Three days in Brisbane is the perfect duration for a first visit — enough time to cover the iconic city highlights, fit in a magnificent day trip, and still have space to discover a neighbourhood or two at your own pace. This is the itinerary we'd give our own family and friends visiting Brisbane. Every timing, restaurant, and activity recommendation is based on years of showing people the best of this city.
3 Days
Perfect long weekend
~$450
Per person est. budget
No car
Needed for this plan
Tested
By local experts
💡 How to use this itinerary: Days 1 and 3 focus on the city — walkable, public-transport friendly, with no car needed. Day 2 is your big day trip (we recommend Moreton Island or Lone Pine + River Cruise). Adjust based on your interests using our alternatives below.
Day 1 — South Bank, Cultural Precinct & City Exploration
Day 1 Morning
Start at South Bank — The City's Backyard
7:00 AM
Morning Coffee at South Bank
Start with excellent coffee at Stacks Espresso Bar on Grey Street — one of Brisbane's best specialty roasters. The early morning light on the river from South Bank is golden and peaceful before the crowds arrive.
7:30 AM
Streets Beach & South Bank Stroll
Walk through the Parklands along the Arbour pathway to Streets Beach for a swim or simply to admire the remarkable feat of a real sandy beach in the middle of a city. Continue to the Goodwill Bridge for city skyline views.
9:30 AM
GOMA — Gallery of Modern Art
Head to the Gallery of Modern Art when it opens. The permanent collection is free and almost always contains extraordinary works. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Check if there's a major ticketed exhibition running — these are often unmissable.
Day 1 Midday
Lunch & the City Botanic Gardens
12:00 PM
Lunch at GOMA Restaurant or South Bank
GOMA Restaurant does an excellent value lunch with a changing seasonal menu. Alternatively, grab a wood-fired pizza from the South Bank promenade restaurants or pick up takeaway from one of the weekend food stalls.
1:30 PM
Catch the City Cat Ferry to the CBD
Board the City Cat river ferry from the South Bank ferry terminal. The 15-minute crossing gives brilliant views of the river, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and the Story Bridge. Alight at the Eagle Street Pier stop in the CBD.
2:00 PM
City Botanic Gardens & Parliament House
Walk through the City Botanic Gardens — look for the massive Moreton Bay fig trees with their extraordinary buttressed roots. Exit through the Parliament House gate and admire the 1868 sandstone building. Stroll up Queen Street Mall if you want some retail therapy.
Day 1 Afternoon & Evening
Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves & Dinner
4:00 PM
Walk the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge
Cross the brand-new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge (opened 2023) from the CBD side to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Walk the clifftop promenade for spectacular CBD views. Free public rock climbing walls are here if you're feeling adventurous.
5:30 PM
Howard Smith Wharves — Pre-Dinner Drinks
Walk north along the river to Howard Smith Wharves — the most spectacular setting in Brisbane. Mr Percival's outdoor bar, nestled under the Story Bridge, is the perfect place for an aperitivo as the evening light hits the bridge. Order Queensland wine or a craft beer.
7:30 PM
Dinner in Fortitude Valley or New Farm
Best dinner options: Longtime (modern Southeast Asian, 10 min walk from Wharves), Agnes Restaurant (wood fire, book ahead), or Gauge in James Street (exceptional tasting menus). For something more casual, the Winn Lane bar strip in Fortitude Valley has outstanding small plates.
Day 2 — The Big Day Trip: Choose Your Adventure
Day 2 is your main day trip from Brisbane. We offer three options depending on your interests:
A
Option A: Moreton Island (Best for Outdoors & Ocean)
🏝 Recommended
This is the day trip we recommend most highly — an extraordinary combination of snorkelling over shipwrecks, sand boarding on towering dunes, and wild dolphin interaction at sunset. The fast ferry from Brisbane takes 75 minutes, and the island feels genuinely remote despite its proximity to the city.
6:30 AM
Ferry Departs Brisbane
Tangalooma Resort ferry departs from Holt Street Wharf. Book the Cooee Tours Moreton Island day package for the best combination of activities.
8:00 AM
Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks
15 deliberately sunk ships form an extraordinary artificial reef. Crystal-clear water, turtles, rays, and hundreds of colourful fish. No experience needed — equipment provided.
11:00 AM
Sand Boarding on Desert Dunes
The island's inland desert — massive sand dunes — are toboggan-able on sand boards. It's absurdly fun and the views from the dune summits across the island are spectacular.
