Brisbane's Ultimate Holiday Itinerary
Embrace Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle and discover tropical islands and World Heritage-listed rainforests, or simply relax poolside in The City and indulge in Brisbane's thriving dining and cultural scene. Here’s how to make the most of your Brisbane escape.
Day one: Brisbane City
Eat & Drink
Are you ready to discover why this city’s dining scene is attracting global attention? Sample Brisbane’s award-winning bars, bites and brews that have made their mark on the Australian foodie scene. Whether in The City, Howard Smith Wharves, James Street, South Brisbane or surrounding regions - there is an abundance of rooftop bars, hidden laneway gems and riverside delights to enjoy while revelling in Brisbane’s alfresco lifestyle.
For a unique dinng experience, check out Central - the industrial underground Asian eatery adding to the city's ever-growing foodie line up. Descend the stairs to their ethereal setting and enjoy delicious dishes and an extensive wine list featuring both Chinese and Australian labels.
Join Kiff & Culture or the Vino Bus for a foodie journey like no other, or test your palette and your balance with a beer yoga overlooking the Brisbane River at Felons Brewing Co.
Make a connection
Make tracks for Brisbane’s beloved Cultural Precinct and visit the celebrated Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) to admire world-class art exhibitions, see Brisbane’s stories unravel before your eyes at the Queensland Museum or discover the ancient stories and cultural practices of Brisbane’s First Nations peoples with BlackCard Cultural Tours or Nyanda Cultural Tours.
Stay in style
Brisbane is home to world class luxury hotels from the luxurious Emporium Hotel with sweeping city views, to The Star Grand located in the bustling, new Queen's Wharf precinct to the award-winning Calile Hotel located in the heart of Brisbane boutique precinct – James Street, Fortitude Valley. Find your perfect stay here.
Day two: Brisbane adventures
Brisbane is home to an abundance of thrilling adventures - from bridge climbing to river kayaking, and wildlife encounters to culinary delights, the city offers a discovery in every direction.
River Adventures
Hop on board a River to Bay cruise to explore the city’s iconic cocktail, breweries or bars with picturesque river views. Get the adrenaline pumping onboard Jet Ski Tours Brisbane and ride along the Brisbane River at speed while taking in the iconic sights, or if leisure is more your speed, hop on board an electric GoBoat for a relaxing picnic on a boat or book in with Riverlife to explore the Brisbane River on a kayak tour.
If you're looking to party up the Brisbane River, the iconic superyacht, YOT Club, brings unique events to the water. Or jump aboard Oasis, the stylish three-storey floating entertainment venue cruising the river every weekend.
See Brisbane from new heights
Take in stunning views of Brisbane in one of only three bridge climbs in the world with Story Bridge Adventure Climb. If you're a real thrill seeker, take to the skies with Elite Helicopters, or opt to rock climb the Kangaroo Point cliffs with Riverlife Adventure Centre, or take in the iconic South Bank precinct from the Wheel of Brisbane.
Wildlife and nature adventures
Cruise the Brisbane River with Mirimar Cruises and visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to meet over 130 koalas, kangaroos and other native Australian wildlife before cruising back to the city and taking in Brisbane’s iconic attractions and historic landscapes.
Boasting two Botanic Gardens in which to explore and unwind, relax in the City Botanic Gardens with a picnic, or discover the Mt Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens before hiking up (or driving) the mountain for panoramic views of the city.
Foodie adventures
Enjoy the best seat in the house right under the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves on the edge of the sparkling Brisbane River, where you are spoilt for choice with some of Brisbane’s best restaurants and bars; sip cocktails at vintage lounge bar Stan's, savour Greek tapas at Greca, indulge in Yoko's Japanese fare, or pop champagne and dance under the disco ball at Mr Percival’s overwater bar.
If you’re in Brisbane on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening, venture to Eat Street Northshore at Hamilton to graze from over 70 vendors serving global tastes from brightly branded shipping containers, eclectic boutiques, micro restaurants and live music.
Day three: island paradise
Visitors fly from around the world in search of islands as idyllic as those on Brisbane’s coastline. With paradise at your doorstep, what are you waiting for? From glistening white-sand beaches, native wildlife and breathtaking natural wonders, there’s an abundance of activities and tours available; your sense of discovery won’t go unsatisfied.
