Morning: Breakfast in the gardens

Ease into your day at City Botanic Gardens and enjoy breakfast amid lush greenery to a soothing soundtrack of native birdsong. The Gardens Club café is nestled within the urban oasis, serving Toby’s Estate coffee and an enticing all-day menu of meals and snacks from 7am daily. Start your day the healthy way with toasted muesli, fruit and coconut yogurt, indulge early with Nutella French toast with ricotta maple syrup and fruit, or fuel up for the day ahead with a hearty eggs benny. Finish breakfast with a leisurely stroll along the Riverwalk or explore the expansive Gardens on a self-guided walk.

Mid-morning: Museum of Brisbane

Head to King George Square and Brisbane City Hall to visit the Museum of Brisbane (MoB). Free to enter, it’s a local gem that hosts a year-round calendar of permanent and special exhibitions that showcase the people and stories of Brisbane. There are often hands-on activities and interactive displays to intrigue the littlies and the MoB Shop is always worth a look for locally made arts and crafts that make great mementos and gifts. Hop on a free, guided Clock Tower Tour at Brisbane City Hall for a view of The City from the top.

Midday: Lunch in The City

After soaking up the natural sights and cultural delights, it’s time for lunch. The City is bursting with options from food court eateries and cheap grab-and-go meals to breezy cafes and fine dining restaurants. Look to The City’s hideaway venues for an inspired lunchtime feed. Follow Burnett Lane to Felix for Goodness for an honest-to-goodness healthy and wholesome meal and all-day breakfast menu. Split some dim sum at Longtime Dining, indulge in artesian European deli meals included heaped baguettes at The Wolf, visit Cheeky Poke Bar in Ulster Lane for a fresh salad fix, or hide in plain sight at Stanton bistro with a superior view over the Queen Street Mall.

Afternoon: Shopping and cinema in The City

The City is Brisbane’s ultimate shopping destination with more than 500 stores lining the vibrant Queen Street Mall with an additional luxury precinct and independent boutiques to browse. Stroll through the open-air pedestrian mall as you immerse yourself in the high-street favourites, department stores and international labels you know and love plus local designers and quirky finds. After you’ve shopped along Queen Street Mall, you may need a sweet-treat pick me up which can be found at Noosa Chocolate Factory. A flagship store on Adelaide Street where your coffee or hot chocolate always comes with a sample treat. From here, its time for a touch of luxury. Check out the Edward Street luxury precinct for more upscale fashion and elegant styling.

Once you’ve stashed those shopping bags securely, take a load off and enjoy an early evening film at Elizabeth Picture Theatre. The family-run, vintaged-styled cinema shows a range of new blockbuster movies, anime favourites and independent flicks with screenings suitable for the whole family to enjoy.

Night: Dinner and drinks

Time to head out on the town at night. Drink in the riverside ambience at one of The City’s fine dining restaurants on the waterfront along Eagle Street with sparkling views of the Brisbane River and cityscape. Here are some new and classic restaurants that are ready to take your taste buds on a culinary journey: Tillerman’s premium seafood menu, exceptional seasonal Japanese dining at Exhibition, signature porterhouse beef from Walter Steakhouse and Wine Bar, first-class pan-Asian dishes from Supernormal, and Middle Eastern bites from Babylon.

There’s plenty of after-hours action awaiting you in The City too, so, get cosy  in one of Brisbane’s intimate wine bars or cocktail lounges. Find the hidden Before + After amaro specialty bar on George Street and the fun-loving Frogs Hollow Saloon on Charlotte Street. Other well-stocked specialty drinking dens worth seeking out include The Gresham Bar, Death & Taxes and Antico Bar.

Linger longer

Want to extend your Brisbane City experience? Book a stay in one of The City’s outstanding hotels and apartments. You’ll find options from 5-star and designer-led hotels to boutique accommodations and self-catering apartments. Choose from the show-stopping W Brisbane, heritage-listed Treasury Hotel, or quirky-cool Ovolo Inchcolm. For a convenient central location, check-in to the Hilton Brisbane, Sofitel Brisbane, The Westin or Hyatt Regency Brisbane. There’s also the popular Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, Oaks Brisbane Aurora and Meriton Suites for serviced apartment stays.