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Brisbane

About the Destination

Understated, unpretentious and with a welcoming, laidback vibe that flips the traditional city experience on its head, that's what Brisbane is all about.

The river-city boasts of -

World-class cultural precincts
Award-winning dining experiences
Buzzing after-dark and music scenes
Breathtaking island escapes
Stunning national parks
Paddock to plate experiences.

Queensland's capital city - Brisbane is Australia‘s third-largest metropolis with a population of around 2.3 million. The city enjoys pleasant year-round temperatures of at least 20 degrees. Brisbane can be best explored on foot, by bicycle, and from the water – the Brisbane River.

You can also get a good view of the skyline during a guided climbing tour to the top of Story Bridge. The Howard Smith Wharves is home to a brand-new nightlife area boasting restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and even its own brewery.

Brisbane also owns Australia‘s only inner-city beach in South Bank (Streets Beach). If you're a shopping buff, Brisvegas's got that covered too! The Queen Street Mall is home to over 700 shops.

How to get there

Air -

Fly direct into -

Brisbane Airport (International and Domestic)
Gold Coast Airport (International and Domestic)
Sunshine Coast Domestic Airport
Hervey Bay Domestic Airport.

Brisbane is located 90 minutes flying time north of Sydney.

Transfers -

Various types of transport are available to help you experience Southern Queensland, whether you choose to explore it yourself or join an organized tour. It’s easy to combine different options including hire car, rail, coach, scheduled and charter flights, packaged tours and extended touring options.

Rail -

Sunshine Coast: Located one hour drive north of Brisbane. Queensland Rail train services operate from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast with connecting bus services to coastal centres.
Fraser Coast: Located one hour flying time north of Brisbane or three hours drive.
Gold Coast: Located one hour drive south of Brisbane. Queensland Rail City Train services run regularly to the Gold Coast. The Airtrain links the Gold Coast and Brisbane with Brisbane Domestic and International Airports.

Accommodation

The iconic Brisbane River wraps around Queensland’s vibrant capital carving distinct inner-city neighborhoods with their own unique traits and personalities.

Whether you are looking for a new hotel in the CBD, a chic holiday house in Paddington or an apartment in the laid-back, West End, Brisbane serves up a variety of accommodation options whether you’re here for a good time or a long time.

Basing yourself in Brisbane City gives you a front-row seat to the bustling inner-city action as well as easy access to neighboring precincts. Shop and drop at a luxury hotel giant near Queen Street – Brisbane’s retail mecca or flop and drop at a quirky hotel or apartment near Brisbane’s Botanical Gardens.

For 5-star glamour W on George Street, for apartments that add to your cultural experience – The Johnson Hotel, for the quintessential Queensland construction – Spicers Balfour, for hip new cool hotels – Tryp, Ovolo & Emporium, for great access to the mall – Next hotel, to stay in the thick of the action – Rydges South Bank, for transit – Pullman Brisbane Airport, For the best city experience – FV by Peppers.

Places to Visit

From the vibrant heart of the city to the white-sand beaches of Moreton Island and the sleepy hinterland villages of the Scenic Rim, you’ll find incredible diversity in and around Brisbane.

Brisbane City

This is where the action is. Eat, drink, shop and discover everything Brisbane has to offer.

Moreton Island

A quiet island retreat of vast sand dunes, shipwrecks to snorkel, wild dolphins and beautiful beaches. Take the ferry from Holt Street Wharf in Brisbane for the 75-minute journey. Take me to Moreton Island.

North Stradbroke Island

Spot whales, go four-wheel driving on the beach, and camp right by the water on the world’s second-largest sand island. Take me to North Stradbroke Island.

Day trips

Get out of the city and discover some of Queensland’s most enticing destinations. Head 70km north for a relaxing day on beautiful Bribie Island (the only Queensland island with a bridge), or – just 30 minutes from the city – D’Aguilar National Park is the place for an active adventure.

Glamping in the Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim is easily accessed from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the region is an easy one hour’s drive from Brisbane city and the Gold Coast.

With hotels, motels, mountain lodges, glamping, camping, farm stays, and self-contained properties, it’s easy to find accommodation to suit your needs. The region can accommodate wedding parties, conference groups, business travelers, holidaymakers, adventure seekers, bushwalkers, families and nature lovers. Check out some of the great accommodation on offer in the Scenic Rim. One of the best ways to explore this stunning region is on foot.

The Scenic Rim is home to six National Parks and really does have a walk to suit most abilities.

Visit Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort

A 45-minute boat ride from Brisbane, with over 40 free activities and Tangalooma Resort allows you to indulge in top experiences of hand-feeding wild dolphins, sand tobogganing, quad bike tours and Whale watching during season.

