Brisbane, Australia

One of the best things about Brisbane is what else is in its vicinity. Brisbane city itself is clean and accessible, and most people will spend time in South Bank on the Brisbane River where you will find parklands for picnics and various restaurants over 4 different precincts, and often the hub for events, such as their year-round Collective Markets. But why spend time in the city, when there is so much elsewhere.

Use Brisbane as a startng point to spend time on a multitude of our own Islands. Moreton Island is only a 75 minute ferry ride, known for its sand dunes and shipwrecks. Bribie Island is part of Moreton Bay and is less than an hours drive from Brisbane. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge and, whilst most of the island is uninhabited, there is a stretch of white beach to enjoy it's calm waters on. North Stradbroke Island is an easy train or local bus ride of 30 minutes to the port, and then 50 minutes by car ferry (you don’t have to have a car) or Water taxi. You will be experiencing Straddies sub-tropical pace lazing on a beach, whale watching in winter, 4WD opportunities, cultural walks and magnificent sunsets forgetting you were just in a city that morning. Bribie Island is another local favourite.

Hire a car and spend time in the newly transformed Ipswich. Now filled with trendy cafes and dining experiences, this has now become a destination for those who love antiques, craft beer or just a scoop of Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream. Now that you have wheels underneath you, make a road trip of it and take in the natural beauty by heading to Toowoomba or the Lockyer Valley for a great foodies scene, Stanthorpe for a variety of sights. Spring is best for the lavender farm, and in Winter, it is a great spot for wandering through galleries and wineries. Head toward Lamington National Park (We'll let you in on a secret – no lamingtons!) for a great set of walking tracks and you are able to do a treetop walk at O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat. Tamborine Mountain will keep you covered travelling with a young family or just those who love nature. Find glow worms, amazing rain forest canopies, horse riding and zip-lining. You will come across roadside stalls, farmers markets, waterfalls and green nature if you take the time to explore.

Brisbane does offer some traditional train journeys to take you elsewhere and allow you to sit back and enjoy. Spirit of Queensland operates between Brisbane and Cairns – a 24 hour journey (they do offer lie-flat beds), but you can break this up and explore the cute coastal towns along the way. Spirit of the Outback is another favourite, completing a 25-hour journey from Brisbane to Longreach traversing the Great Dividing Range and you are able to organise star gazing on this route at the Charleville Cosmos Centre, as the skies are so clear out here.

You are not restricted to depart from Brisbane, with the next closest airports being on the Sunshine Coast, or the legendary Gold Coast. For an epic family treat, you have the theme parks on the Gold Coast, long stretches of beaches, the Currumbin Rock Pools for a quieter swim or the Broadwater Parklands.

For those not having to keep others entertained, visiting the Hinterland or experiencing our Indigenous past through David Fleay’s Wildlife Park or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary are worth visiting.

Relax and unwind or live it up in this area, the choice is yours.