Weekend itinerary
48 hours in Brisbane
The perfect weekend, hour by hour — where to eat, drink, explore and stay. Every stop is one of our highest-rated Brisbane spots, so you can just turn up.
The weekend in short
- 🗓️ The plan: two days, hour by hour — eat, drink, explore and stay, built from Brisbane's highest-rated spots.
- 📍 Where you'll be: mostly around Brisbane CBD, Chermside, Newstead, Toowong — walkable, close together.
- 🚆 Getting around: public transport and short walks; no car needed. See Getting Around.
- 🛏️ Where to stay: somewhere central — top-rated options are listed below.
Friday
Evening
Dinner to kick off the weekend
Sul.Zip Brisbane CBD71Highly-rated café in Brisbane's CBD serving coffee and light fare from a low ground floor location on Elizabeth Street.
DetailsNightcap
A drink nearby
Holey Moley Golf Club Chermside Chermside70An elevated bar and entertainment venue at Chermside with outdoor dining, offering a lively atmosphere on Level 2 at the corner of Gympie and Hamilton Roads.
Details
Saturday
Morning
Coffee first
Locale Newstead Newstead87Highly rated Italian café in Newstead serving brunch, pastries and catering, with a 4.9-star rating from 133 Google reviews.
DetailsLate morning
Get outdoors
Saint Stephen’s Cathedral Brisbane CBD68Historic cathedral in Brisbane CBD offering guided tours and regular services.
DetailsLunch
Lunch with a view
KatsuCo Toowong Toowong71Highly-rated café on Jephson Street in Toowong, known for coffee and light meals that draw a devoted local following.
DetailsAfternoon
Soak up the culture
Queensland Cultural Centre South Bank68Multi-venue cultural hub in South Bank housing galleries, museums, a performing arts centre and the State Library of Queensland.
DetailsEvening
The big night-out dinner
Longwang Restaurant Brisbane CBD70Highly-rated restaurant on Edward Street in Brisbane CBD with strong customer approval across nearly 2,000 Google reviews.
DetailsNight
Out on the town
The Tivoli Fortitude Valley68Art deco live music venue in Fortitude Valley with eclectic programming and professional sound system.
Details
Sunday
Morning
A long, lazy brunch
Christian Jacques Bakery Kangaroo Point69Award-winning French-style bakery in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, known for authentic patisserie and bread.
DetailsMidday
One last wander
Eat Street Northshore Hamilton67A bustling street food and craft beer market in a converted container wharf in Brisbane's Hamilton, with stalls serving international street eats.
Details
A weekend in Brisbane — FAQs
Is two days enough time in Brisbane?+
A weekend is plenty to get a real feel for Brisbane — this itinerary keeps you in a handful of walkable neighbourhoods like Brisbane CBD, Chermside, Newstead so you spend your time enjoying the place rather than criss-crossing the city. With more days, add a day trip or slow down and linger in the spots you like best.
How did you choose the places in this Brisbane itinerary?+
Every stop is one of our highest-rated Brisbane venues by Spot Score — our own editorial 0–100 rating, not a paid placement or a Google star count. We weave the best cafes, restaurants, bars and things to do into a sensible day-by-day flow, so you can simply turn up.
What's the best time of year for a weekend in Brisbane?+
Brisbane is a year-round city break, but July and the surrounding weeks tend to balance pleasant daytime temperatures (averaging around 26°C across the year) with lower rainfall. See our best-time-to-visit guide for the full month-by-month picture.
Do I need a car for this Brisbane weekend?+
No — the itinerary is built around walkable areas and public transport, with the odd rideshare for late nights. A hire car only earns its keep if you want to add a day trip beyond the city. See our Getting Around guide for tickets, fares and tips.
Where should I stay for a weekend in Brisbane?+
Base yourself centrally so you're close to the action and can walk between stops. Our top-rated places to stay are listed alongside this itinerary, and you can compare more options in the accommodation section.
More ways to explore Brisbane
Browse the full directory or our curated best-of lists.