The 15 Best Day Trips from Sunshine Coast
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 15 good day trips from Sunshine Coast, Australia, led by Brisbane, Logan City, Caloundra. The closest is Caloundra, about 25 min by car, and 3 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 15 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Sunshine Coast
- 1
Brisbane, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car90 km south of Sunshine CoastKnown for The Wheel of Brisbane.
- 2
Logan City, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car109 km south of Sunshine Coast - 3
Caloundra, Australia
Half-day tripAbout 25 min by car17 km south of Sunshine Coast - 4
Southport, Australia
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car149 km south of Sunshine Coast - 5
Caboolture, Australia
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car49 km south of Sunshine Coast - 6
Upper Coomera, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car137 km south of Sunshine Coast - 7
Forest Lake, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car108 km south of Sunshine Coast - 8
Gympie, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car66 km north-west of Sunshine Coast - 9
North Lakes, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car63 km south of Sunshine Coast - 10
Morayfield, Australia
Half-day tripAbout 1 hr by car52 km south of Sunshine Coast - 11
Narangba, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car62 km south of Sunshine Coast - 12
Kallangur, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car67 km south of Sunshine Coast - 13
Deception Bay, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car60 km south of Sunshine Coast - 14
Redbank Plains, Australia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car112 km south of Sunshine Coast - 15
Labrador, Australia
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car147 km south of Sunshine Coast
A sample day: Sunshine Coast to Brisbane
- 08:30Leave Sunshine Coast
- 09:55Arrive in Brisbane (1 hr 25 min drive)
- 10:10The Wheel of Brisbane
- 12:10Lunch
- 13:25Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Brisbane
- 15:55Head back to Sunshine Coast
- 17:20Home in Sunshine Coast
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Sunshine Coast?
- The best day trips from Sunshine Coast are Brisbane, Logan City, Caloundra, Southport, Caboolture. The closest is Caloundra, about 25 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Sunshine Coast?
- Caloundra is the closest, 17 km south of Sunshine Coast, roughly 25 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Sunshine Coast?
- 3 places are within about an hour's drive of Sunshine Coast: Caloundra (25 min), Caboolture (55 min), Morayfield (1 hr).
- What is the biggest city near Sunshine Coast for a day out?
- Brisbane is the largest city in day-trip range, 90 km south of Sunshine Coast and about 1 hr 25 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Sunshine Coast?
- For a weekend away from Sunshine Coast, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Southport (149 km, 2 hr 20 min), Labrador (147 km, 2 hr 20 min), Upper Coomera (137 km, 2 hr 10 min), Redbank Plains (112 km, 1 hr 45 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Sunshine Coast?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Southport at 149 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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