Where to go on a Weekend Escape from the Gold Coast

People probably think, why would you want to escape the Gold Coast? Due to the fact that it’s one of Australia’s most sought after holiday spots. However, when you’ve lived here for numerous years you are always looking for other places to escape to for a short break away. Here I am giving some suggestions on where to go on a weekend escape from the Gold Coast, that are less than two hours travel time.

CITY BREAKS

I love a city break. There’s something special about having a weekend away to take in all that city life offers. I’m talking great theatre, live music concerts, sporting events, shopping and places to wine and dine.

Brisbane

Only a 50 minute drive from the Gold Coast, the city of Brisbane – the capital of Queensland, is a wonderful choice for a weekend escape. The river city has undertaken a massive transformation over the past twenty years or so and is now on an equal par with many of the other trendy Australian cities.

The river that snakes its way through the city and its shorelines have been revamped to create green spaces, a cultural precinct, quirky markets, alfresco cafes and restaurants, rooftop bars, and walking and cycling paths that stretch for kilometres. The extensive South Bank Parklands are extremely popular with visitors. Here you can ride The Wheel of Brisbane, visit the Nepalese Pagoda, take a dip in the pool at Streets Beach, shop at the Collective Markets (Friday to Sunday) and marvel at the one kilometre long, bougainvillea clad, steel awning – The Arbour.

Extremely popular is a cruise down the Brisbane River on the CityCat ferry services calling in at some of the city’s more interesting and dynamic suburbs. You can disembark at your leisure with most services running every 13 minutes. Terminals are dotted along the Brisbane River between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton.

Sydney

Jump on a flight from the Gold Coast Airport and you can be in Sydney in one hour and 15 minutes. The harbour city of Sydney, is one of the most recognisable cities in the world, and is one of my favourite cities to visit. There is so much to see and do in Sydney that a weekend is barely enough to take it all in.

Circular Quay is a must see. The semi-circular shaped harbour is where the ferries depart and arrive. It’s where you get the most magnificent views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. But also a great spot to perch yourself and grab something to eat and drink.

The historical Rocks area, at one end of Circular Quay with it’s cobblestone streets and heritage buildings, is also worth a stroll. Here there are street markets in full swing and loads of interesting shops, old pubs and al fresco restaurants.

But also a visit to one of the hundreds of beaches in Sydney is recommended. Probably the most recognisable is the famous Bondi Beach with it’s heritage-listed Bondi Pavilion and Icebergs Ocean Pool. But others that come to mind are Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee, Gordons Bay, Manly and Palm Beach.

COUNTRY BREAKS

If you want to get away from it all and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside with fresh clean air, then there are plenty of places for a country escape. Particularly in the mountainous, lush and green hinterland of the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

Tamborine Mountain

40 kilometres drive, give or take a few kilometres, from the Gold Coast is the plateau called Tamborine Mountain. It is part of the Scenic Rim, the name given to a group of mountains in South East Queensland. There are plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, observing the rainforest canopy from above on the Skywalk Bridge, ziplining or a treetop challenge at Thunderbird Park, tasting wines, beers and spirits at distilleries, and swimming in rock pools under a waterfall.

There is a distinctive Eastern European influence seen in the construction of houses, shops and restaurants scattering the mountain. But also the area is renowned for the diversity and quality of its artists and artisans. A must do is a walk down Gallery Walk to browse the interesting shops and galleries.

Maleny/Montville

Maleny is 92 kilometres north of Brisbane or 45 kilometres west of the Sunshine Coast and is perched high upon the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. There is a great range of accommodation available in the Maleny/Montville area, including homely B&Bs, cute cottages, guest houses and Eco Resorts/Spas.

There are several lookouts on the outskirts of the town of Maleny that look out over the Glasshouse Mountains, showcasing its breathtaking natural beauty. Arts and craft galleries are abound in the area. There is a great choice of cafes and restaurants in Maleny as well as at Cairncross Corner and along Mountain View Drive. 

Lamington National Park

Lying on the plateau of the McPherson Ranges close to the New South Wales and Queensland border, Lamington National Park is an hour, to one and a half hour drive from the Gold Coast. This untouched rainforest national park is exquisite with plenty of opportunities for an ultimate getaway. There is the infamous O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, the historic Binna Burra Lodge, Numbinah Valley and the towns of Canungra and Beechmont.

Bushwalking in the rainforests, birdwatching and waterfall chasing are amongst the most popular things to do in the Lamington National Park. Then kick back afterwards in your lodge, cottage or glamping tent taking in the exquisite views of this scenic region.

BEACH BREAKS

We all know that the Gold Coast have some of best beaches in Queensland. But it’s still nice to get away to experience other beach locations on the vast coastline of Eastern Australia. There are many beachside towns that are less a few hours drive from the Gold Coast that are worth the journey.

