EASY SIDE TRIPS
Moreton Island
Within 30 minutes’ drive of the city you can be on a fast ferry to the third-largest sand island in the world. Visit between June and October to score front-row seats to the humpback whale migration. Moreton Island is an adventure
WHAT TO DO: lover’s paradise with sand boarding, fishing, and the skeletons of 15 ships, scuttled in 1963 just offshore, providing spectacular snorkeling and diving (hello, wobbegong sharks). Each evening, you can take part in sustainable hand-feeding of wild dolphins.
WHERE TO STAY: TANGALOOMA ISLAND RESORT (tangalooma.com) offers everything from hotel rooms to luxe villas, or sleep in safari tents at CASTAWAYS (moretonislandadventures.com.au).
WHERE TO EAT: THE GUTTER BAR (thegutterbar.com.au) is your quintessential toes-in-sand, fresh-oysters-off-the-trawler, glass-of-chilled-white-in-hand beach bar.
Noosa
This beachside town on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, just under two hours from Brisbane, is the perfect mix of sophisticated cool and old-school family vacation fun.
WHAT TO DO: The day to day here revolves around the beach; learn to surf, paddle board or kayak on the aqua waters (try gorideawave.com.au), or take up position in one of the casual cafes and restaurants that fringe Main Beach.
THE NOOSA NATIONAL PARK is perfect for bushwalking – and koala spotting – or for a once-in-alifetime experience go swimming with humpback whales (sunreef.com.au).
WHERE TO STAY: PITCH LUXURY CAMPING’s (pitchluxurycamping.com) tents come with queen beds, delicious picnic baskets and uninterrupted nature.
NETANYA NOOSA (netanyanoosa.com.au) has five-star facilities overlooking Main Beach.
WHERE TO EAT: Chef Peter Kuruvita’s NOOSA BEACH HOUSE (noosabeachhousepk.com.au) does seafood with a Sri Lankan twist; LOCALE (localenoosa.com.au) serves up wood-fire pizzas in an industrial chic space.
Scenic Rim
An hour from Brisbane, the Scenic Rim encompasses six national parks, stunning mountain peaks, and one of south-east Queensland’s largest food producing regions cloaked in ancient rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos.
WHAT TO DO: Start the day in a hot air balloon to see why it’s called the Scenic Rim. Culinary crusaders can join a number of food and wine tours, while active types can go horse riding in the foothills of the LOST WORLD VALLEY, cross the nine suspension bridges that make up O’REILLY’S TREE TOP WALK, or hike high-end with the two-day guided SCENIC RIM TRAIL (spicersretreats.com).
WHERE TO STAY: The O’REILLY family were pioneers of this region and a stay at their retreat (oreillys.com.au) puts you in prime position to explore LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK (and spot glow worms at night). NIGHTFALL (nightfall.com.au) is an exclusive glamping experience for just six guests on the banks of picture-perfect Christmas Creek, or you can muck in on a farm stay at TOMMERUP’S DAIRY FARM (tommerupsfarmstay.com.au).
WHERE TO EAT: Head to HOMAGE AT SPICERS HIDDEN VALE for hyper-local paddock-to-plate fare and unexpected surprises, like an amazing emu egg marshmallow dessert (spicersretreats.com), or lunch overlooking the lavender fields at KOOROOMBA VINEYARD (kooroomba.com.au).