The Best Way to Spend 24 Hours in Brisbane CBD!

Brisbane is an essential stop for everyone travelling around Australia. This vibrant city is the halfway mark for most travellers in the middle of the famous East Coast travel routes and can sometimes be overlooked as a worthy destination. Being surrounded by so many unique places like Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island and Byron Bay, many travellers don’t even stop to explore Brisbane. I think everyone should spend at least 24 hours in Brisbane to admire the Capital of the Sunshine State, Queensland. In this guide, you will find the absolute must-do thing in Brisbane city (and its close surroundings).

How to get to Brisbane

As the capital city of Queensland, a significant tourist destination, you can fly into Brisbane from various locations. In total, 53 domestic and 23 international destinations fly in and out of Brisbane Airport.

Suppose you are travelling the East Coast of Australia; both the train and bus networks transit and stop in Brisbane, making it even easier to access this great city. Check out our guide to learn more about train and bus travel on the east coast!

Is Brisbane worth visiting?

Yes, Brisbane is worth visiting! It is easy to get to via air and on land. Brisbane is energetic, with booming nightlife, a lively art scene and many incredible eateries. Being situated around the titular river offers a great view from almost any location. A variety of great things to do in Brisbane make it worth visiting, not to mention it is a great stopover location while travelling. You can easily spend more than 24 hours in Brisbane!

When is the best time to visit Brisbane?

Brisbane is a sub-tropical location, so it’s warm all year round! The average temperature sits between 16-26 degrees celsius, so no matter the time of year, the weather is usually great! It is a little hotter and more humid from October to March, with the hottest months being December and January. During these months, the city can reach a high of 40 degrees celsius but averages around 32 degrees Celsius. From April through to September, the temperature is warm and usually dryer. Thus, we recommend May or June, as the weather is cooler and not the peak season of summer or school holidays! 

How long should you spend in Brisbane?

This guide assumes you only have about 24-48 hours in Brisbane. However, you can make yourself busy in Brisbane for much longer. When we came to Queensland in our 2022 travels, we used Brisbane as a base to explore the surrounding islands, national parks and the city itself for almost two weeks. However, if you are exploring Brisbane city, a lovely 3-4 days should have you covering virtually all the famous sites. If you are planning on using Brisbane as a base to explore the surroundings, plan for at least two weeks.

Where to stay on a budget in Brisbane?

While Brisbane has multiple hostels, some do not have the best reputation. Please ensure you stay up-to-date with reviews and even ask on Facebook groups, as we have seen and heard quite a few questionable reviews. We stayed at the Brisbane City YHA on Upper Roma Street and were overall quite happy with it, considering how much we paid. Currently (at the time of writing this, it is Jan ’23), the starting price for a bed in this hostel is around $70 a shared room, which is crazy and not exactly budget-friendly.

How to get around in Brisbane – The CityCat

Brisbane is scattered around the eponymous river, and it is sometimes challenging to walk where you need to go. Thankfully, the Brisbane City Council operates a fleet of 23 CityCats and 5 KittyCats (ferries) on the river to transport you anywhere you need. The ferries operate between The University of Queensland (UQ) St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton.

There are 23 different terminals that you can access. To use it, you will need a Go Card. The Go Card is also used on the bus, trains and tram services in Brisbane, Ipswitch, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. To purchase one, click here. However, a CityHopper ferry service operates every 30 minutes in the inner city free of charge, so look out for them! To find out more about the ferry services on the Brisbane River, click here. 

Another excellent option for getting around Brisbane is the train and bus services. Also, operating on the Go Card is a convenient and affordable way to explore and get practically anywhere you want. 

Must-do’s for 24 hours in Brisbane

Here’s a great itinerary for 24 hours in Brisbane. However, below, we also give a few suggestions if you want to stay a bit longer and explore fantastic destinations and islands around Brisbane.

