3 Days In Brisbane: Where To Start
Do you plan on spending 3 days in Brisbane? Well, this is the perfect Brisbane itinerary for you! Everything you need to know including places to see, what to do, where to stay, best time to visit, safety, and more is all included in the following post.
Brisbane is located in the center of South East Queensland where you can find stunning parklands, museums, lookouts, and more. Whether it’s your first time visiting Brisbane or you are a returning visitor, this city has something for everyone.
I will admit that Brisbane is not the most favored by backpackers. I do think part of this is because this city isn’t as known for its nightlife as Sydney and Melbourne are. However, I highly recommend stopping in Brisbane for a few days to see all the neat things the city has to offer.
Quick Overview:
Day 1:
- Queen Street
- Museum of Brisbane
- Roma Street Parkland
- James Street
- Howard Smith Wharves
Day 2: Day Trip To Moreton Island
Day 3:
- City Beach
- Wheel Of Brisbane
- Brisbane Sign
- Kangaroo Point Cliff Park
- City Botanic Gardens
Day 1: Brisbane City
Queen Street
First up, Queen Street. It is the main street in Brisbane which is built up of arcades, shops, malls, high story apartments, hotels, offices, and more. The major tourist attractions are the General Post Office and the Queen Street Mall.
In the mall, there’s everything you could possibly think of. Everything including general clothing shops, Starbucks, luxury shops, restaurants, and more. And by more, I mean there are over 700 retailers across 40,000 square meters (430,000 square ft) including six different shopping centers.
You don’t have to enjoy shopping to enjoy Queen Street Mall. I’m not the biggest fan of shopping, but I still enjoyed roaming around (and I will admit that I bought a few things including a shirt which is my favorite one to this day).
It’s not your average shopping mall because you don’t need to stay inside the whole time. You can hang out outside under the steel structure to keep cool, and there’s even an entertainment stage.
Museum of Brisbane
The Museum Of Brisbane, located on the third floor of Brisbane City Hall, has multiple awards, and is a great way to see and learn about the city’s history. It’s not like most museums in that it’s a social history museum and art gallery. It explores Brisbane’s history through talks, children’s activities, tours, workshops, social history exhibitions, and more.
There’s two collections to view here; the Museum Of Brisbane Collections, and the City Of Brisbane Collection. The collection was created when the town of Brisbane was founded in 1859. It includes many historical objects and artwork commissioned by local artists adding up to approximately 9,000 items.
Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland is about 16 hectares of gorgeous gardens and lawns. This is the spot to go if you are wanting to feel relaxed around some very beautiful and unique nature. There’s a rainforest walk, water fountain, subtropical flowering plants, Eastern Water Dragons, stunning pathways, and more.
It consists of free barbecues, a couple playgrounds, events year round, and plenty of picnic spots making it the perfect spot to go with friends.
James Street
James Street is another shopping street, but it’s known for its luxury beauty products and high end fashion. If you are into activewear, botox, fancy cars, and things like that, this is the place to go. There’s also plenty of great places to eat along the street if you need a little food break from all the shopping (or window shopping).
Howard Smith Wharves
As the sun goes down, and it starts to get dark, enjoy the beautiful view of Story Bridge from Howard Smith Wharves. This area is on the River of Brisbane at Boundary Street where there’s plenty of places to eat, drink, and relax.
There’s also events of entertainment that are hosted here, so be sure to check out if there’s anything on for the night.
If you are a fan of craft beer, there’s a place called Felons Brewery here which is a multi-award winning brewery. It’s a must visit if you are wanting to have a drink or two (maybe three or four, Idk) with your friends.
Day 2: Day Trip To Moreton Island
If you are a lover of the ocean and want to put your feet in some soft sand, Moreton Island is the perfect day trip from Brisbane. It’s one of the largest sand islands consisting of pristine blue waters, blue lagoons, sand dune, and great snorkeling conditions for the Tangalooma Wrecks.
Getting to be in the warm, crystal clear water with aquatic life is truly life changing. Just getting to be on the water either by kayak or paddle board is amazing. However, snorkeling is like being in a whole new world (as Ariel would say) with so many different forms of life.
There’s lots of fish, sometimes dolphins, turtles, and you may even get to see a shark. Don’t worry though, despite what the media shows, sharks aren’t as dangerous as you might think.
