We all know that Brisbane is a river city, that’s why we love it. But it also has the bonus of being near some amazing islands and beaches. You’ve got the South Bank with its own sandy swimming lagoon. And let’s not forget the stunning Gold and Sunshine coasts, plus Moreton Island which has some super cool coves. The three of them are close enough for a day trip or two. What more could you need?
Beach days around Brisbane are the best. You can do everything from paddling in the sea to surfing depending on your mood. Your fur-baby can tag along too, thanks to the many dog-friendly beaches around. Make some plans for sun, sea and sand with our guide to the best beaches near Brisbane.
Jump to:
- INNER-CITY BEACH
- BEACHES WITHIN THE BAY ACCESSIBLE BY CAR
- BEACHES IN THE BAY ACCESSIBLE BY FERRY
- SURF BEACHES ON THE GOLD COAST
- BEACHES ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
- WHERE TO STAY IN BRISBANE CBD
- TO WRAP IT UP
- FAQS
Inner-city beach
Streets Beach
We’ll let you in on a little secret… The closest beach to Brisbane CBD isn’t on the coast at all. Streets Beach is a man-made lagoon in South Bank Parklands, with white sand, shallow areas to paddle and most importantly, some epic city views. There are no waves or rips to battle with here, and there are lifeguards on duty too, so it’s a popular place for families to cool down and have fun.
One of the best things about Streets Beach is that it’s free entry, so it’s ideal for a family day out! When you’ve had enough at the beach, check out the park! You’ve also got the Aquativity and the Boat Pool, which kids will love. And once it’s time for some grub, Little Stanley Street and River Quay have plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from. One of our favourite things to do is head there with a picnic and spend the day watching people.
The South Bank car park is on Little Stanley Street, but it can fill quickly during school holidays, events and on hot weekends. We recommend using public transport as the easier option.
Beaches within the Bay accessible by car
If you’ve got access to a car while in Brisbane, then we recommend the following beaches. These are perfect little trips for relaxed swims and a day out on the beach without needing to take the ferry.
Suttons Beach
Suttons Beach is right on the Redcliffe Peninsula, with a stunning stretch of sand and plenty of grassy parkland. This is one of the calmest bays in the region, but as with any visit to the coast, check the weather before you set off.
Kitesurfers love to use the peninsula when the wind direction and tide conditions are ideal, but if you’re a beginner, you should avoid heading out without instruction, especially when there are a lot of swimmers about. Calmer weather days are the best days to go to Suttons for paddling, wading and beach walks.
Don’t forget to check out the park too. There’s barbecues, a playground, shelters, toilets and fitness facilities. If you get here early, you can find parking easily, but may need to plan ahead on peak days. When you’re ready for some food and drink, Redcliffe Parade is a short drive or walk away and it’s got plenty of cafés to choose from.
Red Beach (Bribie Island)
On the south edge of Bribie Island, is Red Beach, which is an amazingly quiet beach you can get to through some coastal bushland. Its sheltered water and large off-leash area make it one of the most popular dog beaches near Brisbane.
Red Beach is a bit of a hidden gem, and will get you away from Bribie’s main tourist spots. This does mean you'll need to bring supplies like water, snacks, shade and stuff for the dog because it’s a little quieter.
The small car park can fill early on weekends, and be warned, there are no cafés once you reach the trail. Bongaree is a good shout for coffee or lunch before or after the beach. As Red Beach isn’t generally patrolled, don’t be fooled by calm waters, make sure you check conditions before you go in the water.
Woorim Beach
Cross to the east of Bribie Island and everything’s different. Woorim faces the open ocean, so it picks up more swell than Red Beach and is the island’s main choice for bodyboarding and surf near Brisbane. The waves are unpredictable, so don’t go in without seeing what the latest is.
The beach is patrolled at selected times during the warmer months, weekends and holidays. But it’s still important to check the flags before swimming. Surfers can easily find beach breaks along the shoreline, but conditions can vary, and our advice to first-timers is to go out with an instructor before attempting solo surfing in this area.
Woorim Foreshore has parking, barbecues, shelters, toilets, seating and direct beach access, so it’s got everything you need for a fun day out. The main entrance also has accessible changing facilities, beach matting and beach wheelchairs. You can grab lunch or a coffee in one of the spots around Woorim village or take something away with you. The foreshore will be really lively during the school holidays, but if you walk a bit further out, you can usually find a quieter patch of sand to claim.
