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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.
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+.
Most major car hire companies have desks at both domestic and international terminals within Brisbane Airport. At the domestic terminal, this is found on level one near Virgin and Qantas ends
Popular companies that offer formal car hire in Brisbane
Premier Limos
Luxcar
Limoso
Prestige Chauffeurs
Milimo
Queensland Luxury Car Rentals
United Limosines
Premier Transfers
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.
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.
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
Available on all rentals from February - March 2021 across Australia, including Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals from 8 January - 28 March 2021, including Saturday night. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations from Gold Coast include Brisbane, Toowoomba, Lamington National Park and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations from Brisbane include Gold Coast, Moreton Island, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Available for rentals until 31 March 2021. Destinations include Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Broome, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Must book at least 180+ days prior to the start of your rental. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 31 March 2021 when you book a minimum of 21 days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of one consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021 on participating locations excluding Tasmania. Minimum rental period of 3 consecutive days applies. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until 28 February 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. Must include a Saturday night keep. T&Cs apply.
Join the Emerald Club and earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental. Inclusive of free rental days and other benefits. Destinations include Australia, Canada, United States and more. T&Cs apply.
Rentalcars.com can help you compare major car hire company rates for the best price. Companies it compares include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar and Budget. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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