Stays in North Lakes

Outdoor pool and hot tub minutes from Lake Eden

Why guests love it

Boulevard North Lakes is a highly rated stay six minutes from Lake Eden, with an outdoor pool for the children, a hot tub and a fitness centre for the adults. Some units have a kitchen for easy breakfasts, Wi-Fi and parking are free, and KatsuCo North Lakes is two minutes away for a quick meal. Guests rate it 9.6 across 47 reviews. My editorial advice: book a unit with a kitchen and plan a morning walk around Lake Eden.

Apartments near Woorim Beach with pool and beach access

Why guests love it

On the Bay Apartments gives families apartment-style space on Bribie Island, with kitchens in some units, an outdoor pool and beach access. Woorim Beach is about nine minutes by taxi, and Bribie Island Hotel is four minutes away for a night off from cooking. Free Wi-Fi and parking are included. Guests rate it 9.6 across 136 reviews. My editorial advice: ask for a unit with a kitchen if you are staying several nights, and plan Woorim Beach for the morning.

Holiday-park comfort with a hot tub and full kitchens

Why guests love it

BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort works well for multi-generational groups and multi-night family stays. Full kitchens make group cooking easy, and the outdoor pool, hot tub, spa and fitness centre give every age something to do. Wi-Fi and parking are free, and Bribie Bridge is an eight-minute walk away for a day on the island. More than 3,500 guests rate it 9.6. Our editorial advice: book well ahead for peak periods and plan day trips onto Bribie Island.

A working winery attached to a simple highway motel

Why guests love it

Narangba Motel is a three-star motel with an attached working winery, an unusual stop on the way north of Brisbane. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and free parking are included, Narangba railway station is four minutes away, and Old Petrie Town is about nine minutes by taxi, a heritage village that makes an easy outing with children. Guests rate it 9.2 across 122 reviews. My editorial advice: visit Old Petrie Town in the morning and keep the winery for the adults' evening.

Motel rooms with a kitchen near Old Petrie Town

Why guests love it

Petrie Mill Motel is a well-rounded motel stop for families on a longer road trip. There is a restaurant and a bar, kitchen access, full-service laundry and a business centre, with free Wi-Fi, parking and an airport shuttle included. Old Petrie Town is five minutes by taxi. About 160 guests rate it 9.2. Our editorial advice: use the laundry mid-trip, eat at the restaurant and plan a morning at Old Petrie Town for the children.

Self-contained cottages near Dayboro Art Gallery

Why guests love it

Dayboro Cottages suits families who want a rural break with their own kitchen: the four-star cottages have a full kitchen and air conditioning throughout, and parking is free. Dayboro Art Gallery is about four minutes away by taxi and The Dayboro Drop about five, which keeps outings short and simple. Guests rate it 9.2 across 101 reviews. My editorial advice: stock up on groceries before you arrive and plan one relaxed morning at the gallery.

Pet-friendly rural rooms near Trevena Glen Farm

Why guests love it

Samford Lakes Rural Accommodation is a pet-friendly rural stay, a good fit for families travelling with a dog who needs more space than a motel car park. There is an outdoor pool for the children, kitchens in some rooms, and free Wi-Fi and parking. Trevena Glen Farm is about two minutes by taxi, and Brisbane Airport about 41 minutes away. Guests rate it 9.2 across 54 reviews. Our editorial advice: request a room with a kitchen and plan an early walk with the dog.

Lakefront rooms two minutes from Lake Eden's walking track

Why guests love it

North Lakes Hotel is a relaxed four-star base two minutes' walk from Lake Eden, which gives children an easy evening stroll by the water. There is a lakefront restaurant for dinner, an outdoor pool and a gym, and rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms. North Lakes station is four minutes away and parking is free. Guests rate it 8.8 across 838 reviews. My editorial advice: book a table at the lakefront restaurant and take the train into Brisbane rather than drive.

Beachfront apartments with a hot tub on Bribie Island

Why guests love it

On the Beach Resort Bribie Island has bright apartment-style units near the beach, each with a kitchen and a balcony, which makes a family beach holiday easy to run. There is an outdoor pool and a hot tub, Wi-Fi and parking are free, and the Butterfly House is about four minutes by taxi for a change from the sand. Guests rate it 8.8 across 351 reviews. My editorial advice: cook breakfast in the unit, head to the beach early and keep the hot tub for the evening.

Low-key rooms with a pool near Zillmere station

Why guests love it

Comfort Inn North Brisbane is a straightforward three-star stop with free parking and Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool for the children, and a bar and restaurant for an easy dinner. Room service and business facilities are available, and Zillmere station is about six minutes by taxi if you want to leave the car for a day in Brisbane. Guests rate it 8.8 across 619 reviews. My editorial advice: eat at the restaurant and save the pool for the kids before bedtime.

