3 Days in Brisbane

South Bank Parklands & Streets Beach

Begin at South Bank Parklands with a walk along the Clem Jones Promenade. The riverside path passes the famous "Brisbane" sign, the Grand Arbour bougainvillea walkway, and the Nepalese Peace Pagoda — a remnant from World Expo 88. If it's warm (and in Brisbane, it usually is), stop at Streets Beach for a swim. This man-made lagoon is free, patrolled by lifeguards, and unlike anything you'll find in another capital city — white sand and palm trees with the skyline as your backdrop.

GOMA, Queensland Art Gallery & Queensland Museum

Walk to the South Bank cultural precinct, where the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Art Gallery, and Queensland Museum sit within a few hundred metres of each other. All offer free general admission. GOMA is the highlight — its collection spans contemporary Australian, Indigenous, and Pacific art, and the building itself is a pleasure to walk through. If you're travelling with children, GOMA's free kids' art gallery and the Queensland Museum's interactive Dinosaur Garden are both excellent.

Allow at least 90 minutes for the galleries. The GOMA café is a popular spot for a mid-morning coffee with a river view.

Cross the River to the CBD

Walk across the Victoria Bridge or the architecturally striking Kurilpa Bridge into the CBD. Head to Queen Street Mall for a browse — not just for the retail, but for the free live music and street performers that play here throughout the day as part of Brisbane's city-funded music program. Duck into the heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade (built in 1923) for its elegant Edwardian interior and independent boutiques.

From there, walk south through the City Botanic Gardens. The Bunya Walk along the river's edge passes through stands of Moreton Bay figs and offers some of the CBD's best water views. If you have time, stop at Old Government House — a free heritage museum in a sandstone building dating from the 1860s.

Howard Smith Wharves & Story Bridge

End your first day at Howard Smith Wharves, a dining and entertainment precinct nestled beneath the Story Bridge at the river's edge. It's become one of Brisbane's most atmospheric spots for a sunset drink — the combination of the heritage cliffs, the bridge towering overhead, and the river reflecting the city lights is hard to beat. Felons Brewing Co. is the casual option (local craft beers, pizza, outdoor seating), while Greca serves outstanding Greek-inspired dishes in a more polished setting.

Before or after dinner, walk across the Story Bridge on the free pedestrian walkway for views up and down the river. The bridge is illuminated at night and the walk takes only about 10 minutes.

Brunch & New Farm Park

Catch the free CityHopper ferry to New Farm and start with breakfast at one of the suburb's many excellent cafés — the streets around Merthyr Village are packed with options. After eating, walk to New Farm Park, a sprawling riverside green space with jacaranda trees, a rose garden, and plenty of room to sit with a second coffee.

If it's a Saturday, the Jan Powers Farmers Markets will be running in the park from early morning — one of Brisbane's best for local produce, baked goods, and atmosphere. At the river end of the park, check the schedule at the Brisbane Powerhouse, a converted industrial power station that hosts theatre, comedy, art exhibitions, and a good waterfront bar.

West End Markets & Boundary Street

Make your way to West End — you can take the ferry from New Farm to West End, or catch a bus from Fortitude Valley. If you're visiting on a Saturday, head straight to the Davies Park Market on the river for local produce, street food, handmade goods, and live music. It's free to browse and the multicultural food stalls are some of the best-value eating in Brisbane.

After the markets, wander along Boundary Street. West End is Brisbane's most eclectic dining strip — family-run restaurants serve Greek, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Nepalese, and everything in between. Browse the vintage shops and independent bookstores, or stop for a drink at one of the neighbourhood pubs and small-batch breweries.

Fish Lane & South Bank Laneways

Walk from West End into the adjacent South Brisbane area and explore Fish Lane — a narrow street behind the convention centre that's been transformed into one of Brisbane's most vibrant dining and art laneways. The walls are covered in colourful murals, and the lane is lined with wine bars, specialty restaurants, and small galleries. It's a great spot for an afternoon drink or a late lunch.

Sunset at Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Take the ferry or walk across the Goodwill Bridge to Kangaroo Point, and head to the clifftop park for one of Brisbane's best sunset experiences. The 200-million-year-old volcanic cliffs look directly across the river to the CBD, and at dusk the skyline lights up against the fading sky. Free public barbecues are available in the park — pick up supplies from West End and cook dinner with a view, or grab takeaway pizza from nearby Joey's on the cliffs.

If you want a more social evening, the Story Bridge Hotel at the base of the bridge is one of Brisbane's most iconic pubs — it's built directly around the bridge pylons and has outdoor decks overlooking the river.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout & Botanic Gardens

Begin early with a trip to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout, Brisbane's best panoramic viewpoint. At 287 metres above sea level and only seven kilometres from the CBD, the lookout offers sweeping views across the entire city, the river, and out to Moreton Bay on clear days. The viewing platform is free and open 24 hours — mornings are ideal for clear skies and photography. There's a café at the summit for coffee with a view.

On the way back down, stop at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha at the base of the mountain. The 56-hectare gardens are free to explore and include a Japanese garden, a tropical dome, rainforest walks, and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium (free entry to the display zones). Bus 471 runs from Adelaide Street in the CBD directly to the lookout, or it's about a 15-minute drive.

Brunch & Browsing in Paddington

Head to Paddington, a heritage suburb on the hills west of the CBD, known for its beautifully preserved Queenslander houses and a long strip of boutique shops, cafés, and antique dealers along Latrobe Terrace and Given Terrace. Stop for brunch at one of the well-loved local cafés, then walk the main strip — highlights include vintage homewares shops, independent fashion labels, and the Empire Revival building, a heritage-listed former cinema that now houses a market of more than 50 independent merchants.

The hilly streets off the main road are worth exploring too. Paddington has some of Brisbane's most photogenic residential architecture — timber cottages with wide verandahs, iron lacework, and lush tropical gardens.

Newstead & Teneriffe Riverwalk

Make your way to Newstead and Teneriffe, two riverside suburbs northeast of the CBD that have transformed from industrial areas into lifestyle precincts. Walk the Brisbane Riverwalk from Newstead to Teneriffe — the path passes through parks, over an overwater boardwalk, and alongside converted woolstores that now house apartments, cafés, and galleries. Newstead has a strong café scene, and the walk offers some of the river's best quiet stretches.

If you're interested in Brisbane's history, Newstead House is the city's oldest surviving residence — a heritage homestead set in riverside gardens with free entry to the grounds and a small museum.

Dinner & Live Music in Fortitude Valley

Spend your last evening in Fortitude Valley — Brisbane's entertainment district. Start with dinner: James Street is the upscale end, with high-end restaurants and cocktail bars, while the Brunswick Street Mall area is more eclectic and casual. The Valley's Chinatown precinct on Duncan Street is a great option for dumplings, noodles, or a late-night bakery.

After dinner, explore the live music scene that Brisbane is known for. The Fortitude Music Hall, The Tivoli, and The Zoo are all within walking distance and host local and touring acts most nights of the week. Check what's on before you arrive — shows range from indie and rock to jazz and electronic, and ticket prices are often very reasonable. If you prefer a more relaxed end to the trip, a rooftop cocktail bar in the Valley is equally fitting.