Brisbane 7 Day Itinerary

7-Day Brisbane Itinerary:

This itinerary is designed for a balanced experience of Brisbane’s highlights, catering to diverse interests.

Day 1: City Exploration & River Views

  • Morning: Arrive in Brisbane. Check into your hotel in the city centre (consider the Emporium Hotel for luxury or the Brisbane Backpackers for budget-friendly options).
  • Afternoon: Stroll through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, enjoying the diverse flora and beautiful views of the Brisbane River. Explore the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), wander through the City Botanic Gardens, and relax on the South Bank Parklands with a picnic by the river.
  • Evening: Enjoy a delicious dinner at one of South Bank’s many restaurants. For stunning river views, try Riverbar & Kitchen or Stokehouse Q.

Day 2: Wildlife Encounters & City Delights

  • Morning: Head to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary, for a close-up encounter with these adorable creatures.
  • Afternoon: Explore the vibrant South Bank precinct, visiting the Brisbane Wheel, Queensland Museum, or taking a dip in the Streets Beach lagoon.
  • Evening: Enjoy a casual dinner at Southbank Beer Garden and experience the nightlife at the nearby bars and restaurants.

Day 3: History & Culture

  • Morning: Visit the historical Story Bridge and take a walk along the Brisbane Riverwalk, enjoying the views of the city and its surroundings.
  • Afternoon: Immerse yourself in history at The Workshops Rail Museum, or explore the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), focusing on the art exhibits.

Things to know:

  • Best time to visit: Brisbane enjoys warm weather year-round, but the best time to visit is during spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May).
  • Weather: Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
  • Accommodation: This itinerary assumes you are staying in the city centre.

Things to know about the weather:

  • Summer (December-February): Hot and humid, with occasional thunderstorms and high temperatures.
  • Winter (June-August): Mild and pleasant, but it can get chilly at night.
  • Average Temperatures: Expect warm temperatures (70s-80s Fahrenheit) during the day in summer, dropping to the low 60s Fahrenheit at night.
  • Wear: Comfortable clothing and shoes for walking.

Day 4: Brisbane River Cruise & Outdoor Fun

  • Daytime: Enjoy a relaxing river cruise on a CityCat or a private boat.

  • Cruise options:

  • River Cruises: Take in the beauty of Brisbane from the water. Several companies offer scenic cruises, dinner cruises, and even party cruises along the river!

  • Evening:

  • Day 3: The Evening Option: Enjoy a romantic dinner cruise on the Brisbane River.

  • Daytime Options:

  • South Bank Parklands: Explore this vibrant area with its beautiful gardens, swimming pools, and playgrounds for children.

  • Accommodation: Consider staying in a riverside hotel to enjoy stunning views (The Emporium Hotel, Riverside Hotel)

Day 3:

  • Things to do:

  • Story Bridge Adventure Climb: Experience breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane while climbing the iconic structure.

  • Explore South Bank Parklands: Enjoy the South Bank Parklands, with its lush gardens and green spaces.

  • Brisbane River Cruise Options:

    • Daytime:
      • The CityCat ferries offer a great way to see the sights along the river.
      • Consider a lunch cruise or afternoon tea cruise for a unique dining experience.

  • Accommodation:

  • South Bank Accommodation:

  • Brisbane River Cruise Options (continued):

    • Riverlife: This company offers a variety of tours, including a cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

  • Dinner: Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants in the city centre.

  • Accommodation: Enjoy a variety

  • Things to do:

    • Queensland Museum & Queensland Art Gallery: Explore the Queensland Museum and the Brisbane Art Gallery, both located on the South Bank, with a focus on the historical exhibits.

  • Day 4: (continued):

  • Riverlife Adventures: Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Brisbane River with stunning city views!

  • South Bank Restaurants:

    • CityCat Ferry to the Brisbane River Cruise Terminal: Enjoy the scenery and maybe even visit some of the riverside restaurants for a unique dining experience.

Things to do:

  • Visit the Botanical Gardens: Enjoy the beauty of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and its Japanese Garden.
  • Explore the South Bank Parklands: Stroll through the park, enjoy the views from the Wheel, or visit the Queensland Art Gallery & Museum.
  • Relax by the river: Enjoy a riverside picnic at the Roma Street Parkland.

Day 5: Explore the City

  • Morning: Visit the South Bank Markets, held every weekend. You’ll find fresh produce, handmade crafts, clothing and jewellery stalls here, as well as live music and entertainment.

  • Afternoon: Take a break from exploring to enjoy a delicious lunch at a cafe in the city centre.

  • Explore the City: Visit the Queensland Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), or take a walk through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

  • Consider:

    • A tour of the Queensland Botanical Gardens: Learn about the history and diversity of the plants in the gardens while enjoying the fresh air.

Things to do:

  • Explore the City: Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Brisbane Riverwalk.

  • Enjoy the city’s vibrant cultural scene: Visit the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) for a performance, or explore the street art scene in Fortitude Valley.

  • Indulge in fine dining: The Eagle Street Pier offers stunning views and many upscale restaurants.

Accommodation: Enjoy the Brisbane Riverwalk experience with its beautiful river views.

  • **Enjoy the food and atmosphere of the South Bank precinct.

Things to know about accommodation:

  • South Bank Hotel Options:

    • Day 6: Enjoy the breathtaking view of the city skyline from your hotel room.
    • Other Options: Consider Airbnb for unique and affordable accommodation options in different parts of Brisbane, like the charming New Farm neighbourhood.