Raby Bay Foreshore Park
Take the dog with you to Raby Bay Foreshore Park, which is another amazing dog beach near Brisbane. It’s the perfect beach for a full day out, thanks to grassy picnic spots and its three small and sheltered swimming coves. It’s a no-brainer for families looking for a beach day without having to go all the way to the Gold or Sunshine Coast.
One of the coves is perfect for a dog walk, so you don’t have to leave them behind. The other coves are more popular with families, so make sure you check the signs before letting your dog off the lead in these spots. The sheltered setting is really good for a swim and some water activities, but we’ll admit this beach isn’t one for surfers!
If you go over to the park, you’ll find parking, toilets, barbecues and playground equipment. Be warned, it can become busy on warm weekends and late afternoons, especially around the dog beach. If you want to grab some lunch, head to the nearby Raby Bay Harbour, which has a dining precinct, or you can go into Cleveland, where there are more cafés and takeaway options.
Beaches in the Bay accessible by Ferry
Coochiemudlo Island
Coochiemudlo Island is a little island that sits just off Victoria Point. We locals call this one Coochie! It takes about 10 minutes to get here by ferry and arrives right next to Main Beach, so it’s super convenient for a day trip.
The island has three main beaches: Main, Morwong and Norfolk. The water here is sheltered, so it’s one of the best beaches near Brisbane for swimming with young families. You can also give paddleboarding and other water sports a try, but best to avoid surfing here if you don’t want to be disappointed! Coochie is a smaller beach at around one kilometre across, so it’s easy to explore on foot with little ones.
You can leave your car around Victoria Point but keep in the mind the jetty car parks become busy during weekends and holidays. There are a few food options on the island, including the Coochiemudlo Island Beach Bar and Grill, and the Curlew Café. Check the opening times though in case you need to bring a picnic. Another thing to remember is the ferry times! Check them before you head off for the day, to make sure you can catch the return in the afternoon.
Cylinder Beach (North Stradbroke Island)
Cylinder Beach is at the amazing Point Lookout on Minjerribah, or North Stradbroke Island. The headland protection means the waves are a bit gentler than the island’s eastern shore, but it can offer some excellent surf breaks when the conditions are right.
Cylinder is one of our fave swimming spots on the island, and the good news is that it’s patrolled regularly. There’s a shady foreshore with picnic areas, toilets and a campground, and If you want to grab food, drink and supplies, you can head over to the Point Lookout shops. If you really want to make a day of it, spend time at the beach and then do the North Gorge Walk, so you can enjoy some unreal views of the coast.
There is parking nearby but it can fill up quickly during the school holidays. We’d take the bus to get us to where we need to go. This is definitely somewhere to spend the day, instead of rushing, so our tip is to get there early and make the most of it!
Moreton Island
Mulgumpin, or Moreton Island is another island that has some long stretches of sand along the edges. The western shore has some beautiful clear, sheltered water and the Tangalooma Wrecks, and over on the eastern side there’s the open ocean and stronger Brisbane surf.
The west side of the island is best for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling when conditions are safe. What’s special about this place is the 15 wrecks near Tangalooma, which have created a habitat for fish and other marine life that are worth exploring. The currents can be strong though, so visit them with caution. A guided snorkel trip can help give you some confidence if it’s your first time or you’re not the most confident at snorkelling.
The ferry is the easiest way to get here, but cars can’t just go anywhere. You’ll need a vehicle permit and a four-wheel-drive if you want to drive beyond the main arrival areas. While food choices can be limited being on an island, the Gutter Bar and Fire & Stone Beach Front Restaurant are highly recommended.
Surf Beaches on the Gold Coast
If your perfect beach day involves surfing, you need to head to the Gold Coast. This is where you’ll find the best surfing near Brisbane, with some excellent conditions, and most importantly, good vibes at the many beach cafés and surf clubs.
Main Beach
Main Beach is just north of Surfers Paradise, and we reckon it’s one of the better beaches to visit. The open beach has some great surf for confident swimmers and board riders, and if you want to enjoy some good food and drink, you can check out Tedder Avenue for plenty of great options.
Main Beach is safe and well patrolled, but it is an exposed beach, so conditions can be much stronger than those inside somewhere like Moreton Bay. Beginners should book a lesson rather than paddle out alone.
