Key Takeaways (TL;DR): Brisbane offers a modern, stylish city experience with pristine riverfront views, incredible walking tours, and easy access to wildlife. Take the Mirimar River Cruise down to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to see scenic waterfront homes, and take a day trip to the Gold Coast for a 15-mile coastal bike ride from Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads.

Queensland offered the perfect mix of vibrant city culture, wildlife encounters, and stunning ocean views. Brisbane’s modern architecture, friendly locals, and early-to-rise lifestyle got us right into the rhythm of local life, while a quick day trip down to the Gold Coast gave us our fix of coastal scenery.

Part 1: Brisbane Highlights

Where We Stayed & Setting the Scene

We checked into the W Brisbane on North Quay, which was an incredible base right on the water. We loved the hotel – the rooms were very nice, and we had an awesome view overlooking the river.

Brisbane gave off a distinctly modern, newly developed feel: spacious streets, sleek glass towers, and cars similar to back home, with almost no European or UK aesthetic. Everyone was extremely polite, friendly, and orderly when queuing and we couldn’t help noticing how remarkably well-dressed everyone was!

City Views, Local Walking Tour & Dining

After settling in and grabbing a local coffee to shake off the flight, we spent three hours on a guided walking tour exploring the core of the city.

  • Exploring with a Local: We thoroughly enjoyed the walking tour, it made such a difference to hear about the history, culture, and hidden corners of the city directly from a local guide who knew the area inside and out.
  • Sky Deck Drinks: We headed up to the Sky Deck at Queen’s Wharf for drinks with panoramic dusk views over the river and skyline.
  • Southside: We enjoyed a great meal featuring Asian-inspired dishes at Southside in South Brisbane.
  • Agnes: On our final evening, we dined at Agnes, known for open-fire cooking. It featured a great atmosphere, though overall felt a bit more “good, not great” relative to the high hype.
  • Eat Street Northshore: We ventured out to Eat Street Northshore, but found it way too crowded and ultimately not worth the trip out.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary via River Cruise

Visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was an absolute highlight of the trip.

Koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane Australia

  • The River Cruise & Waterfront Homes: Taking the Mirimar Cruises riverboat down to the sanctuary made the journey incredibly chill and peaceful. The boat ride takes you past stunning, pristine waterfront homes along the riverbanks, really highlighting how fresh and beautifully designed the city is.
  • Wildlife & Koala Experience: Getting up close with the koalas and feeding the free-roaming kangaroos in the open reserve made for unforgettable photos. Note on Koala Petting: Keep in mind that you have to pay separately just to pet a koala, and local regulations don’t allow you to hold them or get too close. It feels pretty expensive for what it is, but it’s still an absolute must-do experience while you’re there!

Part 2: Day Trip to the Gold Coast

Leaving the city behind for a day, we headed south toward the Gold Coast via train and tram to spend the day exploring by bike.

Rental bicycles parked along the beach coastline path in Burleigh Heads Gold Coast

  • 15-Mile Coastal Ride: We rented bikes and cycled a 15-mile stretch along the coastal paths—heading all the way from Mermaid Beach up through Surfers Paradise, and then back down to Burleigh.
  • Burleigh Head National Park: We took a scenic walk through Burleigh Head National Park, catching incredible lookout views of the coastline where the forest meets the ocean.
  • Burleigh Dining & Miso Corn: We stopped in Burleigh for lunch—checking out the spot near Rick Shores and stopping by Light Years Asian Bar & Diner, where the food was fantastic (the miso corn was an absolute standout!).

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