Here's how to plan a value for money Brisbane holiday
Be it a vaycay or a staycay, this is how to get more bang for your buck on your next holiday in Brisbane.
No need to look under the couch cushions for change. If a holiday in sunny value-for-money Brisbane is on the cards (but those cards in your wallet are rudely quashing your plans) there are plenty of places where you can get more for less on a weekend away in Queensland’s capital – without having to give up your avocado on toast for the next year.
Where to eat
For the food-focused holidaymakers among us, proximity to delicious fare is as important a consideration as your hotel room. Fortunately, there are plenty of value-for-money dining spots across Brisbane to choose from.
Finding great eats on a budget is easy in Brisbane when you know where to look. Some of the city’s finest restaurants offer value-for-money experiences – and it’s not all about dining on shoestring (fries).
If your tastes lean toward the finer things in life, take advantage of one of Brisbane’s finest restaurants’ degustation or set menus. Feast on multiple-course premium fare at the likes of Fortitude Valley’s Italian diner Bianca, Howard Smith Wharves’ contemporary Japanese eatery Yoko or Eagle Street’s elevated date spot Madame Wu (ask about its two-hour Sunday drink packages) all for under $85.
Indecisive types can enjoy a well-priced, budget-friendly dinner buffet at Hanwoori, a Korean barbecue restaurant. Here, six (yes, six) types of fried chicken, a well-stocked salad bar, sides, beef short ribs, pork better and baby octopus are all on offer at an affordable price. Or, check out Brazilian barbecue locale Navala Churrascaria. Come lunchtime, its large-group BBQ Skewer Degustation Special allows you to sample its signature dishes for just $25 per person.
For casual, quick and affordable eats that don’t compromise on quality and flavours, it’s time to visit Eat Street Northshore – where narrowing down your choices is the biggest issue you’ll face. Check out the local bakeries for quick bites, including the likes of Agnes Bakery, for freshly baked and smoked snacks to-go, neighbouring Sprout Artisan Bakery where flaky pastries reign supreme, or Kangaroo Point’s Christian Jacques for ideal picnic provisions.
Looking for more ideas? Read up on Brisbane’s best cheap eats here.
Where to stay
Choosing the best value-for-money Brisbane holiday accommodation needn’t mean forgoing comfort, style or a great location. Here’s where to stay when you want to save your pennies in the city.
If five-star accommodation is a non-negotiable, but your budget suggests free camping might be a better option right now, book a stay at the great value Meriton Suites on Herschel Street in Brisbane. Its chic accommodation, dazzling views, indoor pool, top-rate amenities and special offers (think less than $300 a night for a weekend stay) makes this hotel an easy choice. Penthouse optional.
With more than ten Brisbane-based hotel sites, all in excellent locations, Oaks Hotels present idyllic stays for families seeking a breezy getaway. Rooms start at under $200.
If bonus extras lure you in, the Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central might tempt your tastebuds with its free breakfasts at its Breakfast Bar, alongside its handy location and comfortable, value rooms well-suited to couples and individuals.
Those who are visually motivated and seek accommodation that is not only good value, but also good looking, are bound to fall in love with Hotel Indigo. Centrally located, home to Japanese restaurant Izakaya Publico and 1603 Bar, and brimming with design features, Hotel Indigo looks great from any angle.
Where to play
Play more and pay less on your next holiday here with these value-for-money activities across Brisbane.
By the water
One of the best ways to explore Brisbane is aboard a CityCat that takes its passengers between ferry terminals along the Brisbane River. Visit parks, dining precincts, inner-city sites and more by the water. Better yet, the smaller KittyCat is a free service for crossing the river. Water-loving wanderers can also head to Redcliffe to soak up the sun and enjoy the coastline walks.
Next, head to Cleveland where you can board a ferry bound for North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah where surf beaches, gorges and lakes await. Or, head inland to the Scenic Rim to chase hinterland waterfalls at Curtis Falls or Cedar Creek Falls and enjoy a tranquil moment among verdant forests.
Among nature
Take a deep-dive into the wilds just beyond The City – be it a picnic, treetop walks, or a spot of wildlife watching.
Picnic at one of Brisbane’s green spaces or parks, including Highgate Hill Park Lookout, where you can settle into the gazebo or on the grassy slop to watch the sunset. See the expansive Brisbane River and Story Bridge from Wilston Outlook Reserve, visit Mt Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens (or head to the top of the mountain to take in panoramic views over Brisbane), go bird watching in Boondall Wetlands or take a quiet walk at Kedron Brook.
In Lamington National Park you can visit the tree canopy as part of the free O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk and, nearby, try out the Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk for less than $20.
Cultural pursuits
Exploring Brisbane’s art scene is an affordable way to become better acquainted with this creative city. From West End, stroll through Fish Lane to South Brisbane, in which street art and public art displays await discovery. At the end of Fish Lane, arrive at South Bank’s cultural precinct where the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) present many free and value-for-money ticketed exhibitions. You can also peruse the Queensland Museum before strolling into the Brisbane to City Hall where the free-to-enter Museum of Brisbane (MoB) resides.
Out and about
Visit one of Brisbane’s favourite eclectic neighbourhoods, West End, where you’ll find plenty of vintage stores, independent bookshops and flavoursome global foods from hole-in-the-wall venues alongside shiny new restaurants. While you’re in the neighbourhood, visit The West End Markets in Davies Park for great coffee, delicious bites, and take-home treats.
Spend a day by the river in New Farm, where sprawling New Farm Park and Brisbane Powerhouse (and its Jan Powers Farmers Markets) attract people from all over the city. Catch a CityCat to the New Farm Park terminal, explore the River Walk, and soak in the sunshine in this inner-city green space.
For restless explorers in search of adventure, explore the Brisbane River by kayak and scale the cliffs of Kangaroo Point with Riverlife’s 90-minute kayak and abseiling tours, which start from $65. Or hire a bike, kayak, or rollerblades and explore the city at your own leisure.
Visit Brisbane for a value-for-money Brisbane holiday; the budget-friendly options to eat, stay and play await.
