Why is Brisbane a a great place for a weekend escape?
Brisbane is truly one of the great places to visit for a weekend. The subtropical Queensland capital is truly a new world city offering sophisticated attractions and a wealth of shopping, dining and drinking options. The Brisbane River for which the city centre is situated upon also provides many great opportunities for recreation for locals and tourists alike. The greater Brisbane area of South East Queensland is a region of contrasts where you can find sub-tropical Moreton Island and stunning beaches, rolling mountains and lovely hinterlands. With Brisbane being easily accessible to all Australian capital cities and major regional centres it has never been an easier time for a quick weekend getaway to Brisbane! Continue reading for for our 3 day Brisbane itinerary !
Travelling to Brisbane: What you need to know
Flights
Getting to Brisbane by air couldn’t be easier. As Australia’s third largest airport you can easily reach Brisbane from all Australian capital cities and most major regional centers along Australia’s east coast. Expect flying time to be around 1 hour from Sydney 2 hours from Melbourne, shy under 3 hours from Adelaide or Hobart, 4 hours from Darwin or 5.5 hours from Perth. Many flight routes into Brisbane operate in a competitive environment so good value fares can be had especially if booking in advance or during quieter periods.
Coming from further abroad we arrived off the back of a leisurely 2 hour Qantas Business Class flight from New Caledonia which you can read about here. From New Zealand expect a fairly easy 3-4 hour hop whilst 6-10 hours for flights from Asia is the norm and upwards of 14 hours for flights from the Middle East or the Eastern seaboard of North America. Outbound travelers from Europe should expect total travel time upwards of 24 hours with a stopover in either Perth, Asia or the Middle East. All Australia’s major airlines such as Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and REX operate out of Brisbane ensuring strong competition on many routes.
Accomodation
It is no surprise due to the sheer volume of both business and leisure travel to Brisbane that there is no shortage of quality accommodation options in Sydney that cater to a wide range of traveler clientele. Prices do tend to be on the higher side although there is a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes.
In Brisbane there are numerous hostels both independent and through chain or franchise networks catering towards budget travelers. Expect to pay from $30-$50 per night for an established hostel such as the Brisbane Central YHA . There are also numerous budget hotels and motels and also university accommodation which may offer short stay arrangements with prices usually starting from around $100 per night. Several holiday parks are also available in Brisbane and even more along its outskirts for those touring by road and perhaps camping or caravanning. Plenty of the mid range and high end hotel chains are also present all up to the most luxurious of properties. Whilst prices tend to be on the higher side than elsewhere in Australia good specials can still be had when booking in advance or during off peak periods.
Booking.comWeather
Brisbane has a true sub-tropical climate which is so reminiscent of South East Queensland and most of the mid latitude coastal Australia. In Brisbane you can expect hot and humid summers with a fair amount of rain and gloriously mild and much drier winters that rarely get too cold. Expect maximum temperatures around 30 degrees celsius in Summer and in the low twenties in Winter. Spring and Autumn generally bring pleasantly warm days with reduced humidity. Rain can occur all year round so it pays to become prepared just in case! Severe afternoon thunderstorms can be a common feature of the warmer months in Brisbane so we recommend visiting the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website as an excellent place to keep up to date with local weather warnings, forecasts and conditions.
How to get around
Brisbane CBD is generally easy to navigate and most of it attractions are easily accessible on foot. Nearby South Bank and around the Brisbane River is serviced by an excellent network of walking and bike pathways which makes leisurely strolling, biking or even e-scooting around the Brisbane River a breeze. There is also an extensive network of public transportation including buses, trains and the Rivercat ferry network. As a tourist we’d recommend using one of the two popular two e-scooter apps available in Brisbane where you can get a 3 day pass for $25 (90mins or 120mins per day). With its excellent cycle ways and ferry service it is great to scoot around the Brisbane River during the day and then take the RiverCat at night to see all the sights and views of Brisbane after dark.
Recommend 3 Day Brisbane Itinerary
Day 1: Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Explore Brisbane’s modern Central Business District and buzzing nightlife
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Located just 20 minutes drive from the center of Brisbane, The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of Brisbane’s favorite destinations for tourists and locals alike. Whilst the sanctuary is most known for being the world’s first and largest sanctuary of Koalas here you can also discover over 70 species of Australian native animas in quintessentially Australian natural bush land setting. Allow a good half day to fully explore the sanctuary.
Queen Street Mall
The Queen Street Mall is Brisbane’s main shopping hub. Here you’ll find the buzzing retail hub of Brisbane with its many shopping, dining and drinking options.
Fortitude Valley
Any weekend Brisbane itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit Fortitude Valley which is the pumping heart of Brisbane’s nighttime economy. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs and plenty of opportunities to party into the early hours.
Roma Street Parklands
Open everyday of the week and located in the heart of Brisbane city behind the Roma Street Station, Roma Street Parkland is an oasis of designer gardens and sprawling lawns that wind around 16 hectares of stunning parkland. Well known by garden and plant enthusiasts for its exceptional horticultural standards, it is also a popular visitor destination, housing free barbecues, picnic spots, two playgrounds and a year-round calendar of events.
Day 2: Take a day trip to Moreton Island
Located just 25km off the coast of Brisbane and accessible by a 75 minute passenger and vehicle ferry, Moreton island is the third largest sand island in the world and is well worth adding to your Brisbane itinerary. On Moreton Island you’ll find everything from crystal-clear lakes and lagoons, tall sand dunes, abundant wildflowers and pristine beaches. You’ll also have the opportunity to see wild dolphins, and dive or snorkel among mysterious wrecks and pristine waters. The adventurous can try a wealth of activities such as quad biking, four-wheel-driving or sand tobogganing. For those tight on time or without a car we recommend taking a day tour. There are a range of accommodation options on the island and camping is also possible which is especially worth considering for a overnight or longer stay if brining a car
Day 3: Walk, cycle or scooter around the Brisbane River
South Bank
Cross the Brisbane River and you’ll find the South Bank Parklands and Cultural and entertainment precinct facing directly opposite the Brisbane skyline. Here you’ll find a number of Queensland cultural institutions such as the Queensland Museum and the State Library. There is also the renowned Streets Beach, an artificially created beach and free public access swimming lagoon which is popular with locals and tourists alike. Behind the waterfront there is also numerous resultants and bars to keep you occupied on your Brisbane itinerary.
Kangaroo Point
Continue proceeding along the Brisbane River and you’ll come to Kangaroo Point which provides for more great vantage points of the Brisbane Skyline and the famous Story Bridge.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
The riverside City Botanic Gardens are Brisbane’s original botanic gardens. Located along the banks of the Brisbane River attractions at the gardens include the Bamboo Grove, Weeping Fig Avenue, Riverstage, ornamental ponds and more. From the gardens you can also take the The City Botanic Gardens Riverwalk for more views and vantage points of the Brisbane skyline and river.
