Brisbane weekend guide: river, markets and day trips

Brisbane weekend guide in one line: spend Saturday on the river and at South Bank, and spend Sunday on one easy day out, either koalas at Lone Pine or the bush and city views at Mount Coot-tha. The city is spread along a wide river, so the ferry is both your transport and a sight in itself. This plan keeps each day to a few stops, with time to sit down and eat.

It uses places that are free to walk around or easy to check, and it does not quote fares, opening hours or prices. Those change, so confirm them before you go.

Sources for this section: Brisbane City Council, CityCat and ferry services; Wikipedia, Southbank Parklands.

Saturday morning: the river by CityCat

Start on the water. The CityCat is a fast catamaran ferry that has run up and down the Brisbane River since 1996. It stops at wharves along both banks, so you can ride a few stops, get off, look around and catch the next one.

• Pick one wharf near the city centre and ride towards South Bank.
• Sit outside if the weather is good. The skyline and the bridges look best from the deck.
• Check the TransLink timetable and fare information for the day you travel.

A single ride gives you a first look at how the city is laid out, with the river looping through it. It is also a cheap way to cover distance without finding a car park.

Sources for this section: Brisbane City Council, CityCat and ferry services; State Library of Queensland, Brisbane river ferries.

Saturday afternoon: South Bank Parklands

South Bank is the best place to spend a relaxed afternoon. The site hosted World Expo 88, which ran from 30 April to 30 October 1988. The parklands themselves opened to the public later, on 20 June 1992, after the community pushed to keep the land public.

What to look for as you walk:

• Streets Beach. A man-made swimming lagoon beside the river, finished in 1992. It is a handy cool-off on a hot summer day.
• The Arbour. A long walkway of 443 steel columns covered in bougainvillea, about 1 km from end to end. It is shady and good for photos.
• The Nepalese Peace Pagoda. It stood on the Expo 88 site and was moved to the riverfront afterwards.
• The Wheel of Brisbane. A 60 metre Ferris wheel put up in August 2008. It gives a wide view of the river and the city.

Take a swimsuit and sunscreen. Summer in Brisbane is hot and humid, so plan your walking for the morning or late afternoon.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Southbank Parklands, Wheel of Brisbane.

Saturday evening: culture and dinner

Right next to the parklands is the Queensland Cultural Centre, begun in the 1970s. It holds the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the State Library of Queensland. If the heat has worn you out, an hour inside a gallery or the museum is a good reset.

When you are ready for dinner, stay by the river. Plan a table near the river or in the city centre, and if you want a particular place on a weekend night, ring ahead.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Southbank Parklands.

Sunday, option one: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

If you want to see koalas, go to Lone Pine in Fig Tree Pocket, about 20 minutes from the city centre by car. Guinness World Records lists it as the world's oldest koala sanctuary, founded in 1927. It began with just two koalas, Jack and Jill.

Plan on a half day. Check how to get there before you leave, since the route and times depend on the service you choose. Book a morning visit if you can, as koalas sleep for much of the day and the heat builds by midday.

Sources for this section: Guinness World Records, Oldest koala sanctuary; Wikipedia, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Sunday, option two: Mount Coot-tha

For views and bush, head to Mount Coot-tha, west of the city centre. The lookout has wide views over the city, with a cafe and restaurant on the spot. The lookout building is on the Queensland Heritage Register.

• Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Opened in 1976 and covering 52 hectares, with the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium in the grounds. The planetarium opened in 1978.
• Bushland walks. The reserve covers more than 1,500 hectares and has several tracks, including one to J C Slaughter Falls. Most tracks have some uphill sections or steps.

Wear sturdy shoes, take water and start early. If you finish with energy to spare, you can do both a garden stroll and a short bush walk in one morning.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Mount Coot-tha.

Packing and timing

A little planning makes the weekend easier. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Wear shoes that suit both city pavements and bush tracks. Brisbane's summer storms can arrive in the afternoon, so keep a light rain jacket in your bag.

Book your bed near a CityCat wharf or in the South Bank area if you can. You will spend less time on transport and more time on the river. Because opening hours, fares and timetables change, check each official site on the day you travel.

Sources for this section: Brisbane City Council, CityCat and ferry services.

Sources

1. Brisbane City Council, CityCat and ferry services: brisbane.qld.gov.au
2. Wikipedia, Southbank Parklands: en.wikipedia.org
3. Wikipedia, Wheel of Brisbane: en.wikipedia.org
4. Guinness World Records, Oldest koala sanctuary: guinnessworldrecords.com
5. State Library of Queensland, Brisbane river ferries: slq.qld.gov.au
6. Wikipedia, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: en.wikipedia.org
7. Wikipedia, Mount Coot-tha: en.wikipedia.org