  • Budget-friendly accommodations are available: Enjoy the vibrant nightlife and dining scene in the city centre.

Day 7: Day Trip

  • Consider a day trip to a nearby destination:

  • Theme Parks: Enjoy the thrill of a day at Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, or Sea World on the Gold Coast.

  • Nature & Wildlife: Explore the lush Brisbane River and enjoy the views from the City Botanic Gardens

  • South Bank, Brisbane: Enjoy the vibrant Riverlife Precinct with its attractions and activities.

  • Queensland Art Gallery & Museum (QAGOMA)

  • Things to do:

  • Theme Park Experience: This itinerary offers a variety of options for enjoying a day trip.

  • Accommodation Options:

  • South Bank: Enjoy the riverside views while staying in a hotel with a stunning backdrop.

  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Consider a hotel near the sanctuary for a convenient and enjoyable experience.

Day 7: (continued)

  • QPAC: Enjoy a show at the Riverside Theatre or explore the South Bank Parklands.

Other things to do:

  • Explore South Bank: Visit the Queensland Museum, take a stroll along the Brisbane Riverwalk, and enjoy a picnic by the river.

  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Enjoy a relaxing picnic with a view at this popular spot.

  • Accommodation: Enjoy a picnic with a view of the city’s skyline, the theme park experience is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and the natural beauty of South Bank.

  • Food & Drinks:

    • Enjoy the vibrant nightlife on Brisbane’s South Bank, which offers many bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

  • Experience: Enjoy a

Family-friendly Fun:

  • Visit the Queensland Museum or take a ride on the Brisbane River Cruise. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the river and learn about its history and ecology.

Food & Drink Options:

  • Enjoy a variety of cuisines, including modern Australian, Italian, Asian and Japanese cuisine.
  • Enjoy fresh seafood and riverside views at The Charming Squire, Stokehouse Q, or Riverbar & Kitchen.
  • Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere: Experience a relaxing picnic with stunning views in the parklands, or enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant on the riverwalk.

For the Foodie:

  • Enjoy a relaxed brunch at a cafe with views of the Brisbane River and city skyline.
  • Consider taking a cooking class to learn about Australian cuisine and culture.

Things to consider for a theme park experience:

  • Book in advance: Tickets for popular theme parks, especially during peak season, sell out quickly.
  • Plan your itinerary: Theme parks are big! Decide what rides you want to prioritize before you arrive.

For the Nature Lover:

  • Explore the Brisbane Botanic Gardens: Enjoy a variety of food and drink options in the parklands, such as the Riverbar & Kitchen.

Day 7: (continued)

  • Enjoy a ride on the CityCat ferry, which offers amazing views.

Experience:

  • The Queensland Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of the city, and the riverside scenery is breathtaking.

Things to do:

  • Explore the Botanic Gardens: Enjoy a picnic with a view of the lush

South Bank Parklands:

  • Enjoy the stunning views of the Brisbane River and experience the serene atmosphere.
  • Explore the various gardens, like the Rainforest Garden, the Japanese Garden, or the Tropical Dome.
  • Enjoy a picnic lunch with breathtaking views of the city.

Dining at the South Bank:

  • Explore a variety of restaurants: Indulge in the vibrant atmosphere and diverse culinary scene of the South Bank Parklands.

Enjoy the food and drinks:

  • Consider a riverside view: Enjoy a delicious meal with stunning views of the Brisbane River.
  • Enjoy a picnic: Choose from a range of parks and gardens to enjoy a relaxing lunch by the river.

The CityCat Experience:

  • Enjoy the scenic views: Take a break and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the CityCat:
  • Enjoy a variety of cuisines and delicious food at the nearby restaurants.

Consider:

  • Taking a cooking class: Learning about Australian cuisine and culture through a hands-on experience.

Enjoying the Brisbane River:

  • Enjoy a romantic dinner: Enjoy a delicious meal with breathtaking views.

For the Nature Lover:

  • Explore the gardens: Explore the beautiful gardens and enjoy the scenic views.

Enjoy: Enjoy the view of the city from the riverside:

  • South Bank Parklands: Enjoy the beauty of the Brisbane River and the city’s skyline.
  • Enjoy a variety of activities: Relax in the park, ride the bikes, or enjoy a picnic by the river.

Accommodation:

  • Consider a variety of options:
  • Fortitude Valley: Enjoy the vibrant restaurants and nightlife while staying in a hotel with stunning views.

Experience: Enjoy the unique atmosphere of Brisbane’s riverside restaurants.

Food & Drink Ideas:

  • Enjoy a meal at the Charming Squire: Located right on the river, this popular spot offers delicious food and drinks with a view.

  • Take a stroll through the South Bank Parklands: Enjoy the fresh air and scenery while you enjoy a delicious meal: Enjoy a variety of activities:

  • Explore the parklands: Enjoy a picnic, take a walk along the riverwalk, or visit one of the many museums and galleries in the area.

South Bank: A Riverfront Oasis for All

Enjoy the stunning views and enjoy a variety of activities with friends and family.

Fortitude Valley:

  • Explore the vibrant South Bank Parklands:
  • Enjoy the riverfront setting and soak up the atmosphere.
  • Explore the beautiful gardens,
  • Take a walk along the scenic Brisbane Riverwalk.

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the park:

  • Enjoy a picnic by the river.

Remember to adjust this itinerary to your personal preferences and interests. Enjoy!