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 country and mountain hinterland to the State’s capital, Brisbane, so I hope you get some inspiration from my photography and blogs on this area.
If you wish to purchase any of my photographs, please visit my Etsy shop or email me, and I can send you the purchase details and the digital print to download.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links, I receive a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps me maintain this site. Thank you.
If you plan on travelling around Australia, the best way to get around is by car. You get to see more, and you will find hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
Need A Car?
If you want to book a car, you can use one of these rental websites: EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars or Expedia.
Need Accommodation?
Try using these accommodation websites: Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day of exploring.
Subscribe to my blog and stay up-to-date as I share more information about my travel experiences.
All prices and times were accurate when this was written or updated, but please verify the information on the websites before your visit.
Would you like to contact me for more information about this blog or another? You can leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
Contents
- 1 Brisbane SE Queensland
- 2 Sunshine Coast SE Queensland
- 3 Redcliffe Peninsula, SE Queensland
- 3.1 Get up Close with the Pelicans
- 3.2 Fly a Kite at Pelican Park – Kite Fest
- 3.3 Enjoy the Sunset over the Water
- 3.4 Picnic at Suttons Beach
- 3.5 Settlement Cove
- 3.6 Bee Gees Way, Redcliffe
- 3.7 Watch the Sunrise Over Moreton Bay
- 3.8 Scarborough
- 3.9 Rothwell
- 3.10 Cycle/Walkway to Deception Bay
- 3.11 North Lakes
- 4 Gold Coast Hinterland SE Queensland
- 5 See Other Attractions in the Gold Coast Hinterland, SE Queensland
- 6 Travel to Currumbin Gold Coast SE Queensland For Koalas
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Caution
- 9 Links
- 10 Travel Resources
- 11 Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
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.
If you want more information on this area, read my blogs Brisbane City, Brisbane City Markets, Eat Street Northshore and 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.
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.
City Botanic Gardens
The City Botanic Gardens is at the other 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 you can take tours daily.
Brisbane River
Enjoy the Brisbane River by walking the bikeway or cruising on a tour boat or ferry. 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. Southbank comes to life at night, with the Collective Market on Friday and Saturday nights and the lagoon a very popular place to cool off on a hot summer’s night.
Mt. Cootha
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.
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.
Shows
Once again, you have shows that give you an idea of what our native birds and farm life are like. 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.
Rainbow Lorikeets
At 9.45 a.m. and 4 p.m., Rainbow Lorikeets are fed. These colourful wild birds come into the designated area to be fed, and then you can have photos taken with them. 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.
Koalas
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.
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.
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 showcasing nature on the Sunshine Coast.
Once again, having a car to get around is advantageous.
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 track, which takes you to beaches you can’t reach by car. On this walk, you might catch sight of dolphins and humpback whales between June and November.
Mt Coolum
You must be fit to do this 1.6km return walk up Mt. Coolum.
Buderim Falls
This walk has a great reward at its end with the rock pool at Buderim Falls, a popular swimming hole. Also known as Serenity Falls, this walk has 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.
Wildlife HQ and the Big Pineapple
Wildlife HQ is another excellent little zoo on the Sunshine Coast, located where the Big Pineapple is 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.
Kondalilla Falls
Kondalilla Falls is a very popular walk 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. Going from the car park to the picnic grounds is a steep downhill walk, 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 rockpool 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.
Gardner’s Falls
Gardner’s Falls is not a strenuous walk, just a lovely stroll beside the Obi Obi Creek for 400 hundred metres.
Calmer pools are safe for kids as long as parents keep their eyes on them. At the falls, there is a deeper waterhole, which is popular with teenagers and adults.
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 there is the Mountain View Cafe, where you can enjoy your 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.
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 freely wander around.
Birds big and small are on show in large aviaries, but be prepared for them to land on you.
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 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.
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 is best if you have a car as it’s only a 45-minute drive north, but if you don’t, you can catch the train to Kippa-Ring, 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.
Get up Close with the Pelicans
Arrive at 10:00 a.m. for your visit to the Clontarf Information Centre, and you’ll see the local Australian Pelicans up close as they are fed. This is how their health is checked, and they eagerly await a snack.
Information boards along the walkway educate you about the history of the area.
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.
