Sunshine State Adventures: Brisbane to Gold Coast Ultimate Outdoor Itinerary

Most visitors make the rookie error of treating Brisbane as merely a gateway to the Gold Coast's famous beaches. Don't be that traveler. The River City has evolved dramatically since my youth, transforming into an adventure hub that beautifully blends urban sophistication with quintessential Queensland outdoor experiences.

Start your journey with a sunrise kayak on the Brisbane River. The city skyline at dawn, with morning light catching the glass towers while fruit bats return to their roosts, is nothing short of spectacular. Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point offers excellent kayak tours, though I personally prefer the freedom of hiring your own craft and exploring at your own pace.

After your paddle, tackle the iconic Story Bridge Adventure Climb for panoramic views that stretch from the Glass House Mountains to Moreton Bay. I still remember taking my German wife here on her first visit—she'd climbed plenty of European mountains but admitted this urban ascent offered views that rivaled the Alps.

Devote your afternoon to the Mt Coot-tha Reserve, Brisbane's urban wilderness playground. With over 1,500 hectares of eucalypt forest and 70+ kilometers of multi-use trails, it's a bushwalker's paradise. The Powerful Owl Trail is my personal favorite—named after Australia's largest owl species that sometimes makes appearances at dusk. Pack your hiking daypack with plenty of water; Queensland's humidity catches many international visitors off guard.

End your Brisbane adventure with a twilight climb of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. These ancient volcanic cliffs offer both natural rock climbing routes and bolted courses suitable for various skill levels. The sunset view across the river to the city center, cold craft beer in hand afterward at the nearby Cliffs Café, remains one of my favorite Brisbane experiences even after all these years.

As you leave Brisbane behind and head toward the Gold Coast, make Tamborine Mountain your first major stop. This ancient volcanic plateau, part of the Scenic Rim, sits about halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast beaches and offers a completely different ecosystem to explore.

I've been visiting Tamborine since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and it still holds a special place in my heart. My German wife jokes that I dragged her here on our second date, determined to prove that Australia's rainforests could rival Europe's Black Forest for mystery and magic. She conceded defeat after our first walk beneath the towering strangler figs.

Start your day early at the Witches Falls section of Tamborine Mountain National Park—Queensland's first national park, established in 1908. The 3.1km circuit takes you through subtropical rainforest to a seasonal waterfall. Morning fog often clings to the canopy, creating an ethereal atmosphere that transports you to another world.

After your morning hike, elevate your perspective at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. This 1.5km steel walkway rises 30 meters into the canopy, offering a bird's-eye view of the rainforest ecosystem. While it might seem touristy, the ecological information provided gives fascinating insight into this ancient landscape.

For afternoon adventure, I recommend Cedar Creek Falls for swimming and rock hopping. These cascading rock pools provide perfect natural swimming holes to cool off. I've spent countless hours here with my Australian nieces and nephews during family reunions, watching them leap between pools just as I did as a youngster.

Bring a reliable pair of water shoes for creek exploration—the volcanic rocks can be slippery and sharp in places. I learned this lesson the hard way decades ago and still have the scar above my eyebrow to prove it!

End your day with a sunset picnic at Rotary Lookout, where you'll catch breathtaking views across the Gold Coast to the ocean. The mountain air is noticeably cooler than Brisbane, so pack a light jacket even in spring.

No outdoor adventure between Brisbane and the Gold Coast would be complete without dedicating a full day to Lamington National Park, the crown jewel of the Scenic Rim and part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. These ancient forests are older than the Amazon, with evolutionary lineages dating back to when Australia was part of the supercontinent Gondwana.

I first explored these trails as a teenager on school excursions, but it wasn't until I returned as an adult—after seeing many of the world's great wilderness areas—that I truly appreciated Lamington's global significance. When I brought my history students here years ago, I'd remind them they were walking through living museums older than many of Europe's ancient castles.

Base yourself at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat or Binna Burra Lodge (both have accommodation options from camping to luxury), but be prepared for a winding mountain drive to reach either. The Border Track connecting these two areas is considered one of Australia's great day walks, but at 21.4km one-way, it requires planning and a good level of fitness.

For a more accessible adventure, I recommend the 4.4km Box Forest Circuit from O'Reilly's, which takes you through ancient Antarctic Beech forest to spectacular waterfalls. The trees here are direct descendants of forests that once covered the southern supercontinent. For photography enthusiasts, the early morning light filtering through mist and canopy creates magical conditions—I never travel here without my weather-resistant camera to capture these fleeting moments.

