Your guide to the best things to do in Dayboro

An easy day trip from Brisbane city, Dayboro oozes a certain, idyllic country town charm. What this quaint country hamlet lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charisma; think charming bakeries and traditional country pubs, rolling hills and sweeping vistas at every turn.

Take the road through Samford for some stunning rolling vistas as you head northwest; here’s the best things to eat, see and do in Dayboro.

Eat and drink your way around Dayboro

No visit to a country town is done right without lunch at the local pub. Dayboro’s Crown Hotel is steeped in over 100 years’ worth of history and boasts a spacious verandah overlooking the property’s two giant fig trees. Frosty beers and traditional pub fare are the go here.

Similar visits must be paid to the local country bakery café set if you’re to get a real taste of the region. Dayboro Bakery is as quaint (and full of traditional pies, pastries and cakes) as you’d expect, and the locals flock to Mill Creek Café for delicious breakfast and brunch options focused on seasonal, hyper-local produce. The Old Storehouse is a great option for house-made hampers and picnics, while Dayboro’s famous PitStop Café boasts some of the most magnificent views going while chomping down on a homemade pie.

Feeling organised? BYO an esky and stop in at the Dayboro Butchery for award-winning artisan sausages, courtesy of the famous ‘Sausage Man’.

You’re not short of elegant dining options just because you’re in the country, either. The Dayboro Drop is the newest restaurant in the area, showcasing a hyper-local menu of ingredients sourced from Dayboro and the surrounding hinterland. Another must-visit is Ocean View Estates Winery in nearby Mt Mee. Stay for lunch at the property’s restaurant overlooking the valley, before heading out via the cellar door for tastings of the local drop. After lunch, visitors can even book a horseback trail ride with Slickers, taking in the property’s beautiful surrounds.

Unwind, stay a night or two

While Dayboro is only a short drive from Brisbane, there is so much to see and do, and tacking on a night or two can reap rewards. Want to shake off the buzz of the big city? There are a handful of beautiful farm stays in the region, completely immersing guests in the beauty of the Moreton Bay region’s beautiful hinterland.

Looking for accommodation that caters for young families? Dayboro Cottages make for the ideal base to explore the region. A handful of gorgeous Queenslander-style cottages are surrounded by rugged farmland, with guests encouraged to meet and greet the property’s resident sheep, chickens and horses in the paddock. Kids (and kids at heart) will have a blast here. Or there’s Macadamia House at Laceys Creek, a homestead set on 40 acres of countryside to relax in, complete with plunge pool.

Couples will love the whisper-quiet location of Blue Ridge Lavender Farm and Retreat. Housed in an elegant heritage Queenslander just outside of Dayboro, the working lavender farm is engulfed with views of rolling purple hills, the air sweetly scented with blossoming flowers and surrounding blue gums.

With those extra few days up your sleeve it’s the ideal way to tackle Queensland’s first wine trail; the Vine and Shine. Connecting more than 70 cellar doors and wineries, this mammoth trail connects the very best Queensland producers and wine makers. Tackle them all over a couple of days, or hand-pick your favourites across the Greater Brisbane, Granite Belt, Scenic Rim, South Burnett and Darling Downs regions.

Enjoy a little retail and restaurant therapy in the Moreton Region

Dayboro’s high street is the essence of supporting local. Lined with quaint independent shops, find a variety of local arts and crafts and pantry items to take home. Antique hunters will relish seeking out the many treasures at Dayboro Shed Antiques and Hay Cottage, while the Dayboro Art Gallery showcases and sells pieces commissioned by local artists. A little further down you’ll come across Smith & Barton Studio Workshop using traditional methods upcycling pre-loved bespoke pieces and handmade leather goods, all lovingly made on site.

Be sure to stop by The Churn Room – a creative hub in the old Dayboro Butter Factory where you can take a creative workshop, or browse and buy collections from local artisans.

Breathe in that crisp country air

The surrounding regions of Dayboro are some of the most breathtaking. Ensconced in national parks and state forests, it’s easy to see how a day trip quickly escalates into a long weekend round these parts. That crisp, country air will get you every time.

An easy (read: picturesque) hour’s southwest of Dayboro, Maiala in D’Aguilar National Park is regarded as having some of the best rainforest walks in SEQ. Forming part of the mountain hamlet of Mount Glorious atop the D’Aguilar Range, walks cater for both beginners and experienced bush walkers, and families will be well catered for, thanks to the multiple picnic and public facilities right throughout the park.

Another local option is the resplendent Mount Mee, overlooking the iconic Glass House Mountains. With picture perfect views everywhere you turn, a favourite lookout point is Dahmongah Lookout which, on a clear day serves up views of the Brisbane CBD and Moreton Bay coastline. It’s also only a stone’s throw from the country town of Woodford, one of the oldest towns in the region (and retaining many of its beautiful heritage-listed buildings), as well as being home to QLD’s largest annual folk festival.

Returning to Brisbane you’ll see signs to Lake Somerset, part of Somerset Dam, where water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tubing are the activities du jour. There’s even a handful of choice campsites overlooking the water – if it’s just that little bit too soon to return to reality.

Looking to explore more of what Brisbane has to offer? Check out the best day trips from Brisbane.