What You'll Find Here
It’s Christmas, and I’m 31 weeks pregnant. We want to have a risk-free New Year, so a relaxing road trip up the east coast of Australia sounded like a brilliant idea. Brisbane was our final destination, and we spent 3 days in this underrated city to celebrate our last few weeks of being a couple.
In this post, we share the top 10 most relaxing things to do in Brisbane as a couple. These attractions and activities are not limited to couples, it really depends on how you set your pace. Brisbane is one of the most family-friendly cities in Australia, and we believe it has a lot of potential to be the next world city.
Epic Australian East Coast Self Drive from Sydney to Brisbane 10 Days Itinerary
CityHopper Free Hop on Hop off Ferry
CityHopper is a free inner city ferry that travels along Brisbane River. Not only this is one of the most relaxing things to do in Brisbane, it’s the best way to get an orientation around Brisbane City as first-time travelers. The little red ferry passes most major attractions in the city, and you can hop on and hop off at any of their 8 stops. Don’t forget to take a photo of the iconic Story Bridge!
Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens & Lookout
Just 20 minutes drive from Brisbane City, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Garden is the perfect place to go for a quiet getaway. Bring a picnic rug and pack some lunch. Spend a romantic afternoon here and surround yourselves by exotic plants!
💡Insider Tip!
It does get quite hot in summer, so don’t forget to bring shelter, sun hats, sunglasses and water.
If you’re interested in the Mt Coot-tha 3hrs 10km tourist drive through the forest, be sure to check out this journey map!
Last but not least, Mt Coot-tha Lookout is one of the top things to do in Brisbane. This vista point is easily accessible by car. It offers the best uninterrupted panoramic view of Brisbane city.
Relax at Southbank Parklands
Streets Beach Water Park is one of a kind, I’ve never seen a man-made beach smack bang in the middle of the city. This 17 hectares parkland is a Southbank icon, and definitely deserves a top spot on our best things to do in Brisbane. Best of all, this free public beach is patrolled and surrounded by trendy restaurants and city lights. There’s nothing more relaxing than taking a walk by the river bank after a romantic dinner. Enjoy the sounds of laughter, snuggle up under The Wheel of Brisbane, and stare into the starry night.
photo © pixabay 
photo © wikipedia
Candlelit Dinner on Eagle Street Pier
Eagle Street Pier is the popular entertainment and dining precinct. Book a romantic candlelit dinner at one of the restaurants here, and enjoy the beautiful city lights of Brisbane over the water.
Morning Walk along Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
We discovered Kangaroo Point Cliffs park while looping Brisbane River on the CityHopper Ferry. Locals come here for a run or walk their dogs. Start your morning by taking in some fresh air by the river, and grab some breakfast at one of the cafes.
City Botanic Gardens
Take the free city bus to City Botanic Gardens for a walk! It’s one of the most peaceful and relaxing things to do in Brisbane CBD. A gateway to escape the hustle and bustle without going too far.
Eat Street Northshore
This has to be my favourite Night Market and our top recommended things to do in Brisbane! Eat Street Northshore is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The vibrant atmosphere pulls you in immediately, and we absolutely loved the vibes here. There is a small entry fee of $3, but well worth a visit! There is a variety of cultural food from different countries, you’re bound to find something you like or try something new!
💡Insider Tip!
There’s a patch of grass area at the back, take your food there and watch sunset over the river!
Dine in China Town
Not exactly romantic or anything, but Brisbane China Town is an unique place to try authentic Chinese cuisine with your family.
It was rather quiet on the nights we were there, but we found the best value steak at Royal George Hotel and went back for their specials every night! We really enjoyed the live music, and quite honestly, we think it’s one of the best cheap-eat places in Brisbane!
Explore Queen Street
From Monday to Friday, there’s a free city bus that loops around the main attractions in Brisbane CBD. We found the most vibrant part of the city to be on Queen Street. So take the city bus, hop on and off to explore the heart of Brisbane!
Drive Around Inner Northern Suburbs
Lastly, do something spontaneous. Drive around Brisbane and see what you find! We enjoyed a last-minute drive around the inner Northern suburbs of Brisbane, without any specific destination. Starting from Spring Hill, we explored Fortitude Valley, Newfarm, Teneriffe, and Newstead. The most important part is not the drive itself, but the alone time that you get to spend with your loved one, in a complete new environment.
I just realised by the end of this post that we were so switched off in Brisbane, I hardly took any photos. Or perhaps I was subconsciously feeling a bit big to be on camera. Nevertheless, it was a very memorable trip for us before our lives are changed forever.
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∞ Kida
I’m sure there are lots more to do in Brisbane, what are your suggestions for a relaxing vacation?