As we look ahead to planning trips around beautiful Queensland, there are also lots of adventures to be had right in our backyard. Brisbane local and photographer Mitch Dann, shares some of his favourite places in the greater Brisbane Region.

Are you looking for the best things to do in the greater Brisbane region? I can certainly help point you in the right direction. My name’s Mitch Dann and I grew up in Brisbane which is a one-hour drive from the beautiful Gold Coast and the stunning Sunshine Coast.

The ocean has always been close to my heart. I grew up in a family that used to travel frequently to the Gold Coast – whether for a weekend away or for the entire school holidays. My parents were also into photography. There was always a camera or two close by to play around with.

In my teenage years, I began to take photos of things that sparked my interest such as surfing and cars. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I received a GoPro Hero 2 for Christmas and started taking photos inside waves. That lit a pretty big fire in my belly for photography.

I have always enjoyed taking photos in the greater Brisbane region. This accelerated once I purchased my drone. The Story Bridge is one of my favourite places to go droning and shooting in general. It always looks good in the afternoon from Wilsons Outlook. There’s a great boardwalk underneath the outlook with some great bars and views too.

The Heritage listed Story Bridge. Image by Mitch Dann

My Favourite Places in the Greater Brisbane Region

I grew up around Wellington Point in the city of Redland, Queensland. What I love most about my hometown is the jetty which makes for some amazing views and photography. I always recommend visitors head out to the jetty to take some photos and relax by the sea.

Some of my favourite places in the greater Brisbane region include North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island (Tangalooma Wrecks), Fraser Island, Gold Coast Hinterland for waterfalls and the Sunshine Coast for the Glass House Mountains. It may take a little bit of travel but the Glass House Mountains are definitely worth the trip. There are heaps of great hikes to do.

Although, from all the beautiful destinations mentioned above, my number one favourite place is North Stradbroke Island. It has some of the best surf breaks and picturesque beaches in all of Queensland. I have a pretty big soft spot for “Straddie”. Some of my most cherished memories have come from there and I’ve never had a bad shooting experience.

North Stradbroke Island is a short ferry ride away from Toondah Harbour at Cleveland, in the east of Brisbane. Cleveland is about 40 minutes drive from the CBD. Straddie is full of amazing wildlife such as kangaroos and dolphins. But the beautiful beaches are the only real reason you need to visit Straddie. They are second to none!

Wellington Point Rise on the Redlands Coast. Image by Mitch Dann

Summer Vibes at “Straddie”. Image by Mitch Dann

Beautiful Day at North Stradbroke Island. Image by Mitch Dann

The Amazing Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island

One place that you absolutely have to visit in the greater Brisbane region is Moreton Island for the Tangalooma Wrecks. I had my first trip to the Tangalooma Wrecks at the start of this year. I was there for a short visit in the morning and the whole place had this magical feel to it.

I was staying at North Stradbroke Island at the time and my cousin asked me late at night if I wanted to go to the Tangalooma Wrecks the next day. He rode his jet ski from Cleveland to Straddie, picked me up and we were at Tangalooma in half an hour. It was my first time there and the water was crystal-clear. I got the most epic shots.

There are about 12 shipwrecks to explore and you can go snorkelling which is a lot of fun. The wrecks are located right next to the beach, so it’s easy to access once you arrive. It was a breeze getting good images and footage here since the water is crystal-clear and has this beautiful turquoise colour to it. I highly recommend visiting these epic shipwrecks!

Shipwrecks of Tangalooma. Image by Mitch Dann

High Drone Shot of Tangalooma Wrecks. Image by Mitch Dann

The Best Beaches in the Brisbane Region

I would say Straddie has one of the best beaches in the Brisbane region. The east-facing “Main Beach” runs south for 33 km to Jumpinpin Inlet. Main Beach always makes for great photography with long stretches of sand and shimmering water perfect for surfing.

The beaches at Tangalooma Wrecks are hard to go past too. Of course, taking drone photos from the sky just looks epic and the nearby beaches are great for swimming and snorkelling! Another beach destination that should be on your bucket list is Lake Mackenzie on Fraser Island. I haven’t been there yet but my goal is to visit this year. It looks amazing.

Gorgeous Afternoons at Main Beach North Stradbroke Island. Image by Mitch Dann

Visiting the Gold Coast is an Absolute Must-Do

You can’t come to the Brisbane region and not visit the Gold Coast. I love the place. I try to get there as much as possible. One of my favourite things to do on the Gold Coast is to fly a drone up to Mermaid Beach. The photos you can capture from up there are epic.

I have also taken a lot of photos at a place called Tallebudgera Creek. It’s located on the Gold Coast and runs for approximately 25 kilometres. Some amazing colours come through Talle.

Then there is Broadbeach which offers up some massive skyscrapers that look amazing in the background of the beach. I also try to heap up to Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay when I can. The wave photography there is some of the best in Queensland.

Amazing Colours of Tallebudgera Creek. Image by Mitch Dann

Stunning Views of Broadbeach. Image by Mitch Dann

Tips for your Visit to the Greater Brisbane Region

I would recommend putting some money aside to hire a car. Driving is the best way to reach the locations I mentioned above. It’s always fun going on road trips and it gives you a lot more flexibility on your travels. You can discover beaches, waterfalls, hikes, shipwrecks and more!

Don’t forget to do a bit of wine-ing and dining in Brisbane City. We have some fantastic restaurants and the food scene here is getting better and better. Thanks for reading my article on the best adventures to enjoy in the greater Brisbane region! Enjoy your travels.

Written by Mitch Dann

This article originally appeared on Magnificent World and republished here with permssion

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