3 South East Queensland Getaways to Have on Your Radar in 2026
31st December 2025
Few Australian regions offer as many totally diverse ways to escape as south east Queensland. City breaks, coastal getaways and island stays all sit within easy reach of each other, spoiling locals and visitors for choice. Here are three south east Queensland stays for your 2026 travel list, each offering a distinct setting and vibe.
South East Queensland: A Region of Contrasts
South East Queensland makes it easy to mix up city time, coastal days and island escapes in the same trip.
Brisbane’s river curves through inner suburbs and parkland, while the Gold Coast stretches south with beaches and hinterland ranges just behind the skyline.
To the north, the Sunshine Coast sees quieter coastal towns, marinas and long runs of sand, and offshore, islands like K’gari introduce a completely different sense of scale and remoteness. As if that wasn’t enough, add rainforest hinterland, national parks and inland towns to the mix, and the region starts to feel less like one destination and more like a collection of very different trips sitting side by side.
The three stays below sit across city, coast and island, giving you three very different ways to spend a long weekend (or stretch things out over a week!).
Sunshine Coast: Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters
Sun-washed, laid-back, local, coastal.
The vibe
This one’s an escape for travellers who want space and calm days without needing to fill the calendar. Because days on the Sunshine Coast will pretty much always start and end near the water. People walk the marina loop in the morning and beaches are always just a moment away. Kawana in particular doesn’t run on attractions; it’s about staying in one area, spending time outside, and having everything you need within a small radius.
The stay
Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters sits directly on the sparkling marina at Kawana, offering hotel rooms and self-contained apartments with balconies overlooking the water. Facilities include an outdoor pool, gym, on-site parking and laundry amenities, making it practical for longer stays or travellers who want convenience and independence.
The place
The sparkling Sunshine Coast runs from Caloundra to Noosa, with a long stretch of coastline broken up by headlands, bushland and beaches. Outdoor access shapes the region; surf beaches, coastal walks, hinterland drives and national parks all sit close together, and development stays relatively low and spread out.
At the southern end of the coast, Kawana Waters is organised around a marina rather than a surf strip or main street. Paths follow the water and movement stays pretty local. Kawana and Bokarina beaches are a short drive away, both quiet and less built-up, with Mooloolaba, Noosa and the Glass House Mountains easy to reach for day trips.
What to do
Beach days anchor your stay here. Kawana Beach and Bokarina Beach suit swimming and beginner-friendly surf, while calmer mornings can work for snorkelling around nearby headlands when conditions line up. The marina loop makes an easy daily circuit on foot or bike, and paddleboarding or kayaking slot neatly into the day.
Short drives open up coastal walks, surf beaches further north, hinterland lookouts and food stops across the Sunshine Coast, before coming back to Kawana for low-key evenings by the water.
Read the ultimate guide to the Sunshine Coast here.
Brisbane: The Beetson Hotel
Subtropical, walkable, urban, outdoor-led.
The vibe
Brisbane is a city that follows the curve of the river, with daily life spread across sprawling suburbs. Parks, walking paths and ferry routes are part of the deal here, helping you move between neighbourhoods where the city’s dining and culture sit; for example West End, New Farm and Teneriffe. Warm weather keeps cafés, bars, breweries and public spaces feeling active throughout the year.
The stay
The Beetson is a boutique hotel in Brisbane’s inner north, offering modern rooms with a strong design focus and urban feel. Facilities include a rooftop pool, restaurant and bar, making it a functional base for exploring the city; one which matches the atmosphere of Brisbane just perfectly.
The place
Queensland’s sunny capital is centred around the river, with parklands, walking paths and suburbs spread out along its banks. South Bank hosts people for long sunny afternoons, galleries, swimming and river views, while ferries move between the inner suburbs. This is where much of the city’s appeal lives outside the obvious landmarks. Within its quieter neighbourhoods, find boutiques, outdoor cafés and locally-inspired restaurants.
What to do
Spend time along the river, using the CityCat ferry to move between suburbs. South Bank remains essential, with South Bank Parklands, Streets Beach, and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art clustered along a flat stretch of riverwalk.
Further upstream, New Farm Park connects to a 1.5 km riverside path leading to the Brisbane Powerhouse, home to exhibitions, performances and weekend markets. Inner suburbs like West End, Fortitude Valley and Teneriffe cover dining, bars, while views across the city open up from lookouts such as Mount Coot-tha Lookout, a short drive from the centre.
From the inner north, where The Beetson sits (near Fortitude Valley), it’s simple to dip in and out of different parts of the city. Dive into Brisbane life, with dinner in one suburb, a river walk in another and live music somewhere else.
Read the ultimate guide to Brisbane here.
K’gari (Fraser Island): Kingfisher Bay Resort
Wild, remote, raw, escape.
The vibe
Tide times matter on K’gari because beaches are used as roads, and how far you travel depends on sand and weather. Most days involve drives between beaches, freshwater lakes and forest tracks. The island holds perched freshwater lakes like Lake McKenzie, tall rainforest growing directly from sand, and wide stretches of coastline with no development in sight
The stay
Kingfisher Bay Resort sits on the sheltered western side of the island along the Great Sandy Strait. The resort is spread through bushland, with accommodation, pools, restaurants and facilities linked by elevated timber boardwalks. A jetty extends into the strait for ferry arrivals, sunset views and water access.
The place
K’gari is the world’s largest sand island, stretching more than 120 kilometres along Queensland’s coast and listed as World Heritage for its unique ecosystems. The island contains more than 40 perched freshwater lakes, including spectacular Lake McKenzie, which sit glistening above the water table and are filtered naturally through sand.
Rainforest grows directly from dunes, an ecological rarity, and long ocean beaches run uninterrupted along the eastern side. And due to its uniqueness, most of K’gari is protected national park, with development limited to a small number of resorts, leaving large swathes of island totally wild.
What to do
Guided 4WD tours on K’gari provide access to inland highlights such as Lake McKenzie, the Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek, where clear freshwater flows directly across the beach. Swimming is a major draw, particularly in the island’s perched lakes, while walking tracks around the resort move through bushland where dingoes, birds and goannas are commonly seen.
Unbelievable natural features such as the Champagne Pools, where waves bubble through volcanic rock, and Eli Creek, where you can float downstream in clear freshwater make stays feels totally untamed and adventure-filled.