Upscale pub grub on a terrace with bay views

Why guests love it

We ate on the terrace the first night mainly for the bay view and stayed for the upscale pub grub, which was a genuine step up from what we expected walking in. Two bars meant it never felt cramped even on a busy evening, and being seventeen minutes from Brisbane Airport made the next morning's early flight considerably less stressful.

Bay-view apartments beside the Humpybong Esplanade

Why guests love it

Proximity Waterfront Apartments is a contemporary apartment hotel with bay views, three minutes from the Redcliffe Art Gallery and Humpybong Esplanade. Families get an indoor pool for days when the bay is too rough, a gym, kitchens in some units, and free Wi-Fi and parking. Guests rate it 8.6 across 125 reviews. My editorial advice: request a unit with a kitchen and a bay view, then plan a morning walk along the esplanade before a swim indoors.

Apartment stays with a lap pool near Redcliffe Museum

Why guests love it

Lavida on Anzac offers modern studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments, so a larger family or a group can stay together rather than split across hotel rooms. Most units include a kitchen for shared breakfasts, there is a lap pool and free Wi-Fi, and the Redcliffe Museum is three minutes away for a rainy-day plan. The Komo is a seven-minute walk. Guests rate it 8.6 across 202 reviews. My editorial advice: book a multi-bedroom apartment and use the lap pool early.

Rooftop pool with bay views near Margate Beach

Why guests love it

The rooftop pool sold us on this one, and watching the bay change colour at sunset from up there became our evening routine for two nights straight. Margate Beach being six minutes away meant we still got proper beach time despite choosing a hotel over a beachfront apartment, and the on-site restaurant meant no evening scramble for dinner after a full beach day.

Budget rooms with two bars and a terrace

Why guests love it

Everton Park Hotel is an unassuming three-star hotel with a restaurant, two bars and a terrace, plus event space and free Wi-Fi. Parking is free, and Trouts Road is an eight-minute walk. Guests rate it 8.4 across more than 2,400 reviews, a reassuring track record for a simple stay. For families it works best as a practical overnight: my editorial advice is to eat early on the terrace and ask for a room away from the bars, since evenings can be lively.

Live music and a sprawling outdoor area near Bribie Bridge

Why guests love it

Sandstone Point Hotel is a lively venue rather than a quiet family stop, and that is its appeal. The upscale bistro, live music, DJs and a sprawling outdoor area make evenings an occasion, breakfast is served, and Wi-Fi and parking are free. It is six minutes' walk from Bribie Bridge. More than 7,000 guests rate it 8.4. Our editorial advice: check the entertainment schedule first, and choose another night if your children need an early, quiet evening.

Simple motor-inn rooms with a pool and BBQ area

Why guests love it

Aspley Carsel Motor Inn is a casual three-star stop with airy rooms, some with a kitchenette for simple family meals. Children can cool off in the outdoor pool, the BBQ area makes an easy dinner, and Wi-Fi and parking are free. Outback Steakhouse Aspley is a seven-minute walk if nobody wants to cook. Guests rate it 8.4 across 347 reviews. My editorial advice: ask for a room with a kitchenette and keep the pool for the warm late afternoon.

Casual four-star rooms with pool and golf access

Why guests love it

Brisbane International Virginia is a casual four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, an informal restaurant, a bar and a fitness centre, plus complimentary Wi-Fi. It works well for families on the north side of Brisbane before or after a flight, and Zillmere station is about six minutes by taxi. Golf access is nearby for a parent who plays. Guests rate it 8.4 across 663 reviews. My editorial advice: give the children a swim in the pool and keep dinner simple at the restaurant.

Pub rooms with a diner and indoor-outdoor seating

Why guests love it

Brighton Hotel is a laid-back three-star pub with rooms, a game room and a diner with indoor and outdoor seating. It suits a simple night before a flight, with Brisbane Airport seventeen minutes away, and free parking and air conditioning are included. About 860 guests rate it 8.2. Our editorial advice for families: the game room helps after dinner, but the pub bar atmosphere means light sleepers and young children should ask about room position.

Holiday-park comfort with kitchens and outdoor pools

Why guests love it

Ingenia Holidays Taigum is an unfussy three-star holiday-park-style property for families who value kitchens and laundry over hotel service. There is a bright cafe, outdoor pools and free Wi-Fi, and an airport shuttle is available, with Brisbane Airport seventeen minutes by taxi. About 430 guests rate it 8.2. Our editorial advice: choose it for multi-night stays on a road trip, cook in the kitchen and use the laundry mid-stay.

