If you’re wondering where to start your campervan road trip, we recommend picking up your campervan in Brisbane. In this guide, we will cover all the reasons why you should start your road trip in Brisbane. It’s got it all, from beautiful beaches and grand waterfalls to lush national parks and stunning vineyards, the areas around Brisbane are full of wonderful spots to add to your road trip itinerary.
If you’re not sure what motorhome is right for you, then we suggest checking out our other blog on how to choose the right motorhome for your travels, as well as our six signs that it’s time to plan your trip and start your road trip in Australia in a maui motorhome.
A great place to begin beach-hopping
If you love spending your vacation by the beach, picking up your maui rental campervan from Brisbane is a fantastic idea! A short drive out of Brisbane will have you at a vast array of beautiful beaches.
The beauty of van travel in Australia is the freedom it offers and the places you get to see and stop off at, that you wouldn’t usually get to visit. You can find the perfect camping spots and campgrounds to suit your needs and wants, as well as take your time in each place as you don’t have to be restricted to a set itinerary. With this freedom of travelling in a motorhome, you’re able to get out and explore any beaches you find along the way.
If you’re not familiar with beach safety, we suggest doing some research before setting off on your trip so you can be as safe as possible when discovering these incredible beaches.
Suttons Beach, Redcliffe
Travel Time From Brisbane: 42 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 39.1 km
First up on our list of beautiful beaches around Brisbane is the lovely Suttons Beach. Perfectly situated within the Moreton Bay Region, this patrolled beach is perfect for families. With small waves, plenty of space to spread out and beach showers to rinse off at the end of the day, this beach has all you need for a great day out with the family.
Cylinder Beach North Stradbroke Island
Travel Time From Brisbane: 2 hours 2 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 60.8 km
Cylinder Beach is another wonderful beach to visit and getting there is an experience in itself. Situated on North Stradbroke Island, Cylinder Beach is a small cove between two gorgeous headlands. With small waves for swimming and surfing, as well as lifeguards patrolling the waters, this is a wonderful spot that the whole family is sure to enjoy. To get to North Stradbroke Island you’ll need to jump on a car ferry which you can easily pre-book a ticket for.
Red Beach, Bribie Island
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 18 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 71.4 km
Red Beach is the third beach on our list and is a picturesque beach, nestled between Woorim Beach and Bongaree. This dog-friendly beach is a wonderful spot to visit around sunrise as you can often see dolphins catching fish close to the shore. In the late afternoons, it is also a magical spot to watch as the sun sets and the skies turn an incredible array of colours.
Image Source: TEQ Visual Gallery
Offers easy access to the countryside
If you love to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, then a trip to the countryside is a must! The areas outside of Brisbane are so picturesque and peaceful, it is sure to have you in awe of its beauty. Plus, there are some great camping spots to choose from to park your motorhome rental, making it a great experience to add to your itinerary.
Dalby, Western Downs
Travel Time From Brisbane: 2 hours 48 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 221.9 km
Dalby is a vibrant regional town filled with cute cafes, local artisans and natural wonders. Driving into the bustling main street you’ll be charmed by the surrounding manicured gardens and countryside. Take a stroll down the street and immerse yourself in the area’s rich history and wonderful country hospitality. A great way to learn more about the history of Dalby is to visit the Dalby Pioneer Park Museum. This museum is not only a great educational experience, but it also is home to the world’s largest working tractor and agricultural machinery displays in Queensland!
Maleny, Sunshine Coast
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 34 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 95.0 km
Next on our list of picturesque country towns that are within easy reach of Brisbane is the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Maleny. Surrounded by lush rainforests and rolling paddocks, this incredible country town looks like something out of a fairy tale. The town itself has some great cafes and eateries, as well as wonderful local arts and crafts stores. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a wonderful activity to do when visiting this area. This 58 km walk will have you immersed in nature and in awe of the surrounding beauty. But don’t worry, the walk is separated into parts so you can choose one that fits within your schedule.
Canungra, Scenic Rim
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 6 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 78.1 km
The lovely town of Canungra is next on our list, and it’s no surprise why. This gorgeous historic town is filled with natural beauty. A visit to the Canungra creek is a must, and afterwards, we recommend stopping in at the Outpost Café to refuel before your next adventure. Plus, if you’re visiting on a Sunday, then strolling through the Canungra Village Markets and sampling all the local produce is a must!
Image Source: TEQ Visual Gallery
Nice and close to the best wine regions
Did you know that the areas just outside of Brisbane are home to some incredible wine regions? Not only this, these areas are surrounded by natural beauty, making it such a beautiful drive to get to the wineries and vineyards themselves. Travelling in a campervan also allows you to take it at your own pace and stop off at cute little towns that you pass through. Plus you can make stops along the way to get those breathtaking photos of rolling country hills that you stumble upon.
Flame Hill Vineyard
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 44 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 103.8 km
Flame Hill Vineyard is the first on our list of vineyards and you’ll understand why. This vineyard and restaurant are perfectly positioned at the highest point in Montville, offering incredible country views. Here, they produce estate-grown wines that are hand-harvested and sourced from plantings that are 80 years old! They have an award-winning restaurant on-site so you can enjoy a true paddock-to-plate experience, matched with some spectacular wines.
Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 18 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 97.2 km
An easy drive out of Brisbane will have you at the gorgeous Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard. This 60-acre property is stunning and a wonderful place to visit. Not only do they have a space in which you can taste all their incredible wines, but they also have 5-acres of lush lawns where you can enjoy a picnic amongst the vines. You can bring your own food and enjoy the very best wines from the cellar door either by the bottle or glass.
The Overflow Estate 1895, Beaudesert
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 17 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 95.4 km
The third winery on our list that we think is a wonderful addition to your road trip itinerary planner is The Overflow Estate 1895. This beautiful estate has the trifecta, which is; great wines, delicious food and a stunning location by the water. Their premium wines are perfectly paired with incredible food and picture-perfect views, making the whole experience with them one for the memory books.
Image Source: TEQ Visual Gallery
Ideal for exploring national parks
Just a short drive out of Brisbane will immerse you in nature thanks to the huge range of national parks ready to be explored. There are so many to choose from, some closer than others, and some easier to get to than others. We’ve put two of our favourites below for you!
Lamington National Park
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 36 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 105.6 km
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Lamington National Park. With its lush rainforest, elusive wildlife, cool mountain air, ancient trees and stunning waterfalls, there is something truly magical about this part of the world. Here you can wander along the extensive walkways, take in spectacular views and afterwards enjoy a picnic at the dedicated picnic area.
Venman Bushland National Park
Travel Time From Brisbane: 33 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 37.7 km
Venman Bushland National Park is located just out of Brisbane and is a beautiful national park, as well as a koala conservation area. With a perfect mix of eucalypt forest, melaleuca trees and flowering shrubs, this park is home to some incredible Australian wildlife including koalas, ringtail possums, brushtail possums, sugar gliders, greater gliders, wallabies, owls and many other bird species.
Perfect for those flying in from overseas
Another great reason why you should start your campervan road trip in Brisbane is that the airport receives many domestic and international flights every day. Airlines such as Air New Zealand, Emirates, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Airlines, Singapore Airlines and so many more fly into Brisbane each and every day, giving you choice when it comes to booking your trip. Plus it is only an 11-minute taxi ride from the airport to the maui Brisbane branch, making your motorhome hire in Brisbane totally seamless.
Plenty of waterfalls and waterholes nearby
Just a stone's throw from Brisbane you’ll find an array of glorious waterfalls and waterholes ready to be discovered. Perfect for those hot summer days when you need to cool off, these beautiful nature-filled spots are a must-visit when starting your van travels in Brisbane.
Curtis Falls, Mt Tamborine
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 7 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 70.8 km
Curtis Falls in Mt Tamborine is the first on our list and invites you on an enchanting walk through a eucalypt forest. Flooded gums soar overhead and lead the way into the cool lush rainforest. The 1km walk will take you to the impressive falls that will either be a raging torrent or a gentle stream, depending on the time of year. They flow down to a large natural pool below where you may be lucky enough to spot turtles, small fish and slinky eels. Whilst you may not be permitted to swim in these waters, it is still a magical sight to see.
Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 25 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 107 km
Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park is part of Australia’s World Heritage area and features stunning rock formations formed purely by the waterfall over the basalt cave. An easy 1-km circuit will get you here and will be a wonderful walk through the ancient Gondwana rainforest to the Natural Bridge rock arch. An array of birdlife call this rainforest home, as well as frogs, owls and even koalas. You can’t swim here, however, the views make it a worthwhile trip.
Kondalilla Falls
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 43 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 104.2 km
The beautiful Kondalilla Falls are as enchanting as they are popular. Frequented by locals and visitors alike, these impressive falls are surrounded by lush rainforests and offer spectacular views over the surrounding area. The Kondalilla Falls Circuit is the main trail to hike and will take you from the top of the falls, down through low rainforests and back again. This 4.8-km return trip will have you in awe at every turn. There is a small and just as beautiful 1.7-km trail for those who are looking for an easier trail. Then, after your walk, you can dip into the cool waterhole that the falls cascade into. A truly magical experience.
Currumbin Rock Pools & Cougal Cascades
Travel Time From Brisbane: 1 hour 33 minutes
Distance From Brisbane: 110.7 km
Last on our list of waterholes and waterfalls to visit when starting your campervan road trip in Brisbane are the Currumbin Rock Pools and Cougal Cascades. Not only will you be treated to a breathtaking rainforest walk when you visit here, but also you’ll end up at a spectacular waterfall that invites you to dive in. It is a 1.6-km return walk that takes you through the lush rainforest and follows Currumbin Creek. Around 500m in, you’ll be treated to the sights of Cougal Cascades that plunge down the cliff face into a large waterhole below. There is a viewing platform from which you can enjoy the views, or you can climb down the rocks to immerse yourself in the crisp cool waters.
Image Source: TEQ Visual Gallery
Start your Australian road trip in Brisbane with maui
So, there you have it, all the reasons why you should start your campervan road trip in Brisbane. There are so many incredible places to visit that are within easy reach and cater to the whole family. If you’re ready to start exploring in your motorhome rental, then book your maui motorhome! Then it’s as simple as packing your bags, picking up your maui campervan or motorhome from one of our branches and setting off on your adventure.