Brisbane • Queensland Travel Guide
The perfect 3 days in Brisbane
Three days is just enough to fall for Brisbane — the river, the culture, the koalas and a hinterland lookout, without ever feeling rushed. Here's a balanced, walkable plan that mixes the icons with the local favourites, built the way a Brisbanite would actually do it.
Day 1
The River City
South Bank, the cultural precinct and the CBD on foot — Brisbane's beating heart.
Day 2
Koalas & Views
Lone Pine, Mt Coot-tha and a CityCat cruise to New Farm and Howard Smith Wharves.
Day 3
Beyond the City
A day trip — island, coast or hinterland — to round out your long weekend.
The River City
South Bank · Cultural Precinct · CBD
Morning
South Bank Parklands & Streets Beach
Start where Brisbane likes to relax. South Bank's riverside parklands are home to Streets Beach — the only inner-city, man-made beach in Australia — plus the rainforest walk, the Arbour walkway and the Wheel of Brisbane for a first orientation over the river.
Midday
The Cultural Precinct: GOMA & QAG
Cross to the Queensland Cultural Centre, where the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and Queensland Art Gallery sit side by side — the largest gallery of modern art in Australia, and free to enter. Add the Queensland Museum or State Library if the weather turns.
Afternoon
Across the river to the CBD
Walk the Victoria Bridge or Goodwill Bridge into the city. Wander the heritage core around City Hall and the Museum of Brisbane, then escape into the City Botanic Gardens on the river's edge — a green, shady loop that's been a city retreat since the 1850s.
Evening
Sunset on Kangaroo Point
Finish with golden hour at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, where the city skyline glows across the water. Dinner along the cliff-top, or back at South Bank, caps a perfect first day.
Koalas & Views
Lone Pine · Mt Coot-tha · The River
Morning
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Head out to Lone Pine — the world's first and largest koala sanctuary — where you can hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos and see platypus, wombats and Tasmanian devils. A scenic way to arrive is the river cruise along the Brisbane River from the CBD.
Midday
Mt Coot-tha Lookout & Botanic Gardens
Climb to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout for the definitive panorama — the city, the river bends, Moreton Bay and its islands all in one sweep. The adjoining Botanic Gardens and Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium make an easy add-on.
Afternoon
Ride the CityCat
Back in the city, jump on a CityCat ferry — the cheapest scenic cruise in town. Glide past the skyline, the cliffs and the riverside suburbs to New Farm, home to the leafy New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse arts centre.
Evening
Howard Smith Wharves
Step off beneath the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves — a riverside dining and bar precinct tucked under the cliffs. Grab a drink with the bridge lit overhead, then walk the Story Bridge or join the Story Bridge Adventure Climb for the ultimate city view.
Beyond the City
Pick your day trip
All day
Choose your own adventure
Brisbane's superpower is what's within easy reach. Use your last day for one of the day trips below — each is an easy drive or tour from the city, and any one of them turns a good long weekend into a great one.
≈ 90 min by ferry + 4WD
North Stradbroke Island
"Straddie" (Minjerribah) delivers white-sand surf beaches, gorgeous gorge walks and some of the best land-based whale watching in winter — a true island day with barely any travel.
≈ 75 min drive
The Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise, the broadwater and the lush hinterland of Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park — beach and rainforest in a single day.
≈ 90 min drive
Sunshine Coast & Hinterland
Noosa's beaches and national park, the Glass House Mountains and Australia Zoo — a relaxed, nature-rich counterpoint to the city.
≈ 75 min by catamaran
Moreton Island
Tangalooma's shipwrecks, sand dunes for tobogganing, snorkelling and wild dolphin feeding at dusk — a barefoot escape just off the coast.
Make it easy
Getting around
Brisbane is compact and walkable through the centre, and the river is the best way to move between precincts. A few essentials:
CityCat & ferries — the scenic, low-cost backbone of the city, linking South Bank, the CBD, New Farm and the University of Queensland.
Walking — South Bank, the cultural precinct and the CBD are all linked by riverside bridges and paths.
Day-trip transport — for islands and the hinterland, a guided tour or hire car saves the logistics and lets you relax into the day.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Brisbane?
Yes. Three days is enough to cover Brisbane's highlights at a relaxed pace — the river and South Bank, the cultural precinct, Lone Pine and Mt Coot-tha — with a full day left over for a day trip to the islands, coast or hinterland. If you have more time, each extra day lets you add another nearby escape.
Where should I stay in Brisbane for a short trip?
South Bank and the CBD are the two best bases for a short visit. Both put you within walking distance of the river, the cultural precinct and ferry stops, so you can explore most of this itinerary on foot and by CityCat.
What's the best way to get around Brisbane?
The CityCat and cross-river ferries are the most scenic and affordable way to move between precincts. The centre is very walkable, and for day trips to islands or the hinterland, a guided tour or hire car is the easiest option.
Can you see koalas in Brisbane?
Yes. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, is a short trip from the city. You can hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos and see a wide range of native wildlife, and it's reachable by a scenic river cruise.
What are the best day trips from Brisbane?
The top day trips are North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island for beaches and wildlife, the Gold Coast for surf and rainforest, and the Sunshine Coast for Noosa, the Glass House Mountains and Australia Zoo — each is within roughly 75–90 minutes of the city.
Let us drive
Turn day three into the easy day
Cooee Tours runs private and small-group day trips from Brisbane to North Stradbroke, Moreton Island, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast — all the scenery, none of the logistics.