• Feeding the kangaroos on a weekend getaway.Chris Williams Black Box/Lifesize/Getty Images
  
  South East Queensland, Australia, is a region covering roughly two-thirds of the state's 4.5 million population, as of 2010. It includes the areas of Scenic Rim, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Surfer's Paradise and Brisbane. Weekend getaways to this portion of Australia are diverse and can include shopping and spa treatments at an upscale hotel or a 4x4 safari in the Australian outback.
  
  

Gold Coast Getaway

• The Gold Coast region of Queensland is home to many resorts, beaches, shops and sights. One weekend trip that takes advantage of many of them is a trip to Australia's only water park resort -- Whitewater World -- and the neighboring amusement park, Dreamworld. In addition to roller coasters and restaurants, Dreamworld also contains a wildlife park called the Australian Wildlife Experience which is one of the largest wildlife preserves in southeast Queensland.
  
  Visitors can take a steam train through the park to see Tasmanian devils, wombats and dingos, hold koala bears and hand-feed kangaroos. Tiger Island contains up-close views of Sumatran tiger cubs and shows led by trainers showcasing the adult tigers' ability to leap over 20 foot tall trees.
  
  Whitewater World includes water playgrounds for young children that feature Nickelodeon characters, and numerous water slides and water coasters for older children and adults. Two-day family world passes let two adults and two children access both parks for two days and cost $299 total. Quite a number of hotels and resorts are located in the Gold Coast close to the Dreamworld Parks, making it an easy and enjoyable weekend trip for families.
  
  

Scenic Rim Safari

• Trek 4WD Safaris offers weekend 4x4 trips to various regions in South East Queensland throughout the year. One is a weekender trip to the Scenic Rim territory. All tours cost $150 per car or $250 for a car and a catered trip including food. Many of South East Queensland's remote outback areas are be easily accessed with a 4WD vehicle. With Trek 4WD's guides, the traveler drives one of the company's cars and a Trek guide sits beside him in the passenger seat, or in the rear of the vehicle. The guide offers tips, instruction and information about the area but the traveler gets to control the trip.
  
  Guides are both highly trained and prepared with satellite phones, emergency equipment and navigation instruments to ensure that travelers don't get hurt or lost. Travelers can also plan and conduct their own 4x4 getaway in the South East Queensland area. A book available for purchase called "Dirty Weekends" offers dozens of trail guides and tips to planning a safe, fun trip in the Australian outback.
  
  

Toowoomba Tour

• Toowoomba, Australia is also located in South East Queensland and is nicknamed "the Garden City." Situated about 125 miles inland from Queensland's capital, Brisbane, Toowoomba makes a great weekend getaway, particularly in September when the annual Australian Carnival of Flowers is held. Toowoomba boasts of more than 100 public parks and gardens, many of which are specially prepared by horticulturalists for the annual Flower festival.
  
  A few gardens worth seeing on a weekend trip to Toowoomba include the Toowoomba Botanical Gardens which are located in the heart of the city and are filled with colorful garden beds and floral displays. Laurel Bank Park is another park worth visiting in Toowoomba for its relaxing gazebos, abundant flower beds and plentiful playground equipment for children.