Day trips you can take on the Queen’s public holiday

With tomorrow’s public holiday coming as a surprise to many, we’ve come up with 11 places in South East Queensland you can visit in a day.

Want to take advantage of the surprise public holiday and have a fun day out? Well you don’t have to travel far to get away from the city.

Here’s a list of places you can discover on a last-minute day trip. Just pack up your car or jump on a ferry to enjoy the gorgeous sites Queensland has to offer.

The Big Pineapple

Yes, it’s clearly a tourist attraction but even native Queenslanders should visit the Big Pineapple at least once. Located near the town of Nambour, about 100km north of Brisbane, the pineapple is a sight to behold — and you can tour the old gold mining town while you’re there.

It’s known for its pineapples, macadamias and beef cattle as a link to the local agricultural district.

The 16m-high Big Pineapple.

Burleigh Heads

The Gold Coast suburb, located about an hour from the CBD, is now known as a foodie destination as well as for its beautiful beach.

View from Burleigh Heads. Picture: Mark Fitz/Tourism QLD

It’s located between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta and offers a relaxing beachside atmosphere as well as great restaurants and walks through the picturesque Burleigh Heads National Park.

Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic, head out early and take the Oceanview Walk where you can relax at Echo Beach — and even do some whale watching during spring.

Moreton Island

Easily accessible by ferry, Moreton Island is a must-see location where travellers can check out the Tangalooma Wrecks — sunken ships partially-submerged in the ocean which attract a variety of sea life.

The Tangalooma Wrecks. Picture: Tourism Queensland

Aerial view of the Tangalooma Wrecks at Moreton Island. Picture: Tourism Queensland

This is great for snorkellers or divers but Tangalooma Island Resort also organises for its guests to feed wild dolphins or go on whale watching cruises. The island itself mostly made up of the Moreton National Park, which offers scenic walks with waterfall views as well as mountain biking.

Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim region is a prime location — only about an hour’s drive from Brisbane and an hour from the Gold Coast.

The popular tourist destination is known for its amazing scenic views but also offers bushwalking tracks, wineries, art galleries — and national parks:

Lamington National Park

It encompasses six national parks including Lamington National Park.

View of Lamington National Park.

The heritage-listed national park offers amazing bushwalks with more than 130km of walking tracks showcasing the rainforest.

Make sure you check out the amazing waterfalls.

Tamborine Mountain

Also located within the Scenic Rim region, Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic peak about 550m above sea level — with amazing 360 degree views.

The quaint town has wineries and historic pubs but its known for the scenic bushwalks in Tamborine Mountain National Park including the elevated Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk.

Views over Lamington National Park to Hinze Dam in Queensland's Gold Coast hinterland.

Mooloolaba

A less than two-hour drive from Brisbane, Mooloolaba is a prime location to enjoy the beach as well as the great restaurants and shops along the main esplanade and the wharf precinct. SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast aquarium is also located there.

Mooloolaba is a popular tourist spot. Picture: Lachie Millard

Glass House Mountains

Looking towards the Glass House Mountains. Picture: Dale Clark Photography

There are 11 peaks of the Glass House Mountains on the Sunshine Coast — and many of them are not easy treks.

So if you’re up for a hiking challenge — with gorgeous views as your reward — or just want to go for a casual wander around, check out their walking tracks and hikes.

Australia Zoo

Located in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast, Steve Irwin’s legacy, Australia Zoo, is a great spot for a day out.

Animal encounters at Australia Zoo. Picture: Jesse Lindemann

Head out early to see the animals and watch the shows the zoo puts on daily for its visitors. Steve’s widow Terri and their children Bindi and Robert operate the zoo and can often be spotted out and about as they work at the wildlife conservation facility which offers animal encounters, exhibits and conservation shows.

North Stradbroke Island

Stradbroke Island. Picture: Supplied

Accessible by ferry from Brisbane’s CBD, North Stradbroke Island is a great family fun day out. You can meander along North Gorge Walk and grab some food while taking in the sights — which could include spotting some whales if you’re lucky.

Also check out Adam’s Beach and Blue Lake for the gorgeous water alone.

Ipswich

Less than 40 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, Ipswich is an eclectic mix of the old and new. There are boutique shops and nature walks like climbing Flinders Peak, which is recommended for experienced hikers as its 679m high.

The Llama Farm at Pine Mountain, Ipswich.

There is also the Llama Farm which has the largest herd of llamas in Queensland and also has donkeys, camels and goats.

Ipswich is also the location of the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway and the Workshops Rail Museum.

One of the waterfalls in Buderim Forest Park. Picture: Warren Lynam/Sunshine Coast Daily

Buderim

Forget Byron Bay — Buderim is the next hipster location on the state’s Sunshine Coast with a quaint village-style main town centre and beautiful surroundings. There are rainforest walking trails, with the Buderim Forest Waterfall Walk Falls a must-do. The Foote Sanctuary of Buderim is also a great spot for a walk and picnic or barbecue.