Hopping a flight to Brisbane these days is a bit like catching a bus – the flights are frequent and well priced. With that in mind, there is no better time to pack up your bags and escape on a YHA short break getaway.

Brisbane is a great city for a short break, or there are lots of good spots if you want to explore beyond the city. Here’s some suggestions:

Maroochydore Beach

Island Escape

Infamous “Straddie” is a long time favourite with Brisbane locals and with very good reason. North Stradbroke Island has stretches of sandy white beaches, freshwater lakes and three townships that have a relaxed village atmosphere.  

The island’s great attractions are undoubtedly the natural land formations that long preceded European settlement on the island. The Blue Lake National Park encompasses a unique freshwater lake that is set in the sand dunes with a name that aptly describes its brilliant colour. The park, which is best walked in the early morning or late afternoon, is home to swamp wallabies, skinks, ospreys and mottled tree frogs to name but a few. 

Stradbroke’s unspoilt beaches and headlands are ideal for activity enthusiasts – swimming, sea kayaking, surfing, sailing, fishing, diving, 4WDing and bushwalks. The YHA has a dive shop onsite that offers both dive and snorkelling adventures to see whales, dolphins, turtle, manta rays and plenty of other extraordinary marine life.. 

A few days on this island is not nearly enough time to explore its history, discover the natural diversities of its coast and landscapes or fulfil the needs of an adventure junkie, so it is fortunate this natural paradise is located just one hour from Brisbane.

Classic Queensland

Recent road upgrades between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast have made the coast more accessible than ever before; it’s now an easy drive that will have you basking on Maroochydore Beach in just over an hour. 

Located between the Maroochy River and surf beaches, Maroochydore is the classic Queensland beach holiday destination. The river is the ideal place for boating, waterskiing and fishing or relaxing with a picnic on the foreshore. Maroochydore’s surf beaches stretch for kilometres and the main beach is home to one of Queensland’s first Surf Life Saving Clubs. 

The recently developed Mooloolaba Esplanade is an assortment of restaurants and cafés that offer everything from seafood to a hamburger with a gourmet twist, and be sure not to bypass the ice creameries. 

One of the more recent additions to the area is the Dive HMAS Brisbane attraction, a former war ship that was scuttled off the coast to create an artificial dive site. Divers can explore the 133 metre ship via access holes that lead to the boiler room, engine room and sleeping quarters.  

Maroochydore is one of those relaxed coastal places that you never get bored of and it’s a great choice for a short break.

Climbing Mt Warning

Mountain retreat 

Although New South Wales may be just across the border, Murwillumbah is an easy twenty-five minute drive from Coolangatta and less than 90 minutes from Brisbane. It’s not far to travel to find a mountain retreat that enjoys proximity to five World Heritage listed areas encompassing national parks, untouched rainforests and pristine beaches.

Murwillumbah is considered to be one of Australia’s most picturesque towns, spread along the banks of the Tweed River and up into the hills of the McPherson Ranges. It is also surrounded by the rim of the world’s largest extinct shield volcano, Mt Warning, and almost every street in Murwillumbah has magnificent mountain, river and valley views. 

Mt Warning is half its original height, yet still towers over the area and is the first place on Australia’s mainland to be touched by the morning sun. It is no wonder that thousands of people make the four-hour trek to the summit every year to revel at the 360° panoramic views that stretch to every distant horizon.  

There is no place like Murwillumbah to relax and wind down, but even if you’re not one to stay still, kayaking on the river, cycling through the countryside and hiking up Mt Warning are incredibly therapeutic activities. Murwillumbah is the ultimate mountain retreat for a short break getaway. 

Cycling Brisbane

Cycling Brisbane 

Brisbane is an easy city to get around but you can also discover it and get fit by hiring a bike. Brisbane has great stretches of bike paths that will take you along the river, through the South Bank parklands, past the awesome Kangaroo Point Cliffs and along the floating river walk near New Farm. 

Brisbane is a picturesque city that is great to explore on bike. The specially built bike paths are wide, shaded and you can take in sights from the best vantage points. Valet Cycle Hire, which is based at the City Botanic Gardens near the Alice Street entrance, provide five great bike routes of varying lengths and difficulties. If you want to half your workload, there are also tandem bikes for hire.