Start your first morning with a relaxed breakfast at Pawpaw Café in the CBD, then wander over to the riverside Strand Arcade for boutique shopping and heritage architecture. Continue along the river to explore Eagle Street Pier, grab a coffee at a waterfront café and watch ferries glide past as you acclimate to Brisbane's laid-back riverside vibe.
After a leisurely riverside morning, head to Queen Street Mall for window-shopping and street performers, then cut through the leafy Roma Street Parkland for a peaceful stroll among themed gardens and waterfalls. Finish the afternoon with a cold drink and skyline views at The Loft rooftop bar (or an early dinner at Mr. Percival's on Eagle Lane) to watch the city warm into evening before your riverside night out.
As twilight falls, wander across the river to South Bank Parklands for riverside promenades, fairy-lit bougainvillea and street performers, then stop at Streets Beach to relax with a drink while taking in the city lights. For dinner, book a table at The Jetty precinct-try seafood at Stokehouse Q or modern Australian dishes at South Bank's River Quay Restaurant-then finish the night with cocktails and live music at The Gresham, a cozy historic bar back in the CBD.
Catch an early ferry from Hale Street Wharf (Tangalooma Ferries departure) and arrive ready to snorkel around the famous Tangalooma Wrecks, slipping on a mask to spot colourful reef fish and sea turtles among the sunlit hulls. After snorkeling, join a guided beach walk to the nearby Tangalooma Island Resort's dune lookout for panoramic views, then refuel with a seaside brunch at the resort's Kootara Beach Café before an afternoon of sandboarding or quad-bike exploration.
After brunch, head to Cowan Cowan Jetty for a relaxed fish-spotting stroll and cliffside views, then join a guided eco-cruise around the island's sheltered bays to look for dolphins, dugongs and seabirds. Finish the afternoon with a scenic sand dune hike to Mount Tempest lookout-one of the highest coastal dunes in the world-for golden light and panoramic views before returning to the resort for an island sunset.
As daylight fades, head to Tangalooma Island Resort's Sunset Deck to sip a chilled drink while watching the sky turn gold over the bay, then join the resort's guided dolphin feeding experience for a memorable close-up with wild bottlenose dolphins (reserve in advance). Finish the night with a laid-back meal at Kooringal Kitchen & Bar, sampling fresh local seafood under string lights before an early rest or stargazing on the quiet beach.
Start early with a guided birdwatching paddle from Woorim Beach Boat Ramp, gliding through tranquil mangrove-lined channels while your naturalist points out kingfishers, egrets and the occasional sea eagle. After the paddle, meet your eco-cruise at Toorbul Point for a shallow-water tour of the Pumicestone Passage, stopping to explore sandy islets and learn about local Indigenous cultural connections before a riverside brunch at Bellara Café to refuel for the afternoon's deeper Everglades exploration.
After brunch, board a small-group guided vessel from Sylvan Beach Boat Ramp to penetrate the heart of the Everglades, watching for black swans and perched osprey as your guide explains the fragile wetlands. Disembark near Pumicestone Passage National Park for an easy guided kayak through winding tea-tree creeks to secret sandflats, finishing at White Patch where you can stretch on the shoreline and scan the shallows for dugongs before a relaxed return to Bellara.
As daylight softens, head to Woorim Beach for a coastal walk along the eastern shore, watching the surf and possibly spotting migrating shorebirds before dinner. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed waterfront meal at The Bribie Island Hotel Bistro, then join a guided twilight wildlife walk through Bribie Island National Park's dune trails to listen for night birds and amphibians - finish with star-gazing on a quieter stretch of sand for a peaceful end to your Everglades day.
Begin your final morning with a leisurely breakfast at John Mills Himself in the CBD, then stroll through the leafy laneways to discover the street art and boutique shops around Fish Lane. Cap the visit with a scenic CityCat hop from North Quay to New Farm Park for a riverside walk among jacarandas and a quick coffee at Powerhouse Café, offering a peaceful spot to reflect before you collect luggage and head to your departure point.
For a relaxed final afternoon before your departure, stroll to King George Square and pop into the nearby Brisbane City Hall for a quick look at the historic clock tower and its museum exhibits, then enjoy a late lunch at the sunlit terrace of Greenglass Espresso, famed for seasonal sandwiches and single-origin brews. If you have time to linger, wander down to the riverfront walk toward Eagle Farm for a peaceful riverside bench or pop into The Calile Hotel's ground-floor café for a farewell cocktail or iced coffee while soaking up one last slice of Brisbane's easy riverside vibe.
For a final relaxed evening, wander to Howard Smith Wharves for riverside dining beneath the Story Bridge lights-choose tapas at Felons Bistro or seafood at Greca while watching the river hum below. After dinner, take a short stroll to Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park for a night-time skyline photo and, if you're in the mood for a last drink, finish at the cozy rooftop bar Blackbird Bar & Grill for a farewell cocktail overlooking the city.