My Travel Photos of SE Queensland: Travel Experiences Through My Nikon

SE Queensland is a travel mecca, home to Brisbane, Redcliffe, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. There is so much to see in this part of Queensland alone, from the country and mountain hinterland to the State’s capital, Brisbane. I hope you find some inspiration in my travel photos of SE Queensland and blogs on this area.

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Brisbane SE Queensland

The capital of Queensland, Brisbane, offers visitors a few surprises when they travel to SE Queensland, including a beach right in the middle of the city.

For more information on this area, read my blogs on Brisbane City, 7+ Terrific Brisbane City Markets to Visit, Eat Street Northshore Brisbane, and 4 Places Where to See Koalas Around Brisbane.

Brisbane City

City Hall

City Hall is open for all to explore, from the Clock Tower at the very top to the Auditorium. The impressive architecture is displayed from the moment you step through the doors.

How To Get Here

City Hall and the Square are between Adelaide and Ann Streets, at the cross-section from Albert Street.

Roma Street Parklands

Behind Roma Street, the Bus and Train Stations, is the Roma Street Parklands, a welcome place to relax amongst nature. From lawn areas to gardens of all kinds worldwide, this is where to get away from it all.

How To Get Here

Roma Street Parklands is behind Roma Street Rail Station. You can access it from many points, including Albert Street and Wickham Terrace. Car parks can be accessed from Parkland Boulevard off Roma Street and Wickham Terrace.

City Botanic Gardens

The City Botanic Gardens are located at the opposite end of the city from the Roma Street Parklands. Here, you can lie on the grass or enjoy a picnic under over 100-year-old trees.

As it is right beside the Brisbane River, there is nearly always a welcome breeze to take the sting out of the heat. Here, a walkway along the riverfront gives you views of the Story Bridge.

It is also home to Old Government House, where daily tours are available.

How To Get Here

There are many access points into the Botanic Gardens from Alice Street, the Goodwill Bridge, and the Riverside Walk.

Brisbane River

Enjoy the Brisbane River by walking the bikeway or taking a tour boat or ferry cruise. You can take in the fresh air beside the river and its activities.

Crisscross the river by taking advantage of the pedestrian bridges.

Enjoy the views of the city and river from the Kangaroo Point cliffs. You might even want to repel them.

Or enjoy watching the sun setting and the lights coming on over the city and the Story Bridge.

Southbank Parklands and the Cultural Precinct

Southbank Parklands is the area where Brisbane comes to play, especially on the weekends and school holidays.

The Cultural Precinct contains the Gallery of Modern Art, State Library, Queensland Art Gallery, and Queensland Museum.

This area is popular not only during the day, but also at night. Southbank comes alive at night, with the Collective Market open on Friday and Saturday nights, and the lagoon a very popular spot to cool off on a hot summer’s night.

How To Get Here

There are three bridges you can cross to bring you here. The Kurilpa Bridge, which takes you to the western end of the Cultural Precinct, the Goodwill Bridge, which takes you from the City Botanic Gardens to the eastern side of Southbank Parklands, and Victoria Bridge, which takes you from the City Centre to Southbank and/or the Cultural Precinct.

If you are arriving by train, you can get off at Southbank Station or South Brisbane. Coming by bus, you can get off in the city centre or outside the entrance. If you come from the southern side of the river, there are many stops around the parklands. Visit Translink to find your route.

Botanic Gardens, Mt. Cootha

The Mt. Cootha Botanic Gardens is a great place to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.

You can drive or catch a bus and enjoy the many walking trails around the mountain or the gardens.

From arid deserts to the Japanese Gardens, there is much to see here.

You could take a walk around the lake and see the local wildlife.

As this is at the base of Mt. Cootha, you could continue up the mountain for the views.

Mt. Cootha Summit

A trip to Brisbane isn’t complete unless you’ve visited the top of Mt. Cootha. Here, you can enjoy views of the city and Moreton Bay, day or night. Sunrise and sunset are especially popular.

Drive up or walk up through the bush up the trails dotted around the mountain. There are many bush trails to take in the area as well.

Walking up, you start at J.C. Slaughter Falls, a picnic area and large car park.

