Ultimate Hinterland Road Trip: Brisbane to Woodford

Pack the car for a green-change, heading to Moreton Bay's hinterland, the ultimate day trip destination from Brisbane.

This road-trip can be tackled at your own pace - squeeze all the sights in just a matter of hours, make a day out of it or turn it into a mini vacay if you've got a weekend to spare.

#1

First stop: Samford Valley (25km from Brisbane)

With a huge range of cafes and restaurants to choose from, this is the perfect place to make a pitstop for breakfast or morning tea.

These are just some of the options: Canter and Colt, Ya Ya Bar and Eatery, Little Tree Bake & Brew House, Samford Patisserie & Cafe, The Long Yard Larder, The Flying Nun Cafe, Spokes Cafe, and Cafe Lagarto.

Make sure you allow some time to browse the shops, with everything from handcrafted gifts, potted plants, home wares and fashion to Harry Potter-inspired wares.

#2

Second stop: Cedar Creek (35km from Brisbane)

Cedar Creek is a picturesque waterway, which begins as water moving from the high altitudes of Mount Glorious in the D'Aguilar Ranges to the low-lying areas of South Pine River. As the creek meanders towards the coastline of Moreton Bay, it’s a treasure trove of rock pools, waterfalls, stunning picnic spots, plus home to a diversity of Australian native flora and fauna, including kookaburras, platypus and wallabies.

A very shallow spot for little ones to get their toes wet can be found in Andy Williams Park and there’s another at Halls Road Crossing. Deeper rock pools are located further along.

It’s the perfect place for a picnic, freshwater swim or to just appreciate the beauty of our natural environment. There are a number of picnic spots, reserves and swimming holes to enjoy.

#3

Third stop: Mount Samson (35km from Brisbane)

If you’re an animal lover, there are two places to visit while you’re passing through Mt Samson – Trevena Glen and Lyell Deer Sanctuary.

Trevena Glen is home to more than 50 animals, offering visitors a range of experiences to remember. Say hello to an alpaca, donkey, chicken, guinea pig, goat, pig, sheep, cow or horse. Numbers are capped, so bookings are essential.

Lyell Deer Sanctuary is home to a small herd of rescued deer - a motley crew of red, rusa and fallow deer. This peaceful sanctuary is a popular destination for adults and children, offering education, serenity, and a truly unique experience. They’ve been caring for deer for more than 30 years, and attract visitors from across the world.

#4

Fourth stop: Dayboro (47km from Brisbane)

Dayboro is a quaint and friendly township, known as the town of yesteryear.

If you’re feeling peckish, 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 Café.

If you’re an antiques collector, you have to pop into The 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

Fifth stop: Ocean View (58km from Brisbane)

Just up the ‘hill’ from Dayboro is picturesque Ocean View. As the name suggests, there are views of the countryside out to Moreton Bay.

It’s a stunning location. Visit their Providore, choose some picnic goodies and take a seat on the lawn or in their dining area. Here you can also tour the winery, taste their home-grown vino and even stay over night if you’re keen to settle in for a while. Best part - dogs are welcome!

#6

Sixth stop: Mt Mee (77km from Brisbane)

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.

While you’re in the mood for nature appreciation, head to The Gantry 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 and continue on your journey.

#7

Last stop: Woodford (77km from Brisbane, or 102km following this route)

Woodford’s steeped in history and retains much of its yesteryear charm. The historic pub still stands proudly on the main road, while quaint turn-of-the-century buildings house quirky shops and eateries in the shopping precinct. A heritage railway and a museum proudly testify to the region’s diverse past.

If you’re planning to stay the night and explore the township, visit our blog for a comprehensive list of things to do.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, here are just a couple of the options: Woodford Gardens and Woodford Village Hotel.

And if you’re also looking for somewhere for dinner, here are some of the venues to choose from: The Place 2 B; Woodford Village Hotel; Cutters Rest Bistro (Thursday and Friday nights); and Woodford Seafood and Curry House.

It’s the perfect place to pull off the road and enjoy some old-fashioned country charm. Best of all, it’s just minutes away from Brisbane.

We hope you enjoy your time exploring all that our wonderful region has to offer.

Share your journey with us on socials @visitmoretonbayregion and tag us with #visitmoretonbay in your posts, we would love to hear about your experiences in Moreton Bay Region!

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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.