Day Trips From the Gold Coast: Springbrook, Tamborine, Lamington, Moreton Island

For one big day away from the beach, the most reviewed trip on this page is the Moreton Island cruise: a guided snorkel over the Tangalooma Wrecks, a buffet lunch with prawns and beach time, from US$188 a person as of October 2026, rated 4.5 from 1,195 reviews. It checks in at Rivergate Marina in Brisbane, so it is a long day from the Gold Coast. For the rainforest an hour or so inland, Southern Cross Tour Co’s coach tours to Springbrook, Tamborine and Lamington start from US$83 with pickup in town.

Check Moreton Island dates →

Where to go

• Springbrook National Park. Natural Bridge, where a waterfall drops through the roof of a basalt cave, Purling Brook Falls and the Best of All Lookout. Southern Cross’s afternoon tour drives through the Numinbah Valley and walks the rainforest track to the bridge.
• Tamborine Mountain. Wineries, the Gallery Walk of arts and crafts shops, rainforest walks to Curtis Falls, the Rainforest Skywalk and the glow worm caves. It is about 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise.
• Lamington National Park and O’Reilly’s. O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk, nine suspension bridges about 15 metres above the rainforest floor, is free to walk, and wild birds such as king parrots and crimson rosellas come to feed. O’Reilly’s is about 90 minutes’ drive from the coast.
• Moreton Island. The Tangalooma Wrecks, a line of sunken ships off the island’s beach, are the snorkelling draw; the cruise reports average sightings of dolphins on 92% of trips, sea turtles on 99% and dugongs on 70%.
• Byron Bay. About 90 km south across the New South Wales border, with Cape Byron Lighthouse on the headland.
• Australia Zoo. North of Brisbane, sold here as a transfer with entry.

The day trips compared

Prices, ratings and review counts as of October 2026; operators change prices, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.

Which day suits you

Pick by what you want to see:

Moreton Island is the day for snorkelling and wildlife. Check-in is at 9 am at Rivergate Marina in Brisbane, with parking at A$10 a day if you drive. Lunch, snorkel gear, a marine naturalist and the park fees are included; drinks from the bar are extra. Australian Sunset Safaris’ cheaper island day adds 4WD driving and sand tobogganing at up to 70 km/h, but rates 4.3.

Springbrook suits a half day of waterfalls and rainforest. Southern Cross’s afternoon tour has the longest review record of the hinterland trips. For glow worms at Natural Bridge after dark, see the glow worm tours.

Tamborine Mountain has the most choice: Southern Cross’s tour looks for wild kangaroos and koalas and walks to Curtis Falls; Pineapple Tours runs a winery day with lunch and a hop-on hop-off bus that leaves you free to choose stops, with entry fees extra. The Rainforest Skywalk is a US$15 ticket for a 1.5 km walk, about 45 minutes, if you drive yourself.

Lamington and O’Reilly’s is the day for treetops and birds. Southern Cross’s tour adds the Canungra Valley Vineyard with a glass of sparkling wine and optional alpaca feeding; it does not run on public holidays.

Byron Bay by private car takes 6 to 8 hours for up to four guests and includes Cape Byron Lighthouse; it is new and has no reviews yet. For a bigger reason to go, see the skydive over Byron Bay.

Practical: timing, clocks and what to bring

Book the Southern Cross tours early, since they need 2 days’ notice to cancel and minimum numbers to run. Bring closed shoes, water and, in winter, a warm layer for the mountains. If your day crosses into New South Wales, remember the hour’s difference from October to April.