Fly to Brisbane

South Bank is a wildly popular inner-city oasis of green spaces, cafés, an urban beach, galleries, bars and boutiques. There are walking and cycling tracks, beachside barbecues, licensed picnic spots and weekly markets. Four dedicated dining precincts range from the casual to the fine dining, and there's a non-stop calendar of events to dip into. A walk under the landmark Arbour is a must-do. South Bank is just across the river from the CBD.

Just 6km from the city, you can hit the forest trails or cycle to the summit of Mt Coot-tha, where you'll get a panoramic view of Brisbane and Moreton Bay. They're especially spectacular at sunrise and sunset. Many trails start at JC Slaughter Falls at the foot of the mountain, which is also an ideal picnic spot, and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens are nearby as well. With over 70 trails and tracks, some as short as 15 minutes, there's something for everyone.

Stunning Moreton Island is home to incredible lakes, lagoons, beaches and sand dunes. Go diving or snorkeling amongst the shipwrecks and colourful reefs. Get snap-happy with the island's pretty wildflowers or head to the shore at dusk to hand feed the dolphins (squeal!). If you want to feel the adrenaline pumping, hit the dunes on a quad bike, a 4WD or, better yet, a sand toboggan.