Brisbane to Surfers Paradise distance, driving time & best stops
The Brisbane to Surfers Paradise drive covers a 78km distance in around 58 minutes. The best road trip stops on the route include the Mt Gravatt Lookout and the Gold Coast theme parks.
The drive from Brisbane to Surfers Paradise takes you from the Queensland capital to the brashest beach town in Australia.
Surfers Paradise is the best known suburb of the Gold Coast – a place of bars, nightclubs and a magnificent beach. You can also do amphibious vehicle tours, hop-on, hop-off sightseeing cruises and surfing lessons here. There are also high speed jet boat rides and parasailing experiences.
Brisbane to Surfers Paradise distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Brisbane to Surfers Paradise is 78km. With average traffic, you can expect a Brisbane to Surfers Paradise driving time of around 58 minutes.
9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
- Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
- Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
- Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
- Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
- XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
- Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
- See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.
If you’re setting off early from Brisbane, and want a few road trip stops while you wait for your Surfers Paradise hotel to become available, then you can make a day of it.
Brisbane to Surfers Paradise drive: Attractions on the way south
Options on the way out of Brisbane include the Mt Gravatt Lookout, Springwood Conservation Park and Logan River Parklands. The Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum is another possibility.
6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday
- Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
- Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
- Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
- North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
- Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.
However, the main attractions on the Brisbane to Surfers Paradise drive are the Gold Coast theme parks.
Dreamworld and Whitewater World are the first ones you’ll encounter. They’re in Coomera, just to the north of the Coomera River. Warner Brothers Movie World, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular and Wet N Wild Gold Coast are a little further south around Oxenford.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
Brisbane to Surfers Paradise drive: Turn off at Nerang
For something a little more wholesome, Nerang National Park is near Nerang, where you’ll be turning off the motorway for Surfers Paradise anyway.
Take the Southport-Nerang Road, then Cotlow Street. A right down Ferry Road and a left down Thomas Drive will take you into Surfers Paradise.
For the best deals on Surfers Paradise accommodation, search here.
Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay
The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.
- Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
- Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
- Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
- Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
- Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.
More Queensland travel
Where to stop on the drive from Maroochydore to Hervey Bay.
Swim at Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island.
Where should I stop on the drive from Ingham to Cairns?
Hervey Bay road trips – distances and driving times.