This guide covers only the destinations where an official council or TransLink page, read on 10 November 2026, describes how to get there by public transport. It quotes no fares, and the few frequencies and journey times it gives carry their own dates because they change.
Where to start with the official pages
TransLink’s Around Queensland page lists tourism websites for places including Discover Ipswich, Moreton Bay Region, Redland City Council and Visit Sunshine Coast. It then tells readers that, once they have decided where to go, they should use the TransLink journey planner to find public transport there. For the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and island ferries in more depth, see Brisbane to Gold Coast Transport Options, Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Transport Options, Brisbane to Moreton Island Ferry Guide and Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island Transport Guide, which this article deliberately does not repeat.
Ipswich by train
The Visit Ipswich page, which shows no update date and reads as old, says the Brisbane Citytrain network provides regular connections from Brisbane to Ipswich and Springfield. The page also says the network has connections to the Gold and Sunshine Coast rail lines. Visitors arriving at the airport are covered too: the page says you can travel to Ipswich via Airtrain from Brisbane Airport, changing to the Citytrain network at Roma Street or Central stations. The same undated page says daily bus connections are available from the Brisbane Transit Centre and names Greyhound Australia as the contact; that wording reads as old and is reported here only as the page states it. How the train system works more generally is covered in Brisbane Trains Explained.
Redlands Coast: Cleveland and the bay islands
At 10 November 2026 Redland City Council says trains run frequently from Central Station to Thorneside, Birkdale, Wellington Point, Ormiston and Cleveland. It adds that TransLink runs regular bus services between local villages and Brisbane City. At 10 November 2026 the council also says passenger and vehicle ferries to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) leave from Toondah Harbour, Cleveland. At 10 November 2026 it gives the passenger ferry as 25 minutes, with SeaLink running to Junner Street, Dunwich and Stradbroke Flyer running to One Mile Jetty, Dunwich.
At 10 November 2026 the council says a public bus service operates between the Dunwich ferry terminals and provides transfers to and from Point Lookout and Amity Point. At 10 November 2026 it says passenger and vehicle ferries for Coochiemudlo Island operate from the Victoria Point Jetty ferry terminal in Masters Avenue. It also says SeaLink ferries from Weinam Creek, Redland Bay travel to Macleay, Lamb, Russell and Karragarra Islands.
Sunshine Coast and its hinterland
At 10 November 2026 TransLink’s Sunshine Coast page describes a journey down to Brisbane with regular departures from Nambour and Landsborough stations and up to two trains a day from Gympie North. At 10 November 2026 the page also says route 622 departs Sunshine Coast Airport every hour and travels to Noosa Junction and Maroochydore. At Maroochydore bus station, the page says you can connect to other urban routes, including route 600 between Maroochydore and Caloundra.
The hinterland works differently. At 10 November 2026 TransLink says Glasshouse Country Coaches run services to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. It also says, at 10 November 2026, that paper tickets can be bought onboard using cash and that these services do not accept go card. The page adds that the Translink app shows when your bus will arrive in real time.
Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast visitor ticket
At 10 November 2026 TransLink describes a visitor card called go explore, which it says gives unlimited travel on any Translink Gold Coast bus or tram service and Sunshine Coast bus service. It says the card is used on buses on the Sunshine Coast and on buses and trams on the Gold Coast. This guide does not quote its price.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reach Ipswich from Brisbane without a car?
At 10 November 2026, Visit Ipswich says the Brisbane Citytrain network provides regular connections from Brisbane to Ipswich and Springfield, but its page shows no update date and reads as old, so treat the wording with that caveat.
Where do the North Stradbroke Island ferries leave from, and is there a train to that area?
At 10 November 2026, Redland City Council says passenger and vehicle ferries to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) leave from Toondah Harbour, Cleveland, and that trains run frequently from Central Station to Cleveland.
Do Sunshine Coast hinterland buses accept go card?
At 10 November 2026, TransLink says Glasshouse Country Coaches run Sunshine Coast Hinterland services that do not accept go card, and that paper tickets can be bought onboard using cash.
Where should I check live services before a day trip?
At 10 November 2026, TransLink says to use its journey planner to find public transport once you have decided where to go.