How To Get Here

By car, head out of the city and take Milton Road to Mt Coot-Tha Road. From here, you can take the scenic loop drive, Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, to the summit before coming back down to Mt Coot-Tha Road.

Walking up to the summit means you take the track from J.C. Slaughter Falls on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive. Dogs can be taken as long as they are on a leash.

The Botanic Gardens are at the start of Mt Coot-Tha Road.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the place to visit if you only have time to visit Brisbane and want to see koalas. You can have your photo taken with a Koala and see wildlife roaming around, calling this place home.

There are plenty of other animals to see, such as Birds, Cassowaries, Platypi, Flying Foxes, Lizards, and Snakes, or, if you’re lucky, a couple of dingo pups.

A Raptor Flight show and a Sheep Dog Show allow you to see how agile the birds are and how skilled the dogs are in herding sheep.

At 9:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the Rainbow Lorikeets are fed. A few often hang around during the day, so you might be lucky and see them if you’re not there when the feeding is on.

Of course, you want to see the koalas, and plenty are here.

Have your photo taken with them or see how cute the joeys are with their Mums.

How to Get Here

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is located in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. You can drive, take a bus or arrive on a ferry from Brisbane CBD.

Sunshine Coast, SE Queensland

There is so much to see when you travel to this part of SE Queensland, the Sunshine Coast. Sometimes the most beautiful and tranquil parts of nature are overlooked. Here, you’ll find a selection of the best parks, waterfalls, and zoos that showcase nature on the Sunshine Coast.

Once again, having a car to get around is a significant advantage.

If you want more information on this area, read my blog, Nature on the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa National Park

There are 15km of walking tracks in Noosa National Park, which will keep you busy all day.

The most popular track is the 10.8km return coastal route, which takes you to beaches that are inaccessible by car. On this walk, you might catch sight of dolphins and humpback whales between June and November.

How To Get Here

You can access Noosa National Park by keeping right of the beachfront at Park Road, Noosa Heads. It’s a 900m drive down to the car park and information centre.

Mt Coolum

You must be physically fit to complete the 1.6km return walk up Mt. Coolum.

How To Get Here

The car park to the Mt Coolum summit walk is located at Jarnahill Drive, off Tanah Street W, which is off David Low Way.

Buderim Falls

This walk offers a fantastic reward at its end, with the rock pool at Buderim Falls, a popular swimming spot. Also known as Serenity Falls, this walk features two tracks leading to the falls: Harry Lane, off Upper Lindsay Road, and Quorn Close, off Lindsay Road at the lower end.

Walking to the falls can be just as rewarding, especially from the Harry Lane entrance.

How To Get Here

The upper entry point is via Quorn Close, which runs off Lindsay Road at the top of Buderim. This takes you directly onto the Forest Loop Circuit. If you want to walk through the Bushland, Harry’s Lane is the best option, which is off Lindsay Road.

Wildlife HQ and the Big Pineapple

Wildlife HQ is another excellent little zoo on the Sunshine Coast, situated near the Big Pineapple in Woombye. If you take in the zoo, Big Pineapple, and Treetop Challenge, you can spend all day in this area.

With only 200 animals, you won’t need all day to visit, but it can take 2-3 hours if you take your time going around.

How To Get Here

Wildlife HQ Qld is located at 76 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye. You will see the Big Pineapple, and this is where the car park is. Signposts will direct you off the highway.

Kondalilla Falls

Kondalilla Falls is a very popular destination for walks on weekends and during the week.

You’ll need moderate fitness for this one, especially if you want to go to the bottom of the falls. The walk from the car park to the picnic grounds is a steep downhill path, but at least it is sealed.

The path goes up some stairs, and then it’s a slight to no incline to the 300 steps down to the rock pool and bottom of the falls.

You can take the trail from the rock pool to the bottom of the falls. This path is steeper, but you can do it anti-clockwise or clockwise in about an hour.

How To Get Here

Kondalilla Falls car park is small, but you can park along Kondalilla Falls Road leading up to the park. Signposts are on the main road, Flaxton Drive, so that you won’t miss the turn-off.

Gardner’s Falls

Gardner’s Falls is not a strenuous walk, just a lovely stroll beside the Obi Obi Creek for 400 metres.

