Welcome to Brisbane, Queensland’s lively capital and the third largest city in Australia. It’s a place where city life converges with natural Australian beauty – known for its warm weather, lively cultural scene and laid back lifestyle.
From exploring laneways adorned with vibrant street art, eating fresh seafood on a restored prawn trawler, wandering through lush green spaces along the Brisbane River, snorkelling a sunken shipwreck and meeting adorable koalas this adventure packed 4 day Brisbane itinerary covers the best of what the city has to offer in a short time frame.
Overview
Brisbane Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival into Brisbane and Kangaroo Point
Day 2: Day trip to Moreton Island
Day 3: Spend the day at Southbank
Day 4: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Mount Coot-tha and Eat Street
Common Questions:
- How to get around Brisbane
- Which area in Brisbane is best to stay in
- Where to eat in Brisbane
- What is the weather like in Brisbane
- How safe is Brisbane
- How long to spend in Brisbane
Day 1 (Start of your Brisbane Itinerary)
Arrival into Brisbane
If you’re landing at Brisbane International Airport, we recommend taking the Skytrain, which is located right outside both the International and Domestic terminals – it takes only 15 minutes to get into the city centre which will have you settling into your accommodation in no time. You can buy Skytrain tickets at the Airport train station for $18 one way. Alternatively, you can also grab an Uber or a taxi for a more direct trip.
Kangaroo Point
Today starts in the heart of Brisbane at the iconic headland of Kangaroo Point. We recommend taking advantage of the free ferry service, the CityHopper boat, which operates every 36 minutes between 5:30am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and runs a bit later on Fridays and Saturdays. You can catch it from the CBD North Quay stop over to the Maritime Museum stop, right next to Kangaroo Point.
Once you’ve made your way over to Kangaroo Point, you’ll quickly find that it’s one of the best spots to take in some of the best views of Brisbane City, sitting along the Brisbane River. Brisbane is a very outdoorsy city, so there are plenty of walking tracks along the riverfront.
For a scenic lunch stop, we recommend checking out Joey’s, located right at the top of the cliffs at Kangaroo Point. It’s a great spot to have some delicious food and drinks while overlooking the river – we recommend the wood-fired pizzas!
If you’re up for an adrenaline rush, spend the afternoon abseiling at Kangaroo Point. The cliffs are about 20 metres high, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced abseilers. The experience lasts for about 1.5 hours and is a unique way to take in some of the most stunning views of Brisbane. Tickets cost $75 per person, and all equipment is included – just make sure to wear some comfortable shoes!
The park itself is also a beautiful spot right by the river that has plenty of picnic tables and benches if you want to sit back and watch others do the climb down while still taking in all of the fantastic views along the riverfront.
The Prawnster
The Prawnster is a great spot to head for some dinner, especially if you’re a seafood lover. It’s a unique little spot to enjoy some great food on a refurbished prawn trawler moored right by the Brisbane Botanical Gardens across from Kangaroo Point. Plus it’s a BYO venue, which makes it even better!
We advise making a reservation ahead of time to ensure you get a table!
Felons Brewery Co.
Another great option for dinner or drinks is Felons Brewery Co. This venue is a Brisbane icon located right by the Brisbane River, with stunning views of the famous Story Bridge. You’ll be able to try a wide range of beers, wines, and cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and fresh seafood.
It’s a large venue but it’s known to get very busy during the evenings, so we suggest booking your table in advance – especially if you want a river view!
Brisbane accommodation
Mid-range: We recommend the Hyatt Regency Brisbane. Conveniently located in the city centre, it’ll give you easy access to some of the best areas of Brisbane. The hotel is one of the few in Brisbane that offers an outdoor pool, and all the rooms are modern and comfortable.
Budget-friendly: Lylo Hostel is the perfect budget-friendly accommodation. Situated in the city centre, it’s a welcoming hostel that is great for solo travellers and backpackers. It offers an epic rooftop with plenty of space to hang out with others, play some games, or use the outdoor kitchen area to cook up some of your favourite food.
Day 2 (Halfway through your Brisbane itinerary)
Day trip to Moreton Island
A day trip to the world’s third largest sand island, Moreton Island, is a fantastic way to spend the second day of your Brisbane itinerary. You can book the Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass, which makes it super convenient as they offer pick-up and drop-off services from Brisbane. The ferry takes just over an hour to reach the island.
Once you arrive at Moreton Island, we recommend making full use of the kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkelling equipment which are all included in your day pass. Snorkelling around the Tangalooma shipwrecks at Moreton is such an incredible experience you don’t want to miss out on. We saw turtles, stingrays and so many tropical fish here!
Alternatively you can also choose to do the Tangalooma Day Trip with Desert Safari.
Once you arrive at Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island, you can access all the fantastic facilities, including the pools, restaurants, and bars.
Our highlight of this pass has to be the desert safari and sandboarding. You’ll get to experience a 4WD cruise across the sand dunes and try your luck at sandboarding, which was so much fun.
Since Moreton Island is a popular day trip, we recommend booking a day pass or ferry ticket in advance to avoid missing out.
Day 3
Exploring Southbank
Day 3 of your Brisbane itinerary is all about exploring the vibrant riverside precinct of Southbank. You can take the train, which runs all through the city, or, if you’re feeling active, we recommend walking which will take you about 30 minutes from the CBD. It’s a great way to see more of the city.
