Morning: Fly from Wellington to Brisbane on a low‑cost carrier; the flight lands at Brisbane Airport around 10 AM. Take the Airtrain to the city centre (≈ $9) and drop your luggage at a budget hostel in the CBD.
Afternoon: Stroll along the Brisbane River promenade, crossing the Story Bridge on foot for free panoramic views. Grab a cheap bite at a food‑court kiosk in South Bank Parklands.
Evening: Relax on the grassy lawns of South Bank Parklands, enjoying the free nightly light displays and street performances. Head back to the hostel and rest for the next day.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the Queensland Museum and the adjoining Sciencentre, both free entry. Spend a couple of hours exploring interactive exhibits.
Afternoon: Walk to the nearby City Botanic Gardens for a picnic lunch (buy groceries from a nearby supermarket). Wander the historic gardens and riverfront paths.
Evening: Head to Roma Street Parkland to catch the free evening light show and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Return to the hostel via a night bus (≈ $3).
Find HotelsMorning: Take the cheap shuttle (≈ $12 round‑trip) to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Spend the morning holding a koala and feeding kangaroos (entry $33).
Afternoon: Catch the bus back to the city and head up to Mount Coot‑tha Lookout by public transport (≈ $5). Enjoy free 360° views of Brisbane and a short walk in the botanical garden.
Evening: Return to the CBD and dine on affordable Asian street food at Eat Street Northshore (budget $12). End the night with a relaxed walk along the river.
Find HotelsMorning: Hop on a city bus to New Farm Park. Rent a cheap bike (≈ $8) and cycle around the park and along the river.
Afternoon: Walk to the adjacent Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA); entry to the main galleries is free, with a small fee ($15) for special exhibitions.
Evening: Enjoy a sunset view from New Farm Park’s riverside lawn. Grab a cheap dinner at a nearby takeaway (≈ $10) and head back to the hostel.
Find HotelsMorning: Take the budget ferry from Moreton Bay to North Stradbroke Island (≈ $30 round‑trip). Spend the morning on the free Main Beach soaking up the sun.
Afternoon: Explore the island’s walking trails and visit the free Flinders Sandbank. Pack a lunch from the hostel’s kitchen to keep costs low.
Evening: Return to Brisbane by ferry, catch a night bus to the city, and enjoy a casual dinner at a local pub (≈ $15). Finish with a nightcap at a cheap rooftop bar with city views.
Find HotelsMorning: Check out of the hostel, store luggage in a locker if needed (≈ $5). Take a final walk through the South Bank Parklands for any last souvenirs.
Afternoon: Head to Brisbane Airport via Airtrain (≈ $9) and board your return flight to Wellington.
Find HotelsTo stretch the budget further, consider swapping the North Stradbroke Island day for a free day exploring Brisbane’s free street art and markets, or stay in a campsite at the nearby Brisbane River Islands for $20 per night. If you have extra time, add a day trip to the Gold Coast Hinterland (train + hiking) – it’s a scenic, low‑cost extension that costs under $30 for transport and meals.