Morning: Depart Edmonton and arrive at Brisbane International Airport. Transfer to your city‑centre hotel, check in, and freshen up after the long flight.
Afternoon: Take a leisurely stroll along the South Bank Parklands, enjoying the tropical gardens, the artificial beach, and riverside views. Grab a light lunch at one of the vibrant cafés.
Evening: Relax on the hotel balcony or explore the nearby Queensland Performing Arts Centre area. Early to bed to recover from jet‑lag.
Find HotelsMorning: Begin with a coffee at Streets Beach and wander through the South Bank Parklands lagoon. Visit the Queensland Museum for interactive exhibits on natural history.
Afternoon: Head to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) to see contemporary Australian and international works. Lunch at the museum’s café overlooking the river.
Evening: Dine at a riverside restaurant on South Bank and enjoy a sunset riverwalk along the Brisbane River.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for a hands‑on encounter with koalas, kangaroos, and the famous wombat walk.
Afternoon: Return to the city and ride the Mount Coot‑tha Lookout cable car for panoramic views of Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
Evening: Have dinner in the vibrant West End precinct, sampling modern Australian cuisine.
Find HotelsMorning: Board a fast ferry to Moreton Island (Tangalooma). Upon arrival, join a guided sand‑boarding session on the island’s famous dunes.
Afternoon: Swim with wild dolphins at Tangalooma’s dolphin feeding site and explore the island’s crystal‑clear lagoons.
Evening: Return to Brisbane, relax at the hotel, and reflect on the day’s marine encounters.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a guided tour of Brisbane City Hall and climb the clock tower for city vistas.
Afternoon: Walk through the historic Queensland Parliament House precinct and visit the nearby Old Government House museum.
Evening: Enjoy a river cruise dinner on the Brisbane River, watching the city lights sparkle.
Find HotelsMorning: Experience the thrilling Story Bridge Adventure Climb, offering 360° views of the skyline and river.
Afternoon: Relax at the Roma Street Parkland with a picnic, then board a leisurely ferry to explore the Riverwalk precinct.
Evening: Sample Asian street food at the bustling Eat Street Northshore market.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot‑tha for a peaceful walk among native flora.
Afternoon: Return to the hotel for a short rest, then head to South Bank to secure a good spot for the night’s fireworks.
Evening: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the iconic Riverfire display, where a spectacular fireworks show lights up the skyline over the Brisbane River.
Find HotelsMorning: Enjoy a leisurely brunch at a café on Howard Street and stroll through the nearby Queensland Art Gallery.
Afternoon: Take a relaxed bike ride along the Riverwalk to the New Farm Park, stopping for ice‑cream.
Evening: Dine at a rooftop restaurant in the Fortitude Valley district, soaking up the post‑holiday vibe.
Find HotelsMorning: Check out of the Brisbane hotel and take the train to the Gold Coast (≈1 hour). Check in to a beachfront resort in Surfers Paradise.
Afternoon: Explore the lively Surfers Paradise Beach, dip in the ocean, and wander the beachfront market.
Evening: Enjoy a seafood dinner on the promenade and watch the sunset from the SkyPoint Observation Deck.
Find HotelsMorning: Join a sunrise surf lesson on Surfers Paradise or simply relax on the golden sands.
Afternoon: Visit the Gold Coast Arts Centre and the nearby HOTA (Home of the Arts) galleries.
Evening: Take a night‑time stroll along Cavill Avenue for shopping and lively street entertainment.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for close encounters with kangaroos, lorikeets, and a koala photo‑op.
Afternoon: Attend the daily wildlife shows and walk the rainforest trails within the sanctuary.
Evening: Return to Surfers Paradise and enjoy a relaxed dinner at a beachfront bistro.
Find HotelsMorning: Spend the day at Dreamworld, Australia’s largest theme park, tackling the thrill rides and wildlife exhibits.
Afternoon: Continue exploring Dreamworld’s sections, including the iconic Giant Drop and the Tiger Island show.
Evening: Unwind at the hotel’s pool and have a casual takeaway meal.
Find HotelsMorning: Join a guided tour to Springbrook National Park, venturing to the stunning Natural Bridge waterfall.
Afternoon: Walk the Purling Brook Falls track and explore ancient rainforests filled with glow‑worms.
Evening: Return to the Gold Coast and enjoy a quiet dinner at a local winery‑style restaurant.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive to Tamborine Mountain and wander the Rainforest Skywalk, a suspended walkway through the canopy.
Afternoon: Sample local produce at the Tamborine Mountain Distillery and browse the artisan boutiques in the Gallery Walk.
Evening: Attend a sunset view from the Mount Tamborine Lookout before heading back to the coast.
Find HotelsMorning: Relax on Burleigh Heads Beach, take a gentle walk along the headland trail, and enjoy a beachside brunch.
Afternoon: Free time for last‑minute souvenir shopping or a spa treatment at the resort.
Evening: Celebrate the New Year at the iconic Surfers Paradise Fireworks display, set against the ocean horizon.
Find HotelsMorning: Pack belongings, enjoy a final coffee on the balcony, and check out of the hotel.
Afternoon: Transfer to Gold Coast Airport for your flight back to Edmonton, taking with you unforgettable memories of Queensland.
Evening: Arrive home, unpack, and begin planning your next adventure!
Find HotelsTo extend the trip, add an extra day on the Gold Coast for a second theme park (Warner Bros. Movie World) or a day cruise to the nearby islands. If you need to shorten the itinerary, combine Day 5 and Day 6 in Brisbane (city‑hall tour + bridge climb) and skip the Moreton Island excursion, allocating that time to the Gold Coast instead. Public transport and day‑tour packages provide flexible, cost‑effective ways to see both cities without a rental car.