Day one 

Morning: Shopping in Queen Street Mall 

Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall is the beating retail heart of The City, an outdoor pedestrian mall lined with more than 700 shops and boutiques to browse. From upscale shopping centres, international designer boutiques and department stores to heritage shopping arcades, local labels and high-street chains, you’ll find all your retail favourites along with cafes, restaurants and bars if you need a shopping pit stop.

Lunch: Eat all the things 

If you’re staying in The City and wanting something delicious to hone your cravings, you can find Comuna Cantina for tasty Mexican tacos, Longwang for delectable dumplings, Hideki Restaurant for contemporary Japanese dining, Jimmy’s on the Mall for hearty classics or Felix for Goodness for fresh and ethically sourced lunch options.

Early Afternoon: Check into your boutique accommodation 

Select from a range of boutique, luxury and self-contained hotels in convenient locations. Check-in to award-winning five star establishments such as Emporium Hotel South Bank, Crystalbrook Vincent at Howard Smith Wharves or Amora Hotel in Spring Hill. Looking for accommodation in The City? Look no further than Capri by Fraser, W Brisbane or Four Points by Sheraton. For more boutique experiences Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank, Novotel Brisbane South Bank, Ibis Styles and Sage on James Street offer intimate accommodation perfectly positioned to dining and retail precincts.

Afternoon: Explore Museum of Brisbane 

Pop into the Museum of Brisbane, a beautiful museum that brings Brisbane’s art, culture and history to life through expertly curated exhibitions inspired by The City and the lifestyle it endorses.

Early evening: Boutique beers and bars 

For locally made craft beer, Green Beacon Co in Newstead or Brew Dog in Fortitude Valley are popular hotspots. For killer views of the Brisbane River and a laidback vibe, head to Howard Smith Wharves to check out Felons Brewing Co. and overwater bar Mr Percival's, where curated cocktails are a speciality. For more places to imbibe like a local, see our Breweries of Brisbane list.

Night: Hit the live music scene

Planning to see a gig or performance at one of Brisbane’s popular live music venues? Head to The Outpost, Princess Theatre, The Tivoli, Fortitude Music Hall, The Triffid, Lefty’s Music Hall or Brisbane Powerhouse.

Day two 

Morning: Cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary 

Take a leisurely cruise along the Brisbane River from South Bank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with Mirimar Cruises. At Lone Pine, you can get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and emus, see other native wildlife and be amazed by the flying raptor and sheepdog shows.

Afternoon: Urban adventure 

One of the best ways to get to know this city is through the eyes of a skilled and knowledgeable local with Urban Tours, Fit City Tours or Local Sauce Tours. Discover the heart of Brisbane, where the walking tour guides embody the warmth and friendliness that The City is known for, and are keen to share Brisbane’s fascinating stories, history and future endeavours. 

Evening: Adventure as the sun sets

Get active along the riverfront with Riverlife at Kangaroo Point. The urban adventure company offers kayak, bike, URB-E and rollerblade hire, and kayaking tours, abseiling and rock-climbing experiences. For an elevated adventure, book a sky-high experience with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb and be rewarded for your bravado with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the river and sparkling skyline as the sun sets.

Dinner: Queen's Wharf

Sokyo is The Star’s cutting-edge Japanese dining experience reimagined through a modern Australian lens. Be transported to France at Pompette serving elegant classics with a modern twist. For a reimagined Asian-fusion head to Fat Noodle or Luc Lac, Mediterranean classics at Dark Shepherd or Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro. For vibrant cocktails head to Cherry, for comfort food and refreshing drinks head to Sports Bar or take the elevator to the Sky Deck to enjoy breathtaking views at Cicada Blu.

Late Night: Rooftop bars 

Raise your glasses sky-high at Fortitude Valley’s stylish and scenic rooftop bars such as Iris Rooftop, Cielo Rooftop, Maya Mexican, Soko and Valley Hops Brewing. Take in the sweeping views of the city while sipping on creative cocktails and signature craft brews.

Day three 

Morning: Fortitude Valley 

Shop stylish James Street for a great collection of designer and eclectic boutiques and flagship stores, including St. Barts, Scanlan + Theodore, Aje, Bassike, Calexico, and Molten Store. Continue to walk up Ann Street where you’ll stumble across the hidden laneways of Winn, California and Bakery with quirky shops, boutiques and eateries. Nearby, Brunswick Street and surrounds are home to intimate galleries showing off local talent, including Philip Bacon Galleries, Jan Murphy Gallery and the Institute of Modern Art.

Lunch: Howard Smith Wharves

Howard Smith Wharves are the ideal location for a long lunch where you can sit underneath the Story Bridge and enjoy the Brisbane River views. Take a stroll along the Brisbane River before dining at Greca, Stanley, Yoko, or  Ciao Papi. Celebrate well into the night at Mr Percival’s – where cocktails, ambient music and river views captivate the crowds. Stan’s, located above Stanley restaurant offers a little slice of old-world Hong Kong and serves up premier cocktails, or head to B-Side, a hidden bar on top of Yoko restaurant offering Japanese flavours with a Brisbane twist.

Afternoon: South Bank Parklands & Culture Centre

After lunch, catch the CityCat across to South Bank, home to Brisbane's most celebrated parklands and follow the bougainvillea-covered Arbour. Stop by Streets Beach and then pop into the Queensland Museum, which tells the stories of the state. Then head to Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art to explore Australia’s largest gallery of modern art. 

Linger longer

We wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stay a little longer and let your adventures go a little further. Take the pressure out of planning and transport and take a day trip out to the Scenic Rim with a Kiff and Culture tour. You can explore the different styles of tours, from short to long, winery focussed to food focussed and so much more, all encapsulated in the beauty of the lush greenery surrounding you.