Stays in North Lakes
North Lakes is a planned Moreton Bay suburb midway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, built around its own lake system and the Westfield hub. It suits road-trippers breaking the Bruce Highway run who want a comfortable, family-sized base without paying CBD rates.
Hotels in North Lakes sit right where the Bruce Highway trip north from Brisbane starts to feel like holiday territory, with Lake Eden's walking loop, the Westfield North Lakes precinct and quick runs to Redcliffe's beaches and Bribie Island all within a short drive. Most properties here are motel-style or apartment-style rather than high-rise, built for families topping up the tank and the fridge before continuing toward the Sunshine Coast, or grey nomads pausing between Brisbane's traffic and the open road further north. Expect outdoor pools, free parking wide enough for a van, and a straightforward mid-range price point rather than resort polish. It is a practical stopover for anyone who wants Brisbane's northern corridor without Brisbane's parking headaches.
North Lakes in numbers
PoolBoulevard North Lakes
★4.8
Family-friendlyOn the Bay Apartments
★4.8
Family-friendlyBIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
★4.8
Family-friendlySamford Lakes Rural Accommodation
★4.6
VineyardNarangba Motel aka Brisbane North B&B and Winery
★4.6
Family-friendlyPetrie Mill Motel
★4.6
Family-friendlyDayboro Cottages
★4.6
BeachfrontOn The Beach Resort Bribie Island
★4.4
Family-friendlyComfort Inn North Brisbane
★4.4
Family-friendlyNorth Lakes Hotel
★4.4
Family-friendlyRedcliffe Accommodation - LaVida on Anzac
★4.3
Family-friendlyThe Full Moon Hotel
★4.3
WaterfrontProximity Waterfront Apartments
★4.3
PoolBrisbane International Virginia
★4.2
OutbackAspley Carsel Motor Inn
★4.2
Family-friendlySandstone Point Hotel
★4.2
Family-friendlyThe Sebel Brisbane Margate Beach
★4.2
Family-friendlyEverton Park Hotel
★4.2
Family-friendlyBrighton Hotel
★4.1
PoolOaks Redcliffe Mon Komo Suites
★4.1
Family-friendlySundowner Hotel Motel
★4.1
Family-friendlyIngenia Holidays Taigum
★4.1
Family-friendlyEatons Hill Hotel
★4.1
Family-friendlyBribie Island Hotel
★4.1
Family-friendlyPrince of Wales Hotel
★4.0
Family-friendlyMorayfield Tavern
★3.9
Family-friendlyKallangur Motel
★3.9
Family-friendlyComfort Inn & Apartments Northgate Airport
★3.9
Family-friendlyRedvue Holiday Apartments
★3.9
Family-friendlyScarborough Beach Resort QLD
★3.5What to expect
- Motels and apartment hotels cluster along Anzac Avenue and around the Westfield North Lakes shopping precinct, all a short drive from the Bruce Highway on-ramp.
- Redcliffe's Settlement Cove Lagoon and Margate Beach are a 15 to 20 minute drive east for a proper swim and bay views.
- Bribie Island's surf beaches and the Butterfly House add a half-day trip north for travellers not in a rush.
- Lake Eden's shaded walking track works well for stretching the legs and letting kids or dogs burn off car energy.
- Free on-site parking is close to universal here, which matters for anyone towing a van or driving a loaded family wagon.
- Best visited outside the December to February humidity peak; April to October keeps the lake walks and beach runs comfortable.
Local tips
- ✓Book a property with free parking confirmed if you are towing anything, since North Lakes motels vary in how much rig space they actually have out front.
- ✓Stay near Anzac Avenue or the Westfield precinct if you want walkable dinner options without a second car trip after checking in.
- ✓Add a night if Redcliffe or Bribie Island is on the itinerary; both are close enough for a day trip but far enough that rushing them shortchanges the beach time.
- ✓Check whether breakfast is included before booking, since several North Lakes properties charge extra for it rather than bundling it in.
- ✓Kallangur and Petrie sit just south and often run cheaper than North Lakes proper for a near-identical drive time to the highway.
- ✓Brisbane Airport is roughly 25 to 30 minutes by taxi from most North Lakes properties, useful for anyone flying in before a road trip north.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in North Lakes for a Bruce Highway stopover?
Anzac Avenue and the streets around Westfield North Lakes put you closest to fuel, groceries and the highway on-ramp, which suits a one-night break better than chasing a beach view you will not use.
What types of accommodation are available in North Lakes?
The suburb runs mostly to motels, apartment-style hotels and a few holiday-park style resorts with kitchenettes, rather than high-rise towers, which fits families and van travellers carrying their own supplies.
What is the best time of year to visit North Lakes?
April through October avoids the worst of the Moreton Bay humidity, making Lake Eden's walking track and day trips to Redcliffe or Bribie Island noticeably more comfortable than a midsummer visit.
Is North Lakes a good base for visiting Redcliffe and Bribie Island?
Yes, Redcliffe's beaches are about 15 to 20 minutes away and Bribie Island roughly 40 minutes, close enough for either as a half-day or full-day trip without changing accommodation.
How far is North Lakes from Brisbane Airport?
Most North Lakes properties sit around 25 to 30 minutes from Brisbane Airport by taxi, or closer to an hour on public transport, which makes it workable as either a first or last stop on a road trip.
Are North Lakes hotels suitable for families with kids?
Most properties tag themselves kid-friendly with outdoor pools and some family or two-bedroom configurations, and the flat, walkable Westfield precinct nearby makes evenings manageable without a long drive back.