Explore Brisbane with Bluey's Melanie Zanetti — the voice of Chilli

Feature

By Kristie Lau-Adams

Brisbane dazzles with delicious dining, non-stop entertainment and breathtaking natural wonders — so who better to show us around than a savvy local?

Melanie Zanetti, the voice of Chilli Heeler in the TV series Bluey, was born in Queensland’s vibrant subtropical capital city and knows exactly where to set the Sat Nav.

From the infectious spirit of Brisbane’s ultimate arts and entertainment precinct to jaw-dropping regional vantage points and the city’s hottest ticket, Bluey’s World, Melanie’s favourite pit-stops unleash an action-packed adventure in the big smoke.

Follow her epic Brisbane itinerary to discover the magic of Brisbane yourself.

Sunrise at Mt Cooth-tha Lookout

A family at Mount Cooth-Tha Lookout looking out at the view of Brisbane City — Mount Coot-Tha Lookout, Brisbane

According to Melanie, Mt Cooth-tha Tourist Drive and its spectacular lookout are bucket list musts. “If you’re a true Bluey fan, you’ll recognise Mount Coot-tha, the best spot for epic views of Brisbane,” Melanie says. Kick off your day the right way by driving up from the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha and beyond the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium (both on Mt Cooth-tha Road) until you hit the lookout point.

If you’ve got loose coins, power up one of the binoculars at the railings to spy Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland as the sun slinks into the morning. There’s also The Summit Cafe, located right near the lookout, to visit while you’re there, which opens anywhere between 6am and 7am each morning and serves coffee and breakfast classics until 11am.

Extraordinary play at Bluey’s World

Bluey, Bingo and two children — Bluey's World, Brisbane

Ready to launch into serious thrills? Bluey’s World, an immersive experience located at Northshore Brisbane in Hamilton, is a 30-minute drive from Mt Cooth-tha Lookout and next on your to-do list. “No Brisbane day out is complete without a stop at the home of Bluey — for real life!” Melanie recommends.

From life-size sets straight out of the Heelers’ home life to astonishing odes to Bluey and Bingo’s adored local haunts, the once-in-a-lifetime event places you right in the heart of your favourite TV show. Guests are expertly guided through spaces overflowing with the global phenomenon’s trademark joy, nostalgia and humour. The cherry on top lies at the end in Alfie’s Gift Shop, providing exclusive merchandise to help bring a piece of Bluey’s exhilarating universe back home with you.

Check out this guide to Bluey's World, a one-of-a-kind immersive event.

Scenic chopper flight with Elite Helicopters

Legs dangling out of a Elite helicopter ride over Brisbane City — Elite Helicopters, Brisbane

Send your day trip soaring with a bird’s eye view of the city. Melanie’s pre-lunch tip (or post-lunch tip, however your adventure more conveniently swings) involves jumping aboard one of Queensland's most luxurious helicopter experiences.

Elite Helicopters’ ‘30-Minute Scenic Flight’ over Brisbane and Moreton Bay departs Archerfield Airport (about 40 minutes’ drive from Sirromet Winery in the southern corners of the city) before sweeping across Mount Gravatt and Raby Bay where you’ll cop a picture-perfect eyeful of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) and, if the weather Gods are agreeable, the glittering shores of the Gold Coast.

Lunch at South Bank

A couple walking through South Bank Parklands with coffees — South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

Taking a leisurely stickybeak through South Bank, the city’s cultural hub and home to an array of unique attractions, is one of Melanie’s preferred pastimes. “South Bank’s my go-to for chilling out, cooling off and taking in Brisbane’s iconic Arbour Walk,” she says. “You might also recognise it from Bluey’s famous Ice Cream episode.”

Stroll along Melanie’s favourite one-kilometre Arbour stretch, lined with eye-catching bougainvillea blooms, within South Bank Parklands before hitting the man-made Streets Beach to laze about white sand and azure-blue waters.

South Bank is also the perfect destination for lunch, no matter your cravings. Calida, one of the best new restaurants in Brisbane, dishes up authentic Argentinian flavours, Motto Motto Japanese Kitchen – South Bank nails fast and flavour-packed casual bites and Popolo is renowned for its exceptional Italian-inspired fare.

Dinner and drinks at Emporium Hotel South Bank

Couple walking through a luxury hotel — Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane

Do your best lunches tend to morph into dinner? We’ve all been there. Melanie’s after-dark advice is to keep the good times rolling at Emporium Hotel South Bank, pinpointing the hotel’s Terrace Rooftop Bar as South Bank’s ultimate dinner destination.

The hot spot’s menu offers mouth-watering share plates including Korean Marinated Pork Belly, Bulgogi Beef Tacos and a signature Terrace Sashimi spread, in addition to killer cocktails and top-quality wine and beer.

As a bonus, the hotel also offers an extremely plush spot to rest your head for the evening — but only after you’ve savoured every inch of the Terrace’s sensational views across Brisbane’s shimmering skyline.