Take a Brisbane road trip from as little as $24 a day and explore beyond the River City.
As the capital of the Sunshine State, Brisbane could never be accused of leaving visitors short of things to do. However, if you want a real taste of Brisbane, you’ll need to hit the road and explore the region beyond the city limits.
Within an hour you can reach vineyards, national parks and charming villages. Here are a few things you should know before starting the engine – including your car rental options and popular driving routes.
Book car rental in Brisbane:
Compare hire cars and prices in Brisbane
Wondering how much rental will cost? Or what type of car works best for your travelling party? We used our comparison tool to uncover the cheapest hires from Brisbane Airport for various car sizes. Our findings are based on a 5-day rental, booked a month in advance for drivers aged 25+.
Small economy car
- Car: Hyundai Accent Hatch
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Bargain Car Rentals
- Cost: $119.07 for 5 days or $23.81 per day
Medium car
- Car: Toyota Corolla Sedan
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Jucy
- Cost: $122.92 for 5 days or $24.58 per day
Large car
- Car: Toyota Camry
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 2 large bags, 1 small bag
- Rental company: Alamo
- Cost: $160.99 for 5 days or $32.20 per day
Estate car
- Car: Nissan X-Trail
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 3 large bags
- Rental company: Carhood
- Cost: $194.93 for 5 days or $38.99 per day
Prices mentioned above were retrieved on 2 October 2018 and change constantly. Get the latest prices for your car hire today.
Car hire locations in Brisbane
Car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Thrifty can be found around Brisbane and at major airports and cities. This includes:
- Brisbane Airport
- Brisbane CBD
- Fortitude Valley
- Eagle Farm
- South Brisbane
4 popular driving routes in Brisbane
Brisbane to Mount Mee
- How long is the drive? 171 km, round-trip
- How long do I need? 1 day
- Must-sees along the way: Samford Valley, Dayboro heritage trail, Ocean View Estate Winery and llama cottage, Piccabeen Trail, Dahmongah Lookout Park, Caboolture Historical Village and Redcliffe Beach.
The region around the mountain is home to a tangle of walking trails, vineyards, forests and waterfalls. On the way back stop at Redcliffe to explore the seaside town before heading back to the city.
Brisbane to Toowoomba
- How long is the drive? 265 km, round-trip
- How long do I need? 1 day
- Must-sees along the way: Ipswich Antique Centre, Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve, Ipswich Nature Centre, Ipswich Art Gallery, Picnic Point and Japanese Gardens.
A day trip to Queensland's Garden City is not just for lovers of all things nature. Toowoomba is also home to a foodie scene that can rival any big Aussie city. It also boasts sites for architecture buffs. Include a stop in Ipswich on the way there to really get a taste of the region.
Brisbane to Byron bay loop
- How long is the drive? 393 km, round-trip
- How long do I need? 1-3 days
- Must-sees along the way: Cedar Creek Falls, Mount Tamborine Gallery Walk, Natural Bridge, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Yatala Pie Shop and Chung Tian Temple.
Sure, you could get to Byron Bay and back with a 4-hour round trip but where’s the fun in that? With a couple of detours, you can throw in a stop in Mount Tamborine, the country town of Murwillumbah and a peaceful Buddhist Temple.
Brisbane Valley Heritage Trail (Brisbane to Kingaroy)
- How long is the drive? 525 km
- How long do I need? 1-3 days
- Must-sees along the way: Wivenhoe Dam, Bellevue Homestead, Esk, Blackbutt, Bunya Mountains and Ringsfield House.
A drive along the Heritage Trail sees you following in the footsteps of pioneers as you stop at historic towns known for their heritage and culture. Drive for just over an hour and you’ll get to Wivenhoe Dam or follow the whole trail with stops all the way to Kingaroy.
Tips for driving/FAQs
- Drive on the left. Australians drive on the left and Queenslanders are no different. Driving in the city of Brisbane is pretty uncomplicated, just remember on multi-lane roads and motorways it’s legal for cars to overtake you on the left-hand side as well as the right.
- Toll roads. A number of toll roads operate around Brisbane. These include Airportlink M7, Clem7, Gateway Motorway, Go Between Bridge, Legacy Way and Logan Motorway. Most major car hire companies have devices fitted to their cars which track your use of toll roads. They will issue you a bill for this use at the end of your hire period. Make sure you ask about your hire company’s toll policy before you embark on your journey.
- Transit lanes. Brisbane has a number of transit lanes. They’re clearly signposted with the words "Transit Lane" and the logo of a T1 or T2 against a red background. These lanes are meant for public passenger services carrying multiple passengers. So if you see a bus or taxi using the lane, don’t follow it.
- Younger drivers. Most companies require drivers to be over 21 and to have a full driving licence. If you’re under 25 you may also need to pay a surcharge and be restricted on the types of vehicles you can hire.
- Excess reduction. Hire cars come with basic insurance. Excess on these policies is often high, but you can opt to take out additional cover that will reduce this in the event of an accident. You can compare your options here.
Car hire deals in Brisbane
Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Valid for rentals until 16 December 2018 at participating locations across Australia and New Zealand. Must book 21 days in advance and for a minimum of 2 days to redeem offer. T&Cs apply.
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DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Offers and validity dates updated daily. Available on select routes in Australia and New Zealand.
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Europcar
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates on select car hire relocations in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
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Enterprise Rent a Car
Up to 10% off Australia car hire
Valid until 31 December 2018. including over Christmas. Minimum of 3 days rental. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Fifth day free SUV car hire
Valid until 16 December 2018 across Australia. Must hire 5 consecutive days. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Earn double Qantas points on 4+ days car hire
Valid on until 16 December 2018 across Australia. Minimum rental of 4 days to redeem offer. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Free upgrade car hire
Valid from 1 October - 16 December 2018 across Australia. Minimum rental of three days. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
7-day Australia car hire for the price of 5 days
Valid from 1 October - 16 December 2018. Minimum rental of seven days. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Double upgrade car hire
Valid for rentals from 28 January - 30 April 2019 across Australia. Minimum of three days rental. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
15% off the 5+ day hires
Valid on select dates until 16 December 2018 in Australia or New Zealand. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
20% off car hire
Valid until 15 December 2018. Minimum of 7 days rental in Australia.
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DriveMyCar
Car hire from $23 per day
Hire cars across Australia from as little as $32 per day.
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Europcar
25% off premium hire insurance
Get up to 25% off on your car rental when you purchase GoZen Cover. Valid at participating locations across Australia and New Zealand. T&C's apply.
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Popular Car Hire coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2018 | $20 off first ride | did**** |
| 13 Nov 2018 | 10% off USA car hire + 30% off Legoland tickets | BCD**** |
| 24 Sep 2018 | $30 off on car rental | SAV**** |
| 24 Oct 2018 | Up to 20% off base rate | ******** |
