3 Days Around Suncorp Stadium

There’s no feeling quite like marching out of Suncorp Stadium when your team wins, hooking a right turn up towards Caxton Street and sitting down to celebratory beers with hundreds of cheering fans. If you’re staying for the weekend of the game, we can’t blame you, so here is a jam-packed weekend itinerary for the most memorable weekend in Brisbane.

Day 1 

Arrive and check-in 

Whether you’re here with your mates, family or are travelling solo, you need a place to rest your head after watching the game. There are plenty of luxurious accommodation options for you to stay at over the weekend, most of which keep you close to Suncorp Stadium as well as all of the action taking place nearby to the stadium.

You can stay close to all the sporting action on Caxton Street by staying at The Beetson Hotel, a perfectly located luxurious boutique hotel. Close by, you can find incredible Brisbane City accommodation escapes like the Mercure King George SquarePullman King George SquareIbis Styles Brisbane and W Brisbane, or slightly outside of Brisbane City you can find five-star offerings including Amora Hotel BrisbaneBrisbane Marriott HotelCrystalbrook Vincent and The Inchcolm.

XXXX brewery tour
XXXX Brewery Tour, Milton

Kick off with a brewery tour 

Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, why not explore the city with a brewery crawl. If you plan out your own tour, you can take advantage of the list of best breweries in Brisbane, or narrow it down to a craft beer trail. Or take the pressure out of planning and opt for a Hop On Brewery Tour, which offers tastings, education and so much more. You can also take a tour of the renowned XXXX Brewery in Milton where you’ll unpack 145 years of history around Queensland’s most favoured beer.

Eat & Drink 

Whether you’re looking to dress to the nines and dine in style, or just want somewhere casual to grab a bite to eat, Brisbane has a wide range of restaurants for you to indulge in, many within walking distance, and others just a quick bus, train or uber ride away. In The City, you can explore world class European cuisine with restaurants such as MassimoBabylon and Opa Bar + Mezze, all which offer incredible riverfront views, or discover some of Brisbane’s prettiest restaurants, from Naldam House and Golden Avenue to Donna Chang and Central
 
For something more relaxed, visit one of the cities best sports bars, or check out any number of casual dining spots close to Suncorp and The City, including The Charming Squire in South Bank, Gilhooley’s in The City or The Last Man Standing, a quaint pub located right next door to the stadium. 
 
And if you’re looking for a bit of a one-stop-shop for live entertainment, food, drinks and a great excuse to dress up, why not take a short trip to the Brisbane Racing Club in Eagle Farm for a full day of sunshine and fun with your crew?

The Charming Squire
The Charming Squire, South Bank

Day 2 

The most important meal of the day 

Find a delicious spot to enjoy the most important meal of the day, breakfast. Just west of Suncorp Stadium, you can find the ultra-quaint suburb of Paddington, a place that is known for its cute cafes and local boutiques. It’s the perfect place to relax, tuck into a plate of eggs or pancakes with your flat white and while away the morning Brisbane style. Try Naim, Chapter IV,  Anouk or one of the many cute cafes for your morning meal. 

If you’re staying the The City, there are plenty of delicious breakfast options to choose from including Felix for Goodness and Frankie & GeorgeBrew on Burnett Lane, or just read our complete guide to find the perfect breaky spot for you and your crew. 

Make your way towards the stadium 

After breakfast and a little bit of shopping, why not drop into the friendly neighbourhood bars in Paddington or Rosalie as you make your way towards the stadium.  Start at Frank’s Social Club an intimate toastie and cocktail bar, then take a slight detour down to Patio by Range in Rosalie, for delicious pizzas and craft beer. Make your way towards the stadium and stop by the boutique English-style pub Hope & Anchor before visiting Darling & Co, a big, plush venue with an abundance of food and drink offerings. If you’re looking to make a session out of it, why not make a pit stop at the infamous Paddington Tavern; come for the good beer and good vibes, return for some killer stand up comedy! 

Game on 

When it’s game time nothing else matters. Finish your beer and head to Suncorp Stadium and don’t forget to take selfies with the Statues of Legends, featuring prominent Queensland NRL and Rugby Union players, or check out the Matildas tribute located outside the stadium before you head in and enjoy the big game. 

Crowds walking down Caxton Street on game day
Caxton Hotel, Caxton Street

Win or lose, time for a beer 

There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere on Caxton Street during game day, so once you’ve finished experiencing the highs and lows of an epic game, why not take a stroll along Caxton Street and soak up the vibes? This short strip is densely populated with bars, pubs and even a killer brewery. After the game the Caxton Hotel will be pumping, as well several other hotspots, including Pago PagoThe Lord Alfred and Caxton Street Brewing Company.

If you’re hungry, grab a game day classic at Caxton St Burger House or Taj Kebabs and Burgers. For something a little more refined Black Hide Steakhouse will serve you the best steak you may ever eat, Libertine Restaurant and Cocktail Bar or Moda Steak Tapas offer delectable plates of food.

Keep the fun going at Lefty’s 

Looking to step it up to a boot scootin’, whisky shootin’ good time? Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall is the answer. Grab a whisky with freshly pressed apple juice from the bar and change into your dancing shoes - there’s almost always excellent live music that will be hard to sit still to. It’s arguably one of the best bars in the country, let alone Brisbane. Lefty’s is open late and serves American-style bites. 

Day 3

With limited time and so many possibilities, how will you choose to spend your last day in Brisbane?

Focus on the food

Food lovers, step right up. Brisbane is home to the best dining in Queensland and has a few of Australia’s top restaurants too. Head to Howard Smith Wharves for trendy bars like Mr Percival's and Fiume, as well as delicious food options like the traditional Cantonese restaurant, Stanley, or the upmarket Japanese, Yoko.

More of a morning person? Wander over to West End and explore all this eclectic suburb has to offer. Enjoy a nourishing breakfast at the picture-perfect Picnic Café, delve into a delicious brunch and coffee at local hangout Morning After, eat baked donuts at Brisbane-staple Nodo, or grab a quick bite at some of Brisbane's best market options.

Hot air balloons, one with discover Ipswich logo, in the sky
Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights, Ipswich

Step up, up, up

Get an eagle-eye view from the heart of the city by climbing the Story Bridge. A two-hour experience will see you reach the top and reward with 360-degree views of Brisbane City, the river and surrounding mountain ranges. The truly adventurous can even opt to ‘walk the plank'. If you’re not tired of adventurous activities just yet, head down to Riverlife afterwards and kayak along the Brisbane River or rock climb up the natural Kangaroo Point cliffs.

And, if you’re on the hunt for more places to stretch your legs across Brisbane, check out our guide on short and scenic walks across The City.

Jump into culture

Immerse yourself in a cultural tour and learn about Brisbane’s heritage. Head to Brisbane’s northern suburbs for a First Nations experience with Nyanda Cultural Tours or visit North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah with Yura Tours to learn about Quandamooka Culture.

Or, for a slice of culture from around the world, Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery - together known as QAGOMA - host a massive collection of artworks, ranging from European religious paintings, British portraits and Dutch still life's to East Asian porcelain, Japanese art and French Modernism. 

Take to the skies

Rise and shine for a bucket list experience like no other. Feeling weightless while you watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon is a sensational moment like you’ve never had before. Book your flight with Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights from Ipswich, 30 minutes west of the city and take in the stunning views of the region.

Riverfire fireworks over the Brisbane River