7:30 PM
Wild Dolphin Feeding at Sunset
Wild bottlenose dolphins enter the shallows at Tangalooma Beach at dusk in one of Australia's most magical wildlife moments. Return ferry departs 8:30 PM.
B
Option B: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary + River Cruise
🐨 Wildlife
The classic Brisbane wildlife experience — board the Mirimar river cruise at 10am for a scenic 75-minute journey upriver to Lone Pine, spend 3 hours among 130+ koalas (hold one!), kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils, then return by bus or cruise. Perfect for families and international visitors.
C
Option C: Gold Coast Hinterland Wine Tour
🍷 Wine
For couples and wine lovers — a guided day tour through the Tamborine Mountain and Canungra Valley wine regions. Three to four boutique cellar door visits, a long lunch at a winery restaurant, and spectacular hinterland scenery. Cooee Tours provides transport from Brisbane CBD.
Day 3 — Inner Suburbs & Rooftop Farewell
Day 3 Morning
New Farm Farmers Market & Breakfast
6:00 AM
Jan Powers Farmers Market, New Farm Park
One of Brisbane's best Saturday morning rituals — local producers, artisan bakers, coffee roasters, and fresh juice vendors under the enormous fig trees of New Farm Park. Arrive early for the best selection.
8:30 AM
Brunch in New Farm
New Farm has exceptional café culture. Recommends: Three Monkeys Coffee & Books (in a heritage Queenslander), The Ritual (outstanding eggs), or walk 20 minutes along the Riverwalk to Teneriffe for a café with river views.
Day 3 Midday
Mt Coot-tha Lookout & Botanic Gardens
10:30 AM
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Take the 471 bus from the CBD to Mt Coot-tha. Walk the Botanic Gardens (don't miss the Japanese Garden and the arid dome), then catch the free shuttle bus up to the summit lookout.
12:00 PM
Lunch at Summit Restaurant
The Summit Restaurant at the Mt Coot-tha lookout has a beautiful terrace and does a wonderful wood-fired lunch. The 180-degree panorama of Brisbane from your table is the most impressive dining view in the city.
Day 3 Afternoon & Evening
West End, Story Bridge Climb & Farewell Sunset
2:30 PM
West End Explore
Return to town and spend the afternoon exploring West End — Boundary Street cafés, vintage stores, and the brilliant Avid Reader bookshop. Grab an afternoon coffee at Caffe Gioia or Three Monkeys.
5:30 PM
Sunset Cocktail Cruise (Optional)
For a spectacular Brisbane farewell, join a small-group sunset cocktail cruise from South Bank Pontoon. The city turns gold-orange at sunset from the river — there's simply no better way to end three days in Brisbane.
7:30 PM
Farewell Dinner in the CBD
Splurge option: Donna Chang (spectacular Chinese) in the CBD, or the Emporium Hotel rooftop for cocktails and city views. Relaxed option: Back to Fortitude Valley for excellent ramen or Vietnamese at one of the many excellent Chinatown options.
Budget Breakdown — 3 Days in Brisbane
| Category | Budget Option | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | $80 (hostel/Airbnb) | $150–180 | $280+ |
| Day 2 Day Trip | $89 (Lone Pine) | $129 (Moreton Island) | $149 (Wine Tour) |
| Meals (daily) | $40–50 | $80–100 | $150–200 |
| Activities | $0 (mostly free) | $50 | $100+ |
| Transport | $30 (go card) | $30 (go card) | $50 (Uber) |
| Total 3 Days | ~$350 | ~$550 | ~$900+ |
Practical Information
Where should I stay in Brisbane for 3 days?
South Bank and the South Brisbane area puts you walkable distance from most Day 1 activities and provides easy ferry access to the CBD. Fortitude Valley is excellent for nightlife access. The CBD itself is convenient but can be less atmospheric. For this itinerary, South Bank or Kangaroo Point accommodation is ideal.
Is 3 days enough for Brisbane?
Three days is a great introduction to Brisbane — you'll cover the major highlights and have one excellent day trip. If you want to add the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast hinterland, extend to 5 days. Brisbane genuinely rewards longer stays as you discover the neighbourhood depth beyond the main attractions.
Should I rent a car in Brisbane for 3 days?
For this specific 3-day itinerary, no car is needed — the City Cat ferry, go card buses, and Cooee Tours transport cover everything. For the day trips, we provide transport. If you want to extend to the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast independently, a car for one day is useful but optional with our tours.