Bistro and sports bar with a children's playground

Why guests love it

The playground sold us on this one immediately, a genuine on-site option for the kids to burn off car energy before dinner rather than another drive to find a park. The sports bar kept the adults happy watching a game while the bistro handled a simple, unfussy dinner without needing to plan ahead after a long highway day. The playground genuinely earned its keep, buying us a full hour of quiet before dinner while the kids ran themselves out.

Casual pub rooms with two bars and a games room

Why guests love it

Bribie Island Hotel is a casual three-star pub hotel with rooms and one apartment, a restaurant, two bars and a games room that older children tend to enjoy. Free parking and air conditioning are included, and Bribie Island Butterfly House is about seven minutes away by taxi for a calm daytime outing. Guests rate it 8.2 across 1,886 reviews. My editorial advice for families: ask for a room away from the bars, since pub evenings can be lively.

Oceanfront balconies two minutes from Settlement Cove Lagoon

Why guests love it

Oaks Redcliffe Mon Komo Suites offers oceanfront rooms and apartments with balconies, two minutes from Settlement Cove Lagoon, which gives children a calm place to swim. On site there is an outdoor pool, beach access, a restaurant and bar and a fitness centre, with free Wi-Fi and parking. Guests rate it 8.2 across 1,870 reviews. My editorial advice: book a balcony apartment for the sea view, swim at the lagoon in the morning and eat at the restaurant after a beach afternoon.

Bistro pizzas and a beer garden beside the pool

Why guests love it

We ate at the bistro the first night mainly out of convenience and the gourmet pizzas turned out to be genuinely good, better than we expected from a hotel restaurant on a highway stop. The kids spent the evening in the pool while we had a proper sit-down meal in the beer garden, which felt like a real night out rather than another travel dinner.

Pub rooms with bistro fare and pool tables

Why guests love it

The Prince of Wales Hotel works best for a family as a one-night stop before an early flight: Brisbane Airport is about nine minutes away by taxi, parking is free and the rooms have air-conditioning. Dinner is easy at the pub bistro downstairs, and older children may enjoy the pool tables. I would not plan a longer family stay here, since there is no kitchen or play area.

Rooms beside a sports bar and beer garden

Why guests love it

Morayfield Tavern is a simple stay attached to a modern sports bar, a beer garden and a grill restaurant, so dinner is sorted without getting back in the car. Free parking and Wi-Fi are included, and the Caboolture Regional Art Gallery is about seven minutes away by taxi for a calm morning outing. Guests rate it 7.8 across more than 1,800 reviews. Our editorial advice for families: ask for a room away from the beer garden, since weekend evenings can be lively.

Kitchenette rooms with whirlpool tubs near Kallangur Tavern

Why guests love it

Kallangur Motel is a straightforward three-star stop with kitchenettes in the rooms, and some rooms add a whirlpool tub. An outdoor pool and BBQ grills give children something to do on a warm evening, Wi-Fi and parking are free, and Kallangur Tavern is a six-minute walk for dinner. Guests rate it 7.8. My editorial advice: check the room category when booking if you want the whirlpool, and use the kitchenette for an easy breakfast before driving on.

Airport-close rooms nine minutes from Northgate station

Why guests love it

Comfort Inn & Apartments Northgate Airport is a relaxed four-star base for families with a flight to catch: Brisbane Airport is about ten minutes by taxi and an airport shuttle is listed. The outdoor pool gives children a last swim, the restaurant and bar cover dinner, and parking and Wi-Fi are free. Northgate station is a nine-minute walk. Guests rate it 7.8 across 457 reviews. My editorial advice: book the shuttle ahead for an early departure.

Fully equipped apartments with a laid-back pool setting

Why guests love it

Redvue Holiday Apartments lets families choose between a simple room and a fully equipped apartment, which helps when you want to cook rather than eat out every night. The four-star property has an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, free Wi-Fi and parking, and the rooms are smoke-free. Guests rate it 7.8 across 235 reviews. My editorial advice: book the apartment option for stays of several nights and plan pool time for the warm afternoons.

Steps from Scarborough Beach with a hot tub and spa

Why guests love it

Scarborough Beach Resort QLD is a modern four-star resort across the road from Scarborough Beach, three minutes on foot. Families get an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a spa and a gym, plus free Wi-Fi and parking, and some rooms include a kitchen for simple dinners after the beach. Guests rate it 7. My editorial advice: request a room with a kitchen, keep the beach for the morning and save the pool and hot tub for the late afternoon.