinterland, it’s known as the drug capital of Australia (and no, you don’t need to be into that kinda stuff to visit).
The main street in town is marked by shops openly selling weed and people smoking up a storm inside. It’s a hippy town and offers a sharp contrast to the other getaways from the Gold Coast.
The area surrounding Nimbin is gorgeous, so rather stay on the outskirts than in town.
We booked a cabin in the woods nearby, which gave us the best of both worlds – the peace and nature of the hinterland, plus the quirky detour into Nimbin itself.
Noosa
Travel time | 3 hours
Noosa is the jewel of the Sunshine Coast. And yes, it really does live up to the hype.
The beaches are stunning, and the town is lined with top-notch restaurants and boutique shopping stores. There are also plenty of breweries to visit and impressive farmers’ markets to explore, one of which is the Eumundi Markets.
You can’t miss the coastal track in Noosa National Park. We packed a picnic lunch and stopped for a swim at the beaches along the way.
Noosa is a great option for a weekend trip from the Gold Coast, but traffic to get here can be intense. That’s why I suggest spending an extra day here, if you have the chance.
Long weekend getaways
Queensland is home to the three largest sand islands in the world, and they’re all within reach of the Gold Coast.
You could visit them on a weekend trip, but they’re better for a long weekend getaway as they’re slightly harder to get to.
I usually take the Friday off so I can get three full day. That way, the trip feels more like an adventure than a rushed getaway.
Moreton Island
Travel time | 4 hours (including ferry)
Moreton Island is my favourite sand island.
There are no tar roads here, so you’ll need a 4WD to explore it properly. If you don’t have an off-road vehicle, you could hop on the passenger ferry and stay at Tangalooma Resort.
The water at Moreton is crystal blue, and the snorkeling around Tangalooma Wrecks is pretty impressive. We even saw a whale swimming between the wreckage!
We spent a few days camping here, and it honestly felt like we were on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere.
To get here, you’ll need to drive for an hour to the Port of Brisbane. From there, take the ferry for 1.5 hours to Moreton Island. I’ve written this detailed guide on how to get to Moreton Island.
You can also do a day trip to Moreton Island. This tour includes the return ferry, kayaking and snorkel gear. Plus you can use the facilities at the resort.
Fraser Island
Travel time | 5 hours (including ferry)
Fraser Island, or K’gari, is the largest sand island in the world. It’s the ultimate adventure island, and you’ll need a few days to see it all.
We loved swimming in Champagne Pools and floating down Eli Creek. Inland, you have stunning forests and walking trails as well as the beautiful Lake McKenzie.
Again, you’ll need a 4WD to get around Fraser, but there are plenty of multi-day tours (like this one here) if you’d rather let someone else do the driving.
To get here, you’ll need to drive 3.5 hours to either Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. From there, take the ferry to Fraser Island.
Here are my other guides to Fraser Island if you’re interested in visiting.
- The best things to do on Fraser Island
- The best campsites on Fraser Island
- Which is better: Fraser Island or Moreton Island
North Stradbroke Island
Travel time | 3 hours (including ferry)
North Stradbroke Island, or Straddie, is the easiest of the sand islands to reach, and it has a bit more infrastructure than Fraser or Moreton.
If you don’t have a 4WD, no problem. You can stick to the sealed roads with a regular car.
The island is packed with things to do: coastal walks, beautiful beaches, diving, and surfing.
You can also camp right on the beach if you bring a 4WD. If you prefer something more comfortable, these accommodation options are also available.
To get here, you’ll need to drive for an hour to Toondah Harbour in Cleveland. From there, take the ferry for 45 minutes to North Stradbroke Island.
My favourite weekend trips from the Gold Coast
I’ve loved exploring the Gold Coast! My favourite weekend getaways are those that took me by surprise – Stanthorpe, Montville, and, of course, Moreton Island.
If you’ve done any fun (or romantic) getaways from the Gold Coast that I haven’t included, please let me know in the comments section below. I’d love to check them out.
Planning an adventure around Queensland? Check out my other posts!
- 12 Best Stanthorpe Wineries
- 9 Best Daintree Rainforest Walks
- Where To Stay On The Gold Coast
- My Sheraton Grand Mirage Gold Coast Review
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