There are many day trips to choose from, so make sure you choose one that best fit your needs. There’s a popular 8 hour day trip package you can get on Get Your Guide which includes a round trip ferry transfer to Brisbane, 3 hours of kayaking, 1 hour of stand up paddle boarding, 3 hour snorkel equipment hire, land activities (such as volleyball asn tennis), and resort activities. But meals, drinks, and road transfers are not included.
There’s also options to see Moreton Island from above! Oftentimes, you can add on or book a ticket to fly in a helicopter or small airplane which gives you a scenic flight of the Island and the Tangalooma Wrecks.
If you aren’t a fan of swimming in the ocean or getting super sandy, this tour allows for you to use both pools at the resort. That way you can still enjoy the island on your terms.
That’s only for a specific tour, though. Some tours do include a meal voucher, but don’t include use of the resort’s facilities. This is why you should look into all the different tour types and book one that you know will allow you to have the most fun.
No matter what you choose to do, there are a few things you need to bring with you. Make sure you bring sunscreen, water, snacks (if you know you’ll need them), swimwear, a change in clothes, a towel, and your excitement.
Day 3: South Bank, Brisbane
City Beach
Head to the south of Brisbane River to visit the City Beach which consists of Streets Beach, Aquativity, and the Boat Pool. This is an inner city, man-made beach which is free for everyone to use. The pools are surrounded by soft, white sand, and subtropical plants to give it a more beachy feel.
Lots of people visit this area on a daily basis and is typically populated with more families with kids. So, if you are traveling solo, hoping to get a nice quiet afternoon on the beach, this may not be the best location. However, it is still a really nice area to walk through. Especially to get to the Brisbane Sign.
Wheel of Brisbane & Brisbane Sign
On your walk up from the city beach to the Brisbane sign, you will pass the wheel of Brisbane. If you want a unique view of the city skyline, this is a picture perfect way to see it. But if you aren’t a fan of actually riding the ferris wheel, that’s okay. The wheel itself is quite pretty to look at as well.
The Brisbane sign is also a great spot for photo opportunities with the Brisbane skyline being behind it. The sign was originally meant to be temporary when built in 2014, but with its growing popularity, was decided to be permanent. These giant letters will be hard to miss, so no need to worry about looking for some regular sized sign lol.
Kangaroo Point Cliff Park
Spend some time going for a scenic walk along The Kangaroo Point Cliffs. This is yet another great way to get a gorgeous view of the city. It’s popular for its recreational activities like running and climbing on the rock ledge. But it’s also perfect if you were wanting to relax a bit or have a little picnic.
City Botanic Gardens
Wind down in the City Botanic Gardens on Alice Street. This is such a great way to spend some time to relax, ground yourself, and be present. I know how fun and sometimes overwhelming traveling can be, so it’s important to slow down every once in a while.
Here, there is about 49 acres of unique garden with about 600 different plant species! There’s also a lake and formal lawns surrounded in paths for you to walk on. You could honestly spend so much time just walking around and enjoying the beauty of this garden. Plus, it’s right next to the Brisbane River. Could it BE any more perfect? (anyone get that Friends reference?)
If you are like me, and enjoy taking some time for yourself and catching up with your own company, I recommend bringing a journal, headphones, a book, and or something to sit on. Being around nature can help sooo much with mood boosting in general, and even better when paired with some mental relaxation.
You don’t have to do anything crazy like meditate for 5 hours to relax your mind. It can be as little as 10 minutes of your day spent sitting in the grass and or journaling how your trip has been so far and the things you’ve enjoyed. This may also be a good way to document your memories and how you are feeling.
Best Time To Visit Brisbane
Weather in Brisbane
The weather in Brisbane doesn’t get very cold compared to the more southern cities like Melbourne and Sydney. However, depending on where you’re from, the winter may actually feel quite chilly. Keep in mind the seasons are flipped from the northern hemisphere. So, Australia’s winter is June-August, and summer is December-February.
The average Brisbane weather in winter has (roughly) a high of 21*C (70*F) during the day, and a low of 11*C (52*F) at night.
The average Brisbane weather in summer has (roughly) a high of 29*C (84*F) during the day, and a low of 21*C (70*C) at night.
