All Articles 3 perfect days in Brisbane

3 perfect days in Brisbane

By Danielle Norton20 Mar 2024 8 minutes read
People drinking at Felons Brewer in Brisbane
People drinking at Felons Brewer in Brisbane
Image: Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Locals have a lot of nicknames for Brisbane, starting with the short-and-sweet Brissie. Then there’s Brisvegas, meant a little ironically, since the city lacks any of the showiness of Las Vegas. They’re all said affectionately since people here love their hometown for its compelling museums and art galleries, its gorgeous waterfront and parks, and its natural wonders just beyond the city limits.

Three days is just enough time to get a feel for the sunny capital of Queensland before you move on to explore more. With this in mind, the itinerary below includes my recs along with help from Tripadvisor ratings and reviews.

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DAY ONE

Exhibit at Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane
Exhibit at Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Dive head-first into the art world

Start your first day in South Bank, a neighborhood filled with lush parks and open plazas on the southern banks of the Brisbane River. Your first stop should be the Gallery of Modern Art, with Australia’s largest collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. You’ll find two galleries devoted to Indigenous art from around the region.

If you have kids with you, the Queensland Art Gallery has a children’s gallery where you can explore art together. Also great for young people is the nearby SparkLab, which has interactive exhibits about science and technology.

Travelers say: "[The Gallery of Modern Art] is a lovely gallery, beautifully arranged and a fabulously diverse collection. A great way to spend an afternoon." —@bbsydney96

BRISBANE CITY TOUR OPTIONS

  • Sign up for a three-hour Walking Tour of Brisbane so that you can explore all the city’s nooks and crannies with a local. You'll also learn about Brisbane's colonial history and check out places like the Old Government House and the Botanical Gardens.
  • See the city from the water with a 90-minute Cruise on the Brisbane River. Taking you to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and back, you’ll pass some of the city’s elegant mansions along the way.
  • Zoom around on a Brisbane Segway Guided Tour. The guides will take you to spots with the best photo backdrops and provide training on how to safely maneuver the vehicles.

AFTERNOON: Stroll along the waterfront

Southbank’s museums and galleries have great cafes—especially the Gallery of Modern Art’s GOMA Restaurant—but don't miss one of the local spots like Julius Pizza. Tripadvisor readers recommend the capricciosa pizza, made with smoked ham, mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, and olives, served with a side order of broccolini.

Take a stroll along the river at South Bank Parklands, which is great if you've got kids with you. It's home to playgrounds and splash pools and the Wheel of Brisbane, a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel on the water’s edge. Even if you aren't with little ones, hop on for an incredible view of the city.

Speed across the river on the iconic City Cat ferry, where you’ll spy landmarks like the Old Government House, once the lavish home of the territory’s governors. You can take a tour of the building but if you'd rather skip it, make your way to the nearby City Botanical Gardens. The Bunya Walk along the edge passes through stands of weeping figs and has the best river views. Check it out on your own or join a one-hour guided walk (offered every day but Sunday).

EVENING: Dine out in New Farm Park

Hop back on the City Cat to New Farm Park, taking in all the sights along the way. Your destination is the Brisbane Powerhouse, a former power station that’s now a hub for musical performances, film festivals, comedy shows, and one of the most over-the-top dining experiences in the world.

You'll have to book in advance to get a seat at Vertigo restaurant, which hangs from the Brisbane Powerhouse’s facade. Strapped into a harness, you can enjoy Italian specialties while your feet dangle in mid-air. The food is good, but the draw here is the thrilling view. If you're super-brave, you can rappel down the side of the building after your meal.

After your adventure, you may need something to calm your nerves. Pop into Bar Alto or Mary Mae’s for a cocktail before heading back to your hotel. A tip: If the idea of eating in mid-air doesn't appeal, these two drink spots have excellent food, with tables where your feet remain on the ground.

Worthy detours along the way

DAY TWO

Koala in a tree at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Koala in a tree at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Image: Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

MORNING: Adrenaline and adventure

Kickstart your second day at Brisbane’s Riverlife Adventure Centre. You can rock climb at Kangaroo Point’s 200-million-year-old cliffs, kayak along the river, or grab a bike and explore the floating boardwalk. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is another option. Make your way to the summit for dramatic 360-degree views of the city, the mountains, and the beaches. The slow and steady climb isn't tough (unless you're afraid of heights), but bring a good pair of walking shoes.

Travelers say: "[Riverlife Adventure Center] was our first activity in Australia and it did not disappoint. The city is nothing short of amazing, and getting to experience it for the first time from a kayak is something I would strongly recommend. Our guide was Oscar and he was incredibly friendly and welcoming, as well as super knowledgeable." —@Brendan S

If you’re more into animals than adrenaline, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has more than 70 species for you to see in a natural bush setting. You can even get a photo of yourself snuggling a sleepy koala. Afterward, go for a stroll around the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, then head to the summit of Mount Coot-Tha for views of the city skyline.

LONE PINE AREA TOUR OPTIONS

AFTERNOON: Relax at the water’s edge

Spend the afternoon at Howard Smith Wharves, tucked away under Story Bridge. The whole neighborhood is filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants, so there’s always something exciting going on.

I recommend stopping for lunch and a craft beer at Felons Brewery. The place is huge—you can wander in and find a table any day of the week. If you want to learn more about the beer process, a brewery tour starts at 2 p.m. and takes you behind the scenes of the whole operation, finishing off with a taste of their original brews. Don't miss the Margarita Sour Ale, which takes it up a notch with some mezcal from Mexico.

