Brisbane itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Brisbane, day by day: Suncorp Stadium, City Hall and the City Botanic Gardens first, then South Bank, Parliament House and the Gallery of Modern Art, and Mount Coot-tha, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Fort Lytton and the heritage CBD as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Brisbane in 1 day
Day 1
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Brisbane in 2 days
Day 1
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
South Bank Parklands Must see
Riverside parkland with the Streets Beach lagoon, the Wheel of Brisbane, markets and a bougainvillea arbour.
Day 2
Parliament House, Brisbane
French Renaissance-style 1868 parliament with free guided tours on non-sitting weekdays.
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Brisbane in 3 days
Day 1
Queensland Museum
State museum at South Bank covering natural history, culture and science, with dinosaur displays and hands-on exhibits.
South Bank Parklands Must see
Riverside parkland with the Streets Beach lagoon, the Wheel of Brisbane, markets and a bougainvillea arbour.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Cliffs across the river from the CBD, popular for rock climbing and abseiling, with a riverside path and city skyline views.
Story Bridge
Australia's longest cantilever bridge, crossing the Brisbane River; walk across for views, or join a guided bridge climb.
Howard Smith Wharves
Heritage-listed wharves below the Story Bridge, now a riverside precinct of restaurants, bars, a brewery and green space.
Day 2
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
Parliament House, Brisbane
French Renaissance-style 1868 parliament with free guided tours on non-sitting weekdays.
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Day 3
State Library of Queensland
Modern riverside library at Kurilpa Point with exhibitions, the Queensland Terrace and good free spaces.
Mount Coot-tha, Queensland Must see
Forested hill with the city's best lookout, walking trails and a cafe at the summit.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's oldest koala sanctuary, with koalas, kangaroos to feed and native wildlife shows.
Brisbane in 4 days
Day 1
Queensland Museum
State museum at South Bank covering natural history, culture and science, with dinosaur displays and hands-on exhibits.
South Bank Parklands Must see
Riverside parkland with the Streets Beach lagoon, the Wheel of Brisbane, markets and a bougainvillea arbour.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Cliffs across the river from the CBD, popular for rock climbing and abseiling, with a riverside path and city skyline views.
Story Bridge
Australia's longest cantilever bridge, crossing the Brisbane River; walk across for views, or join a guided bridge climb.
Howard Smith Wharves
Heritage-listed wharves below the Story Bridge, now a riverside precinct of restaurants, bars, a brewery and green space.
Day 2
Parliament House, Brisbane
French Renaissance-style 1868 parliament with free guided tours on non-sitting weekdays.
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Day 3
Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
GOMA, a major modern and contemporary art museum on the river at the Cultural Centre, free entry.
Mount Coot-tha, Queensland Must see
Forested hill with the city's best lookout, walking trails and a cafe at the summit.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's oldest koala sanctuary, with koalas, kangaroos to feed and native wildlife shows.
Day 4
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
Bulimba
Riverside suburb with a cafe and restaurant strip on Oxford Street and a ferry stop.
Brisbane in 5 days
Day 1
Queensland Museum
State museum at South Bank covering natural history, culture and science, with dinosaur displays and hands-on exhibits.
South Bank Parklands Must see
Riverside parkland with the Streets Beach lagoon, the Wheel of Brisbane, markets and a bougainvillea arbour.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Cliffs across the river from the CBD, popular for rock climbing and abseiling, with a riverside path and city skyline views.
Story Bridge
Australia's longest cantilever bridge, crossing the Brisbane River; walk across for views, or join a guided bridge climb.
Howard Smith Wharves
Heritage-listed wharves below the Story Bridge, now a riverside precinct of restaurants, bars, a brewery and green space.
Day 2
Treasury Building, Brisbane Must see
Italian Renaissance-style 1880s government building, part of the Queen's Wharf redevelopment after the casino moved out in 2024.
