Brisbane in 5 days

A subtropical river city with an outdoor lifestyle and a fast-rising food scene. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $100 to $170 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: South Bank, Riverside parkland, the lagoon beach, museums and galleries.

Morning: CityCat ferry ride. Ride the river from end to end - the cheapest, best city tour in Brisbane.

Afternoon: Explore South Bank, Riverside parkland, the lagoon beach, museums and galleries.

Evening: Mount Coot-tha lookout. Sunset views over the whole city and out to Moreton Bay.

Eat: Modern Australian at Howard Smith Wharves restaurants

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Fortitude Valley, Nightlife, live music, Chinatown and the city's best bars.

Morning: South Bank and the Streets Beach lagoon. Free city-centre swimming beach, plus GOMA and the Queensland Museum.

Afternoon: Explore Fortitude Valley, Nightlife, live music, Chinatown and the city's best bars.

Evening: Climb the Story Bridge. Or just walk it - one of only three climbable bridges in the world.

Eat: Vietnamese and pho in West End and the Valley

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: West End, Bohemian, multicultural, weekend markets and great cheap eats.

Morning: Day trip to North Stradbroke Island. Beaches, whale watching and the Gorge Walk, a ferry ride from the bay.

Afternoon: Explore West End, Bohemian, multicultural, weekend markets and great cheap eats.

Evening: Howard Smith Wharves - a dining and brewery precinct tucked under the Story Bridge cliffs.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Riverside brunch at South Bank cafés

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: New Farm, Leafy, upmarket, the Powerhouse arts venue and riverside walks.

Morning: The City Botanic Gardens riverside walk, free and quiet.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore New Farm, Leafy, upmarket, the Powerhouse arts venue and riverside walks.

Evening: Boggo Road - free CityHopper ferry that loops the inner city for nothing.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Craft beer at Newstead Brewing or Felons under the bridge

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: CBD & Howard Smith Wharves, The riverside dining precinct beneath the Story Bridge.

Morning: Mount Coot-tha's J.C. Slaughter Falls bush trails, minutes from the centre.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore CBD & Howard Smith Wharves, The riverside dining precinct beneath the Story Bridge.

Evening: Dinner at Modern Australian at Howard Smith Wharves restaurants, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in CBD & Howard Smith Wharves.

Eat: Modern Australian at Howard Smith Wharves restaurants

Hidden gems

Howard Smith Wharves - a dining and brewery precinct tucked under the Story Bridge cliffs.
The City Botanic Gardens riverside walk, free and quiet.
Boggo Road - free CityHopper ferry that loops the inner city for nothing.
Mount Coot-tha's J.C. Slaughter Falls bush trails, minutes from the centre.

Getting around

The CityCat and CityHopper ferries are the scenic backbone - the CityHopper is free. Buses and trains use the go card. The CBD is walkable, and the airport train (Airtrain) reaches the centre in about 20 minutes.

Safety

Very safe, with standard city awareness in the Valley nightlife area late at night. The subtropical sun is strong - hydrate and wear sunscreen. Summer (Dec-Feb) brings humidity and afternoon storms.

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