The Treasure Triangle – Brisbane’s ultimate Op Shop Day Trip

The countdown to Christmas is on, and so is the panic over your budget. We all want to give unique, thoughtful gifts, but who can afford those crippling retail prices and how frustrating it is to see those prices that you paid before Xmas, up to 50% off in the New Year sales.

Forget the overpriced, overcrowded malls!!! We’ve cracked the code to guilt-free shopping in South-east Queensland. With local cafes and pubs dotted along the way, you’ll have plenty of chances to refuel and celebrate your finds.

Public transport is available, but to truly soak in the experience, grab a crew of fellow bargain hunters, jump in the car and make a fun day of it.

There’s a secret patch of gold between Southern Brisbane and Northern Logan City that every savvy shopper needs to know about. 

It’s a literal Treasure Triangle, where the best charity shops – Lifeline, RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Salvos (Salvation Army), Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul Society), and 1-World Charity Stores are all close by in Underwood, Slacks Creek, and Springwood.

 This is a bargain hunters bonanza, where the best charity shops are clustered so close you can hit them all in one joyful day trip. Throw in the incredible, locally made gifts at the Butter Factory Arts & Crafts Co-Op, and you have the ultimate destination for unique finds.

If you’re tired of seeing the same mass-produced stuff time and time again, grab your reusable bag, this is your definitive guide to securing spectacular, budget-friendly gifts just in time for Xmas (or any time of the year).

The Treasure Triangle Day Trip Itinerary
👀 This itinerary is designed for optimal efficiency, minimizing driving time between stops and strategically placing the food and coffee breaks to refuel during your treasure hunt.
👀 This plan starts in the Underwood hub, moves to the Springwood area for the artisan stop and lunch, and finishes with a final flourish near the highway at the Butter Factory Arts & Crafts for an easy trip home.
🤔 OPENING HOURS: Check the websites for opening and closing times. You might have to adjust your itenary if a particular store opens & closes early. EG: The Butter Factory Arts & Crafts. Opening Hours – 9am to 3pm, closed Sunday.

Suggested Itinerary

TIME	STOP	LOCATION
8.30am	1/ Lifeline – Kick off & first haul.	Where: 1/2928 Logan Rd, Underwood QLD 4119. Big Gun Shopping Centre
9.30am	2/ RSPCA – Second wave hunting	Where: Next door to Lifeline. 1/2922 Logan Rd, Underwood QLD 4119. Big Gun Shopping Centre
10:15 AM	3/ The Coffee Stop	Never Been Cafe (Underwood) & Cuppa @ 7 (Springwood Mall)
11.00AM	4/ Salvos (Salvation Army)	Where: Unit 2/3255 Logan Rd, Underwood QLD 4119. Nearby on Logan Road
12:00 PM	5/ 1- World Charity Shop	Where: Unit 6/15 Lapis St, Underwood QLD 4119
12.45 PM	6/ Lunch Break, Final Sweep	Chatswood Hills Tavern (Chatswood Hills) or Hotel HQ (Underwood)
1:30 PM	7/ Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul) Op Shop	Where: 1/3375 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek QLD 4127
2.30 PM	8/ The Butter Factory Arts & Crafts	Where: 151 Barbaralla Dr, Springwood QLD 4127.      Slacks Creek Progress Hall, Springwood
3:30/4pm PM	Homeward Bound	End of Trip ☺️☺️

Welcome to the Treasure Triangle – This detailed day trip itinerary guides you through the ultimate charity and artisan crawl in the Underwood, Slacks Creek, and Springwood area. From vintage treasures at Lifeline to the unique crafts at the Butter Factory, every dollar you spend supports a great cause or a local artisan.

Get ready to shop consciously, save big, and make this trip your most meaningful yet. Your itenary is designed for utmost efficiency, minimizing driving time between stops and strategically placing the food and coffee breaks to refuel during your treasure hunt.

This Underwood stretch of Logan Road and the surrounding streets is a hive of activity and the perfect starting point.

Our first stop was Lifelines Superstore Op Shop in Underwood. Lifeline, a community staple, was well stocked with a huge range of fashion for women, men and children. There is also an extensive range of books, decor, kitchenware, manchester and bric-a-brac.