Calmer pools are safe for kids as long as parents keep a close eye on them. At the falls, there is a deeper waterhole, which is popular with teenagers and adults.

How To Get Here

An excellent car park is at the end of Obi Lane S off Landsborough Maleny Road.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery is a 55-hectare subtropical rainforest that is great for families of all ages.

BBQs, picnic tables, and parkland are available, or you can visit the Mountain View Cafe to enjoy lunch or a snack. Remember to put your rubbish in the bin or take it home with you.

Keep an eye out in the undergrowth for Pademelons and all the birds flitting about the branches. Also, watch where you’re stepping, as snakes and lizards may be on your path.

The best views across the Glasshouse Mountains and South East Queensland are from here.

How To Get Here

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is located at 148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny. You will have signposts at the turn-off, and you can’t miss the park entrance with a large car park that fills quickly on the weekend.

Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World

The Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World are just an eight-minute drive from the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre.

Over 18 acres of beautiful gardens, with ponds and viewpoints across the Glasshouse Mountains, are available for you to wander around freely.

Birds big and small are on show in large aviaries, but be prepared for them to land on you.

How To Get Here

Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is located at 233 Maleny Stanley River Rd, Maleny. It is a hidden entrance and a long, steep driveway to the car park at the bottom.

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo is home to the Crocodile Hunter and Crocodiles. You’ll see the Crocodiles performing in the Crocoseum and the birds in flight show.

Shows are timed during the day so that you can see all the animals here, including Otters, Tigers, and everyone’s favourite, the Koalas, up close and awake.

It’s an easy walk around 1000 acres, where you can explore animals from all over the world. The zoo has been split into zones: Africa, Wetlands, Bindi’s Island, walk-through Kangaroos and Koalas, Snakes, and the Tiger Temple.

How To Get Here

Australia Zoo is located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah. Signposts line the road from the Bruce Highway to the door.

You can easily drive from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, or the Gold Coast, and park in a large car park.

You can arrive by train and alight at Beerwah Train Station. The Australia Zoo shuttle meets most trains.

Redcliffe Peninsula, SE Queensland

This part of SE Queensland is often overlooked when you travel here, but there is so much to see and do on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

For more information, look at my blog, Redcliffe, Queensland.

It’s best to have a car, as the drive is only 45 minutes north, but if you don’t, you can catch the train to Kippa-Ring, which is an hour from Brisbane Central, and use the buses to get around. You can find the link here to plan your journey. You can easily spend a long weekend.

Information boards along the walkway provide an educational overview of the area’s history.

Between July and November, it’s Magpie Season. As they nest, they may swoop you as you pass by, causing scratches or worse in their attack, so watch out.

Fly a Kite at Pelican Park – Kite Fest

When the winds blow off Bramble Bay, this is a popular park for kite-flying.

Every year, Kitefest is held in Pelican Park. In 2022, it will be on the weekend of 17-18 September. This annual celebration of kites brings together domestic and international kite flyers of all shapes and sizes.

How To Get Here

Along the Hornibrook Esplanade, you can find car parks, playgrounds and plenty of open space to fly a kite. When Kitefest is on, you will see signs directing you, and it is near the Aqua Warrior.

Enjoy the Sunset over the Water

Picnic at Suttons Beach

You can walk the pathway from Scotts Point Beach, Woody Point, to Scarborough Beach. This stretch comprises safe beaches ideal for families to swim at. Some areas are patrolled, but not every day. You can check the patrol schedule on the BeachSafe website here.

How To Get Here

The entrance to the vast car park is on the roundabout of Margate Parade, Marine Parade, and Macdonnel Road.

Settlement Cove

On a hot day, the Settlement Cove Lagoon is the place to be. It is a safe swimming spot for all ages, with a toddler pool and playground at the northern end.

How To Get Here

The car park to Sanctuary Cove is at the bottom of ANZAC Avenue. You can also walk along the foreshore from Suttons Beach or Redcliffe.

Bee Gees Way, Redcliffe

The Bee Gees Way is a celebration of the lives of the Brothers Gibb. Their career began on the Peninsula in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

How To Get Here

Bee Gees Way is an alleyway between Sutton Street and Redcliffe Parade.

