Too often viewed mainly as a jumping-off point to Queensland’s major attractions such as the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane (Meanjin) offers plenty of reasons for an extended stay.
From being the home of ‘Bluey’ to an excellent dining scene, “Brissie” offers one of Australia’s most compelling city breaks. Visitors can expect year-round sunshine, riverside neighbourhoods and easy access to the beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, plus new hiking and walking trails in the hinterland.
Served by flights from London via Singapore, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, Brisbane is a relaxed, water-facing city that is easy to explore on foot.
City highlights
Home to stadia such as the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium, the city will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Brisbane River is at the heart of the city and one of the best ways to experience it is aboard a CityCat ferry, which sashays between neighbourhoods including South Bank, New Farm and Howard Smith Wharves. Visitors can hop on and off, taking in river views.
South Bank remains one of the city’s biggest draws, with its riverside parklands, museums, restaurants and Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach.
Brisbane’s compact centre makes it easy to explore on foot. The Queensland Art Gallery, part of a larger cultural precinct that also includes the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), offers free guided tours led by First Nations guides.
From here, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Roma Street Parkland and James Street’s independent boutiques, cafés and restaurants are all within easy reach. The best way to experience the city is by joining one of the many guided walking tours, which uncover everything from Brisbane’s colonial history to its thriving foodie scene.
Elsewhere, a landmark transformation of the Howard Smith Wharves, beneath the Story Bridge and close to the city centre, is elevating Brisbane’s riverfront. Once an industrial shipping yard that also served as air-raid shelters during the Second World War, Howard Smith Wharves is now a popular dining and entertainment precinct. Future expansion plans feature a new 106-room boutique hotel, Brisbane’s first over-river swimming pool and two new cliffside lifts to enhance urban connectivity.
Elsewhere, South Brisbane is one of the city’s hottest culinary neighbourhoods. Its Fish Lane – described as “an alliance of art, food and entertainment” – has welcomed Goodside, where the all-day menu takes inspiration from the comfort food of Southeast Asia.
Looking ahead
Brisbane continues to evolve ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with new attractions and hotel developments adding to the city’s appeal.
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb has introduced the world’s first wheelchair-accessible bridge climb, allowing more visitors to enjoy views across the city.
The city will also welcome visitors for the Rugby World Cup 2027, hosting 14 tournament matches, including England’s opening fixture against Tonga.
South Brisbane has seen the return of a local landmark. Hotel Terminus has breathed new life into the former Fox Hotel site, reopening as a four-level venue with a restored long bar, bistro, rooftop terrace and late-night cocktail lounge overlooking the city skyline.
With its range of hotels, bars and restaurants, Brisbane is strengthening its position as one of Australia’s most exciting city break destinations.
Beyond the city
Brisbane also works well as a base for day trips. North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), the world’s second-largest sand island, is just 25 minutes away by ferry. Here you can join First Nations-led cultural experiences with Yura Tours or explore beaches, coastal walks and abundant wildlife.
The Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary are also within easy reach, giving clients plenty of reasons to extend their stay.
After Mondrian’s successful debut on the Gold Coast in 2025, luxury accommodation continues to expand along the coast, with The Calile Hotel planning to open a sister property in Noosa Heads.
Trade-friendly packages are also developing, including Emporium Hotel’s Reef & Retreat offer, which combines a luxury Brisbane city stay with a getaway to Lady Elliot Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
A two-hour drive south of the city brings visitors to the Scenic Rim Trail, which has launched a new four-day self-guided hiking experience through the Tweed Byron Hinterland.
The 42-kilometre journey traverses the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, challenging seasoned hikers to navigate less well-defined trails through Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap National Parks.The self-guided format is designed for intimate groups of up to 12, with participants following a route that encounters waterfalls and panoramic views of the Wollumbin caldera.
Each evening, hikers arrive at exclusive private eco-camps featuring raised sleeping platforms and permanent facilities accessible only to guests.
The experience is fully catered, with chef-curated meals provided at the camps to allow for an immersive trek at a self-determined pace, as well as daily luggage transfers and shuttle connections from nearby towns.
For travel agents with customers looking for outdoor adventure, riverside dining, cultural experiences or an easy introduction to Queensland, Brisbane is a versatile destination that works both as a standalone city break or the starting point for a wider Australian itinerary.
Book It With…
Audley Travel has a 16-day Exploring Queensland tour, starting at £19,130pp,
The deal includes flights, vehicle hire and accommodation, with time spent exploring Brisbane, Lady Elliot Island, Sunshine Coast and Cairns. Excursions include snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and a private culinary tour in Brisbane.
