It only takes 30 minutes to drive from the heart of Brisbane to Samford Village but you’ll feel much further away. Here, time slows down and your worries drift away on the fresh, cool breeze. This scenic spot offers an abundance of great food, fun outdoor activities and ways to relax, unwind and reconnect. To help you plan your visit, here are some of the best things to do in Samford & Dayboro.

Planning your trip?
•••
Hotels, we use Agoda
Rentals: Discover Cars
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Insurance: Cover-More
SIM Cards: Simify


You might also like to read:

Jollys Lookout

Start your adventure at Jollys Lookout where you’ll be treated to the very best views over the region. The area was visited by William Alfred Jolly, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, in the 1920s. He was so impressed by the views he extended the road up to the lookout point and established what is now the oldest formal lookout on the range.

Hiring a car? We recommend booking it here

Jollys Lookout © Little Grey Box

Maiala Rainforest Circuit

Enter Jinabara Country with a walk through Maiala , meaning ‘quiet place,’ the perfect way to describe this scenic and tranquil location. The Maiala Rainforest Circuit is an easy 2km loop that should take no more than 1 hour at a leisurely pace. You’ll walk through the lush rainforest, spot wildlife and enjoy the sounds of the birds along the way.

Bonus Tip: Driving through this region is a real highlight of the trip. The winding roads will take you through beautiful sections of rainforest and bushland with stunning views. Be sure to drive safely.

Maiala Rainforest Circuit © Little Grey Box

Little Tree Bake & Brew House

Grab a bite to eat in Samford at Little Tree Bake & Brew House. The menu here focuses on sourcing and incorporating local produce into a seasonal menu, with plenty of fresh-made goodies to sample too. There are options for gluten-free folk, vegetarians and vegans as well.

Little Tree Bake & Brew House © Little Grey Box

Explore Samford Village

Take a walk through Samford Village, stopping off at local spots like the Store of Requirement for everything Harry Potter, the Samford Museum and a range of local boutiques, cafes, a bakery and more. Stock up on local goodies for loved ones or treat yourself to a few freshly baked bites for later.

Bonus Tip: Plan your trip around the Samford Valley Markets held on the second Saturday of each month at St Paul’s Anglican Church.

Cedar Creek Falls

Located a 20-minute drive from Samford, Cedar Creek Falls is a popular swimming spot in the warmer months and a quiet place to sit and unwind in the cooler months. Clamber over smooth rocks, dip your toes in the refreshing water or enjoy a picnic lunch alongside the trickling creek.

Cedar Creek © Little Grey Box

Mill Creek Cafe

Start your day off right with a visit to the Mill Creek Cafe in Dayboro. Open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, you can nab a seat outdoors in the warm sunshine, watching the ducks paddle past in the creek while you sip on delicious Campos coffee and get stuck into a tasty breakfast.

Bonus Tip: Many places in the region will close on Monday’s and Tuesday’s so be sure to check opening times to avoid fomo.

Mill Creek Cafe © Little Grey Box

Explore Dayboro Town

Spend some time wandering around the delightful Dayboro Village. There are a number of fantastic cafes lining the main street as well as the ever-popular Dayboro Bakery, a gelato shop, butcher, a book store and a couple of boutiques too.

Dayboro © Little Grey Box

The Gantry

Take a drive up to the D’Aguilar National Park and visit The Gantry, a remnant of the region’s sawmill history. Built in the 1950s by Hancock’s Sawmill, the gigantic shed housed the overhead gantry crane where timber was produced for use across Brisbane including the Hornibrook Highway.

The Gantry © Little Grey Box

Piccabeen Walk

If you only do one walk in the region, make it the Piccabeen Walk! This short, 1 km circuit will take you through the subtropical and eucalypt rainforest. There’s a boardwalk section that is just lovely, winding past giant trees and an abundance of birdlife.

Bonus Tip: Visiting on the weekend? Add the Lyell Deer Sanctuary and Ocean View Estates Winery to your itinerary too!

Piccabeen Walk © Little Grey Box

Dahmongah Lookout

If you love a good lookout spot, head to the Dahmongah Lookout for sweeping views of the Glasshouse Mountains, Caloundra, Moreton Bay and the Bay Islands. If you’re brave enough, try getting up at sunrise or simply time your visit for sunset for the best golden light possible.

Dahmongah Lookout © Little Grey Box

Explore Woodford

Famous for the iconic Woodford Folk Festival, a visit to Woodford is a great addition to any Samford and Dayboro itinerary. There are some great local stores along the main street, including some cute cafes and a couple of great thrift stores too. We grabbed lunch and a cold beer at the Woodford Village Hotel. Find more things to do in Woodford here.

Woodford Village Hotel © Little Grey Box

Stony Creek

One of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets, Stony Creek is a short drive outside of Woodford. The water here is a beautiful shade of blue, perfectly enticing for a warm, sunshine-filled day. There are picnic tables and wood fire BBQs (BYO timber) so you can make a day of it or just spend your time soaking in the natural beauty.

Stony Creek © Little Grey Box

Where to stay

For accommodation, we spent two nights at Dayboro Cottages in, ‘Arbol.’ This beautiful, fully self-contained cottage is equipped with everything you need including a very comfortable big bed, kitchenette facilities, TV and DVD player, in-room laundry, reverse cycle air-conditioning and an outdoor grill and dining table.

Dayboro Cottages and Llama Walks © Little Grey Box

We loved the unhindered views over the scenic Dayboro Valley and huge windows which ensured we made the most of our time enjoying the outlook! Arbol was cosy, comfortable and the spa in our ensuite added an extra touch we really enjoyed. In addition to all that, there are some friendly animals who call the farm home including alpacas, miniature horses, goats, chickens and neighbouring cows and sheep.

Dayboro Cottages and Llama Walks © Little Grey Box

Our stay at Dayboro Cottages was thoroughly enjoyable, allowing us to feel totally rested and relaxed while being in a fantastic location. If you’re looking for a place to stay in the region, we highly recommend this wonderful spot.

Book your stay at Dayboro Cottages & Llama Walks here

Bonus tip: Visit The Old Storehouse in Dayboro to stock up on cheese, meats and more for a relaxing sunset on the balcony of your cottage.

Dayboro Cottages and Llama Walks © Little Grey Box

Get connected with a local SIM card from Simify.
Get it delivered before you leave home, ensuring you’re able to connect and navigate as soon as you arrive + find great things to do on the go!



Best travel resources for your trip!

If you found this post useful, please use the affiliate links below. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, these are the products and services I love and use. Read the disclaimer for more information. Thanks for your support! – Matt.

Agoda – hotels
Booking.com – hotels
Cover-More – insurance
Motorhome Republic – RVs
Discover Cars – rentals
Simify – SIM cards
Skyscanner – flights
Surfshark – VPN
TourRadar – tours
Welcome Pickups – transfers


Similar Posts