Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start from Brisbane after 12:47 PM and make your way to South Bank. Driving usually takes around 20–30 minutes, though city traffic can stretch that; paid parking is available around the cultural precinct, but spaces become less convenient later in the afternoon. Public transport is often easier: trains from Brisbane Central or Roma Street to South Brisbane take roughly 15 minutes, followed by a short walk. Allow extra time for station access and finding your bearings.
Set aside about two hours for South Bank Parklands, wandering through the riverside gardens, along the promenade, and past Streets Beach. The area is free to explore, and the late-afternoon light is particularly good across the river toward the city skyline. Continue to the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, whose Australian and international collections make an easy, rewarding contrast to the outdoor walk. Check the current gallery hours and exhibition charges before setting out; general collection access is commonly free, while major exhibitions may require timed or paid entry.
Head back across the river to The Coffee Emporium in the Brisbane CBD for coffee and cake, allowing about 45 minutes and roughly A$8–18 per person. From there, drive or take public transport north to Eat Street Northshore in Hamilton; driving is generally 15–25 minutes outside peak traffic, with parking on site, while public-transport connections take longer and may involve a walk. Finish with around two hours among the food stalls and live entertainment, budgeting approximately A$20–40 per person. Eat Street Northshore operates on selected evenings rather than every night, so check its operating calendar before travelling; if it is closed, keep the evening flexible rather than assuming entry.
Leave Brisbane around 7:00 AM for the Bruce Highway northbound, allowing roughly six hours plus breaks and possible traffic. Start with a full tank, keep cash or a card handy for roadside stops, and plan a proper break rather than trying to push through; Maryborough or Gin Gin are practical places to pause. On arrival in Gladstone, allow time to park, stretch your legs, and check that your accommodation or luggage arrangements are sorted before sightseeing.
Begin with coffee and a light meal at The Coffee Emporium, budgeting about A$8–18 per person for approximately 45 minutes. It is a useful reset after the drive, and arriving in the early afternoon gives you a little flexibility if the highway journey runs long. Confirm the café’s current hours before setting out, as service times can change.
From there, head into the CBD for the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum. Allow 60–90 minutes to explore its local exhibitions and displays covering the region’s industrial, maritime, and cultural story. Opening days and hours can vary, so check the official listing before committing to this stop; if it is closed, do not assume admission will be available. After the museum, drive toward the harbour for an easy stroll at Spinnaker Park, where the broad paths and marina outlook provide a welcome change after the car journey. Set aside about an hour and bring water, particularly in warmer weather.
Continue to The Gladstone Marina and spend the early evening around East Shores, taking sunset photographs and enjoying the harbour atmosphere without trying to fill every minute. Finish at The Dock at East Shores for a casual waterfront dinner, generally around A$25–50 per person. Confirm current kitchen and service hours before walking over, especially outside peak periods; if you have a rental car, check whether your accommodation or the marina has any parking restrictions.
No packing list attached yet.