Queensland's river capital: subtropical, outdoorsy and unhurried, with a man-made city beach in the middle and the Gold and Sunshine coasts an hour either side.
Free things to do
Free
South Bank & Streets Beach
A free inner-city beach, genuinely. Bring togs.
Free
Mount Coot-tha lookout & gardens
The whole city and the bay from one free terrace, best in the last hour of light.
Free
City Hall clock tower tour
A 1930s cage lift takes eight at a time up to the clock face, free from the Museum of Brisbane desk.
Where to stay
from $78
Tequila Sunrise Podstel Brisbane
Dorm bed · per night
from $151
YHA Brisbane City
Private room · per night
from $226
Brisbane Quarters
Private room · per night
from $66
LyLo Brisbane
Dorm bed · per night
Trips that take it in
Australia & NZ · 14 days · 3 nights in Brisbane
The East Coast Run
Melbourne → Sydney → Byron Bay → Brisbane
$1,207
plus flights · Jan 2027 dates