How to Spend 2 Days in Brisbane: Weekend Itinerary

This blog post is all about how to spend 2 days in Brisbane.

After spending the past few months hopping around different Australian cities, my 2 days in Brisbane completely surprised me.

I hadn’t heard too much about it beforehand (compared to the hype of Sydney or Melbourne) but it quickly became one of my favourite city breaks in Australia.

It’s relaxed, friendly, walkable, and full of green space.

Whether you’re spending 2 days in Brisbane or visiting as part of a longer east coast adventure, Brisbane is 100% worth adding to your itinerary.

Here’s exactly how I spent 2 days in Brisbane, plus tips for where to eat, drink coffee, explore, and base yourself.

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This blog post is all about how to spend 2 days in Brisbane.

How to Get to Brisbane from Sydney

If you’re like me and doing a bit of a wider Australia trip, you’ll likely be starting from Sydney.

There are a few different ways to get to Brisbane from Sydney:

How to Get to Brisbane by Plane

The quickest and easiest option is flying.

Flights from Sydney to Brisbane take just 1.5 hours, and you can often find budget fares with Jetstar or Qantas.

The airport is well connected to the city by the AirTrain (around $20 AUD and takes 20 mins).

How to Get to Brisbane by Train

For a scenic, slower journey, you can take the NSW TrainLink XPT.

It takes around 14 hours and is best done overnight.

How to Get to Brisbane by Bus

Greyhound and Premier run coaches that are comfortable and affordable.

This takes 14–16 hours, so might not suit a 2 days in Brisbane timeframe but could be part of a longer backpacker trip.

How to Get to Brisbane by Car

If you’re road-tripping, the drive from Sydney to Brisbane takes around 10 hours (not including stops).

I’d recommend breaking it up with overnight stays in Port Macquarie or Byron Bay.

Where to Stay in Brisbane

I stayed at The George Williams Hotel, which is really central and perfect if you want to be within walking distance to everything.

It’s modern, has all the essentials, and was ideal for my 2 days in Brisbane city break.

Here are my top hostels and hotels in Brisbane by budget:

Best Budget Hostels in Brisbane

Somewhere to Stay Backpackers: Relaxed hostel in West End with a community feel.

Bunk Brisbane: Great for digital nomads and solo travellers, with a pool and bar.

Best Mid-Range Hotels in Brisbane

George Williams Hotel: My choice. Clean, modern and just a few blocks from South Bank and Queen Street Mall.

Best Luxury Hotels in Brisbane

W Brisbane: If you’re treating yourself. Rooftop pool, stunning river views, spa and cocktails.

Emporium Hotel South Bank: Iconic rooftop bar and insane attention to detail.

Why Visit Brisbane?

Brisbane is one of those places that feels liveable from the minute you arrive.

It’s got a slower pace than Sydney, better weather than Melbourne, and it’s packed with interesting neighbourhoods, cultural events, and foodie gems.

Reasons I think 2 days in Brisbane is worth it:

It’s incredibly green. You’ll find riverside walks, botanic gardens, and even a beach lagoon in the city.
It’s a great base for day trips, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and islands like Moreton and North Stradbroke.
It has great food and coffee. Like, really great.
The weather is sunny year-round.
It’s a more affordable city break than other major Aussie cities.
And lastly? It’s so chill. You won’t find hectic city vibes here.

Brooki Brisbane — *Try the birthday cake cookie from Brooki Bakehouse!*

2 Days in Brisbane Itinerary: Day 1

Let’s jump into the 2 days in Brisbane itinerary, starting with day one.

Morning: Brunch at The Gun Shop Café + South Bank

I started the first day of our 2 days in Brisbane in the West End, one of my favourite suburbs in Brisbane. Quirky, creative and full of great cafes.

Grab brunch at The Gunshop Café, because this place is a local institution.

I had the scrambled eggs on toast with chilli jam, but Steff had the chicken and waffles which were EXCELLENT and the much better choice, but their menu changes seasonally and everything looked amazing.

From there, walk down to South Bank, Brisbane’s riverside cultural precinct. Highlights:

Streets Beach: a man-made lagoon right in the city! Pack your swimwear if it’s sunny.
South Bank Parklands: lovely for a stroll, picnic or just lounging in the sun.
Queensland Museum or GOMA: both are free and worth checking out if you’re into art or natural history.

Gunshop Cafe Brisbane — *Our breakfast from The Gunshop Cafe – so good!*

Afternoon: Queen Street, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens & Cookies

Head over to Queen Street Mall for a bit of shopping or window browsing.

