If you’re looking to travel to Brisbane, you might be thinking How Many Days Should I Spend in Brisbane? Brisbane isn’t a massive city. It’s considerably smaller than cities like Sydney and Melbourne. You can get around the city pretty quickly.
I think you only need around three to four days in Brisbane at the most. If you do a lot within those days, you can see much of what the city has to offer.
Visitors will enjoy the endless outdoor activities and great weather. You’ll also enjoy top sporting events, good nightlife, and the vibrancy of the city. And if you fancy a day trip, you’re very close to the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Byron Bay, and Noosa.
If you want to visit the surrounding areas, you can spend seven days in Brisbane and make some day trips out of the city. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a fantastic option to see Koalas.
How many days do I need to visit Brisbane?
To fully experience the city and its surroundings, it is recommended to spend at least 3-5 days in Brisbane. This will allow you enough time to visit major attractions, such as South Bank, Mount Coot-tha, and the Brisbane River, as well as explore Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
With a longer stay, you will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the local culture and experience all that Brisbane has to offer.
Is three days in Brisbane enough?
It is possible to have a good time in Brisbane in three days. There are many interesting sights and activities to enjoy, so it may be helpful to plan ahead and prioritize what you would like to do in order to make the most of your visit.
Where are the best places to stay in Brisbane?
Some of the best areas in Brisbane to book your accommodations are Brisbane CBD, South Bank, Fortitude Valley, Kangaroo Point, Petrie Terrace, New Farm. You can read full detail of the best places to stay in Brisbane at this post: Where to Stay in Brisbane.
For me, Brisbane CBD is the best base for the first visit because it is the heart of the city. Here are some of the best hotels in Brisbane CBD for first time visitors:
| 💖 Best Area for first-timers: | Brisbane CBD |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Stamford Plaza Brisbane |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Royal On The Park |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | Brisbane City YHA |
Stamford Plaza Brisbane, beautiful riverfront hotel located adjacent Botanical Gardens. it is in the hub of the CBD (Central Business District) and within the city’s prestigious dining and shopping precinct.
Royal On The Park, great hotel located in front of the City Botanic Gardens, featuring an outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub. Easy distance from the shopping at Queen Street Mall and the CBD.
Brisbane City YHA, this budget-friendly backpacker hostel located 10 mins walk from Roma Street Transit Centre and Suncorp Stadium. It has a stunning rooftop swimming pool overlooking the city and Brisbane River.
3 Day in Brisbane Itinerary
Three days in Brisbane is enough to see the best of the city. You will able to see the highlights of the city center. let’s look at the things that you can see and do in 3 days of Brisbane:
Day 1 Itinerary
The 1st day is a great day to explore the main attractions of the CBD and central areas such as South Bank. Here are some spots I believe you should visit.
Check out Story Bridge
Story Bridge is one of Brisbane’s most iconic structures. Situated in the heart of the city, it’s a must-see. You can see great views of the city from around the bridge.
Visit the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
The Brisbane City Botanic gardens are a set of heritage-listed gardens that are perfect for an afternoon stroll. There are food options and a wide array of plants.
Take a ride on The Wheel of Brisbane
Brisbane has an impressive skyline, and there aren’t many better ways to see it than from the Wheel of Brisbane. Check out the views of the city from here.
Take a swim at Lagoon South Bank
Brisbane is hot, humid, and sweaty between October and April. Why not take a swim at the notorious lagoon? The lagoon is refreshing and even has an artificial beach to relax on.
Explore the Kangaroo Points Cliffs Park
As the night draws in, the Kangaroo Points Cliffs Park is a great option. There is a rock climbing spot that is open until night time. You will get superb views of the city.
Day 2 Itinerary
Day two is a great day to get around the city more. It would be an option to head to some attractions on the outskirts.
Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Probably the most popular attraction in the city. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a must-see. Not only can you hold a Koala, but you can see an array of native wildlife in the sanctuary.
Check out Mount Coot-Tha Lookout
There are some incredible views in Brisbane, and without a doubt, the best is from Mount Coot-Tha. You can drive up the mountain, or take a hike.
Visiting these two attractions will take up a fair few hours of your day.
Day 3 Itinerary
If you’re making a 3-day trip, this day would be the perfect day to make some of the surrounding trips around Brisbane.
Sea World
Surfers Paradise is just an hour’s journey from Brisbane and has some great things to see and do. You should visit Sea World if you make the trip to surfers.
Visitors will enjoy incredible rides such as Vortex, Trident, and Leviathan.
Visit the Glass House Mountains
A stunning set of mountains next to Brisbane, the Glass House Mountains are a must-see if you’re in the city. Take a short drive there, then hike up, and marvel at the views.
Suggestion If You Have More Days In Brisbane
If you have more days in Brisbane, you could even head out to the Sunshine Coast. There are many great things to do here, such as visiting the Australia Zoo. The family of Steve Irwin runs this zoo.
You could even get up early and take the two-hour drive to Noosa. A beautiful tropical paradise, Noosa is a great surfing and hiking spot.
Alternatively, take a tour hour drive south and visit Byron Bay. The small town is known as the hippy spot of Oz. If you love great beaches, nature, and cafes, then this is a perfect spot.
How to Get Around Brisbane?
Brisbane has a decent public transport system. Many locals will opt to use the Brisbane trains to access the main parts of the city. They run through the CBD and all around the city.
Another great option is the bus. Some of Brisbane’s attractions, such as the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary are on the outskirts and not accessible by train.
If you’re in the center of Brisbane, the ferries are a popular way to get around. The free CityHopper ferry can get you around some parts free of charge.
🎬 Check out my virtual tour about the best places to stay in Brisbane:
See Also:
- Best Hotels in Brisbane
- Where to Stay in Cairns
- Where to Stay in Adelaide
- 2 Days in Melbourne Itinerary
- Where to stay in Perth
- Where to Stay in Melbourne
- When is the Best Time to Visit Australia
- Where to Stay in Gold Coast
Brisbane is a beautiful city. It’s possible to see the best things to do in the city within a few days. But the things that surround Brisbane mean you could spend much longer here.
I believe the best attractions are in or around the CBD. There are great suburbs to explore such as New Farm, South Brisbane, and Fortitude Valley. Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy your time exploring this great city.
Now as you know how many days to spend in Brisbane, all you need to do is to book your hotels and ready to go!