5 scenic spots for a Sunday drive

The cold weather has well and truly arrived (as much as it ever does here) and people aren’t keen. The puffer jackets are out, the ugg boots are on and all greetings begin with ‘bit chilly this morning wasn’t it’. Yes mate, please pass the coffee.

We’ve rounded up five spots you should escape to one weekend soon that probably aren’t warmer to be quite honest but adventuring is a fun thing to do! 

Brunswick Heads (pictured) – No doubt you’ve experienced the delightful little waterfront town that is Brunswick Heads. Just a short half hour stint away, you could make a Sunday drive of it and still fit plenty in. The Brunswick Hotel is a fave – a beautiful, big old building in the heart of town and overlooking the river, it’s usually packed with revelers. Bruns also boasts a few five star restaurants (Google Fleet and allow your mind to be blown). There are weekend markets, cute little shops and plenty of coffee to consume. Where: Also down the M1, about half an hour away

Lost World Valley – With the latest Jurassic Park release, we were reminded to escape to this ancient natural wonder (where there are sadly no dinosaurs). Which is what you should do! Drive out to Beaudesert then navigate to Christmas Creek Rd and head toward the mountains. There are waterfalls, dirt roads, fresh mountain air and very few other humans around (unless people besides you read this). It’s absolutely magical and the Razorback Mountains will take your breath away. Where: Christmas Creek Rd, Lamington National Park

Angourie – Probably an overnighter but also a definite must-visit only about two hours drive away is Angourie. A tiny little fishing town in the Clarence region, close to Yamba but with a small town charm you won’t find many places these days (thanks Grandma). It sits on the northern tip of the Yuraygir National Park so there’s plenty of pretty nature to check out, spots to surf, fishing of course and all of the good vibes. Tasty eats too. That’s all the best things. Where: Down the M1, just north of Yamba 

The Channon – A sweet little town just outside of Lismore, The Channon is the perfect place to escape the Gold Coast for a time. The scenery is mostly of the cattle farming variety but there are also organic produce and macadamia farms and coffee plantations about if those are thing you’d like to peek at. Every second Sunday of the month is market day and there’s plenty of local goodies to get hold of as well as live music, food trucks and generally stoked country folk. Where: Head south on the M1 then turn in toward Lismore 

The Scenic Rim – Alright so “The Scenic Rim” covers a very large area of space and there is many a thing to see. Out near Stanthorpe (which is about four hours away), there are several exceptional wineries, a cheese factory, cute little country pubs and, at the moment, weather cold enough to ensure you’ll need to cosy up by the fire. It’s a beautiful part of the country and close enough that you could go for the weekend and get your fill of fresh country air and tasty caramel tarts. Also stock up on wines so you can continue the party once you’re home. Double win. Where: Head out west toward Warwick and follow the signs from there

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