Brisbane may not be the first destination that pops to mind when you’re thinking of taking a weekend away, but it’s better than ever. From the bush to the beach and the bright lights in-between, a breather in Brisbane is brilliant!
Have you ever considered Brisbane for a weekend getaway? A destination where you can find space to reconnect with yourself, relax, and have a great time. I hadn’t. I’ll put my hand up right now and admit I had more love for my NutriBullet than I did Queensland’s capital.
Why? No good reason, to be honest. There’s the Gold Coast; there’s the Sunshine Coast. Illustrious neighbours with a vice-like grip on the limelight. Brisbane didn’t seem to have the romance of our other capitals. The positive word of mouth to demand a detour.
I’ve been missing out. I thought it had been lounging on the couch watching re-runs, when instead it’s been glowing up on green juice and Pilates.
For three days I decided to blow off some steam and take a little mental health break up to Brisbane, with my expectations firmly in check. I was honestly shocked. Brisbane is a happening place; from the bush to the beach and the bright lights in-between, I was blown away.
The Bush
My adventure started to the west. A tickle over an hour after I had landed and picked up a hire car, I rolled into the sleepy suburb of Grandchester. It’s a journey that quickly leaves the city behind, replacing skyscrapers with farms, stretches of dense woodland and sleepy villages. My destination was Spicer’s Hidden Vale, a luxury retreat overlooking the titular valley as if it’s peering off the edge of Brisbane.
Peace poured over me like hot chocolate across ice-cream as soon as I stepped onto the grand veranda of the central homestead. Looking out over the infinity pool to the rolling hills beyond, the view is breathtaking. I stood there for an hour soaking it in – birds and insects singing the soundscape, a soft breeze kissing the skin; and a welcome champagne in hand. Kangaroos and koalas for company.
It’s beautiful out there. How, indeed, is the serenity.
There’s plenty of reasons to love Spicer’s Hidden Vale beyond its location. The large, spaced-out cottages and cabins feel private and boutique. The dining at the central Homage restaurant is truly sublime and memories of each morsel still dance in delight across my taste buds. But there’s also a range of activities to get you moving and connected to the environment. I loved the nature walk down to the dam with the on-site biologist. And the picnic lunch overlooking the vale. There are koala tours and hikes, too.
My favourite, however, was the mountain biking. The Hidden Vale Adventure Park is attached to the retreat, offering some 80km of tracks across the sprawling property. I hired an electrical mountain bike – I’m not that adventurous! – and rode a 25km loop through several distinct biomes. From steep, weaving descents turning off banked corners, to cruising between trees, it was a great workout.
But I also found it invigorated my mind. As I took in the scenery and focused on every rock, rut and root, a part of my mind suddenly found itself free from the turmoil of home. It had space to breathe, and it felt so good. I’m no mountain biker either; you don’t need to be skilled, just committed.
The Beach
On day 2, I journeyed from the west to the east! Past Brisbane proper and to the shores of Moreton Bay. I’d heard tell of an island resort just off the coast called Tangalooma that offered the snorkelling of the Great Barrier Reef and the beauty of K’Gari. Surely not! Not just an hour ferry out of Brisbane?
It was easy to find a park at Holt Street Wharf and the well-provisioned ferry ride whisked me across the bay until the third biggest sand island in the world loomed into sight. The Tangalooma Resort is nestled on sheltered side of Moreton Island, consuming 5% of its space with the rest a national park.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Sure, I got lucky with blue skies and a soft sea breeze that blew the heat from your skin like a sneeze might shoot a pea from your plate. But wow! Was this the Maldives?
I had no idea this place existed. It was only on arrival at the Tangalooma Island Resort that I realised this is the “Moreton Bay” you’ll see listed as a stop on some cruise itineraries.
The entire front of the resort is a 5km stretch of near-white sand, towered over by giant palm trees and lapped by aqua waters. It’s gorgeous. To the north, a run of shipwrecks play host to those who love snorkelling, offering stunning underwater sights. To the south, ATV tours offer a thrill. They take you up into the hill where several twisty and undulating tracks give you lots of banks to turn on as you weave between the trees.
In the middle, you have access to the resort facilities, including a number of affordable restaurants and bars, the resort pools and even a day visitor lounge. Later in 2026, a beach club is opening, too. After the serenity of the bush, the sunbaking, swimming and adventure of my surprise island getaway had me well and truly relaxed.
The Bright Lights
For the finale, it was time to see the city itself. Was it still the dour experience I remember from family vacations so many moons ago? The one that I held onto for decades as my perception of Brisbane.
Turns out times have changed and so has Brisbane. It was Saturday night and I was staying at the Crystalbrook Vincent, right on Howard Smith Wharves and under the glorious, neon-lit Story Bridge. A hip, happening hotel with incredible views over the river from its large, luxurious rooms. I was particularly fond of all the artwork and the unique design twists and turns around every corner. It’s a great stay.
The Howard Smith Wharves is a hip and happening location, too, that had come alive over the weekend.
Along the docks is a collection of restaurants, breweries and beer gardens. I had lunch in Greco, a Greek restaurant that was clearly well-loved by the locals and for good reason; the food is delicious. But day soon blinked into night, sparking with an electric energy generated by humans having a ball.
Walking through the bars along the river, I shortly found my way to the CityCat; a river ferry that will ship you down the winding river for just 50 cents. Don’t miss this experience; it’s as good a city river tour experience as you will get anywhere in the world and it costs peanuts.
Cruising down the river at night is where my new view of Brisbane was cemented.
The town looks gorgeous; lit up by lights reflecting in the water’s ripples as I stood on the deck letting the wind ruffle my hair. But it’s the people, the locals, that stood out. So happy! On every bend I could hear another concert going on, or a party, or a Ferris wheel. Everywhere it just felt so alive, modern and fresh.
At South Bank, I jumped off and went to Fish Lane for dinner. Another trendy, delicious restaurant in Southside, focused on Chinese cuisine. I loved the funky house music playing in the background, the trains rattling past overhead, the dense jungle surrounding the outdoor seating. It felt like I was in another country!
When I returned to the Crystalbrook Vincent and sipped a cocktail from its rooftop bar Fiume, looking out at the lights of the bridge above, I couldn’t have been more impressed.
Breathe in Brisbane
I didn’t respect Brisbane; it was, in my mind, not worth my time over its coastal neighbours. Or even the romance of Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Sydney. But I’m so glad I gave it a go. From the peace of the bush to the relaxation of the beach and the vibes of the city, I’ve been won over. Hard to admit for a New South Welshman.
With my flight home looming over my shoulder, glaring at me from under its hood and scythe in hand, I treated myself to one last experience. The Soak Bathhouse is an urban bath cum wellness sanctuary perched on top of a building in the heart of the city. It’s a space of pure relaxation, where I found myself rejuvenating with other customers who had indulged in Brisbane’s Saturday night party.
Several heated jacuzzies of different temperatures litter the roof, overlooking the surrounding CBD as if defiantly holding up the middle finger to corporate life. There’s a steam room, sauna, freezing plunge pool and showers. You can get treatments and massages, if you like, plus a selection of health drinks and snacks across a range of compelling packages.
Sitting in one of the pools letting the hot bubbles ripple up and over my body, I felt fully revived. What a great weekend it had been. And as I looked over those in the surrounding hot tubs, talking and laughing with big smiles on their faces, I could tell I wasn’t the only one.
Brisbane… beautiful one day… every day.
