Where you can daytrip within 150km this weekend

From Saturday, Queenslanders will finally be allowed to travel up to 150km for recreational day trips as coronavirus restrictions lift. CHECK OUT THE TOP DESTINATIONS NEAR YOUR PLACE.

QUEENSLANDERS are being encouraged to pack the car and take a day trip this weekend, a move tourism bosses insist will boost the state’s battered economy and psychologists say is great for mental health.

From Saturday, Queenslanders will be allowed to travel up to 150km for recreational day trips.

Four men, including two Brisbane residents, busted camping on restricted island near Townsville

Coronavirus QLD: XXXX to deliver free beer to outback pubs and clubs

Premier provides update on QLD re-opening after PM’s plan revealed

There are more than 100 popular locations open to visit within 150km of Brisbane, many of which are national parks, bike trails, beaches and picnic spots.

Water sports operators who offer stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, jet ski tours are also planning to reopen on the Gold Coast and Sunshine coasts.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones told The Courier-Mail the Government was calling on Queenslanders to hit the road and support local businesses.

“The health advice is really clear, the Chief Health Officer doesn’t want people to overnight but we are absolutely encouraging people to have a day trip,” Ms Jones said.

“If you can spread the money and the love around then that will be a real injection in Queensland’s state economy.

“In Brisbane we expect many people to go to the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

“In places like Cairns, residents will be able to return to Palm Cove and Port Douglas, in Townsville they’ve got great icons like Magnetic Island.”

Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive Leanne Coddington said it was a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy the “world-class tourism experiences and natural attractions on our doorstep.”

QUT psychological researcher Patricia Obst said getting out of the routine environment will be “absolutely fabulous” for people’s mental health.

“Just getting out of that space that you’ve kind of been locked down into will be just amazing for people, particularly if they are able to get out into nature,” Dr Obst said.

“There’s lots of research that talks about the benefits of time in nature and connecting with nature for our mental health.

“It helps you turn off from the stresses and the conversations going on in your head and gives you a different kind of horizon to connect with.”

While temporary accommodation or staying overnight at a friend’s house is not allowed, up to 10 people will be able to gather outdoors and gatherings inside a home with up to five visitors are permitted.

“That is just going to be so fantastic for people, to be able to reconnect face-to-face with the people that are important to them,” Dr Obst aid.

“Around 50 per cent of our mental health is related to the health of our relationships and being able to connect with other people.

“Face-to-face connections are really important.”

Lifesavers are bracing for a busy weekend across southeast beaches and urging inexperienced swimmers stay out of the water, as there will be no red and yellow-flagged swimming areas to avoid people congregating.

Lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesavers will conduct surveillance patrols and ensure they are ready to respond to incidents if needed.

Tweed local Vivi Baker, 18, said she was excited to be able to travel to areas like Springbrook and Beechmont to have picnics with her friends.

Josie Chase, Vivi Baker, Lilly Forbes, Cassia Carnell all from Tweed have a picnic together at Currumbin Rock Pools. Picture: Adam Head

Originally published as Where you can daytrip within 150km this weekend