How Many Days in Brisbane is Enough? 3 Day in Brisbane Itinerary

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.

Brisbane is a great city with many things to do and see. It’s a city that gets overlooked by tourists in Australia. But Brisbane has incredible national parks, stunning nearby beaches, and heaps of attractions.

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 city has many great things to offer. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a fantastic option if you want to see Koalas. Brisbane is one of the only cities in Australia where you can hold them.

How many days do I need to visit Brisbane?

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, is a popular destination with a range of activities and attractions to enjoy. 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 the city’s major attractions, such as South Bank, Mount Coot-tha, and the Brisbane River, as well as explore the surrounding areas, such as the 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, but it may not be enough time to fully experience all the city has to offer. 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 to stay in Brisbane?

Brisbane CBD has many things to do and see. The CBD is home to the best nightlife in the city. And you will be close to South Bank, and other great parts of the city such as South Brisbane or New Farm. You can take a look at 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 Offering absolute riverfront accommodation and featuring river views from every room, Stamford Plaza Brisbane is perfectly positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River and is just a few steps from the adjacent Botanical Gardens. The hotel is located in the hub of the CBD (Central Business District) and within the city’s prestigious dining and shopping precinct. Self parking is available at an off-site location, 240 m from the hotel.

Royal On The Park Directly opposite the City Botanic Gardens, Royal On The Park features free WiFi, a lounge bar and a restaurant. Guests enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub. Royal on the Park is a 5-minute walk from shopping at Queen Street Mall and the CBD (Central Business District). Morrison Hotel is 7 minutes’ drive away and Brisbane Airport is 16 km away.

Brisbane City YHA Just 10 minutes’ walk from Roma Street Transit Centre and 450 m from Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane City YHA features a stunning rooftop swimming pool overlooking the city and Brisbane River. All rooms offer secure card access. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

The best place to stay in Brisbane has to be the CBD. But there are many great options. Brisbane CBD has the best range of accommodation in the city. It caters to backpackers to high-end travelers. Better still, it’s the best place for public transport, and you can easily access other areas from here. Although I believe the CBD is the best place. If you enjoy quieter spots, then you’ll enjoy New Farm. 

Check out this Where to Stay in Brisbane and Best Hotels in Brisbane to know more accommodations in Brisbane.

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. 

How Many Days in Brisbane
Story Bridge

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

How Many Days in Brisbane
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

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

How Many Days in Brisbane
Byron Bay

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 trains

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:

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!

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