The Python Rock track (3.4km return) offers spectacular views across the Numinbah Valley and is less trafficked than some other trails. Pack a thermos of tea and some Tim Tams for a proper Aussie morning tea while perched on ancient volcanic rocks overlooking the valley.

Birdwatchers will be in heaven here—watch for the regionally endemic Albert's Lyrebird and the vivid Regent Bowerbird. The latter's brilliant yellow and black plumage was the first Australian bird I successfully photographed as a teenager with my father's old film camera. O'Reilly's offers a free afternoon bird feeding session that guarantees close encounters with king parrots and crimson rosellas.

Just a stone's throw from the glittering high-rises of the Gold Coast lies Springbrook National Park, another fragment of the ancient Gondwana rainforests and perhaps my personal favorite spot in all of southeast Queensland. The juxtaposition always amuses me—from the natural infinity pools of Springbrook, you can glimpse the distant skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise, two worlds colliding in the best possible way.

Begin your Springbrook adventure with the relatively easy 4km Twin Falls Circuit. The trail takes you behind two spectacular waterfalls, through rock clefts, and past colonies of tiny glow worms that can sometimes be spotted even during daylight hours in the darkest recesses. My German wife was utterly enchanted by these bioluminescent larvae on her first visit—they're like something from a European fairy tale but uniquely Australian.

For lunch, head to the aptly named Best of All Lookout. The short 600m walk from the carpark takes you through ancient Antarctic Beech forest to a clearing with panoramic views across northern New South Wales to Mt Warning/Wollumbin, the remnant central plug of an ancient shield volcano. This is sacred land to the Yugambeh people, and standing here helps you understand why.

In the afternoon, tackle the 4km Purling Brook Falls circuit, descending into the valley for spectacular views of one of Queensland's highest waterfalls. The track was upgraded a few years back to include a suspension bridge that offers a unique perspective of the cascades. Bring your trekking poles for the steep return climb—your knees will thank you, especially if you're in my vintage bracket!

As daylight fades, you have two options for experiencing the magic of Australia's glow worms. The Natural Bridge section of Springbrook National Park offers a self-guided nocturnal adventure to see wild glow worms illuminating the cave ceiling like a living constellation. Alternatively, the nearby Glow Worm Caves at Cedar Creek Estate provides a more controlled environment with guaranteed sightings. Having done both numerous times, I prefer the authentic experience at Natural Bridge, but the commercial option is more reliable and educational, especially for families.

I've brought visiting European friends here who've seen the famous glow worm caves in New Zealand and they've all agreed our Queensland display holds its own quite admirably. There's something profoundly moving about standing in complete darkness as thousands of tiny blue lights gradually reveal themselves overhead—nature's own planetarium show.

After several days exploring the mountainous hinterland, it's time to embrace the coastal playground that gave the Gold Coast its name. While tourists flock to Surfers Paradise (and it's worth a quick visit for the spectacle alone), locals know the true gems lie both north and south of the high-rise heart.

I spent my formative years on these beaches, learning to surf at Burleigh Heads and later working summers as a junior lifeguard at Currumbin. Each beach has its own character and charm, something that's often lost on first-time visitors who see only one long stretch of sand.

Start your coastal exploration at Burleigh Headland National Park, where a 2.5km rainforest circuit offers spectacular coastal views and the chance to spot migrating humpback whales between May and November. The contrast between the ancient pandanus palms and the gleaming skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise creates a photographer's dream, especially during the golden hour.

For an active beach day, Tallebudgera Creek is my top recommendation. This tidal estuary offers calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, and the adjacent beach provides more challenging surf conditions. I taught all three of my children to snorkel in these protected waters—the visibility rivals tropical Queensland but without the box jellyfish risk.

Dedicate your final day to exploring the southern Gold Coast beaches. Start with a sunrise surf lesson at Rainbow Bay or Coolangatta—the gentler waves here are perfect for beginners. If surfing isn't your cup of tea, the oceanfront walking path from Coolangatta to Point Danger offers spectacular views across to New South Wales and the chance to stand with one foot in each state at the border marker.

For a truly memorable finale to your adventure, book an afternoon jet ski tour from Main Beach to Wave Break Island. Skimming across the Broadwater's protected waters gives you a different perspective of the Gold Coast skyline and access to secluded sandbars perfect for a final sunset picnic.

I always pack my waterproof phone case for these coastal adventures—it's saved countless devices over the years from unexpected waves and splashes. For serious water enthusiasts, consider investing in a rash guard to protect against both sun and board rash if you're planning multiple surf sessions.