Escape the city: 72 hours in the hinterland

Grab some brekky and a coffee, hit the road and head west for a hinterland adventure to remember. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy the cool, crisp air and misty vistas that truly come into their own during the cooler months.

#1

Set off to explore Mt Nebo

Day 1

Follow the winding road up to Cafe in the Mountains for coffee and a bite to eat before exploring the natural beauty of this place, just 24km from Brisbane.

From here, you can lace up your hiking boots and explore walking tracks though the beautiful D’Aguilar National Park. There’s walks for beginners (1km) to more experienced and fit walkers (8km).

For a Mt Nebo walk suitable for all levels of fitness, the 4km one-way Thylogale Walking Track (8km hike in total) accessible from Jollys Lookout is a great choice.

No trip to Mt Nebo is complete without a stop at Jollys Lookout, with amazing city and bay views, you'll understand why its one of Brisbane's better known picnic and BBQ spots.

#2

Cosy cottages on Mount Glorious

Next stop: With a full belly and heart, it’s time to jump back in the car and head up the ‘hill’ to Mount Glorious.

This picturesque township is the perfect base for a day or two in the Moreton Bay Region hinterland, because it’s relatively central.

There’s also a range of cottage-style accommodation options, perfect for couples, families and even larger groups. You can stay for one night, two or longer.

Mount Glorious Getaways has five self-contained options to choose from including a homestead, chalet and three cottages. Each has cooking facilities, fireplaces and balconies to enjoy the stunning surroundings.

You can check in at 2pm, enjoy the view and canapes on the balcony.

If you’re a bird and nature lover, Turkeys Nest Rainforest Cottages is a tranquil retreat offering visitors an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

There are two cottages and a B&B suite to choose from. All have fireplaces, self-contained kitchens and verandas with forest views. There’s a minimum two-night stay for the cottages, but you can stay for one night in the suite. Check-in is at 2pm and check-out is 10am.

#3

Dinner time in Samford

Dinner stop: Bring your own supplies and cook up a storm in your cottage.

Don't feel like cooking? We don't blame you. You are on holidays after all.

Jump in the car and head back down the ‘hill’ to Samford Village where someone else will do the hard work for you.

Here are just some of the delicious options available: Samford Hotel; Pause Restaurant; Ya Ya Bar and Eatery; Main Street Market Burger; Alegria Woodfire Cafe Samford.

#4

Delightful Dayboro

Day 2

First stop: Jump in the car and head to Dayboro – known as the town of yesteryear. If you haven’t already had breakfast, there are plenty of options for coffee and a bite to eat.

Here are just a few to tempt your tastebuds: The Old Storehouse; Dayboro Bakery; Dayboro Café; Silverwood Café; Rendezvous at Dayboro; or Mill Creek Cafe.

If you’re an antiques collector, you have to pop into Dayboro Shed Antiques. It’s a big shed, so there’s a huge selection of wares to choose from.

If you’re more of an art lover, the Dayboro Art Gallery is a must-visit destination while you’re in town. It’s run by more than 30 artists, so there’s often the chance to speak to them about their work.

#5

Be wined and dined at Ocean View Estates

Next stop: Head up the ‘hill’ to Ocean View Estates where you can enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard, taste the wine and graze on some canapes from 11am-noon.

When the tour’s over, you can continue feasting on fine food in the restaurant before checking in to your accommodation for the night.

There’s a choice of one, two or five-bedroom cottages. Each has a kitchenette and fireplace, and the smaller cottages have spa baths on the veranda.

#6

Dinner in Dayboro

Dinner stop: You can cook dinner yourself, dine at the restaurant or head down the hill to Dayboro for a meal. Some of the options include: Terah's restaurant; Johnny’s Pizza Place, The Crown Hotel or The Old Storehouse, which is open on Friday and Saturday until 7pm.

Last stop: Head back to your accommodation, crank up the fire and enjoy a glass or two of the wine you bought earlier in the day, before settling in for the night. Magic!

#7

Next Step, Mt Mee

Day 3

Before you hit the road, grab something to eat from the Ocean View Estates Providore, which offers a selection of fresh-baked breads and pastries, artisan charcuterie and cheeses, seasonal produce, specialty coffee, and stock up on estate-grown wines, and locally-made art and ceramics.

Next stop: Jump in the car and head towards Mt Mee. If you appreciate a breath-taking view, the vista from Mount Mee Lookout never disappoints, with panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains, the region’s coastline and Brisbane CBD.

It’s a small rest stop along the Mt Mee Rd tourist drive and if you haven’t already eaten your goodies from the Providore, this is the perfect place to devour them.

#8

Explore The Gantry

Next stop: While you’re in the mood for nature appreciation, head to The Gantry Day Use Area in D’Aguilar National Park. It’s nestled in stunning bushland and is a significant historical site in the Moreton Bay Region.

Here you’ll find the skeletal remains of the gantry shed, which was used by the sawmill for more than 30 years.

Unlike other attractions in the Mount Mee section of the park, The Gantry is accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicles, just 150m from the sealed Sellin Rd.

From here, you can explore the national park’s walking trails or jump back in the car in search of lunch.

#9

Last lunch at Mt Mee

Lunch stop: Pop in to the Pitstop Café at Mt Mee for a bite to eat and another look at the hinterland views before heading back down the mountain and towards home.

Or if you’re in no hurry and keen to enjoy something a little more leisurely and refined, Birches Restaurant will fit the bill.

Either is the perfect way to end your Moreton Bay hinterland adventure. You won’t want to go home.

We hope that you enjoy your time visiting beautiful hinterland in our wonderful Moreton Bay Region.

Make sure you share your Hinterland Getaway with us on social media, using #visitmoretonbayregion and tagging us at @visitmoretonbayregion.

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Acknowledgement of Country - We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of the Moreton Bay Region, the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi, Jinibara, and Turrbal people and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise the ongoing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to this land and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original custodians of this land.