Check out the new items for Christmas gifting or pick up something unique for a thoughtful gift. Lifeline also has a range of brand new beds and mattresses as well as suitcases in 3 sizes. The staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful to customers.

I picked up a sewing machine at a bargain price, in good working order and as a bonus the person that donated the machine was a volunteer working on that day. She spent a good 15 minutes giving me the run down on how it all worked. Great service! What a find! Thanks Lifeline.

Just next door to Lifeline, under the Big Gun is the RSPCA, leave the car parked, it’s an easy walk to this one.

Inside, the shelves were a patchwork of pre-loved treasures, homewares, fashion, games and puzzles. RSPCA also sell furniture and say hello to the cats and kittens the lovely people look after. The best part, every dollar supports animal welfare, I left with a bag full of treasures.

Stop: Coffee & Refuel: You can’t bargain hunt on an empty stomach! The great thing about this area is the abundance of fantastic spots to rest your feet, grab an excellent coffee and perhaps a delicious meal after finding your first few treasures.

Keep an eye out for smaller, independent cafes that are dotted in and around the Springwood and Underwood areas. They often serve the best coffee and have quiet corners, perfect for a bite to eat. 🔥Local Suggestion: Never Been Cafe, it’s just up the road from Lifeline & RSPCA. Cuppa@7, in the Springwood Mall.

Just across the road from Lifeline and the RSPCA shops is the Salvos store. It is a big store and has a lot of clothes for women, men and kids as well as a bridal section. The other side of the shop has furniture and homewares and manchester. Lots to choose from here.

1-World Charity shop is a hidden gem. Although a smaller store, it has some good fashion items for everyone. A good range of handbags and scarves and some kitchenware and prints at the back.

Lunch Break: Chatswood Hill Tavern. This is a favourite pub for locals with a good range of lunch choices on the menu. They also have a full barista range of coffees as well as cold drinks. The seniors meals are good value too. It is lovely and cool in the air conditioning with the added bonus of a children’s play area.

If you still have some shopping energy left, then there is Vinnies. Although a smaller store, Vinnies has been there a long time. They do have a range of label fashion items and lots of bric a brac and kitchen items and some books and records.

The final stop was something totally different. The Butter Factory Arts & Crafts Inc is a sanctuary of local creativity. I browsed the tables laden with with handmade Jewellery, delicate scarves and hand-turned wooden goodies.

Whether your searching for all year round bargains, or simply the joy of sustainable shopping, the Treasure Triangle delivers. Every buy supports a cause.

Add in a coffee break or two, a hearty pub lunch, and you’ve got a Day Trip that blends shopping, dining, and local heritage into one unforgettable loop.

Driving home, the car was full of bags, my fellow shoppers with huge big smiles, all with many stories to tell.

I had by-passed all the Mall madness, jam packed parking stations, supported local charities and local creators, and secured a Christmas list full of unique, high-quality gifts.

Your Bargain Hunter’s Pre-Trip Checklist

Before You Go

• Check the Hours: Don’t get caught by closed doors! Most charity shops open around 8.30am/9:00 AM and may close earlier on Saturdays, or be closed entirely on Sundays. Check the opening times for your target shops (Salvos, Vinnies, Lifeline, RSPCA, 1-World Charity Stores, The Butter Factory, ) before you leave home.
• Make a List (and Check it Twice): While the fun is in the spontaneity, having a list of the people you’re shopping for (and maybe their sizes or interests) helps you focus and avoid impulse buying junk.
• Know Your Measurements: Planning to look for furniture or art? Bring a small tape measure and have the dimensions of your available space saved on your phone.

What to Bring

• Reusable Bags: Skip the plastic. Bring a few sturdy shopping bags or a large tote.
• Cash and Card: While most stores take card, some smaller charity shops or the artisan stalls might prefer cash for quick transactions.
• Water & Snacks: Stay hydrated! A long day of hunting requires fuel. You’ve planned the coffee and lunch, but a small snack bar keeps the energy up between stops.
• Your Phone: Essential for navigation, checking reviews, and sending photos of potential finds to family members for a quick thumbs-up or thumbs-down!

So, pack your tote bag, plan your route, and let the Treasure Triangle be your next shopping adventure.