EVENING: Time to explore the music scene

As the sun starts to set, head to Yoko Dining and watch the sky turn vivid shades of yellow and orange in one of Brisbane’s loveliest locations. Start with the miso-glazed eggplant (one of my favorites), then move on to platters of perfectly grilled wagyu beef.

After dinner, catch a show at the Fortitude Music Hall, the largest and best live-music venue in Brisbane. The Art Deco-style ballroom can hold up to 3,000 people, so you can hear your favorite country singer or classical performer along with an army of their fans.

Worthy detours along the way

DAY THREE

Three people walking on beach at North Stradbroke Island
Three people walking on beach at North Stradbroke Island
Image: Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

MORNING: Time to head to the islands

The best day trip from Brisbane is North Stradbroke Island, one of the world’s largest sand islands. If you go early, chances are you’ll spot native Australian animals like kangaroos, koalas, and lizards, as well as whales, dolphins, stingrays, and turtles. Don’t forget your sunnies and a hat, because it’s bright out there.

The island is huge—24 miles long and seven miles wide—so exploring the whole place is a challenge. Consider renting a car (which you can take across on the car ferry from the mainland at Cleveland). If you’d rather not drive, there's a passenger ferry to Moreton Island from the Port of Brisbane.

Travelers say: “Lovely day on Straddie thanks to our wonderful guide. We’ve seen it all: koalas, turtles, whales… Both seashore and inland are amazing. Ferry ride on Moreton Bay offers beautiful views, too. Fully recommended." —@annemilie

NORTH STRADBROKE AND MORETON TOUR OPTIONS

  • This Full-Day North Stradbroke Island Excursion takes you hiking along stunning scenic overlooks, bushwalking through gorges, and swimming in clear blue lakes. There’s also plenty of time to relax on the beach.
  • Australian Indigenous culture has been around longer than any other current civilization on earth. On the Minjerribah Cultural Experience Tour, Elisha Kissick will show you how the lives of the Qandamooka people have changed over the centuries.
  • If you like adventure, this Moreton Island Day Trip has tons of options. Snorkel, kayak, or even sandboard on the dunes. It’s a lively, wind-in-your-hair sort of experience.

AFTERNOON: Incredible wildlife spotting

There are plenty of restaurants around the island, so you won't go hungry. I recommend grabbing a light lunch (the focaccia and fruit smoothies are great) at the Blue Room, where you can sit outside overlooking Frenchman's Bay. Keep an eye out for humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles.

The North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum is just across the island and is worth checking out for a deep dive into the land's past. The museum may be tiny, but it's fascinating and recounts the 65,000-year Aboriginal history of the area. While you're there, stop by the art gallery of Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, a First Nations artist and designer. Her sculptures, ceramics, and T-shirts make fabulous souvenirs.

EVENING: Dinner and live music in Brisbane

It's time to head back to Brisbane for dinner at the stylish City Winery. My rec: a glass of the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Ridgemill Estate and a small plate of braised pork tails and fire-roasted yams, or sirloin with beef-fat potatoes.

If you're not ready to turn in for the night, The Triffid, in a renovated World War II-era airport hangar, puts on amazing shows. Don't miss Sundays: You can listen to the best blues, roots, folk, jazz, soul, reggae, and world music for free.

Worthy detours along the way

Know Before You Go


Peak times here are between December and February, when the whole country is on summer vacation. The summer coincides with the rainy season, so be sure to pack an umbrella and a raincoat. Hotel prices are generally the lowest between June and August.



The best days for exploring the city are Wednesday to Sunday. Monday and Tuesday tend to be quieter, and some restaurants close their kitchens early, so it can be hard to find a dinner option.



Queensland shops, restaurants, and museums are usually open every day, with the exception of major holidays. Banks and other businesses are open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.



In the center of Brisbane, the Amora Hotel is close to just about everything (and when it’s not, there are plenty of transportation options). Tripadvisor readers like the location and say that the beds are some of the comfiest they’ve ever experienced.

The boutique Emporium Hotel South Bank has a great location on the southern side of the river. The views from the infinity pool take in the South Bank Parklands and the Brisbane River.

If you want a hotel with personality, Ovolo The Valley is the place for you. This hotel has won awards for its playful design, which includes funky furnishings in each of the rooms.



Public transportation: Translink has a comprehensive network of trains, buses, ferries, and trams to get you around Brisbane. Download an electronic GoCard before your trip, and you'll never have to think about paying fares.

By bike: Brisbane has bike lanes on downtown streets and cycling paths all over the city. Make sure to explore the Brisbane River Loop, a network of bike lanes and shared pathways. Bike Obsession rents bikes by the day or week.

By taxi: You can hail a cab on the street if its lights is on, or just have your hotel call one for you. Rideshare apps like Uber are generally cheaper than taxis.

Airport transfers: Taxis are always available, and they line up in front of each terminal at the airport. The Airtrain heads directly to downtown Brisbane and takes about 20 minutes. Getting high marks from Tripadvisor readers, ABC Transfers can arrange for a pickup at the airport.


Danielle Norton
Danielle Norton is an Australian travel writer who loves cooking, fine dining, yoga and wellness travel, reading fiction, learning languages, being in nature, and tropical islands.