Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Brisbane?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Brisbane?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Brisbane during their visit. After all, the cultural coastal city has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the nightlife scene.
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland. It's also a cultural city with many museums and a vibrant nightlife scene. The city makes a good base for exploring the many nearby beaches and outdoor parks. There is plenty of green space and a great setting for soaking up the atmosphere and beautiful climate.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Brisbane? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Brisbane?
One week is more than enough time to see everything that Brisbane has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the nightlife scene, and the quaint shops at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend a week in Brisbane
The beautiful beaches await you in Brisbane, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Brisbane Kayak Tour ($50)
- Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ($73)
- Fiesta De Kayak Twilight Kayak ($92)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.
Brisbane is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the coastal city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Brisbane, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast ($132)
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch ($142)
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain ($104)
The public transit in Brisbane is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the coastal city quite easily and affordably. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.
Shopping in Brisbane is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shopping Tour from Brisbane to Harbour Town Outlets ($239)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Brisbane is the Cultural Centre, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast ($120)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Known for it's hiking, Brisbane sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Brisbane is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It's the capital of Queensland and a larger city that's located on the Brisbane River.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ($73)
- 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour ($35)
- Brisbane River Cruise 12.30pm ($32)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Brisbane?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Brisbane, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Relax at the beach, wander through the museums, enjoy an evening out, and browse the shops. You could also use Brisbane as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
Brisbane skyline
How to spend 2 weeks in Brisbane
With 2 weeks in Brisbane, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastal city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Brisbane, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane ($118)
- North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) Day Trip from Brisbane ($118)
- Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast ($120)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Brisbane, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Brisbane is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Brisbane. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Brisbane, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Brisbane, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.