The best scenic drives near Brisbane

Cruise along Redcliffe’s Marine Parade, squinting as the sun sparkles on Moreton Bay, and continue over the 2.7-kilometre-long Ted Smout Memorial Bridge – one of the bridges connecting the peninsula to Brisbane’s northern suburbs. Head west to zig then zag along mountain roads snuggled into subtropical rainforest. Join the easy-rider motorcycle crowd for refreshments at the wonderfully retro Mount Glorious Café. On weekends, car and motorbike enthusiasts often use these scenic roads as photogenic backdrops for their toys. Take a breather at Cormorant Bay Recreational Reserve on Lake Wivenhoe’s southern shore or paddle in the Mid Brisbane River at Twin Bridges Reserve. You’ll also see the river if you’ve booked ahead to walk a llama on a leash at the Llama Farm, north of Ipswich.

Distance: About 60 kilometres

Drive time: Just over an hour one way

Highlights en route: Views of rolling rural landscapes, dense bushland and the tranquil lake.

Winding south from Canungra through the Gold Coast hinterland, this route ventures into the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. The drive sweeps past subtropical and cool temperate forests, with plenty of stops offering the opportunity to admire cascading waterfalls, canopy views from treetop walkways and lookouts over the rugged Scenic Rim. You can even make a getaway out of the trip with a stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, which is the perfect base for exploring the national park.

Distance: About 30 kilometres 

Drive time: Around 50 minutes one way

Highlights en route: Waterfall and mountain lookouts, tree top walks.

Soak up the pretty-as-a-picture Sunshine Coast from an elevated hinterland viewpoint by corkscrewing your way up onto the Blackall Range. Three distinct villages – Maleny, Montville and Mapleton – are all drawcards. Head to Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World for a panoramic view of the ancient volcanic plugs known as the Glass House Mountains. In Montville, park under the camphor laurels and browse the boutiques. See the distant Pacific Ocean while lunching at Mapleton Public House or wind down to the lowlands of Palmwoods to try one of the huge burgers at Rick’s Garage, a magnet for hot-rodders, motorcyclists and car enthusiasts.

Distance: About 55 kilometres 

Drive time: Around an hour

Highlights en route: Panoramic beach, mountain views and stops at hinterland towns.

This route might be short on actual driving but it’s big on freedom and flexibility. While Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) has a bus service, there’s nothing like roaming the world’s second-largest sand island under your own steam. Pop the car onto a ferry departing from Cleveland (a 45-minute drive southeast of Brisbane’s CBD) and enjoy the bay breeze as you jaunt over to Dunwich. From here, head to Brown Lake and Blue Lake – two sacred spots for the island’s Quandamooka people. Saunter over to Point Lookout (18 kilometres from Dunwich). During the cooler months, spy whales that are cruising along the Humpback Highway. Year-round, kangaroos and wallabies keep the township’s lawns trim. Don’t forget to drop in on the sunshine-soaked, north-facing Cylinder Beach that sits within view of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).

Distance: About 30 kilometres 

Drive time: 45-minute ferry and around 20-minute drive

Highlights en route: Moreton Bay views and lots of wildlife sightings.

Sometimes, all you want is a delicious weekend with a memorable lunch in a picturesque country location. Point the wheels towards Marburg – a cute-as-a-button small town northwest of Ipswich. It's classic Queenslander-style pub has undergone a snazzy Insta-worthy reno and serves the likes of black Angus rump and grain-fed rib fillet. For an elegant lunch with a gobsmacking view of the rugged Scenic Rim, head a further 30 kilometres to reach Homage – the fine diner at Spicers Hidden Vale. Here, the à la carte menu might feature the likes of Marburg emu tartare and Warwick confit lamb.  Try to snag a table on the veranda.

Distance: About 60 kilometres

Drive time: Around an hour

Highlights en route: Visiting local producers and taking in majestic mountain views. 

See the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Headland through ancient eyes by taking the Jellurgal Walkabout tour. From Burleigh Heads’ Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the tour leads you past ochre pits and shell middens fronting Tallebudgera Creek. With the trail wrapping around the Dreaming mountain of Jellurgal, you’ll also hear stories about its creation. After a dip in the creek’s turquoise waters, head inland from the Glitter Strip and up the mountain to reach another peak. Tamborine Mountain’s Cedar Creek Estate is home to a purpose-built glowworm sanctuary. Take a daytime tour to see thousands of glowworms shining in the tunnel. Just 6km down the road is the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy.

Distance: Approximately 50 kilometres 

Drive time: Around 45 minutes

Highlights en route: Scenic stops, rainforest walks and cultural experiences.

This drive traverses through the undulating countryside and farmland of the Scenic Rim, before slipping into dense, towering rainforest as it crosses the NSW border. Take in some fresh country air and enjoy the freedom of the open road, as the drive passes rolling hills, quiet regional towns and creeks, before winding its way into the mountains. Some of the most stunning views are towards the end of the drive, as it passes Mount Lindesay at the edge of national parks. 

Distance: 144 kilometres one way

Drive time: Two hours

Highlights en route: A full day trip with rural to rainforest scenery and mountain lookouts.