12-Day Brisbane Itinerary

  • Day 1: South Bank Parklands
    10 minutes (3 km) from Brisbane CBD

    Start your trip at the picturesque South Bank Parklands. Here, you can take a dip in the man-made Streets Beach lagoon and stroll along the Arbour. The park also boasts several restaurants and bars where you can grab a bite to eat.

  • Day 2: Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
    10 minutes (4 km) from South Bank Parklands

    Visit the QAGOMA to explore the impressive collection of Australian and international contemporary art. Don't miss the iconic Yayoi Kusama infinity room and the scenic views of the Brisbane River from the gallery's balconies.

  • Day 3: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
    25 minutes (13 km) from QAGOMA

    Get up close and personal with Australia's iconic koalas and other native wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Feed kangaroos, see the Tasmanian devils, and watch sheepdog shows at the sanctuary's picturesque surroundings.

  • Day 4: Mount Coot-tha Lookout
    20 minutes (9 km) from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

    Take a scenic drive up Mount Coot-tha for panoramic views of Brisbane's skyline and surrounding suburbs. At the summit, you can also visit Brisbane Botanic Gardens and dine at the Summit Restaurant.

  • Day 5: Museum of Brisbane
    25 minutes (10 km) from Mount Coot-tha Lookout

    Go on a journey of Brisbane's history and culture at the Museum of Brisbane. With interactive exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations, you'll gain an insight into this vibrant city's past and present.

  • Day 6: New Farm Park & Powerhouse
    20 minutes (5 km) from Museum of Brisbane

    Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing day at New Farm Park. Take a picnic or enjoy the park's barbecues before heading to the nearby Powerhouse for comedy, theatre or live music performances.

  • Day 7: Brisbane Lookout at Mt. Coot-tha
    15 minutes (7 km) from New Farm Park & Powerhouse

    End your day by watching the sunset over the city from the Brisbane Lookout at Mt. Coot-tha. With uninterrupted views of the city and beyond, it’s the perfect place to finish a day of sightseeing in Brisbane.

  • Day 8: Story Bridge Adventure Climb
    15 minutes (5 km) from Brisbane Lookout at Mt. Coot-tha

    Start your day adrenaline-filled, climbing the iconic Story Bridge during the Story Bridge Adventure Climb tour. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Brisbane city, the Brisbane River, and surrounding areas from atop this engineering marvel.

  • Day 9: Streets Beach and Aquativity
    15 minutes (4 km) from Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure Climb

    Spend the day at Streets Beach and Aquativity - this man-made beach is located in the heart of the city and ideal for a day in the sun with the family. Aquativity is a water play area designed especially for children complete with a shallow pool, water fountains and play areas.

  • Day 10: Gallery of Modern Art and State Library of Queensland
    20 minutes (4 km) from Streets Beach and Aquativity

    Explore the contemporary art in the Gallery of Modern Art before checking out the exhibitions at the State Library of Queensland. For book lovers, you can browse through the extensive collection or participate in the library's public events.

  • Day 11: Roma Street Parkland
    15 minutes (4 km) from State Library of Queensland

    Tour the beautiful gardens, water features, and picturesque vistas at Roma Street Parkland. With over 16 hectares of subtropical paradise, it’s the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a picnic or a BBQ and relax in natural surrounds.

  • Day 12: Brisbane Botanic Gardens
    15 minutes (4 km) from Roma Street Parkland

    Finish your trip at the lush Brisbane Botanic Gardens, located on the slopes of Mt. Coot-tha. Admire the native and exotic plants and take a guided tour to learn more about the flora and fauna of this subtropical garden.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • South Bank Parklands (2-4 hours, free)
  • Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) (2-4 hours, free)
  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (3-4 hours, $40-$50)
  • Mount Coot-tha Lookout (2-3 hours, free)
  • Museum of Brisbane (1-2 hours, free)
  • New Farm Park & Powerhouse (2-4 hours, free)
  • Brisbane Lookout at Mt. Coot-tha (1-2 hours, free)
  • Story Bridge Adventure Climb (2-3 hours, $139-$189)
  • Streets Beach and Aquativity (2-4 hours, free)
  • State Library of Queensland (1-2 hours, free)
  • Roma Street Parkland (2-4 hours, free)
  • Brisbane Botanic Gardens (2-3 hours, free)

  • Total Estimated Costs: $180 - $240

Transportation

Getting around Brisbane is easy with the city's public transport - you can take a bus, train or ferry to explore. Travel discounts for transportation are also available with the Translink "Go Card". Taxis, Ubers and car rentals are also available, but it is recommended to take public transportation or walk to get around the city centre.

Estimated transport costs range around $15 - $25 per day, depending on the distance travelled and the mode of transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking day trips out of the city, to the nearby attractions. The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are easily accessible by car or public transport, where you can enjoy theme parks, beaches and more.

If you have less time, consider visiting the must-see South Bank Parklands and Museum of Brisbane, and climbing Story Bridge to enjoy the scenic view of the city.

Airports

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the primary international and domestic airport of Brisbane, located 17km northeast of the city centre. It offers facilities and services that cater to travellers' needs such as restaurants, duty-free shops, and currency exchange.

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