Enjoy the Sunset over the Water
Picnic at Suttons Beach
You can walk the pathway from Scotts Point Beach, Woody Point, to Scarborough Beach. All this stretch comprises safe beaches for families to swim at. Some are patrolled, but not every day, and you can check out when the patrols are from the BeachSafe website here.
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.
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.
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.
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 one of the colourful splashes here is the Water Tank on Morris Road.
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 has a great walkway around Lake Eden with plenty of wildlife to watch.
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.
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 mostly features waterfalls, but I did add a couple of other places just because 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 good to check out 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.
The Walk
Go straight to the lookout and see Cave Creek fall into the cave.
The Cave
You can choose three views once you get down to the cave. Down the stairs takes you into the cave with bats and glowworms inside. You will probably see the bats, but the glowworms will only be seen at night.
There are toilets here, and a cafe is back on the main road, turning right from the entrance.
Glowworms at Night
You can explore the area by night and see the glowworms shining in the cave. Make sure you bring a torch with you as there is no other lighting, but do not shine anything on the glowworms as their lights will go out for up to an hour.
Purling Brook Falls
Purling Brook Falls is the longest walk at 4km and two hours return if you want to do the circuit and go to 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 full circuit.
This track can be dangerous in places, especially after rain. It is steep and has steps as you go down to the valley floor and back up, but if you do it, you’ll be rewarded with views like this at the bottom. The easiest way is in a clockwise direction, as the steps are on the western side.
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 all the way to Byron Bay, and it’s only about 500m from the car 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.
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.
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 has a slight incline and some stairs to negotiate.
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 place to be after your walk is the Pavilion Garden Bar next to the car park. Here, you can enjoy delicious food and craft beers before visiting another attraction in the area.
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 with information on the flora and fauna in the area.
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 1.5km long, and you can take as long or as short as you wish, as it is self-guided. The average time is about 45 minutes to 1 hour, and it’s great for all ages.
Witches Falls
Witches Falls is one of the hardest tracks I have listed. This 3.6km track is steep, and after rain, it can be muddy and slippery.
The car parks aren’t as large as you have parks just off the side of the road.
You need to be there after rain to see any water falling. The viewing platform is a short detour off the track, but you will be 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 there aren’t bins supplied, remember to take all your rubbish with you.
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
There are many native animals at this park, with the usual shows and talks throughout the day.
Aviaries
A bird aviary is not far from the entrance, where you can walk through looking for native birds.
Shows
There are plenty of shows to see as you wander the grounds throughout the day.
Plan the day well to fit everything in, from Australian culture to the Free Flight Bird Show.
Crocodile
Another great show you have to see is the Crocodile Show. Get there early to ensure that you get the right spot to watch the show.
The Lost Valley
After seeing the Crocodile show, you should head to the Lost Valley. Home to the rainforest, it is reminiscent of Gondwanaland thousands of years ago.
Many animals include the Red Panda, Tree Kangaroo, Lemur and more.
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.
Rainbow Lorikeets
Lorikeet feeding happens twice a day, at 8 am and 4 pm. It is just outside the entrance, so you can enjoy this experience without paying to go in. A gold coin donation is all that is required for the food that you can feed the Lorikeets. They are so used to humans that they will land on you without an invitation.
Koala
Of course, you have come to see the Koalas, dotted all over the park.
Near the entrance are the Koalas, with whom you can have a photo taken. The Nursery with the Mum Koalas and their babies is near the back of the park.
Conclusion
I hope you get ideas about what you will see and do in 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.
Have You Found This Blog Helpful? Then Why Not Buy Me a Coffee?
Caution
Remember, this is SE Queensland, the skin cancer capital of the world, so when you travel here, bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. If it has been raining, you may also need insect repellent, as the mosquitoes show no mercy. Don’t forget your water.
I hope that you have enjoyed viewing SE Queensland through my Nikon and get to travel here one day and find your own experiences.
Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on 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—Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe—Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and bus travel in the UK and Europe.
- 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).
If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.
Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
Your photos have definitely inspired me to see more of South East Queensland, Kim. Hopefully one day and saving this just in case! So much to see.
Thanks, Alma, I hope that you do get to see all it has to offer one day.
Seriously you are such an amazing photographer. I loved everyone of these images!
Thanks, Laureen, I really appreciate your comments.
An extensive and detailed overview of the sights worth seeing in SEQ, and a delightful trip down memory lane of my birth city.
Thanks, Marilyn. I hope that it bought back good memories.