You’ll find plenty of street parking near Main Beach Parade and around Tedder Avenue but keep an eye out for restrictions and busy event days. Take your dog to the Spit, which is a bit further north and separate from the main swimming area, so it’s one of the better dog beaches near Brisbane.
Kirra
Don’t miss out on Kirra, which is part of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve. It’s famous in the Aussie surfing world! Hardcore surfers go crazy here when there’s a strong swell.
We recommend beginners avoid this one, as the powerful point break can be a lot to handle. Visit on a calmer day to swim and spend time with the family. If you’d rather watch than take part, you can head up to one of the viewpoints and check out the surfers from there.
Kirra has everything you need, like public toilets, barbecues and parking, but it does get busy when the surf is good. Kirra Beach Surf Club is a good place to grab a brekkie or lunch, but there are some other cafés nearby too. If you want to get some steps in, follow the Gold Coast Oceanway towards Coolangatta for an easy but view-filled coastal walk.
Currumbin Beach
Currumbin ticks all the boxes, with open surf and calmer water over Currumbin Creek. At Currumbin Alley, the rock headland shelters a shallow break that is regularly used by newbie surfers, while the creek is more popular with families and paddleboarders.
The Alley is pretty easy-going as somewhere to learn how to surf, but it still becomes crowded when conditions are good. It’s worth taking a lesson here to learn more about reading the current and general surfing etiquette. Little surfers will enjoy the estuary, which has much calmer conditions.
Parking near the Alley is limited, especially on good weather weekends! So get there early and be prepared to park a little further away. While you’re here, check out the Currumbin Surf Club, which sits on nearby Elephant Rock, or there are cafés and casual dining options around the creek and beachfront.
Beaches on the Sunshine Coast
With a name like the Sunshine Coast, you can expect some epic beaches in this part of South East Queensland. It’s really family-friendly, with some excellent surfing spots, and places to eat and drink. A car is the easiest way to reach some of the best beaches near Brisbane. If you don’t have one, public transport is an option, but expect a much longer journey (half a day or so!)
Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba is easily one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular swimming beaches, and one of our faves too. Point Cartwright gives some shelter from southerly conditions, and there’s plenty to do on the foreshore with parkland, playgrounds and places to eat.
Families love this patrolled beach, but make sure you stay between the flags. When conditions are good, you can get out and enjoy some surfing or bodyboarding.
Mooloolaba Esplanade has plenty of restaurants, cafés and takeaways, but our go to is always the Spit for fish and chips. There’s some work being done on the Foreshore into 2027, but beach access, flagged swimming areas and local businesses are still open. An easy parking option here is the PARKnGO Mooloolaba Central, which is about 300 metres from the beach.
Alexandra Headlands
Us locals call it Alex, but Alexandra Headland is between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. You’ll really feel like you’re on the sunshine coast thanks to the open beach, rocky headland and active surf club giving all the vibes.
The Bluff is the most popular longboarding spot; it’s great when the swell and wind line up. The main beach is also very safe and is patrolled regularly. If you lack a bit of confidence on the water, stay between the flags because the currents can be really tough here.
The parks behind the beach have family facilities, and the coastal path over the headland is really popular with walkers and runners. You’ve got plenty of choices for cafés, takeaway spots and the Alexandra Headland Surf Club when you’re ready to grab a bite or a drink. You can park along Alexandra Parade and surrounding streets, but you might need to fight it out on the weekends!
Sunshine Beach
The wonderful Sunshine Beach is south of Noosa National Park and is much quieter than the nearby Noosa Main Beach. There’s something for surfers, but we also love to come here to enjoy the scenery and get some sun.
Surfing is excellent here thanks to the exposed beach, but it can bring some strong rips. It’s recommended swimmers stay in the patrolled section and check surfing conditions. For those visiting with a four-legged friend, this is also one of the dog beaches near Brisbane with the best walking routes, starting at Noosa National Park, with signs marking out the dog-friendly zones.
Over at Ed Webb Park, you’ll find all of the typical beach facilities like barbecues, a playground, seating, toilets and showers. Duke Street isn’t far and has some great spots for food and drink. There’s also the Sunshine Beach Surf Club, which is our favourite for views across the water. There’s plenty of parking around Webb Road and the surf club but get there early to make sure you can get a spot.
