Unique Towns to Visit near South East Queensland?

Save 50 Cent on 16/06/2021 - 21:39
Last edited 17/06/2021 - 09:41 by 1 other user

Hi.

I was after a suggestion for a nice and hopefully unique town to visit for 3 days within 4 hours drive (less than 3 would be ideal) from the Gold Coast.

We have been to all the popular towns along the coast from Cairns all the way to Ballina numerous times so want to avoid those.

Is Coffs Harbour worth the drive and spending 3 days there especially that we won’t be swimming? Any inland town that is a must-visit? (Besides Nimbin we have been there).

It will be just me and my partner.. no kids..

Thank you so much in advance.

Travel

Comments

Worf on 16/06/2021 - 22:08

+2

Tambourine mountain for a day trip?
Murwillimbah (unsure of spelling… in northern nsw)

I’m not a fan of Coffs… but it’s convenient for fuel/food/supplies and 24hr maccas for when your driving crazy hours
Peter Enis on 16/06/2021 - 22:13

+1

Coffs no. Nimbin no.
Yamba yes, Bellingen yes.
Depends what you are into really. Murwillumbah is nice to spend a day, the art gallery nearby is great IMO, and how about a hike up Mt Warning?
esq on 16/06/2021 - 22:16

+3

Maleny. Stanthorpe.

This is closer and may be useful: https://www.visitscenicrim.com.au/itineraries/
Pelicannn on 16/06/2021 - 22:16

+1

Stanthorpe is nice - Decent wineries around, apple capital of Australia so you can find some pretty good apple pie around as well. Gets cold as it's about 3000' in elevation. Infact i think it has the record for the coldest place in Queensland.
WizMuncher on 17/06/2021 - 03:09

+1

I'd second Maleny. Beautiful place. You can get a suite with a log fireplace and spa. A great way to spend a few days this time of year.
morse on 17/06/2021 - 04:41

+1

Pottsville is a favourite day excursion for us from the Gold Coast, I like going when the markets are on and kayaking/swimming in Mooball Creek (looks unappealing on google satellite image as it’s taken after rain, but if it’s not rained it’s lovely and clear). I’d like to stay in the cabins near the creek for a few days when I get the chance. Konoha Sushi excellent if you do end up visiting. There might not be enough to do if you’re not swimming though.

Murwillumbah is very scenic, I’ve only really visited the main drag so not sure what there is to do, but some nice cafes and op shopping.

Tamborine mountain is okay but super touristy. The bush walks are nice. It’s pretty much a gc tradition to go stay at oreillys or similar if you haven’t done this already.

Everyone from GC seems to rave about Yamba, but it’s never really done it for me. I must be doing it wrong.

Cabarita Beach/hasting point area is nice with decent food options. But pretty much a beach based holiday.

Coffs Harbour the town is just like any other largish regional centre but I’ve stayed at a few of the resorts on the Northside for work or when stopping through and actually think they’d make a nice 3 day beach based holiday. If not swimming you can walk to mutton bird island and things like that. Sawtell just to the south of Coffs is worth looking at but still best as a beach holiday.

Stanthorpe is nice for wineries, apple picking, sitting by a fire etc.

I’ve actually also really liked the vibe of Toowoomba and surrounds when I’ve been for work. Some nice old buildings and some good food options. The spring flower festival is nice.
Save 50 Cent on 17/06/2021 - 06:25

+1

Thank you so much everyone for your help.
We live only 15 minutes from Tamborine Mountain so we go there more than Surfers!
All the others are great suggestions for us as we did not even know some of them are considered a destination! I had a quick look and they seem great. Yeah absolutely no swimming for me in the cold but my partner won’t mind jumping in the water on a sunny day so we’ll into all the suggestions.
Any more suggestions are welcome :)
- morse on 17/06/2021 - 20:06
  
  Let us all know where you end up and how it was! Have a great time wherever you go.
  - Save 50 Cent on 17/06/2021 - 21:40
    
    +1
    
    Yamba it is..! Thanks :)
BOGOF on 17/06/2021 - 07:37

+1

Canungra is a nice town. We stop there on the way to Lamington National Park, where there are some great trail walks and beautiful scenery.
- brendanm on 17/06/2021 - 07:40
  
  +1
  
  Also has people hang gliding on nice days, good fun to watch them take off.
EightImmortals on 17/06/2021 - 08:30

Definitely Nimbin. Went for a visit a couple of years back for the first time (don't think I'd want to live there though :) ). Cute little town and has the candle factory there, also there are some nice rainforest drives around that area too.
starspawn on 17/06/2021 - 08:48

+8

Logan
- MS Paint on 17/06/2021 - 09:14
  
  +2
  
  Must be an awesome destination. It's always in the news even in Victoria.
- brendanm on 17/06/2021 - 15:21
  
  I highly recommend Woodridge.
ShortyX on 17/06/2021 - 09:07

+1

Maybe Toowoomba?
- Save 50 Cent on 17/06/2021 - 09:20
  
  Lived there for a short period a few years ago. Would love somewhere we haven’t been to before.. thanks :)
Donaldhump on 17/06/2021 - 10:50

+1

woodridge and inala
Sweet3st on 17/06/2021 - 17:04

+1

Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow.
- morse on 17/06/2021 - 20:01
  
  Oh yeah, I forgot about bangalow
Save 50 Cent on 17/06/2021 - 21:42

Thank you so much everyone..
Yamba this time for us but I’ll bookmark this thread for future reference :)
- far-out on 18/06/2021 - 08:37
  
  +1
  
  Ulmarra is a great little town - more like a village actually. It’s not far from Yamba at all. I always stopped in for lunch or used it as an overnight base when my dad lived in Coffs - hated Coffs but loved this little place.
  
  Maclean is close to Yamba too. I can recommend Botero - it’s a lovely cafe with good food and coffee.
sal78 on 19/06/2021 - 23:57

Bunya Mountains and Toowoomba on the way there.

Maleny where we saw platypuses playing in the creek

Go out West

We have booked at Yamba in 2 weeks time.

Unique Towns to Visit near South East Queensland?

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