Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and a great starting point for exploring the beautiful beaches that this region is so famous for. In addition to the access to beautiful nature, the city is a cultural hub, full of museums, performance centers, parks, and more.
You can fly to Brisbane from most airports within Australia. Look into various flight options for visiting Brisbane here.
How to Travel Around For Your Brisbane Itinerary
Brisbane is a relatively small city. If you stay on the Southbank or in the city center, you will be walking distance to most attractions around the city. That being said, it is recommended to purchase a transit card so you can use the various forms of transportation, including the ferry and trains that go to the Gold Coast area. To get a transit card, you can go to a number of different locations around the city, including the visitor information center in the city center. Here are the locations where you can purchase the card. You can also use your credit card to tap on to and off of public transportation but you need a separate card for each individual who is using the transportation. You also will have to pay the international conversion fee if your credit card does not waive these fees.
If you are looking to get around outside of Brisbane, such as in the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, you may want to consider renting a car to have the independence to explore the area.
The Various Things To Do During Your Brisbane Itinerary
Take the Ferry
One great way to see the skyline of the city is to take the ferry that runs along the Brisbane River, especially from the North Quay or South Bank Terminal to the Northshore Hamilton ferry terminal. Along this route, you will get great views of the bridges and skyline that add value to the city. Some of the buildings and bridges you should look out for include the Story Bridge, 1 William, and the Powerhouse. At the end of the ferry line, Northshore Hamilton ferry terminal, you can find Bluey’s World Brisbane for kids or Eat Street Northshore, a night market full of international food stalls.
Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
To get a nice view of the city skyline from above, head to the Mount Coot-tha Summit. You can drive to the summit or hike your way up there. Here are some of the different hikes that can be done on and around Mount Coot-tha. At the peak, there are a few viewpoint locations where you can take in the city and a nice cafe to grab a coffee and enjoy the view.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens - City Center and Mount Coot-Tha
The botanic gardens of Brisbane are located both in the Central Business District and at Mount Coot-Tha. Both locations are free to visit and it’s a nice place to wander and picnic among the beautiful tree setting.
Moreton Island: Tangalooma Wrecks
Moreton Island is located off the coast of Brisbane and has become a popular tourist attraction and activity in the region. The island has beautiful beaches, wonderful wildlife, and interesting snorkeling at the boats that were sunk to build a reef and protect the coastline of the island. While Moreton Island can be visited independently, the public ferry drops you off on a beach with no shade and away from the resort that provides any snorkeling or beach equipment. This is ideal for those who have their own snorkeling equipment, don’t care to snorkel, and can provide their own shade to protect themselves from the brutal Australian sun. By going with the Tangalooma Island Resort, you will have an experience that more efficiently and enjoyably allows you to explore the island and the wreck. They have their own private ferry that takes you to and from their beach resort from Brisbane, which is the only location that rents out beach and ocean equipment. Other experiences that the Tangalooma Resort provides include sandboarding, ATVing, kayaking, and more to get the most out of the island. And if you want a longer island vacation, you can consider booking a few nights on the resort to enjoy all the different activities of the island.
Brisbane Southbank
The Brisbane Southbank is a fun and family-friendly promenade. It includes parks and pools that are open to the public to use. It’s a great place to spend a few hours hanging out in the pool, barbecuing, going on the ferris wheel, etc. It is also the cultural hub of the city with the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Museum, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, all of which have exhibits and performances year-round.
Roma Street Parklands
The Roma Street Parklands is a modern park located to the north of Brisbane’s Central Business District. The park is made up of numerous beautifully designed gardens, all of which have a magical and transformative design to them. The park adds extra decorations for different times of year, such as lights for Christmas that can be experienced after dark.
The Gold Coast
The Sunshine Coast
You can read more about exploring the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast here.
If you want to see some of the best beaches in Australia, then make your way to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. And from the Gold Coast, you can continue on a road trip all the way to Sydney.
The Blueprint Travelers Beach Staples
A 3 Day Brisbane Itinerary
Daily Activity
Day 1
Brisbane
Go around the city of Brisbane, spending time in the Roma Street Parklands, taking the ferry on the river, and hanging out on the Brisbane Southbank
Day 2
Brisbane
Spend the day at the Moreton Island Tangalooma Wrecks
Day 3
The Sunshine Coast
Spend the day exploring the Sunshine Coast. You can read more here about what to do in this beach area.
Day 4
The Gold Coast
Head to the Gold Coast to spend the day on the beach. You can read more here about what to do in this beach area
After exploring the Gold Coast, consider continuing the road trip towards Sydney. You can read more about it here.
Where to Stay For Your Brisbane Itinerary
Central Business District (CBD)
The Central Business District is the downtown area of Brisbane. Here, you can find most of the shops, malls, museums, botanic gardens, etc. and you are walking distance from the performance arts area on the other side of the river. Given that this is the main transportation hub of the city, it’s a great place to stay if you are looking to explore the areas around Brisbane, such as the Gold Coast.
The South Bank + West End
The South Bank, including the West End, has a neighborhood vibe to it that cannot be found in other parts of the city. It includes the Boardwalk where you can walk along to see the skyline and swim in the public pools. The West End is full of coffee shops and boutiques. This area is perfect for young travelers and families alike.
Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley, also known as the Valley, is the restaurant and nightlife area of Brisbane. It is full of breweries, restaurants, bars, and clubs. This area is perfect for those who are interested in the nightlife of the city. (The biggest downside of this area is that it is hard to access the Southbank from here.)
Looking for where to stay for in Brisbane? You can check out various hotels here.