Watch the Sunrise Over Moreton Bay

All along the Moreton Bay shoreline are great places to watch the sunrise. See the changing colours in the sky as you walk along the foreshore.

Scarborough

If you walk or cycle the pathway, you’ll reach Scarborough, the northern end of the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Cafes line the village, which is across the road from Scarborough Beach.

How To Get Here

Scarborough Beach is off Landsborough Avenue. Follow this road around to Reef Point Esplanade, and you’ll find the turn off for a large car park. You can walk around the foreshore and marina as well as enjoying brunch at Sea, Salt and Vine. You may even find some kite surfers if the conditions are right.

Rothwell

Another cycle/walkway runs beside the tracks between Kippa-Ring Train Station and Petrie Train Station. This 12.6km path takes you through wetlands, where you’ll see artworks of the local wildlife, Anzac tributes, and historical commemorations of the local Aborigines.

Another colourful splash here is the Water Tank on Morris Road across from Melaleuca Crescent.

How To Get Here

Across the road from the Water Tank is Melaleuca Crescent, where once again, you can pick up the cycleway.

Cycle/Walkway to Deception Bay

The path takes you through parklands, koala habitats, mangroves, more beaches, and Deception Bay.

Keep an eye out for more local wildlife. At dawn and dusk, kangaroos may be seen on the grassy parklands, and if you look up into the Gum Tree branches, Koalas are in the area.

North Lakes

North Lakes also features a great walkway around Lake Eden, offering plenty of wildlife to observe.

Walking around the 1-mile path, you will see water dragons and birdlife keeping you company. Swans, turtles, ducks and swamphens also call this lake home.

How To Get Here

North Lakes is on the corner of ANZAC Avenue and the Bruce Highway. You can get to the lake by taking Discovery Drive off ANZAC Avenue. Parking is on the street.

Gold Coast Hinterland SE Queensland

Easy Waterfalls to See

The Gold Coast is by far the most popular part of SE Queensland, and where most people travel. However, the Gold Coast Hinterland is where you can enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of the coast.

This post primarily features waterfalls, but I’ve also included a couple of other locations, as the views are amazing, and since you’re in the area, why not?

Check out the Springbrook National Park website here to read more about the times and difficulty of the walking tracks. It’s also a good idea to check the track conditions, especially after rainfall.

Natural Bridge – Gold Coast Hinterland South East Queensland

Natural Bridge is located near the NSW/Qld border in the Gold Coast Hinterland. It’s an easy 1 km track that suits all ages.

Go straight to the lookout and see Cave Creek fall into the cave.

How To Get Here

Natural Bridge is located in Springbrook National Park on Bakers Lane.

Purling Brook Falls

Purling Brook Falls is the longest walk, at 4km, with a return time of two hours if you want to complete the circuit and reach the bottom of the falls.

From the car park, the first viewing platform is only a short walk away, so you can still see the falls without doing the whole circuit.

This track can be hazardous in certain areas, especially after rainfall. It is steep and features steps as you descend to the valley floor and ascend back up, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with views like this at the bottom. The easiest way is to proceed in a clockwise direction, as the steps are located on the western side.

How To Get Here

Purling Brook Falls in located in Springbrook National Park on Forestry Road.

See Other Attractions in the Gold Coast Hinterland, SE Queensland

Best of All Lookout

Once again, you are on the NSW/Qld border, but this time, you get the view over Northern NSW, including Mt. Warning. If it’s a perfect day, the views are to Byron Bay, and it’s only about 500m from the car park.

How To Get Here

The Best of All Lookout is on Repeater Station Road in Springbrook National Park.

Canyon Lookout

Just along the road before you get to Purling Brook Falls is the Canyon Lookout, which gives you views across the Hinterland and the Gold Coast. This time, it is only 30m from the car park.

How To Get Here

The Canyon Lookout is on Canyon Parade off Boy Ull Road, off Springbrook Road in Springbrook National Park.

Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Village – Gallery Walk

At the northern end of the Gold Coast Hinterland is Tamborine Village. This quaint village in this part of SE Queensland is a popular weekend travel destination as locals and tourists enjoy the local fare.

Cafes, delicacies, treats, craft beers, and wineries are here for you to explore, as are walks in nature and the Botanic Gardens.

