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Explore beautiful Brisbane over a long weekend, and check out all my tips below & see what we got up to!
BARS (Check out the Instagrams by clicking on the handles)
@CieloRooftop.FV - Loved the atmosphere here. As soon as we landed, checked into our hotel, we headed straight for this spot that was buzzing on a Thursday night of a long weekend. Cocktails were sensational, along with the very friendly welcoming service. They offer table service so you don't have to budge - just sit and admire the bright lights of the city!
@Savilerowfortitudevalley -A hidden bar behind the Orange door, you just gotta find it! It's a speak-easy, well-known charming whiskey & cocktail bar that you should absolutely add to your must-see bars in Brissie!
@TreasuryBrisbane - Casino Vibes! If you enjoy visiting different casinos across new cities & states, this one in Brisbane is worth paying a visit to. Lots of restaurants to choose from, 5-star accommodation, with a 24-hour casino and it is steeped in very interesting history!
CAFES / RESTAURANTS
@Andosiscafe&bar - When a restaurant is that strongly rated on Google Reviews - you gotta see what the fuss is all about. We arrived with no reservation so took away a coffee & popped down our names, then returned again after a little walk and it was 100% worth the wait! See for yourself on their IG Grid
@Denimco - Nestled in the heart of Southbank this bright & cheerful cafe caught our eye for breakfast and it didn't disappoint. I chose the standard Avo, Feta & Scrambled Eggs Combo - and it went down a treat! Always need to keep in mind the extra surcharges as we were there on a public holiday weekend so it did appear a bit more expensive than what we had anticipated.
@LesBubbles - What a unique Steakhouse to visit with such a story behind it. I won't ruin it too much for you - as it is something you might like to ask the staff about when you arrive - it is a notorious spot, which served a 10/10 meal & bottle of red wine, Chefs Kiss!
PLACES TO SEE / THINGS TO DO
@Eatstreet Northshore - One of the most recommended places from my followers before we left was seeing the renowned EatStreet - and rightly so! A colourful feast extravanganza - that's how I can describe it. It will leave you spoiled for choice with the endless array of cuisines. Lots of international dishes & desserts to try. Our choice was some dumplings from Hong Kong along with Mexican Tacos! Arrive when Doors Open if you can, as the placed filled up quite quickly. There is ample parking however we caught an Uber there as we didn't rent a car for the weekend. $5 Entry Fee to step into a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience of food stalls, markets & fantastic outdoor QLD vibes with some cover for the rain!
Southbank - Rainforest Green - step into Nature in the heart of the city and escape the hustle & bustle - immersing yourself in tranquility. This man-made rainforest walk is so close to to the Prom that you will forget where you are for a moment , trust me! Aso why not swim in the well-known city-beach of Southbank; this is something you can't really miss on your trip to the 'River City'
Howard Smith Wharves - Scooters! Hop on to cruise around the city safely & promptly. These are neuron e-scooters and you can hire these by tapping on and use for as long as you like, returning to a spot nearby.
Riverwalk - Riverwalk to New Farm is simply stunning & such a peaceful walk. Admire the stunning views, sit on some beanbags, catch live music & entertainent depending on the day you visit and you can even see the culinary gardens on display which are fresh growing produce for local chefs.
StoryBridge - Of course it's not a trip to Brisbane without sighting the famous Bridge and talking a stroll along here to capture the scenery, We also paid a visit to the StoryBridge Hotel for a spot of lunch with some friends who live in the city. Full disclosure; we didn't walk the full length which is approx 6km long and you would need to allow 2 hours to complete. It can also be climbed as a tourist activity if that's the kind of heights you wanna reach!
Moreton Island / Tangalooma Shipwrecks - One of our highights for sure. We spent our Sunday here and it was so beautiful. Although the day started a bit grey & gloomy, the sun appeared finally and we got to enjoy the Queensland sunshine, had a swim, spent some time kayaking and even snorkelled up close to the famous Shipwrecks. The snorkelling experience was a litte bit different to other excursions due to the nature of our surroundings here against old rusty shipwrecks & the current was very strong that day so we had to be mindful! We got to feed some fish off the edge of the boat to end the day and spotted Dolphins up close - it was magical! Book this experience with Travel Playground (Click that link) for a few different options of day trips & excursions throughout the year. Referral Code is COLLEEN10 for some small discounts offered on trips & experiences. We were picked up by a bus, and brought to the wharf to start our day trip by boat to discover the island!
Mount Coot-Tha - Head up here for the glorious morning sunrise, the perfect way to start your day, You'll see lots of other sunrise chasers too capturing beautiful images of the city! It is a great hiking option also - however we jumped in an Uber and got up there to see the sky turn a burnt orange. It is just 15 mins drive from where we stayed. Cafes are there too and will open that early so you can sip on a coffee and appreciate your morning from this amazing elevated lookout spot in Brisbane!
WHERE WE STAYED - HOTEL
We stayed in Fortitude Valley (linked) which is part of the chain of hotels! Highly recommend it. Of course as expected and according to reviews it was quite a lively spot and the Rooftop Pool was amazing along with the Spa! I recommend getting up there early in the morning for a skyline swim before you are joined by families, kids and others if you would like some quiet time and to chill on the loungers. If you are going as a family - it seemed quite popular actually for little ones too. A little piece of hotel luxury amongst the happening vibes of the Valley. Clubs and music can be heard from the balconies so be prepared for that. It is a residential property too - so people live here in their apartments all week long! Easy stroll to local areas, such as Eagle Street Pier, local train station, Woolworths etc. For the value of all the facilities we had - it was well worth the money, and we were super lucky with the weather all weekend. You do need to book the Spa in advance at Reception area - so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Would I return?
Brisbane really wowed me, I would definitely return to see lots more that we didn't get a chance to squeeze in; such as the famous Felon's brewery, Stradbroke Island, and catching some city ferries to cruise around. I'm glad I finally got to see this city after a few attempts due to travel restrictions and this pandemic we've been through over the last couple of years. I just loved the bright colours, the pace of the city and how spacious, clean & modern it felt!