The Best One Day in Brisbane Itinerary (2025)

The Best One Day in Brisbane Itinerary (2025)

Looking for a perfect one day in Brisbane itinerary? We’ve got you covered. Not only do we love Brisbane city, we used to call it home.

Located in Queensland, Brisbane is the capital city of the sunshine state. Known for it’s iconic riverfront and year-round weather, Brisbane makes for an excellent city escape.

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or solo adventures, Brisbane offers so much to do. The city even has it’s very own man-made beach! Don’t fret if you only have one day in Brisbane because we’ll share with you the best things to do.

Read on for the best one day in Brisbane itinerary.

Table of Contents

Where is Brisbane located?

Brisbane is located on Australia’s east coast, 917km north of Sydney. It’s the state capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city.

One Day in Brisbane Itinerary

A full day in Brisbane is enough to see the best of the city, though it’ll likely leave you wanting more. We personally think Brisbane is one of the most underrated cities in Australia and it won’t be long until it knocks Sydney or Melbourne off the top spot!

But don’t worry, this one day in Brisbane itinerary will definitely keep you happy until your next visit to Sunshine state.

MORNING

Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point is a fantastic suburb to start your day in Brisbane. It’s located on the eastern side of the river and is an ideal place for a morning stroll. There’s a charming cafe located under the iconic Story Bridge called Moonshine, where you can enjoy a coffee before taking in the city views from the riverside.

Use Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, to walk directly over the river into the city. The bridge is for walkers, cyclists and scooters only. There are various viewing platforms throughout, perfect for a photo opportunity!

As you exit the bridge, you’ll come across the cafe, Mulga Bill’s. This brunch stop has incredible views across the river, we’d recommend a window seat.

City Botanic Gardens

Located in the heart of Brisbane, the City Botanic Gardens is Queensland’s oldest heritage garden and an absolute must-do.

You can take a walk along various paths within the garden, or simply enjoy the cooler temperatures under the shade of the trees. If you have children, you can make use of the children’s playground, or even pack a picnic and create your own fun.

We’d recommend stopping for a refreshment at The Garden’s Cafe, an idyllic little spot away from the bustle of the city centre.

Visiting on a weekend? Enjoy the Riverside at the Gardens Market, held every Sunday from 8am – 3pm.

MIDDAY

The Star Brisbane

Years in the making, The Star Brisbane is a multi-million dollar entertainment complex. You’ll find accommodation, open air gardens, restaurants and bars as well as a casino.

They real attraction for us though is the incredible Sky Deck. Offering 360 degree views of Brisbane and the surrounding landscape, it is simply a must-do. If you’re brave enough there’s even a glass-floor walkway, 100m above the CBD floor! There is a restaurant and bar located on the Sky Deck too so if you’re looking for somewhere memorable for lunch, this may be it! (We’d also recommend the Sky Deck as a great sunset location)

The Sky Deck is free to access, open 7 days a week (as long as weather permits)

South Bank

No visit to Brisbane is complete without a trip to South Bank. It’s Brisbane’s premier lifestyle and culture destination and is absolutely fantastic for families and those on vacation.

Conveniently, you can use the The Neville Bonner Bridge that directly connects The Star Brisbane to South Bank. Once there, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. Foodies can divulge in the dozens of restaurants lining the streets, or even whip up lunch using the free barbeques or picnic areas.

The real star of the show though is Streets Beach, a man-made beach located right in the centre of South Bank. If you’re travelling with children, check out Aquativity, a fun and interactive water park located next to the main beach.

AFTERNOON

Howard Smith Wharves

Make use of Brisbane’s fantastic public transport service and hop on a ferry to cruise the river towards Howard Smith Wharves. Currently, public transport rides are only 0.50c in Queensland! Cheapest river cruise you’ll ever do.

Howard Smith Wharves sits on the edge of Brisbane River and is home to various dining and drinking spaces. It offers incredible views of the iconic Story Bridge and is a top choice for locals looking for a private dining experience or a drink with a view.

You will also find a Brisbane brewery located at Howard Smith Wharves called Felons. If you’re visiting on a weekend this area will be pumping with the brewery being home to a stage, arcades and ping pong tables!

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

After soaking up the views at Howard Smith Wharves, catch a ferry back to Kangaroo Point. We’d recommend walking along the elevated walkway, New Farm Riverwalk, towards the nearest Kitty Cat ferry terminal which crosses directly over to Kangaroo Point.

Once you’re at Kangaroo Point, make your way towards the cliffs where you’ll find stairs that take you to the top. This is also a good area to spot rock climbers!

Kangaroo Point cliffs is one of Brisbane’s best sunset locations and a favourite with locals. It’s not uncommon to see people enjoying a BBQ or watching the sun go down with friends from the top of the cliffs.

EVENING

Eat Street

Located just 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD, Eat Street Northshore is a must-do! Hosting over 60 food vendors and live entertainment, this is the best place to wrap up your one day in Brisbane. The vibe here is electric and is such a fun experience, we had an absolute blast when visiting. Note that there is a $6 entrance fee on arrival.

Opening Times:

Fri/Sat: 4pm – 10pm

Sun: 4pm – 9pm

If you’re not visiting Brisbane on a weekend, we’d recommend eating out in South Bank or the CBD.

Tips for Your One Day in Brisbane

• Wear comfy shoes
• Use public transport or CityCat (tap on/off with Apple Pay, Debit Card or GoCard)
• Pack sunscreen and water
• Start early to beat the heat

Thank You

Hi adventurers, thanks for reading this one day in Brisbane itinerary!

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