How To Get Here

From the Pacific Highway, take the Tamborine – Oxenford Road up the mountain and follow the sign posts.

Curtis Falls

The large car park has an overflow, which may be helpful on busy weekends. The falls lookout is only a 500m, 15-minute walk away. The track features a slight incline and includes some stairs to navigate.

It’s a very popular spot for photographers.

Rockpools further along the river are popular places to swim safely, especially on a hot summer’s day.

Another refreshing spot to visit after your walk is the Pavilion Garden Bar, located next to the car park. Here, you can enjoy delicious food and craft beers before visiting another attraction in the area.

How To Get Here

Curtis Falls car park is on Dapsang Drive off Eagle Heights Road.

Tamborine Mountain Rainforest Skywalk

Less than a 10-minute drive from Curtis Falls is Tamborine Mountain Rainforest Skywalk.

This walk will take you through the rainforest’s many layers, from the forest floor to the canopy.

You will enter and exit the rainforest through the Eco Gallery, where you can find information on the local flora and fauna.

Upon going outside, you are straight onto the Skywalk, which will take you into the forest canopy.

Most of the walk is a gentle slope down to the forest floor with markers showing you the way around.

There is a large car park, a gift shop, toilets, and a cafe here, with views over the rainforest. Although there are a few steps in the park, a stroller can be taken around without much problem.

The walk is 1.5 km long, and you can take as long or as short a time as you wish, as it is self-guided. The average time is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, making it suitable for all ages.

How To Get Here

The Tamborine Mountain Rainforest Skywalk is on 333 Geissmann Drive, a 5-minute drive from Curtis Falls.

Witches Falls

Witches Falls is one of the most challenging tracks I have listed. This 3.6 km track is steep, and after rain, it can become muddy and slippery.

The car parks aren’t large and are just off the side of the road.

You need to be there after the rain to see any water falling. The viewing platform is a short detour off the trail, but it will bring you right next to the falls.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is an excellent place to get back to nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast’s high-rises.

There are many places to enjoy your lunch on the picnic tables provided at most of the locations. If no bins are supplied, remember to take all your rubbish with you.

How To Get Here

Witches Falls is on Main Western Road, North Tamborine.

Travel to Currumbin Gold Coast, SE Queensland, For Koalas

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

Whether you’re based here or not and want to see Koalas, this is the place to go.

What To See

The park is home to many native animals, with various shows and talks scheduled throughout the day.

A bird aviary is not far from the entrance, where you can walk through looking for native birds.

There are plenty of shows to see as you wander the grounds throughout the day.

Another great show you shouldn’t miss is the Crocodile Show. Arrive early to secure the best spot to watch the show.

The Lemur enclosure is a walk-through area, and local birds share the area. With the Lemurs, you can look but don’t touch them. You can still get very close to them as they wander around.

Of course, you have come to see the Koalas, dotted all over the park.

How To Get Here

You can arrive by car, with a large car park available for a fee, which will benefit the Animal Hospital, which cares for wildlife and zoo animals, on 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin.

You could use public transport. Visit the Translink website to plan your journey.

Shuttle bus transfers can be organised by calling 1300 886 511.

Conclusion

I hope you get ideas about what you’ll see and do by viewing my travel photos of SE Queensland when you travel. Brisbane is an excellent base to see Redcliffe, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, and many other regional destinations.

I hope that you enjoy your time here.

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Caution

Remember, this is SE Queensland, the skin cancer capital of the world, so when you travel here, be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. If it has been raining, you may also need insect repellent, as mosquitoes are more active. Don’t forget your water.

Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs about Australia, you can find them at the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping, and Silo Art. If you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
• Car Hire— In Australia, you can use Apex Car Rentals Australia, Budget Car Rentals Australia, or Avis Car Rentals Australia.
• Camper & RV Rentals—Want a quieter pace exploring Australia and New Zealand in your own accommodation? Jucy Rentals and Star RV Rentals will give you an unforgettable experience travelling.
• Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels.
• Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
• Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
• Power Stations—Bluetti and EcoFlow Power Stations are your choices for sustainable, eco-friendly power on the go or at home.

• If you’re interested in learning more, try my Travel Links and Resources page.

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