Jump on a ferry, charter a boat, join a day tour or set off on your own, two of the world’s largest sand islands; Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin and North Stradbroke Island/ Minjerribah await.
Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin
Cruise across to Moreton Island, the third largest sand island in the world, to discover this natural wonder. Take in the view from a scenic heli-flight, explore the island on quad bikes, kayak the crystal-clear water, toboggan down the sand dunes, or snorkel the shipwrecks for the ultimate fish-spotting playground. Keen for more than a day-trip? Stay a little longer at Tangalooma Island Resort to experience all that this island paradise has to offer.
To explore the natural wonders of Moreton island in a day, join a tour with River to Bay, Australian Sunset Safaris or See Moreton. Highlights include snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks, marine life encounters, guided walks, heritage experiences and adventure at your own pace. Tangalooma Island Resort also offer day cruises with access to resort facilities.
North Stradbroke Island/ Minjerribah
With seemingly endless white sandy surf beaches, scenic rocky headlands, quaint villages and the freshest of fresh seafood it’s easy to see why locals and visitors alike love the wonders of North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah. It’s the second largest sand island in the world and only a speedy 45-minute ferry trip from Cleveland, a 40 minute drive from The City.
With a rich First Nations history, opt to explore the island with a Yura Tour and learn first hand from Quandamooka woman, Elisha Kissick, about the history and culture of North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah.
A haven for surfers, boaties, culture-enthusiasts and both thrill-seekers and chill-seekers, this getaway will leave you wanting more. Stay for a day, or book from the ample accommodation options for a resort-style getaway.
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Day four: explore the regions
Moreton Bay Region
Just a short drive from Brisbane City, Moreton Bay Region offers a natural playground of seaside villages, rugged mountain ranges, and thriving national parks. Join a Djawun (Home Country) Tour to learn about the Jinibara people and practices before heading to Ocean View Estates to enjoy a meal featuring native flavours set amongst the sprawling vineyard, sparkling lake and stunning surrounds. Join 4WD G’day Adventure Tours to experience the beautiful beaches of Bribie Island while safely onboard a 4WD all-terrain vehicle. Another family fave is Redcliffe, with its historic pier, renowned fish and chips and plenty of protected places to cool off with a dip.
From June – November, join Brisbane Whale Watching to witness majestic humpback whales frolic across the bay performing acrobatic displays as they leap, roll and breach their way through the sub-tropical waters, you will be enchanted and captivated by their antics.
Scenic Rim
Named in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 regions to visit in the world for 2022, the Scenic Rim’s spectacular scenery of sweeping valleys and mountain ranges, combines the best of both worlds: brimming paddock-to-plate foodie experiences, eco-escapes and great outdoor adventure activities all within an hour of Brisbane City.
National parks and wilderness areas
With national parks and World Heritage-listed rainforests, there’s no shortage of stunning scenery in the Scenic Rim. Formed over millions of years, the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area encompasses Lamington National Park, Tamborine Mountain, Mount Barney and Main Range National Park, and features dense forests, craggy mountains, vast lakes and cooling waterfalls.
Whether you want to stretch your legs or relax with a picnic in tranquil rainforest surrounds, Tamborine Mountain has experiences for all. Choose a short hike (the Rainforest circuit and Caves track are popular), experience the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk – a thrilling 1.5-kilometre adventure combining forest floor trails with soaring high-tech steel bridges.
Farm and foodie experiences
Fancy a picnic beside an adorable creature, and maybe even a selfie or two? The 70 alpacas at Mountview Alpaca Farm within O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards are fluffy and friendly as can be. Or, out near Harrisville, the farming fun continues with Summer Land Camels, where you can tour their facilities where they not only make camel milk, gelato and cheeses, but also skincare! Then head to their cute Homestead Café to sample a range of their dromedary-dairy treats for yourself.
Further afield, nestled in Scenic Rim’s Fassifern Valley, Kooroomba Lavender Farm is the perfect lunch stopover offering a cellar door, restaurant and lavender gift shop, where you can wander down to the lavender fields and get amongst the dreamy lavender scent.
For hidden gems at Tamborine Mountain, head to Witches Falls Winery to sip on handcrafted wines and sample artisan cheese with the vineyard and lush avocado trees as your backdrop. Say cheers to a local beverage with Tamborine Mountain Distillery or get your creative juices flowing with an interactive Gin Blending Class at Cauldron Distillery.
