Despite its reputation as BrisVegas, Brisbane is a city brimming with more than just glitz, glam and gambling. The capital city of the Sunshine State is also home to some of the best nature parks in the country—all within a close driving distance. All you need to do is pick up your rental car from one of the Thrifty locations around Brisbane, strap in, and follow the roads to some of the most beautiful nature parks the city has to offer.

D’Aguilar National Park

The D’Aguilar National Park is a great option for nature-seekers who don’t want to stray too far from the city. Nestled in the north-west of Brisbane and only a twenty-minute drive from the CBD, D’Aguilar National Park is the perfect location for a whole day of bushwalking and adventuring, or even for just a couple of hours. Arrive at the Walkabout Creek Visitor Centre at the edge of the park and tighten those bootstraps, because adventure awaits! You’ll find yourself surrounded by eucalyptus woodlands, remote gorges, sub-tropical rainforest, and even some soaring views of Moreton Bay and the Glass House Mountains. Whether it’s hiking through the vast bushland, taking a dip in the swimming holes, climbing to the lookouts (like Jolly’s or Wivenhoe) or having a relaxing picnic, this 40,000 hectare national park suits anyone and everyone wanting to spend some time in nature.

Moreton Island National Park

Drive down to the daily Tangalooma Passenger Ferries port (only a few minutes from Brisbane’s CBD) and jump aboard the ferry that crosses Moreton Bay to discover one of the gems in Brisbane’s national park crown. Gheebulum Kunungai/Moreton Island National Park is the place to hit up if you’re in search of stunning landscapes, untouched beaches, historic townships and extraordinary wildlife experiences. There’s nothing quite like the crystal clear creeks and rolling sand dunes of Moreton Island, where the protected national park covers almost the entirety of the land. If you find yourself in this utopia of a national park between May and November, make sure to head up to Cape Moreton for the chance to catch the majestic humpback whales in action as they migrate past in the surrounding waters. For a bit of a history lesson in between picking your jaw off the floor from the unbelievable views, the lighthouse at Cape Moreton is also a sight to see, being the first of its kind in Queensland built in 1857. Wherever you find yourself around Moreton Island National Park, you’re guaranteed to have one whale of a time.

Glass House Mountains National Park

You’ve seen it silhouetted in all its stunning glory from afar, so now’s the time to see it up close. Glass House Mountains National Park is an unmissable stop when it comes to the nature parks of Brisbane. An hour’s drive north of the CBD, the journey there is the perfect introduction to the lush vastness of thriving bush that the park promises. Sit back in your rental car and watch the scenery go by, and get ready to experience a national park like you’ve never seen before. Found in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Glass House Mountains National Park is made up of eleven peaks, a range of walking trails, refreshing waterholes, and some great places to relax. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, this is nature at its best, strewn with amazing views, wild bushland, unique rock formations, and all of it accessible to anyone who wishes to pay a visit. 

Naree Budjong Djara National Park

A favourite among locals and travellers alike, there’s nothing quite like the Naree Budjong Djara National Park. With a name that means ‘My Mother Earth’ to the Quandamooka people, the Traditional Owners of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) who partly manage the park, it’s no surprise that this magnificent slice of nature park is brimming with some of the most amazing native wildlife and vistas that the region has to offer. Get on down to the Sealink port in Brisbane and catch a ride on the vehicle ferry to North Stradbroke Island with your rental car. From there, you can access the national park by heading from the Straddie township of Dunwich, down Alfred Martin Way toward the carpark entrance of Naree Budjong Djara National Park. Finding yourself at the Kaboora walking tracks that lead you into the national park, all you need to do now is slop on some sunscreen, load up your camera, and jump into an excursion of unbelievable nature discovery.

Exploring Brisbane’s nature parks is one of the best ways to travel around the city and discover the natural offerings that the city has become known for. With a Thrifty rental car, alongside the incredible scenic views that will accompany you on your journey, it’s never been easier to be one with nature in the Sunshine State.