Day 1 in Brisbane

Welcome to Brisbane! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the city by taking a walk around the compact CBD. Explore the bustling neighborhood filled with historic buildings and shiny skyscrapers; the CBD is bound by the V-shaped of the Brisbane River. Make your way into the heart of the city to the shopping epicenter of the Queen Street Pedestrian Mall. Here you will find over 700 retailers and plenty of restaurants and cafes offering outdoor seating. Grab some lunch and a refreshment while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

From here make your way to the Museum of Brisbane housed in Brisbane`s City Hall, this stunning historical landmark features the clock tower which stands at 229ft tall based on the design of St Mark`s Campanile in Venice, Italy. Head up to the top floor and explore the exhibits featuring art, culture and the history of the city of Brisbane, take a tour of the clock tower.

Next, check out the world`s largest subtropical gardens, The Roma Street Parklands and Spring Hill precinct, feature a great variety of themed gardens and recreational areas covering 40 acres of land just outside the city center. Hire a bicycle from the city`s bike share program and cycle around the park through the sprawling lawns and spectacular gardens. Stop for a snack at one of the quaint cafes in the Spring Hill area and check out the historical sites including the Old Windmill the Spring Hill Baths. Take a ride on the mini train that runs through the gardens.

As evening time approaches take a ferry ride to South Bank. See this spectacular city from the water and then submerge yourself in the South Bank Parklands. A huge stretch of green space in the city on the other side of the river. South Bank is a premier lifestyle and cultural destination boasting an artificial beach with swimming pools and lagoons, plenty of restaurants and shops, a movie theatre and the Wheel of Brisbane. Take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel and see the city`s sparkling lights at night.

Enjoy dinner in one of the riverside restaurants where you can dine on freshly caught seafood or simply grab some fish and chips to go.

Day 2 in Brisbane

This morning make your way to Fortitude Valley, the vibrant neighborhood with a bohemian flair. Venture around the quaint streets filled with restaurants, cafes, quirky boutiques, and galleries. Enjoy an al fresco breakfast at one of the many eateries that fringe the tree-lined boulevards. If you are visiting Fortitude Valley on the weekend, check out the many weekend street markets that are featured in the area. Stock up on delicious fresh fruit and vegetables and some other snacks to enjoy later on in the day.

Next, you can check out the Brisbane Story Bridge which is situated close to Fortitude Valley. The bridge is an iconic landmark in the city and was constructed during Australia`s Great Depression. Connecting Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point, you can take the Story Bridge Adventure Climb where visitors can participate in a climb up the 262 ft tall bridge accompanied with audio detailing the history of the bridge and the city along with breathtaking views over the river and the city.

Make your way out to Mount Coot Tha, the tallest mountain in the city standing at 941 ft above sea level with captivating views across Brisbane all the way to Moreton Bay and the Glasshouse Mountains. Here visitors will find the Botanical Gardens, a Planetarium, and the Mount Coot-tha Reserve, explore the lush dense forested area on foot or hire a mountain bike, stop for a picnic or snack along the way and make your way up to the summit for stunning panoramic views. There is a restaurant and a café located at the top of the mountains as well as a gift shop and observation deck.

As afternoon approaches, head back into the city center and explore South Bank`s Cultural Center. This heritage listed entertainment center sits on the river banks and includes the Queensland Performing Arts Center, The Queensland Museum, The Gallery of Modern Art and the State Library of Queensland. Explore this great cultural destination and artsy hub, visit the museum of your choice, we recommend GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) the largest modern and contemporary gallery found in Australia, featuring the first purpose-built cinematheque and rotating exhibitions including highlights of artwork by Andy Warhol, Ai Weiwei and Picasso.

From here you can take a walk along the River and check out the sights and attractions of South Bank during the day, take a dip in the swimming pool at Streets Beach. There are plenty of eateries located along the river where you can stop in for a snack and a refreshing cocktail.

As evening time approaches, make your way back to Fortitude Valley which is known for its sparkling nightlife. Check out the restaurants in Chinatown and take pleasure in dinner here then wander through the area and check out the famous entertainment offerings such as live music, bars, and nightclubs that line the laneways.

Day 3 in Brisbane

Today explore the D`Aguilar National Park covering 36,000 hectares of parkland situated just 6 miles outside of the city center. A great way to get around the park is by mountain bike with over 14 miles of trails through the dense eucalypt woodlands and subtropical rainforests with vibrant flora and fauna leading to stunning lookout points with magnificent views. Horseback riding is an option in the park, and there is a hidden swimming spot which is popular during the summertime.

Make your way to the Sunshine Coast and take a ferry ride or private plane ride over to Moreton Island that is the third largest sand island in the world and contains Moreton Island National Park which covers 95% of the island. Visit the spectacular white sandy beaches that skirt the island with magical sparkling Blue Lagoon and Champagne Pools. Take a dip in the relaxing waters of the Coral Sea where snorkeling is a popular activity or take a quad bike ride over the Mount Tempest sand dunes, sand tobogganing is an exciting activity to partake in on the Island along with paddle boarding and parasailing. Keep your eyes open for whales and dolphins which are always a common sight around the island waters.

Finish off your day at the Eat Street Markets in Hamilton, a unique and innovative night market featuring around 60 old shipping containers that have been converted into pop-up restaurants. Dive in and satisfy your taste buds at one of these unique venues.

Enjoy your last evening in the city of Brisbane which has been ranked as one of the Top 5 hotspots for music by US Entertainment Billboard Magazine. Brisbane is known for its live music scene and is the host of many festivals throughout the year.

Alternatively, you can spend the evening at the Conrad Treasury Casino, housed in the historic Treasury Building in the glitzy heart of the city`s gambling and nightlife district on Queen`s Street. The casino offers poker, roulette, craps and slot machines along with five restaurants, seven bars, and a nightclub.

Additional Days in Brisbane

Should you be able to spend additional days in Brisbane be sure to take a trip out to the iconic Glass House Mountains and National Park situated on the Sunshine Coast. The impressive park features 11 hills and covers over 2,000 hectares, the mountain ranges were named by Captain Cook in 1770.

The Australia Zoo is another great attraction on the Sunshine Coast, the zoo is owned by the Irwin family, it is the famed zoo where the late Steve Irwin filmed his wildlife documentary show `The Crocodile Hunter`. See native animals including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats spread throughout different exhibits.

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the first and largest koala sanctuary in the world and was rated as one of the Top 10 Zoos in the world. Visit over 130 Koalas that call the zoo home along with other Australian favorites.

The Queensland Maritime Museum features exhibitions on the maritime history of Queensland and features several retired vessels that sit on the South Brisbane River and dry dock area.

Your Last Day in Brisbane

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.