Don’t be too fooled by these numbers. These are average, and it often gets a lot warmer. When I visited in February, it got up to 40*C (104*F). So, just be prepared for that if you aren’t as used to the heat. There’s also a bit more rainfall in the summer here which means it gets really humid.
The best time to visit Brisbane in terms of weather is going to be the transitional seasons such as spring or autumn. The weather is typically a lot more comfortable since it isn’t too hot or too cold. Plus, these seem to be the quieter seasons in terms of tourist crowds.
Public Holidays
Australia has some public holidays in which places either change their hours or shut down completely. So, if you are wanting to go somewhere specific, make sure it doesn’t fall on one of those days. You can find a list of Australia’s public holidays on their public holidays website.
And if you go during the early summer (December), just remember the crowds are probably going to be a bit crazy during the holiday season. Especially as it gets closer to Christmas and New Year.
2032 Olympics
Okay, I know this is quite far in advance to be thinking about, but Brisbane will be hosting the 2032 Olympic Games. I’m sure you know this means the city is going to be insanely crowded, but for good reason.
Brisbane is actively preparing for the 2032 Olympics by doing major upgrades such as the Cross River Rail. With these upgrades, you will be able to enjoy the updated city before the major crowds rush in.
How To Get Around Brisbane
Brisbane is quite easy to get around. It’s pretty walkable, but also quite big. So, if you are wanting to travel a longer distance, there are a few options. If you prefer to avoid public transportation altogether, you can get an uber or rent a car.
Public transportation is quite easy to use, and there is a variety. There’s buses, ferries, trams, and trains. I’ve heard buses are the easiest way to get around as they can take you to more places such as suburbs. Plus, the buses are free to use in the city loop which can take you anywhere in the city center.
Ferries can quickly take you across the river and to other places in the city. It’s also a really fun way to experience and view the city. There’s different ferries to choose from such as the CityCat (takes you to attractions near the riverfront) and the CityHopper (which is free to use).
If you plan on taking public transportation in which you will have to pay (such as leaving the city center by bus or anywhere by tram or train), you will need a Go Card. They’re easy to get and put money on, but this isn’t really necessary if you don’t plan on traveling out of the main city.
Where to Stay in Brisbane
Hostels are my favorite form of accommodation as they allow you to easily meet other people, and they are a lot more affordable than hotels. There’s so many different hostel options, and each one has something unique to offer. For example, some hostels are more party focused while other are more relaxation focused. So, its important to look into all your options to see which hostel would be best for you.
I personally stayed in the Selina Hostel and really enjoyed it. It felt more like a hotel with the way the room was set up and how quiet it was. I was in a four bed dorm with only one other person staying in there. My goal staying at this hostel was to rest up before heading to my next destination, and it was perfect. The hostel was really quiet, and had the perfect vibe for me to focus on myself for a bit while saving some money.
If you aren’t a fan of hostels and you have the means to stay in a hotel, go for it! There are so many options to choose from, and you know yourself best. If staying in a more boujee hotel will make your time here amazing, absolutely do it.
No matter where you stay, make sure you are looking for accommodation in advanced that way you get the place you want. Its common for places to fill up making it harder to book things last minute.
Safety In Brisbane
Brisbane is a very safe city to be in overall. I always recommend keeping your wits about you no matter where you go because you never know what can happen. Things such as being aware of your surroundings and keeping your belongings close are important no matter where you are.
Same with choosing where to go. There are places (such as a suburb) within every city that are usually good to avoid or be extra cautious. But if you are planning to stay in the main city, you shouldn’t worry too much about threats.
If anything, you’ll see a huntsman spider which will probably startle you more than anything. Don’t worry about them though. They don’t really care for people all that much and aren’t a threat to us.
As a female solo traveler, I didn’t have any issues with walking around at night and felt perfectly safe exploring on my own.
So, no need to stress as much about your safety when you could be putting more energy into having fun!
Where to next?
If you’re an Aussie who was just on a weekend getaway, you are probably going to head home after a nice weekend away. However, if you’re a traveler, you are probably headed to your next destination. Whether you are traveling north or south, my 6 Week Travel Australia Itinerary may help guide you on where to go next! It may also inspire you to visit some destinations you hadn’t thought of before.