Then stroll along the river to the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, a peaceful place to walk off brunch.

Snack stop? Don’t miss Brooki Bakehouse! Their cookies are thick, gooey, and utterly iconic. I got the birthday cake flavour and it did not disappoint.

Evening: Sunset Walk + Biang Biang Fresh Noodle

One of the best ways to enjoy the city is walking along the Brisbane Riverwalk at sunset and taking the ferry along the river.

You’ll get amazing views of the Story Bridge and skyline.

Dinner that night? I was craving something spicy and casual, so I headed to Biang Biang Fresh Noodle in the city.

These hand-pulled noodles are the real deal, cheap, satisfying and full of flavour. It felt like I was back in Asia for a second. I’d highly recommend!

Biang Biang Noodles Brisbane — *Dinner from Biang Biang Fresh Noodle – so cheap and tasty!*

2 Days in Brisbane Itinerary: Day 2

Below is how I’d spend the second day of your 2 days in Brisbane itinerary.

Morning: Coffee Iconic + Kangaroo Point

I started the second day of our 2 days in Brisbane with a caffeine fix at Coffee Iconic, which happened to be directly opposite our hotel (The George Williams Hotel).

It’s one of the best coffee shops in the city, and their little leafy courtyard is the perfect place to sit and plan your day.

Then walk or scooter your way to Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

You can climb the stairs up to the top for panoramic city views or do the Riverwalk trail for a scenic workout.

There are also rock climbers here if you’re feeling adventurous!

Afternoon: Paw Paw Café + Woolloongabba

Make your way to Paw Paw Café for brunch or lunch.

It’s southeast Asian inspired and super aesthetic. Think smoothie bowls, satay chicken burgers, and amazing matcha lattes.

I had the avocado on toast with some chorizo and it was delicious!

Afterwards, explore Woolloongabba or head to Fortitude Valley, where you’ll find indie shops, breweries, and art galleries.

If you’re into vintage shopping, definitely carve out time here.

Paw Paw Cafe Brisbane — *Breakfast at Paw Paw Cafe – so well presented!*

Evening: Rooftop Bars + Night Markets (if they’re on)

Wrap up your 2 days in Brisbane with drinks at Iris Rooftop or Maya Mexican. Both are gorgeous rooftop bars with views over the city.

If your trip happens to fall over the weekend, check if the Eat Street Northshore markets are open (usually Friday to Sunday).

It’s a shipping container night market with food from all over the world, live music and riverfront vibes.

So fun.

Day Trips from Brisbane & Nearby Adventures

If you have a third day, or want to spend longer than 2 days in Brisbane, there are loads of easy day trips you can take:

Gold Coast: Just 1 hour south of Brisbane. Surf, beaches and lively nightlife. Great if you want to mix city and coast.
Sunshine Coast: Around 1.5 hours north of Brisbane. Think: Noosa, stunning beaches and more relaxed vibes.
Moreton Island: A short ferry ride away from Brisbane. Snorkel shipwrecks, sandboard dunes and feed wild dolphins.
North Stradbroke Island: A quieter, less touristy island with white beaches and walking trails.
Mount Tamborine: Lush rainforest walks, wineries and a cute mountain village.

Is Brisbane Part of the Great Ocean Road Trip?

Not quite, but it can be part of your ultimate Australia road trip.

Brisbane is usually a key stop on the East Coast Australia route, especially for backpackers and digital nomads.

If you’re planning to do a longer journey like:

Sydney ➝ Brisbane ➝ Cairns,
or Brisbane ➝ Byron Bay ➝ Sydney, then Brisbane slots in perfectly.

The Great Ocean Road, however, is in Victoria, a totally different state (and more of a Melbourne itinerary).

But if you’re driving up the coast, you can absolutely use Brisbane as your launch pad to explore more of Queensland.

Why I Loved Brisbane

Brisbane felt like a breath of fresh air.

It wasn’t trying to impress or outshine other cities, it just quietly delivers in all the right ways.

Amazing coffee, walkable riverside paths, cultural spaces, and a thriving food scene.

Plus, that sunshine is no joke.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, city explorer, or just passing through as part of a longer Australian adventure, 2 days in Brisbane is more than enough to fall in love.

PS: I’ve got loads more travel content from Australia, including YouTube vlogs, hotel reviews, and itinerary guides.

Check out my other Australia blog posts or Australia travel vlogs on YouTube for even more tips!

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By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry in London and New York, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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This blog post is all about how to spend 2 days in Brisbane.