Best getaways just two hours outside Brisbane

SICK of hearing about everybody else’s action packed holiday, and wish you could set off on your own? Don’t let limited time and budget get you down. Embark on a microadventure!

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SICK of hearing about everybody else’s action packed holiday, and wish you could set off on your own? Don’t let limited time and budget get you down. Embark on a microadventure!

If you think about it, family holidays are an investment. While you might only go away for a week here or a weekend there, the memories last a lifetime. However, for busy parents, the prospect of actually planning a trip can be overwhelming. Your to-do list is always expanding and your emails and washing are never-ending. But what if all you needed was 48 hours and the open road?

Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? Thankfully, you don’t have to go far to feel a world away from home, with plenty of family-friendly getaways on offer just under two hours from Brisbane. Pack the swimmers and some walking shoes because come 5pm Friday, your weekend adventure will start and you can leave your responsibilities in the rearview mirror.

Sunshine Coast

When the name of the destination sounds as dreamy as this, you know you’re onto a good thing! The Sunshine Coast is a leisurely 90-minute drive north of Brisbane and offers the best of both worlds: bush and beach. Start your weekend with by exploring the area’s stunning hinterland.

Your first stop should be either the Blackall Ranges, where you can take in the views of velvety rolling hills to the east, or Mount Coolum, where you can see the panorama from Noosa National Park down to Caloundra. Don’t be fooled - neither is a walk in the park - but the sweat is definitely worth it. If you’re looking for a picnic spot, the Mothar Mountain Rockpools are tucked away down a long dirt road 40 minutes inland from Noosa. It’s the perfect location for families because tables, a wood-fire barbecue, water and amenities are all provided and free for the public to use.

After an action-packed Saturday, you might want to spend your Sunday sightseeing. Take the kids for a spot of shopping at Eumundi Markets or a visit to Australia Zoo. However, if you do have a bit more petrol in the tank (literally), unleash your competitive side and race the kids at the local go-kart track.

When it comes time to rest your head and legs, check out Noosa Caravan Park. It’s in the heart of Tewantin and offers cabin accommodation as well as caravan and camping sites. Your family will love the heated swimming pool, children’s wading pool, playground, games room and TV room.

If you’d prefer a pitstop between the beaches and the hinterland, check out Landsborough Pines Caravan Park. It’s located 15 minutes from both the Blackall Ranges and the beautiful Sunshine Coast beaches and is only 3km from Australia Zoo. Accommodation varies from unpowered and powered sites to standard, deluxe and superior cabins. If your holiday isn’t complete without your favourite four-legged friend, the good news is pets are welcome too.

Of course, no Sunshine Coast trip is complete without a trip to the beach, so grab a hat, sunscreen and your favourite book and enjoy any of the sandy stretches between Caloundra and Noosa.

The Gold Coast

The best thing about the Gold Coast is that after a 60-minute, you feel on holiday straight away thanks to the sandy beaches, bustling cafes and restaurants and laid-back vibes.

Want to know a local secret? Then check out Froggies Beach. There are plenty of chilled-out, gorgeous beaches just outside Surfers Paradise, and Froggies is a little wedge of sand between Snapper Rocks and Point Danger. Nobby Beach is another special spot protected by a headland, and it’s got plenty of cool beachside bars and restaurants serving everything from Asian-inspired cuisine to tapas if you want to quench your thirst or whet your appetite.

Undoubtedly, one of the main attractions of the Gold Coast is the theme parks, so it’s only fair that Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Movieworld or Dreamworld are on the list. (Just saying, they’re also the perfect way to tire the kids out for the drive home!)

While the tickets may be pricey, your stay on the Gold Coast doesn’t have to cost you an arm or a leg, with lots of accommodation options available to suit any budget and taste. Ashmore Palms Holiday Village is family-owned and offers resort-style facilities. It has top quality cabin accommodation, from budget-friendly holiday villas to the renovated two-storey Macaw Mansions (bet you didn’t think you’d ever see “mansion” and “budget” In the same sentence!). Kids will love the playground and free activities, while adults can get some R&R beside the resort pool or cook up a storm on the BBQ. It’s a short drive to both the theme parks and the Surfers Paradise CBD.

Nobby Beach Holiday Village is another option perfect for the beach-lovers because the sand is right on the doorstep. You and the family will be walking distance to the Gold Coast’s best beaches, cafes, restaurants, shops and even a golf course. The park also just recently underwent a major three-year renovation, with a new mega waterslide, two heated pools, a new playground and an entertaining area which regularly hosts live music, food trucks and free face painting. Accommodation ranges from powered sites to deluxe villas, and the newly finished penthouses.

The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are perfect for memorable family holidays that won’t break the bank. Both are a short drive away and only need 48 hours of your time. Yep, the emails can wait!