The school holidays are the perfect excuse to get out and about in Brisbane on two wheels. We all know a Lug+Carrie ride is an adventure, but why not aim for a fun school holiday destination too? Load up the kiddos and all your gear, pop your Lug+Carrie in turbo and set off on one of our top trips that pair an easy ride with a great school holiday activity.
Bike to a world of science at the Queensland Museum & SparkLab
Whether home is north or south of the river, there’s lots of great bike routes that will connect you to the River Loop along Southbank. Enoggera Creek, the Veloway and Bicentennial bikeway to name a few. Once you’re in Southbank, the River Loop bikeway is a scenic and safe route along the water, perfect for staying out of traffic. A short ride takes you to the Queensland Cultural Centre, where you can lock up your Lug+Carrie and get straight into the Queensland Museum. The kids will get a kick out of the dinosaur skeletons, and the hands-on SparkLab is an absolute must-do for anyone with a curious mind. It’s a low-effort ride with a huge payoff. Check out what’s on at the Queensland Museum (Kurilpa) these spring holidays.
Pedal to Playtopia at Roma Street Parkland
Playtopia at Roma Street Parklands is back and the ride to get there is an adventure in itself. The City Botanic Gardens is a great starting point, with its paths winding through the lush gardens. Around the river, you’ll pass QUT and the new Queen’s Wharf development. Stop off here for a great new urban playground experience under the Riverside expressway at “The Landing”. Once past there, take the Turbot street exit and follow the bike paths to Roma Street. Once you’ve refuelled at The Garden Room, the parkland is huge, with plenty of room to ride and explore, including themed gardens, a playground, train rides for the kids and, of course, Playtopia. It’s a prime spot for a picnic and a full day of fun.
Ride to the wild side at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
For a family that’s up for a bit of a pedal, take on the scenic Centenary Bikeway that runs along the Brisbane River. This path offers a fantastic, car-free ride. Follow the bikeway to Fig Tree Pocket, where you’ll find the iconic Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Your reward for all that pedalling? Getting up close with koalas, kangaroos, and other Aussie wildlife. It’s a memorable destination that feels a world away from the city.
Brisbane to the Samford Valley rail trail
Tired of the same old bike path? Jump on the train in the city and take the surprisingly quick, 31-minute trip to Ferny Grove. From there, it’s all you and your bike. Hop on the Samford Valley Rail Trail for a 10km ride that feels a world away from the city grind. This isn’t some hardcore trek—it’s a cruisy meander through farmland and forest that follows the path of an old railway line. You’ll end up in Samford Village at John Scott Park, a perfect reward with plenty of room to stretch out and let the little ones run wild. It’s an easy win for a day trip. Good Mover Sarah-Charlotte recently shared her experience of taking the trip from Ferny Grove to Samford in the Rider Network which is worth a look, as are these tips for catching the train with your eBike.
Bikes and no alc brews at DogTap
Did you know you can ride over the Gateway bridge? How good! For a fun day trip, start at the riverfront in Hamilton and follow the scenic paths along the river, up and over the Gateway and along to DogTap Brewery in Murrarie. The route offers killer views of the city and river before you cross the iconic bridge. Just make sure you’re in turbo mode before you hit the ramp! With a fenced playground and free food for the kids during the school holidays, as well as some of the best zero beer going around, this is the perfect spot to relax before cruising back to the city.
More holiday inspo on the Rider Network
Looking for more school holiday ideas? Tap into the collective wisdom of our Rider Network. The advice is real, relatable, and based on firsthand experience. You can also check out our city-by-city guide to safe and scenic eBike routes and our library of pre-built bike routes on Strava.
And, if you’re not already on a Lug+Carrie, why not book in for a test ride and take one for a spin these school holidays?