Land Administration Building Must see
1905 Baroque-style former government building on George Street, part of the Queen's Wharf precinct.
Day 3
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium Must see
Planetarium in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens with dome shows and a small exhibition.
Mount Coot-tha, Queensland Must see
Forested hill with the city's best lookout, walking trails and a cafe at the summit.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's oldest koala sanctuary, with koalas, kangaroos to feed and native wildlife shows.
Day 4
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
Portside Wharf Must see
Cruise terminal precinct in Hamilton with restaurants and riverside walks.
Day 5
Fort Lytton National Park Must see
Restored 1880s fort at the river mouth with guided tours and military exhibits, open on Sundays.
Old Government House, Queensland Must see
1862 former governor's residence at QUT Gardens Point, now a free museum.
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Brisbane in 6 days
Day 1
Old Government House, Queensland Must see
1862 former governor's residence at QUT Gardens Point, now a free museum.
Queensland Museum
State museum at South Bank covering natural history, culture and science, with dinosaur displays and hands-on exhibits.
South Bank Parklands Must see
Riverside parkland with the Streets Beach lagoon, the Wheel of Brisbane, markets and a bougainvillea arbour.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Cliffs across the river from the CBD, popular for rock climbing and abseiling, with a riverside path and city skyline views.
Story Bridge
Australia's longest cantilever bridge, crossing the Brisbane River; walk across for views, or join a guided bridge climb.
Howard Smith Wharves
Heritage-listed wharves below the Story Bridge, now a riverside precinct of restaurants, bars, a brewery and green space.
Day 2
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
Treasury Building, Brisbane Must see
Italian Renaissance-style 1880s government building, part of the Queen's Wharf redevelopment after the casino moved out in 2024.
Land Administration Building Must see
1905 Baroque-style former government building on George Street, part of the Queen's Wharf precinct.
Day 3
Fort Lytton National Park Must see
Restored 1880s fort at the river mouth with guided tours and military exhibits, open on Sundays.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha
Large garden at the foot of Mount Coot-tha with a tropical dome, Japanese garden and lakes.
Mount Coot-tha, Queensland Must see
Forested hill with the city's best lookout, walking trails and a cafe at the summit.
Day 4
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Day 5
Portside Wharf Must see
Cruise terminal precinct in Hamilton with restaurants and riverside walks.
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium Must see
Planetarium in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens with dome shows and a small exhibition.
Day 6
Chinatown, Brisbane
Pedestrian mall in Fortitude Valley with Asian restaurants, a Chinese gateway and markets.
Shrine of Remembrance, Brisbane
Circular Greek Revival war memorial with an eternal flame in ANZAC Square.
All Saints Anglican Church, Brisbane
Small 1862 church on Wickham Terrace, the oldest Anglican church in Brisbane still in use.
Customs House, Brisbane
1889 copper-domed customs house on the river, now a University of Queensland venue and restaurant.
Brisbane in 7 days
Day 1
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium Must see
Planetarium in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens with dome shows and a small exhibition.
The Old Windmill, Brisbane
Convict-built 1828 tower mill on Wickham Terrace, the oldest surviving building in Queensland.
Queensland Museum
State museum at South Bank covering natural history, culture and science, with dinosaur displays and hands-on exhibits.
South Bank Parklands Must see
Riverside parkland with the Streets Beach lagoon, the Wheel of Brisbane, markets and a bougainvillea arbour.
Day 2
Brisbane City Hall Must see
Sandstone 1930 city hall on King George Square with a clock tower lookout and the Museum of Brisbane.
Treasury Building, Brisbane Must see
Italian Renaissance-style 1880s government building, part of the Queen's Wharf redevelopment after the casino moved out in 2024.
Fort Lytton National Park Must see
Restored 1880s fort at the river mouth with guided tours and military exhibits, open on Sundays.
Day 3
Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha
Large garden at the foot of Mount Coot-tha with a tropical dome, Japanese garden and lakes.
