Three Days in Brisbane, Australia - Footprints & Freeways

Brisbane, Australia, was a fantastic stop on our Australian itinerary, made all the more special by having a friend who calls this vibrant city home. While our evenings were filled with catching up and local insights with friends, our days were largely free for exploration, allowing us to discover the city’s unique charm at our own pace.

One of our first discoveries was the brilliant and free Brisbane CityHopper boat. This little ferry offered a fantastic way to navigate the winding Brisbane River and see the city from a different perspective. Getting on at our chosen stop was a breeze, and we enjoyed the gentle glide to our destination on the other side of the river. The return journey later that day, proved a little trickier – we waited for two boats that arrived completely full. Not to be deterred, we decided to embrace the beautiful weather and walk back along the fantastic Riverwalk paths, which were a delight in themselves, offering stunning views and a lively atmosphere.

A definite highlight of our visit was the Wheel of Brisbane. Now, I’m generally not the biggest fan of Ferris wheels, but the promise of elevated views over the city was too tempting to resist. The 15 minute ride itself was smooth, offering panoramic vistas of the Brisbane skyline, the serpentine river, and the surrounding areas. It was a wonderful way to get our bearings and appreciate the scale of the city.

Right near the Brisbane Wheel, we stumbled upon something truly astonishing: Streets Beach, an incredible man-made public beach! On a hot Brisbane day, seeing this resort-like lagoon with soft sand and palm trees was an absolute revelation. There was a kid section too. Oh, how I wished I’d had my bathing suit on! I honestly couldn’t get over its size and how perfectly executed it was compared to public pools around my area. We ended up having a delicious lunch at a nearby cafe, overlooking the beach, watching families and friends happily swimming and playing in the sun. It’s an absolute must-visit on a warm day!

Our cultural craving led us to the Queensland Museum Kurilpa, and it was absolutely incredible. The exhibits were extensive and diverse, offering deep dives into Queensland’s natural and human history. I was particularly fascinated by the vast collections of birds, fish and butterflies, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of the region. A truly unforgettable (and slightly unsettling!) exhibit was the massive preserved squid. I could barely look at it, but simultaneously, I couldn’t stop thinking: “This thing was REAL? And it was alive??” It was both terrifying and utterly mesmerizing knowing something like that lives in our oceans. We spent a good amount of time at the museum, and could have easily stayed longer put the calling for food and drink eventually got us moving along.

We walked along the City Reach Boardwalk, which was near our hotel, and met the friend for a drink at Felons Brewing. That little stretch of the boardwalk / riverwalk had several other restaurants that all looked good and you can’t beat the location right on the river.

Our friends are true foodies, the kind who live for extraordinary dining experiences. So, when they suggested a long dinner featuring a multi-course degustation menu, we happily agreed, knowing it would be a memorable and indulgent evening. Our destination was the renowned Deer Duck Bistro in Brisbane, a place celebrated for its innovative approach to fine dining. The price tag certainly reflected the experience: the degustation menu itself was $155 AUD per person, and we decided to go all-in with the matching wines for an additional $145 AUD per person. This easily made it the most expensive dinner we’ve ever had, a true splurge for a special occasion. I was happy that with advanced notice at time of reservation, they were able to accommodate the vegetarian version of their degustation menu. This meant that as my friends enjoyed their meat or seafood courses, I was presented with a very similar, beautifully crafted dish, just with plant-based ingredients. Throughout the evening, each course arrived as a small, exquisite portion – perfectly in line with what you’d expect from a tasting menu. Every dish was a work of art, meticulously plated and bursting with unique combinations of textures and flavors. The sommelier offered detailed descriptions of the wines and why she was pairing it with that course. It was nice to try something different with people that appreciate the 4 hour dinner and good food and wine.

Amuse Bouche
M: Caviar and Pani Puri Connection
V: Classic Pani Puri
M: Marinated and pan fried tootfish, asparagus, macadamia and toasted cashews
V: Local asparagus with Moroccan almond emulsion, pumpkin and mango chutney and toasted seeds
M: Duck liver pate, pan brioche, pumpkin and mango chutney, homemade duck prosciutto
V: Textures of beetroot Australian goat’s curd with aged balsamic vinegar
M: Ravioli filled with ricotta and parmesan, Sardinian pork ragu, Italian gremolada
V: Ravioli filled with ricotta and parmesan tomato sauce and Italian gremolada
M: Beef short rib, caramelized coconut milk, Asian spices, broccolini, baked onion
V: Pickled Lebanese eggplant caramelized coconut cream with broccolini and roasted onion
M: Quail “Milanese” style, umbeoshi shitake, fermented cabbage
V: Tempura zucchini flower, umeboshi shitake, fermented cabbage
Red Berries compote, buffalo ricotta, espuma native rosella jam
Banana gelato, peanut butter, salted caramel, classic churros

Our friends invited us over to their place the following evening for dinner, and they whipped up an incredible homemade Australian meal. Of course I can’t recommend you join them for dinner, but they cooked me up some Halloumi cheese (semi-hard brinded cheese that can be grilled or pan fried without completely melting — giving it a nice crispy exterior but soft and chewy at the same time, which I highly recommend. It is addictingly good that when I returned home, I searched high and low for it. A year later it was in almost any King Sooper, Safeway, or Sprouts that I’ve been to for about $9 a small package.

Our final planned adventure was the Brisbane Bridge Climb, on Story Bridge, an experience we were really looking forward to for a different perspective of the city, and because we completed the Sydney Bridge Climb the week earlier. We met friends for dinner under the bridge but unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. With lightning nearby, the climb was delayed, and after waiting it out for about 45 minutes, they regrettably had to cancel it. As it was our last night in Brisbane, rescheduling wasn’t an option, which was a real shame. I guess it gives us a reason to go back.

Despite the canceled climb, our three days in Brisbane were packed with memorable moments. From navigating the river by boat and foot, to soaring high on the wheel, discovering an unbelievable city beach, and delving into fascinating museum exhibits, Brisbane proved to be a vibrant and welcoming city. It was a perfect blend of urban exploration and surprising natural (or man-made!) beauty, made even better by time spent with a dear friend. We left with fond memories and a strong desire to return.

Read about other Australia Posts from this trip:

Nov 2023