48 Hours in Brisbane, Then Beyond: Your Ultimate Queensland Guide

With its buzzy riverside location and dramatic views from above, thriving capital Brisbane / Meanjin has all the makings of a fun-filled short break. Here’s your guide to discovering the city and its surrounds.

With just a couple of days to explore, base yourself in the heart of the city at The Star Grand hotel on Queen’s Wharf. One of Brisbane’s tallest five-star hotels is crowned by a Sky Deck with two restaurants, an open-air bar and unrivalled views from 100 metres above the Brisbane River. Unveiled in April, the hotly anticipated Isoletto Pool Club (pictured below) on level seven greets in-house guests with three heated infinity-edge pools buddied up to a cocktail bar and regular sets from Brisbane’s best DJs.

Take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens to Stilts, uniquely positioned on Kangaroo Point Bridge. The latest outing from River City restaurateurs Tassis Group (Mulga Bill’s and Fatcow), the eatery hovers over the river in a traditional Queenslander-inspired venue with 180-degree views of the Story Bridge and city skyline. Chef Dan Hernandez (Fosh and Restaurant Dan Arnold) uses the state’s freshest produce, from grain-fed Angus steaks to live Moreton Bay bugs, with a selection of 180 local and international wines.

Scaling to the top of landmark Story Bridge is one of the capital’s most iconic feats and in a world-first, Story Bridge Adventure Climb has recently introduced a wheelchair-accessible option. Other choices include the “last-minute climb” discount on daytime bookings made within 48 hours.

Dive into Brisbane’s quirky bars on a three-hour Brisbane By Night Private Bar & Food Tour with Local Sauce Tours. Brissy-bred founder Justin Steele and his guides can tailor tours to individual tastes. “Visitors are often surprised by the quality of our bars and the city’s thriving street-art scene,” says Steele.

Or head to Penelope in the nightlife precinct, Fortitude Valley. This sleek supper club on James Street is the place to drink, dine and dance to a disco, funk and soul soundtrack. Open until midnight on weekends, the kitchen serves up steak frites and a classic cheeseburger for revellers, paired with a drop from the Euro-skewed 100-bottle wine list.

Best daytrip from the capital

The world’s third-largest sand island, Mulgumpin / Moreton Island, located just 75 minutes by boat from the city, makes an ideal daytrip. An Afternoon Escape Day Cruise will take you there to snorkel on the famous Tangalooma Wrecks (pictured) or quad bike on the island’s soaring sand dunes. Extend your adventure and bunker down at Tangalooma Life, a holiday house set on 500 square metres within the Tangalooma Island Resort. The two-bedroom hilltop contemporary cottage comes with its own electric buggy, access to all resort facilities, including the swimming pools and spa treatments, and spectacular views of Moreton Bay and beyond. Settle in to watch the sunset from your private deck.

A long weekend on the Gold Coast

An hour south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is famous for its beaches but there’s more to the “Goldy” than sand and surf. Set on the serene Tamborine Mountain, 30 minutes west of the Gold Coast’s main strip, The Tamborine Boutique Hotel is the ultimate hinterland escape and features 23 deluxe rooms, complete with mountain views, a heated mineral pool and soothing rainforest surrounds.

When your appetite calls, head to Nobby Beach, where the flavours of Latin America fire up at Norté and Sueňo, siblings to Burleigh Heads restaurant Rick Shores. Order the pork rack glazed with chilli at Norté or head upstairs to Sueňo’s sun-drenched rooftop for kingfish ceviche and charcoal chicken skewers with house-crafted tequila and mescal cocktails.

New York lounge meets tropical Queensland at the Burly Bar in Currumbin, a sleek cellar door celebrating local artisanal gin. Father and son Piri and Richard Bennett are the creators behind Burly’s signature cucumber, citrus and berry-infused gins paired with small plates like roast cauliflower cheese and gremolata.

For a different kind of nightlife, visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and experience Moment Factory’s immersive sound and light show Astra Lumina. The “nature meets the stars” installation illuminates an other-worldly walking trail through native forest.

Change the pace after a busy weekend and seek out blissful bathhouse Native State, nestled behind Kirra Beach at the southern end of the Gold Coast. Brace yourself for an invigorating icy plunge before a soak in the 37°C magnesium pool and time in the cedar sauna.

A week on the Sunshine Coast

North of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast beckons with its dramatic hinterland and laid-back vibe. On the way, Yajambee Farm Stay offers a unique sleepover just an hour’s drive north-west of Brisbane. Set on a working Angus cattle stud, this two-bedroom luxury cottage features a fireplace and heated plunge pool. For an authentic paddock-to-plate experience, request farm-fresh beef to grill on the outdoor barbecue or head to the verandah of nearby Birches Restaurant for a country-style roast. For a different kind of animal encounter, book one of Australia Zoo’s four new eco-luxury Crocodile cabins each with a stone bathtub and two decks overlooking a billabong that’s home to freshwater crocodiles. Cabin stays include unlimited entry to the Zoo.

Drive 30 minutes east for a private scenic flight over the Sunshine Coast’s Glasshouse Mountains. Oceanview Helicopters’ Picnic on a Peak tour provides aerial views of the spectacular volcanic formations before landing on a secluded hilltop to enjoy a locally sourced lunch. Tours depart daily from Caloundra and Sunshine Coast Airport.

Vying for the title of Australia’s craft beer capital, the Sunshine Coast is home to an impressive 25 breweries. A short hop south of Marcoola Beach, you’ll find Young Giants Brewing Co., run by local beer aficionados Matt Ford and Chris Geddes. The Giants pour an evolving line-up of quality brews from hearty stouts to hazy IPAs and the popular Passionfruit Zing.

Just 15 minutes north is the latest addition to the Sunshine Coast Beach Bars collection. The third beachfront venue opened by mates Jonny Giles, Matt Hope and Gavin Smith, Coolum Beach Bar serves brekky, burgers and beers with live music and ocean views.

Winter is whale season and you won’t get closer to these magnificent mammals than on a kayak tour with Noosa-based Epic Ocean Adventures. The trip begins with a 4WD expedition along Teewah Beach before you paddle out to spot migrating whales and their calves in the protected waters of Double Island Point. Tours can be booked daily from June to the end of October.

For family fun, head to the recently revived Big Pineapple. The Aussie icon in Woombye now features a two-storey museum with scenic lookout, a café by local roasters Montville Coffee and the return of the heritage Pineapple Train. November sees the 10th Big Pineapple Music Festival bringing a raft of homegrown talent to town. 

SEE ALSO: The 5 Best Spas in Brisbane to Help You Unwind