in brisbane for nrl magic round?
Here's what you need to get up to
If you're heading to Brisbane for NRL Magic Round, you'd be mad not to make a long weekend of it. From top-notch food to cold brews and poolside chills to adventure and thrills, there's a stack of things to do both before and after the final whistle sounds.
Thursday
Check in and start exploring
Welcome to Brisbane! Once you’ve checked into your hotel, it's time to explore the city before the on field action kicks off. If you're a foodie looking to experience the best of the Brisbane food scene, check out our comprehensive list of Brisbane's best restaurants, cafés and bars to plan the ultimate weekend of dining. If adventure and excitement is more of your thing, Brisbane is home to a variety unforgettable experiences, from scaling the Story Bridge to snorkelling through a shipwreck, plan an epic Brisbane adventure for your stay!
If your looking for accommodation close to the action, The Milton Brisbane is just a short walk from Suncorp Stadium and Caxton Street.
Friday
Fun for everyone
It’s Friday morning and time to head to South Bank to explore the 17 hectares of lush parklands, stunning river views, and world-class museums and cultural centres.
For lunch choose from a wide range of delicious eateries available along the river, from quick eats the whole family will enjoy to world-class fine dining experiences.
Then drop by Victoria Park Putt Putt for a few rounds of mini golf or head to the driving range to perfect your swing while taking in spectacular view of Brisbane City.
Explore Brisbane's breweries, wineries and distilleries
Book in for a 90-minute tour of the heritage XXXX Brewery to explore the story of beer and gain an insight into the 135-year history of a Queensland icon. View how beer is made, from the raw ingredients through to the state-of-the-art packing hall, then learn how to pour the perfect beer and taste it like a brewer.
Check out River to Bay’s day brewery tour and cruise along the river stopping off at Brisbane's most-loved breweries. Step it up a notch with a helicopter pub crawl through Greater Brisbane with Elite Helicopters. Hop between three to five classic country pubs, sinking a beer at each and stopping for lunch along the way.
If land-based tours are more your thing, let Hop on Brewery Tours or Queensland Day Tour’s Brisbane Brewery Tours show you around local microbreweries with a comprehensive range of tours to choose from. Thirsty work!
If beer is not your cup of tea, Brisbane is also home to wide range of distilleries and wineries.
Distilleries & wineries
Head to Granddad Jack's Distillery to enjoy an intimate afternoon sitting with friends and family while enjoying award-winning spirits and liqueurs or sipping on delicious craft beers made by this family-owned distillery.
If you're keen to stay close to the action, jump over to Milton Rum Distillery to check out this group of passionate distillers working together to refresh the rum scene in Australia by creating craft spirits with a mix of traditional and innovative distilling techniques.
A local treasure located at Mount Cotton, Sirromet Wines, is a family-owned and run winery with state-of-the-art facilities for food and wine lovers. If you want to escape the city and take in stunning views, this is the winery for you.
City Winery is a working micro-winery in the heart of the city. Book a winery tour and have a delicious meal in the cellar.
Take a scenic drive out to Canungra Valley Vineyards for wine tastings, picnic baskets, stone-baked pizzas, cheese boards, and the Alpaca Farm!
Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm is the perfect destination lunch spot. Nestled in the Fassifern Valley, take in the breathtaking view of the scenic rim's mountains while indulging in boutique wines from the cellar door and treats from the lavender shop.
Byblós, Hamilton
Before kick-off, join in on Brisbane brunch culture and head to Harvey’s on James St to sample their popular Potato and Feta Roesti, then take a stroll down the high street to stop (or window shop) at designer boutiques and leading Australian brands like sass & bide and Gorman. Better yet, embark on a personal shopping tour with Spree With Me and let an experienced stylist show you the best of Brisbane's boutiques.
Not interested in shopping? Take a leisurely wander down the beautiful streets of New Farm to New Farm Park.
Head down to Caxton Street early to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere and visit the iconic venues for a craft brew, a cheeky burger and live entertainment.
After the final whistle, dive into post-game action. It’s back to the bustling Caxton Street to keep the party rolling! If you’re keen for a change of scenery, take a short drive and find yourself at Howard Smith Wharves, the ultimate riverfront precinct. Or, if you want to experience the bustling nightlife of Brisbane, explore Fortitude Valley’s trendiest spots to drink and dance. Visit Cloudland for a boutique bar experience, The Tivoli for a live gig, or dance the night away at one of Brisbane’s most popular clubs.
Sunday
Adventure on the river
After a sleep-in, it’s now time to make the most of your long weekend before the final matches kick off. Pack a picnic and book a cruise on GoBoat self-driven electric boats. These boats can be rented for up to 3 hours and don’t require passengers to have a boat licence.
If you’re up for something a little more adrenaline-inducing, try abseiling down the Kangaroo Point Cliffs or kayaking on our Brisbane River. Riverlife Adventure Centre has it all for the active enthusiast.
Why not book yourself an adrenaline-filled adventure with Jet Ski Tours Brisbane! Choose from their guided jet ski safaris along the Brisbane River or even venture out to the stunning Moreton Bay – no license required!
Stay a little while longer
If you’ve got time to kill, here are a few more suggestions for things to do!
Race your mates at one of Australia’s most famous race kart courses, Kingston Park Raceway.
Who doesn’t love the thrill of a chase? Place a bet and visit one of Brisbane’s grandest heritage buildings, the Treasury Casino.
Take the ferry across to Moreton Island and enjoy a day of sun, sand, and snorkelling.
Visit the “brewmuda triangle” in Newstead. Brisbane has a number of inner-city craft breweries set within walking distance of one another.
Share your moments on and off the field using our hashtag #visitbrisbane.
