A meticulously planned three-day Brisbane itinerary from local tour experts — South Bank, GOMA, Moreton Island, Howard Smith Wharves, and every hidden gem worth knowing. Designed to hit every highlight without wasting a single hour.
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. Brisbane is Australia's sunshine capital, with 300 days of sunshine annually, a stunning river winding through the city, world-class cultural attractions, and easy access to beaches, islands, and hinterland. 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.
Day 2 is your main day trip from Brisbane. We offer four options depending on your interests:
This is the day trip we recommend most highly — an extraordinary combination of snorkelling over deliberate shipwreck reefs, sand boarding on towering desert 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. Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) is the world's third-largest sand island.
The classic Brisbane wildlife experience — board the Mirimar river cruise at 10am for a scenic 75-minute journey upriver to Lone Pine, the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary. Spend 3 hours among 130+ koalas (hold one!), hand-feed kangaroos, spot wombats and Tasmanian devils, and watch the platypus display. Bird shows and sheepdog demonstrations round out an extraordinary half-day. Perfect for families and international visitors.
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 including Cedar Creek Distillery and Witches Falls Winery, a long lunch at a winery restaurant, and spectacular hinterland views from the escarpment. Cooee Tours provides comfortable transport from Brisbane CBD — no driving required.
Less than an hour's ferry ride away, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is one of Queensland's most beautiful coastal day trips. Pristine beaches, surf breaks, snorkelling at Cylinder Beach, and whale watching from June to November (one of the best spots on the east coast). A barge takes cars across; a passenger ferry is faster. The island's Quandamooka people have a rich cultural connection to the land.
| 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 (GOMA, parks — mostly free) | $50 | $100+ |
| Transport (CityCat 50¢ flat) | $20–30 (go card) | $30 | $50 (Uber) |
| Total 3 Days | ~$350 | ~$550 | ~$900+ |