Brisbane’s iconic Clock Tower

The Brisbane Clock Tower Tour is a great 15-minute adventure back in time to break up the day. Take a ride up one of Brisbane’s oldest working cage lifts to the observation deck, sitting at 73m above Brisbane, and get magnificent views of the city. Tours operate daily from 10:15 am – 4:45 am and are free of charge, but you must book a ticket. Further, you must arrive 15 minutes before your tour, and an adult must supervise children under 12. To reserve your spot on the Brisbane Clock Tower Tour, click here. 

Mt Coot-tha and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens

By far one of the best views in Brisbane, Mt Coot-tha should be on everyone’s list of things to do in Brisbane. Just 15 minutes out of the CBD, you can walk up to the summit from the Botanic Gardens or catch the bus, making it accessible to almost anyone. You can also drive a car up, as there is a small car park at the top.

To walk to the summit, take the Spotted Gum Trail, accessed via the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Enter via the Australian Plant Communities Garden into the Mt Coot-tha Reserve anytime between 8 am and 4 pm daily to embark on this walk. However, make sure you take some time to wander around and admire the botanic gardens while you are there. Allow ample time, as it can be hard to find the Spotted Gum Trail in the gardens, and do not be scared to ask for directions if the map does not help you. It is a great place to relax while doing moderate exercise. Access to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha visitors map is linked here. 

Visit the Museum of Brisbane 

Brisbane is full of rich culture and vibrant art, and there is no better place to see it than the Museum of Brisbane (MoB). Located on Level 3 of the City Hall Building, learn about the city through exhibitions, events, tours and workshops. Open from 10 am – 5 pm daily and located in the CBD, the MoB is a great way to find a small amount of culture in your busy 24-hour trip. Please click here to learn more about what exhibitions and workshops could be on. 

Lunch and explore at Fish Lane

Fish Lane is Brisbane’s Arts Precinct. Located in South Brisbane, Fish Lane is bustling with great bars, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, live music and events. Boasting “Brisbane’s most diverse array of restaurants, bars and cafes”, you will not be let down from any meal or visit to Fish Lane. While you are there, check out some of the surroundings, including the Queensland Museum & Sciencentre and stop and admire the bold and creative street art. 

Check out Australia’s other iconic Bridge: The Story Bridge.

Built during the Great Depression to create employment for men during the challenging period, The Story Bridge is now an iconic landmark and popular tourist spot. Connecting Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley is an excellent backdrop for photos or a nice walk across the river. If you are not afraid of heights, why not do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb? One of only three bridge climbs in the world; you will get an unbeatable bird-eye view from the top over the city and beyond. Prices start as low as $99. To book, click here. 

Visit the Howard Smith Wharves

Before heading for a big night out, stop at the Howard Smith Wharves. This dining and entertainment venue was built to bring together food, music and community in one location. With 13 restaurants, cafes, bars, a hotel and event spaces, there is much to enjoy at the Howard Smith Wharves. At the heart of it is multi-award-winning Felons Brewery, a must-stop spot for a drink or two overlooking the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge. Did I mention it is located under the iconic Story Bridge?

End the day in Fortitude Valley.

There is no better way to end your day than at Fortitude Valley, or as the locals call it, The Valley. Australia’s first dedicated entertainment district is alive with incredible live music and bars during the night, and during the day is lined with Brisbane’s best boutique shopping on James Street. Located virtually around the corner from Howard Smith Wharves, you can go straight from pre-drinks and snacks to the exotic Valley to continue and finish your night. 

Adventures around Brisbane

It is more than just the Brisbane city that travellers come to Brisbane for. It is also the incredible places close to Brisbane that bring people here. Below are some of the unique locations around Brisbane that we recommend visiting! If you have more than 24 hours in Brisbane, make sure to check these locations:

---

Did you enjoy this travel guide on how to spend 24 hours in Brisbane? Please let us know in the comments below! Do you want to start exploring but have questions on how to start? We are here to help with all your travel needs! For more inspiration, check out our travel blogs and vlogs or the tips & tricks section. To keep up to date with our adventures and future travel guides, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletter! Feel free to send us a message through the contact page! We can’t build this platform without our readers, so we thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned for many more adventures to come!