Sunshine Coast

In just under two hours drive from the Gold Coast is another coastal gem, called the Sunshine Coast. The coastline stretches for over 55 kilometres, from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north, with 36 stunning sun-soaked beaches.

In complete contrast to the busy Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast is more spread out with distances between the towns and the beaches are less crowded. Each town along the coastline has it’s own persona and there’s a definite ‘chill out’ and ‘slow down’ vibe about the place.

Some of the standouts for a weekend escape are: Caloundra on the Pumicestone Passage, the upmarket ritzy Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, or Maroochydore with the calm waters of the Maroochy River. But if you want to travel a little further north there is the laid-back town of Coolum or the ultra-chic Noosa.

Tweed Coast

Head across the border for just 35 kilometres from the Gold Coast in Queensland, to the Far North Coast of New South Wales. The Tweed Coast road begins at Kingscliff and goes for 40 kilometres until it reaches Wooyung. The beachside villages are like the Gold Coast of old, with unspoilt pristine beaches, estuarine creeks, point breaks that are popular with surfers and heaps of places to just chill for a while.

The villages from north to south are: Kingscliff and Casuarina, Cabarita Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville. All have their own unique identity and offer plenty of variety of accommodation, from caravan parks, holiday units to glamping tents. The Tweed Coast is the ultimate weekend break from the busy Gold Coast.

Byron Bay

An hour’s drive from the Gold Coast is the laid-back coastal town of Byron Bay known for it’s alternate lifestyle. There really is something for everyone in Byron. It has attractive white-sanded beaches, an eclectic vibe, great eateries, plenty of scenic walks, and a lush green hinterland.

Being the most easterly point of Eastern Australia, it is marked by a historical lighthouse that sits upon Cape Byron. It’s one of the biggest drawcards to Byron for the dramatic and breathtaking views afforded from the cape. The seas surrounding the cape are abundant with marine life making it a popular scuba diving spot and whale watching viewpoint during the season.

The region is renowned for it’s abundance of health retreats and day spas. So if you’re looking for a complete detox and recharge then Byron offers these types of facilities.

Evans Head

Evans Head is located 122 kilometres from Tweed Heads, just south of Ballina. It boasts a scenic location on the Evans River with beautiful beaches, and is surrounded by national parks and a nature reserve. At the northern end of Evans Head is the Broadwater National Park, to the south the gorgeous Dirawong Nature Reserve, and the expansive Bundjalung National Park.

The biggest drawcard of Evans Head is that it is a world away from other coastal towns on the North Coast. It has retained its charm and laid-back vibe, with old-style beach cottages, a retro pub with a great beer garden, a small shopping precinct and no traffic lights. 

ISLAND PARADISES

There is something about getting away to an island paradise. The Queensland coast does have many to select from, with some being a short journey away that are perfect for a weekend escape.

North Stradbroke Island

It’s a one hour drive to Cleveland in Brisbane and then a 50 minute ferry to North Straddie. Once you hit the disembarkation point at Dunwich you have several options for either camping, caravanning, resort style accommodation or holiday units/homes on the island.

The great thing about North Straddie is that it offers beachside bush-style camping and four-wheel driving on the long white sandy stretches of beaches. Alternatively, the resort township of Point Lookout, situated on the northern tip of the island, offers Airbnbs and holiday apartments for rent.

Point Lookout, as the name denotes, is made up of a series of beaches and headlands that have some of the best vantage points. The beaches – Cylinder and Main Beach – both offering superb swimming and surfing.

Moreton Island

Drive to the Port of Brisbane, which takes approximately one hour, and then catch the 75 minute vehicular ferry to Moreton Island. It is four-wheel drive only, if you take this option. Otherwise you can catch a passenger ferry to Tangalooma Resort on the island from Pinkenba in Brisbane.

Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world and is a haven for fisherman, boaties and divers alike. This little slice of paradise is mainly uninhabited except for Tangalooma Resort on the Moreton Bay side of the island and three small settlements namely, Bulwer, Cowan Cowan and Kooringal which consist mainly of holiday rental homes and a couple of general stores.

There are five beach camping zones on Moreton Island: north-west, north-east, south-west, south-east and Yellow Patch. But also some great four-wheel driving along the 40km stretch of white sandy beach on the surfside of the island.

Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island is the only coral cay Island with an airstrip on the Southern Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. It is a private closed destination and permission to access the Island is only granted by the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. The flight time from Gold Coast Airport is 100 minutes, so is perfect for a weekend escape.

You will find accommodation choices at the island resort varying from beachfront suites to tent cabins where you can stay for a few days or longer. Activities include reef walking, snorkelling, scuba diving, turtle tours, historical and night walks along with reef education.

As far as I’m concerned, there’s a whole lot places to get out there to see and explore. It doesn’t have to be a week-long holiday, because short weekend escapes are always therapeutic for the body, mind and soul. Make sure you try some of these locations for your next getaway.