Food Wine and dine

Eat and drink your way around the city at cool cafes, waterfront restaurants and rooftop bars. Make the most of the sunshine and sit down at an al fresco restaurant, or grab tasty street food at the Eat Street Northshore Markets, South Bank Markets and Jan Powers Farmers Markets.

Brisbane is bursting with bars, so make your way from rooftop to laneway in search of the finest cocktail. Try a limited-edition brew at a local craft beer bar or take the CityCat along the river for a pub crawl with a difference.

Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane’s hottest new dining and lifestyle precinct. If you are looking for Insta-worthy views, this is the place to be. The Howard Smith wharves are nestled between Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge and the New Farm cliffs, with a 180-degree vista of the city skyline and river.

Shopping central
Find international brands in the Queen Street Mall, designer boutiques in James Street and Bulimba, and hunt out vintage treasures in Paddington. If you’re looking for a bargain, head to the factory outlets at DFO Brisbane Airport.

Brisbane Laneways -Move over Melbourne –
Brisbane’s strong list of hip laneways is ever-growing. Knock over coffee or sink back a nightcap, stretch out and find zen, or pick up something from a local label – let Brisbane’s laneways surprise you.
Wine bars, late-night feeds and fancy dining – Burnett Lane has it all. Originally named after James Charles Burnett (an early surveyor in Brisbane) this lane runs from George to Albert Street parallel to Queen Street Mall. Also tucked off Queen Street Mall, Albert Lane is a modern laneway space that’s filled with tasty eats.
Pop by the 250-seater Vapiano for completely carb-full Italian meals, order sake and dumplings at Harajuku Gyoza, dine on the latin-inspired fare at Comuna Cantina or drop into Singapore & Co Kitchen for lunch

2 Nights/ 3 Days Brisbane

Day1

Morning:

Rise early and soak in the outdoor culture of the city, head to one of the many café’s in Brisbane that serves the perfect breakfast to kickstart your action-packed day in the capital.

Visit South Bank, Woolloongabba, West End or New Farm for some great café style dining options.

Next, hop on a relaxed cruise or more fun fast boat ride with Mirimar Cruises and visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and largest Koala Sanctuary. You have 3 hours to spend exploring Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where you can hand-feed kangaroos and emus, experience an authentic Australian sheepdog in action, spy on a shy platypus swimming, see the amazing birds of prey. Yes… and have photos taken holding a koala!

Afternoon:

Arrive back into South Bank, Brisbane in the afternoon and explore the riverside, take a Segway Tour or a Bicycle tour. A must-do is the Wheel of Brisbane to get high up and take in unparalleled 360-degree views of the city.

Evening :

Explore Brisbane’s hip rooftop bar life by the river at Eagle Street Pier overlooking the stunning Story Bridge at night, fine dining restaurants like Alchemy & Aria or snuggle into a cosy café and enjoy a hearty meal at Queen Street.

Overnight in Brisbane.

Day 2

Morning-

Take the Brisbane laneways and streets tour and witness over 1,500 cafes and restaurants. This walk is a tasting tour of the City Centre coffee scene. We’ll stop at selected laneway cafes, learn about coffee and of course, enjoy some coffee (tea, chai latte, iced chocolate....), pick up some great tips on eating and drinking from Brisbanites, see a little on-street art and finish at a laneway cafe/bar.

Afternoon-

Shopping in Brisbane City is a vibrant adventure – with more than 700 stores along the Queen Street Mall, from Queens Plaza to Wintergarden, The Myer Centre and Brisbane Arcade from luxury to high street!

Evening

Strap on a harness and scale the Story Bridge with Story Bridge Adventure Climb. It’s one of only three bridges in the world you can abseil down. Age limit - minimum 10 years old. The Story Bridge Climb is a soft adventure experience with a difference and the most spectacular way to discover Brisbane. Whether you're a local or a visitor, you'll be exhilarated by a once in a lifetime experience that offers you the most breath-taking panorama of Brisbane and its surrounding natural
beauty.

Night-

Visit Eat Street Northshore. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world - a special one of a kind experience created for you to enjoy. It's a special place that reflects everything about Queensland and Brisbane's sub-tropical way of life.

Eat Street Northshore operates every Friday and Saturday night from 4pm to 10pm and Sunday 12pm to 8pm.Eat, shop and play in the best atmosphere on the Brisbane River.

Day 3

Morning-

Urbe Tour around Brisbane.

OR
The Vintage Picnic Company Experience a vintage-inspired picnic breakfast at New Farm Park

OR
XXXX Brewery Tours Experience the inner workings of this heritage brewery

Evening: Departure from Brisbane

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