Brisbane – question about what to do and where to stay

[F02]

Please excuse me if these questions have already been answered recently. I cannot find the search function anymore.

I intend to begin a cruise in Brisbane next February. I know nothing about the place and there seems to be too much information for me to make any smart decision.

 

May I ask you what you consider being the best places to visit in 5 days in (and around) Brisbane and which hotel you would take and why?

Thank you

[GradUT]

What to do (if anything) for 5 days around Brisbane depends on your interests. And note that it’s going to be pretty darn hot and humid there in February. 
 

TBH, I’d think about flying into either Sydney or Melbourne and spending 3-4 days there and then flying up to Brisbane just in time to board. 

[F02]

Thank you for your reply GradUT.

I usually believe to be interested in everything – until I have experienced them and then think – well, I could have made better use of my time. Often times there are details that make the difference. Okay, swimming with crocodiles will not be one of my activities.🙂

That you would rather not stay in Brisbane, is it due to the climate or because there just is there nothing you consider being worthwhile?

[GradUT]

 I’ve been to Australia as a tourist many times and even lived there for several years.  And while I visited every state and territory in the country, I never went to Brisbane because there isn’t anything that interests me there. But that’s not to say there isn’t something that might be of interest to you.  However, Sydney and Melbourne are more iconic cities with some world-class attractions—both cultural and natural.  So, if your cruise doesn’t include multiple days in either Sydney or Melbourne, I’d recommend spending time in one of those cities prior to your cruise. 
 

Every place will be warm in Australia in February, but the further north you go, the hotter and more humid it gets.  So Brisbane will be more unpleasant than most places. 

[Chiliburn]

I’d agree ,Brisbane is pretty unimpressive.There are some nice old buildings there.

To the south is surfers paradise and to the north is Noosa ,They are places worth staying.

[F02]

Thank you both.

As I do not surf, I am rethinking my trip. I plan to visit Sidney and Melbourne on another occasion, so I am looking for another place to get accustomed to the region. If I have questions about that, I will start another topic.

Thanks again.

[Chiliburn]

3 hours ago, F02 said:

Thank you both.

 

As I do not surf, I am rethinking my trip. I plan to visit Sidney and Melbourne on another occasion, so I am looking for another place to get accustomed to the region. If I have questions about that, I will start another topic.

 

Thanks again.

 

Surfers paradise isn’t about surfing,it’s probably similar to Waikiki Hawaii.

 I don’t surf but I love a couple of days there.

 

Theres a few island resorts off Queensland also Cairns is a couple of hours by plane.

[TV Dad]

There are a couple of nice wineries you can visit from Brisbane and I believe I researched a koala sanctuary where you can interact with the animals. I'd check Trip Advisor and do a search for Things To Do in Brisbane.

[SinbadThePorter]

On 2/29/2020 at 1:15 AM, F02 said:

That you would rather not stay in Brisbane, is it due to the climate or because there just is there nothing you consider being worthwhile?

 

Brisbane is a much more laid back kind of place than Sydney or Melbourne and as a result it often unfairly gets a bad rap.

 

Things to do in Brisbane:

 

Visit Tangalooma on Moreton Island. A beautiful sand island across the bay from Brisbane, kind of a smaller Fraser Island. Incredible beaches, giant sand dunes, swimming in freshwater lakes, historic lighthouse, amazing views, whale watching in winter and spring, dolphin feeding, sunsets over the bay, and snorkeling at a series of wrecks near the resort. Tours available across the island.

 

St Helena Island. Day trip by ferry from Manly. Historic gaol (jail) much smaller but reminiscent of Port Arthur.

 

Lone Pine koala sanctuary. Small zoo on the Brisbane river which specialises in koalas, offering petting and handling sessions. A respectable range of other Australian animals.

 

Australia Zoo. Best known as the home of the late Steve Irwin. Large zoo with an impressive range of animals, especially crocs.

 

Gold Coast. 40 miles south of Brisbane. Known for its tacky nightlife and outstanding beaches. Go 30 miles further south for the Byron Bay area, also known for beaches but an area of outstanding subtropical landscapes set inside an ancient volcanic caldera.

 

Fraser Island. Not really Brisbane but reachable from Brisbane in about 3 hours by car or bus. One of the top nature spots in Australia. The largest sand island in the world. Lakes, forests, beaches. On the way stop off at Noosa.

 

For a quick trip within Brisbane, Mt Cootha for the lookout, Botanic Gardens and Planetarium.

 

There are the usual art galleries and museums at South Bank as well as a nice artificial beach to cool off in after a hard day perusing paintings. There is even a museum dedicated to General Douglas MacArthur set up in his old war time headquarters if you can find it.

 

The CityCat ferry system offers an inexpensive way to see the Brisbane river.

 

As for the climate, I've lived in Sydney and Brisbane for long periods and I don't find much difference in the summer weather in either place. The winter weather is far far better in Brisbane.

Edited March 1, 2020 by SinbadThePorter

[OzKiwiJJ]

There are also day tours you can do into the hinterland behind Brisbane. I did one years ago to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. It was lovely, lots of native birds and there is a nice bush walk there. 

[F02]

Thank you all.

I looked the suggestions up and found a few places for which the descriptions inspired me for a visit. I am taking them into consideration for my planning.