How to spend one week in Brisbane and beyond

Make your grand entrance at Brisbane Airport (approx. 30 minutes away from the CBD) and head to Brisbane City for the start of your week-long adventure in Queensland’s capital.

Book yourself into one of the city’s best hotels and then do the full loop onboard Brisbane’s CityCat ferry service to get your bearings. It’s the cheapest ‘tour’ of the river city you’ll find! A two-hour ticket will cost you $5.60, or if you choose the red hop-on hop-off CityHopper ferries, it’s free.

If you’re looking for a beach in the middle of the city, South Bank is a must. Simply get off at the South Bank CityCat stop and greet the 17 hectares of parklands overlooking the city (find your way using this guide). From Friday night to Sunday afternoon, you can wander the Collective Markets for local artwork, handmade gifts and fashion and vintage clothing, as well as food stalls.

For some air-conditioned reprieve from all that sunshine, duck into the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art to lose yourself in Australia’s largest gallery of modern and contemporary art. 

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The Emporium Hotel’s rooftop bar, The Terrace, is the perfect spot in South Bank for sunny afternoon drinks and the best view of Brisbane at golden hour. (If you’re on the hunt for more bars with the best views, check out our round-up here).

Think Brisbane isn’t in sync with arts and culture? Think again. Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is home to the Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Queensland. The centre features a year-round menu of productions from circus shows to Broadway performances so do your research before you come and make a booking.

After dark, Fish Lane is the place to go for a good feed and a great night out.

Day 2: City slickin’

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For a day of sunshine, shopping and secret laneways, journey into the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.

Kickstart today’s adventures by getting acquainted with the open-air Queen Street Mall. It’s located directly in the centre of the city and is home to over 700 retailers ranging from international brands including Chanel, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton, to Australian designers like Aje, Alice McCall, Camilla and Sass & Bide.

When your feet need a rest, search for the nearby (and almost hidden) laneways to find specialty coffee and delicious eats, like Felix for Goodness on Burnett Lane whose organic menu is full of guilt-free goodness to keep you going.

Next up: See the city from a different perspective and climb to the top of City Hall to visit Brisbane’s clock tower museum (bonus: it’s free!). 

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Catch the CityCat to Kangaroo Point at dusk for a stunning view of the cityscape. Those with an appetite for adventure can choose to scale up then abseil down the cliffs with Riverlife for some spectacular views of the city.

For a paddock to plate feast tonight, go to Lamberts. Their seasonal menu of innovative modern Australian cuisine tastes as good as it looks. In the mood for seafood? Kangaroo Point’s One Fish Two Fish is not your average fish and chips shop - it’s so much better. 

Day 3: To an island and back

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What you may not have realised when you booked your Brisbane city getaway is that an island paradise is just a 25-minute ferry ride away. Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), also known as Straddie, is your much-needed break from reality.

Breathe in the fresh salty air as you stroll along the island's easy yet spectacular North Gorge Walk. Keep your eyes on the water and you may spot dolphins, manta rays, turtles and (in the cooler months) whales as they migrate north.

Reward your efforts with a double scoop of homemade Italian ice cream from Oceanic Gelati Bar at Point Lookout, then walk across the road to watch the waves roll in from your private spot on the cliff face.

Next up, dive into the tea-tree infused waters of Brown Lake, a sacred site for the local Quandamooka people. Spend the rest of your day kayaking or relaxing on the lake’s shady banks; or head to the secluded Frenchman Beach or the patrolled Cylinder Beach if you want to go for a swim.

If you want to keep exploring, here’s how you can spend 48 hours on North Stradbroke Island.

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After a long but lovely day in paradise, you’re probably looking for something low-key (but delicious) for dinner. Howard Smith Wharves along the Brisbane River is a historic site under the Story Bridge that’s been turned into the ultimate foodie destination that has a bit of everything. 

Head to the shed for brewery and gastro-pub Felons; sip cocktails at the cool Mr Percivals while you munch on Moreton Bay bug rolls; or take your taste buds to Greece at contemporary Greek taverna, GRECA - the latest venture from restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess from Sydney’s famous The Apollo. Or simply enjoy a waterfront BYO picnic. 

Day 4: A change of scenery

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Want a touch of greenery that’s close to the city? Look no further than the Scenic Rim. Only a hop, skip and 1.5-hour drive away from Brisbane, road trips here are perfect for getting off the grid, without spending the whole day in the car.

Ditch the sleep-in and head south-west into Lamington National Park. (Pick up a takeaway cup of Brisbane’s best coffee from one of these places before you hit the road). As the city falls further into your rearview mirror, wind down the car windows and breathe in a big gulp of the fresh air. You’ll feel like you are a world away as you drive through the dense rainforest on your way to this World Heritage site.