Once you arrive at Southbank you’ll want to head to Streets Beach, it’s a man made beach that is popular with both locals and tourists. It’s a unique experience taking a swim and enjoying a beach vibe right in the heart of a city. There are plenty of cafes right next to the beach if you need a quick snack to keep you going.
After a swim, we recommend taking a walk along the riverfront promenade. The area is lined with lush parklands and plenty of shaded spots to sit and enjoy the beautiful river views. Take a stroll through the Southbank grand arbour, a 1km walk under a tunnel of beautiful purple flowering bougainvillaea which are in bloom nearly all year around.
If you’re an art enthusiast, Southbank is known for its popular art culture and is home to the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. There are ever-changing exhibitions here so be sure to take a look at what’s on before your visit.
For sunset, you can take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, a giant Ferris wheel that offers some of the most epic views of the city. You can buy tickets on the day, but we recommend pre-purchasing your ticket if you want a sunset ride.
Fish Lane
Fish Lane is a vibrant, artsy hub where you’ll have plenty of choice of restaurants and bars just a short walk from the Southbank waterfront precinct. It’s a prime destination for foodies, so you’ll definitely want to spend an evening here. We really loved the vibe of this place!
If you want some of the best cocktails, we recommend heading to Maker which is walk-ins only and then to Julius Pizzeria for some seriously authentic Italian. Bookings at Julius are limited but if you miss out you can put your name down at the door and grab a drink while you wait (this place regularly has a queue out the door!)
Day 4 (Last day of your Brisbane itinerary)
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
It’s the last day of your Brisbane itinerary and we recommend heading to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It’s the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary and home to over 130 koalas, and we really think it’s an unforgettable opportunity to get up close with these adorable Australian animals.
We recommend the Brisbane River Cruise with entry to the Sanctuary combo which is a super easy way to take a leisurely cruise round-trip to the Sanctuary.
In addition to koalas, you’ll see plenty of other Aussie animals, including kangaroos, crocodiles, wombats and dingoes. Make sure you take advantage of being able to hand-feed some of the kangaroos and wallabies.
If you’re keen on learning more about wildlife, they also offer daily animal encounters and shows that provide valuable insights into the behaviour and habits of the animals.
The sanctuary offers on-site cafes, so you can grab lunch, or if you’re after a souvenir, you can pick something up from one of the gift shops.
NOTE: The sanctuary used to offer the experience of holding koalas but have since stopped this due to changes in state regulations – we still think it is well worth a visit!
Mount Coot-tha
No visit to Brisbane is complete without a visit to Mount Coot-tha, the city’s highest peak.
Located in between the koala sanctuary and the CBD, Mount Coot-tha boasts panoramic vistas that stretch from the Glass House Mountains to Moreton Bay. You can drive right up to the summit to take in the scenery from the lookout or have a cuppa at the Summit Cafe.
At the base of Mount Coot-tha is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The gardens are free to enter and are a relaxing place to spend the afternoon among the themed gardens. Our favourite spots were the Japanese Garden and the Tropical Display Dome.
Eat Street North Shore
Eat Street is a fantastic spot to have dinner on your last night of your Brisbane itinerary.
This open-air food market right by the Brisbane River offers a large variety of delicious eats, treats, and drinks. It’s a fantastic way to make your way through a variety of international cuisines all in one place, from gourmet burgers to wood-fired pizza, authentic Asian street food, Mexican food – the list goes on!
Eat Street is open every Friday and Saturday from 4pm – 10pm and 12pm – 8pm on Sundays.
Want to explore more of Queensland’s southern region? Check out our recommended Gold Coast itinerary to uncover the area’s best beaches and beautiful hinterland.
Common Questions
How to get around Brisbane
Getting around is easy and convenient. You can hop on the buses, trains, and ferries that cover the city or take a stroll or bike ride along the riverfront. You can buy individual tickets for these services, so there’s no need to buy a pass.
If you prefer driving, plenty of taxis and ride-sharing options like Uber are available. Brisbane’s public transportation system is friendly and efficient, making it a breeze to get around.
Where to stay in Brisbane
We recommend staying in the CBD for this Brisbane itinerary. It’s the ideal location as it’s close to many of the main attractions while also being able to access public transport easily for day trip activities.
There are loads of great shops and restaurants, cafes, and bars in the CBD. Not to mention the beautiful walking spots like the Brisbane Botanical Gardens right by the river!
Where to eat in Brisbane
Here are some of our favourite spots to eat in Brisbane:
- Felons Brewery Co. Great views of the Story Bridge with a big selection of drinks and food.
- The Prawnster Unique setting with some amazing river views with some of the best seafood.
- Joey’s Some of the tastiest wood-fire pizzas, sitting on the Kangaroo Point cliffside overlooking the river.
- Eat Street The best night market in the City offering a variety of international cuisine and many other fun things to do.
When to visit Brisbane
For most of the year, Brisbane generally enjoys a subtropical climate with warm to hot weather.
Summers are usually humid and can get quite hot, with temperatures often reaching the mid-30s (Celsius). Winters are mostly mild and dry, with average temperatures hovering around 21°C during the day.
We recommend completing this Brisbane itinerary during springtime (Sept- Nov) as the warm, sunny days and cooler evenings make it perfect for exploring the city and enjoying all of the outdoor activities.
How safe is Brisbane
Brisbane is a pretty safe city! It’s a friendly and laid-back place with a great community feel. There’s always something going on, and the people are generally helpful and welcoming. It’s important to stay aware of your surroundings like you would in any city, but overall, Brisbane is a fantastic place to visit.