Mount Coot-tha, Queensland Must see
Forested hill with the city's best lookout, walking trails and a cafe at the summit.
Day 4
Old Government House, Queensland Must see
1862 former governor's residence at QUT Gardens Point, now a free museum.
City Botanic Gardens Must see
Riverside gardens by the CBD, founded in 1855, with mangrove boardwalks, bamboo groves and old fig trees.
Day 5
Chinatown, Brisbane
Pedestrian mall in Fortitude Valley with Asian restaurants, a Chinese gateway and markets.
Customs House, Brisbane
1889 copper-domed customs house on the river, now a University of Queensland venue and restaurant.
All Saints Anglican Church, Brisbane
Small 1862 church on Wickham Terrace, the oldest Anglican church in Brisbane still in use.
Shrine of Remembrance, Brisbane
Circular Greek Revival war memorial with an eternal flame in ANZAC Square.
Day 6
King George Square
Main civic square in front of City Hall, with public art and events.
Regent Theatre
Former 1929 picture palace on Queen Street whose grand foyer survives inside a modern tower.
ANZAC Square, Brisbane
Heritage-listed war memorial park with the Shrine of Remembrance and a memorial galleries space underneath.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Cliffs across the river from the CBD, popular for rock climbing and abseiling, with a riverside path and city skyline views.
Story Bridge
Australia's longest cantilever bridge, crossing the Brisbane River; walk across for views, or join a guided bridge climb.
Howard Smith Wharves
Heritage-listed wharves below the Story Bridge, now a riverside precinct of restaurants, bars, a brewery and green space.
Day 7
Portside Wharf Must see
Cruise terminal precinct in Hamilton with restaurants and riverside walks.
Land Administration Building Must see
1905 Baroque-style former government building on George Street, part of the Queen's Wharf precinct.
Watch: Brisbane in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Brisbane
April to May and September to November are the most comfortable months, with warm, mostly dry days. December to February is hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while June to August is mild and dry with cool nights. The Brisbane Festival runs through September, with Riverfire fireworks on the river.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Brisbane on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Brisbane on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Brisbane on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Brisbane with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Australia from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Brisbane with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Brisbane
- Use a go card or contactless card on buses, trains and ferries; the free CityHopper ferry and riverside CityCats are the best way to move along the river.
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary can be reached by the Mirimar river cruise from the CBD; allow at least half a day.
- Brisbane City Hall's free clock tower tours and the Museum of Brisbane need booking on the day at the museum desk.
- Fort Lytton is open only on Sundays and public holidays; check before planning the bay side of the city.
- Summers (December to February) are hot, humid and stormy; carry sunscreen and use the free Streets Beach lagoon at South Bank.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- ANZAC Square, Brisbane: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- All Saints Anglican Church, Brisbane: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Brisbane City Hall: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bulimba: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Chinatown, Brisbane: User:Orderinchaos, CC BY-SA 3.0
- City Botanic Gardens: Original uploader was Lilywatanabe at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Customs House, Brisbane: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fort Lytton National Park: Commander Keane, Public domain
- Howard Smith Wharves: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs: Cassandra Black, Public domain
- King George Square: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Land Administration Building: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: unknown author, CC-BY-SA-2.5
- Mount Coot-tha, Queensland: Brisbane City Council, CC BY 2.0
- Old Government House, Queensland: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Parliament House, Brisbane: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Portside Wharf: Laserforce ( talk )laserforce, CC BY 3.0
- Queensland Gallery of Modern Art: Fairfieldstation, Public domain
- Queensland Museum: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Regent Theatre: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shrine of Remembrance, Brisbane: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium: Nemti, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Bank Parklands: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- State Library of Queensland: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Story Bridge: MagpieShooter, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Old Windmill, Brisbane: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Treasury Building, Brisbane: Flickr user Nam Nguyen from Brisbane, Australia, CC BY 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