Drive through the historical country town of Canungra, where you can turn off for the O’Reilly’s Green Mountains section. Now you have some choices: Take the 4.6km return walk from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to Morans Falls; wrap yourself in the rainforest’s canopy on the Tree Top Walk; or find true peace and serenity - and one of the best views around - during a spa treatment at the Lost World Spa.

Next up, you’re going to start heading back towards Brisbane, but don’t worry, you’re not going ‘home’ just yet. Follow the scenic Tamborine-Lamington Circuit and head to Tamborine Mountain where you can grab a feed at the Spice of Life Cafe & Deli on Main Street, or if you’re daring, hang glide off the mountain. Not your flavour? Relish in the digital detox and visit Mount Tamborine National Park nearby for a picnic in Mother Nature’s backyard. 

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If you’re looking to extend your stay a little longer, camp out under the stars in one of Nightfall’s eco-glamping tents in the Lamington National Park. With locally-sourced organic food on the menu, organic cotton and biodynamic Australian wool bedding on your king size bed, and the babbling of Christmas Creek beside you, you’ll feel off the grid - but not short on luxury - here.

Day 5: Feel like a local

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Today’s all about exploring the lesser-known sides of Brisbane and getting a sense of the local lifestyle.

Start the day right at Industry Beans in Newstead. They take their coffee seriously (they even have their own coffee greenhouse) and the Brunch Menu heroes native Australian ingredients in spectacular, mouth-watering form, such as the signature dish, fruit sashimi with a wattleseed rice crisp topped with coffee caviar. If you’ve started the day off with a sleep in and don’t arrive until after 10am, no one will bat an eyelid if you wanted to order an espresso martini with your breakfast.

From Industry Beans, it’s a 10-minute walk to the start of one of Brisbane’s best walks and cycling routes, following the curve of the Brisbane River and Brisbane’s own millionaire’s row from Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe to James Street in Fortitude Valley.

Along the way, you’ll find yourself in the leafy suburb of New Farm. New Farm Park is a favourite local spot for a picnic, so grab yourself a gourmet spread from New Farm Deli and find a shady spot under one of the vibrant purple jacaranda trees. Or, if you’re feeling thirsty, wander a little further to the Brisbane Powerhouse. On the ground level of the converted historic power station is Mary Mae’s. The well-stocked bar has Brisbane brews on tap from the likes of Ballistic, Slipstream and Green Beacon, and those uninterrupted river views will entice you to sit and stay awhile. 

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If you made it all the way to the end of your river walk, you’ll have landed on James Street - Brisbane’s stylish fashion and lifestyle precinct. Post-shopping, there are plenty of chic places to stop for a tipple. The Calile Hotel’s elegant Lobby Bar has a refined menu of signature cocktails, while Gerard’s Bar is always buzzing with locals.

For a night out that’s a little left of centre, how about listening to opera in a theatre built in 1871? Test the acoustics of Spring Hill’s Reservoirs with a performance by the Underground Opera Company, who make use of the cavernous spaces that once held the city’s water supply until 1962.

Fancy a movie night under the stars instead? Moonlight Cinema set up shop in Roma Street Parkland during summer to bring you all the best new movies and cult favourites in this unique setting. Pack a picnic or grab drinks and nibbles from the food trucks and fully licensed bar on-site.

Day 6: Snorkelling and street food

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Take a morning ferry across to the world’s third largest sand island, Moreton Island. The trip is about 1.5 hours from the Port of Brisbane onboard the Micat Ferry, which has a café and viewing deck to keep you entertained until you reach the sandy shores.

While you’re on Moreton Island, be sure to visit the wrecks. All 15 of them have created a popular dive site just metres from the beach. If you want a break from snorkelling, head to shore and go on a Segway tour with Tangatours. Introductory tours are $75 per person for 30 minutes and these zippy modes of transport ensure you can see more of the island when you’re only here for the day.

Before jetting back to Brisbane, climb and ride one of the island’s iconic sand dunes.

If you haven’t had enough time in the sunshine, stay longer. Here’s how you can spend 48 hours on Moreton Island.

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We’ve saved one of the best till last. Spend your last evening at Eat Street Northshore; a foodie’s paradise built from shipping containers. Eat from any corner of the world, grab a few cocktails to wash down all that amazing street food, and save room for dessert: The Golden Gaytime conut is what happens when culinary creatives decide to step up an Aussie classic a couple of notches.

The sheer amount of food options can be overwhelming, so check out this first-timer’s guide to Eat Street Northshore before you go

Day 7: Panoramic views and wildlife encounters

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The early bird catches the worm so spread your wings and flock up to Mount Coot-tha for a glowing panorama of the city.

This pocket of nature in Brisbane is home to more than 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest just waiting to be explored post-sunrise. Think picnic areas, creeks, waterfalls and over 31km of tracks to be conquered.

If you want to linger longer, check out these six ways to explore this inner-city mountain.

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