Our Day in Numbers
Total time: approximately 10.5 hours
Our totals (per person) from our last time in December 2025:
- Price for the day without including accommodations : $72.24 AUD
Setting the Scene for the Day
If you couldn’t tell by now, we are obsessed with the city of Brisbane. Great weather year round, clever transportation, great food and drinks, fun activities within easy distance, which all contribute to making this city one of our favourites. Transportation is a characteristic that most cities don’t use to their advantage, but Brisbane has absolutely nailed it, especially when it comes to the CBD and inner suburbs. With the Brisbane River running on the South side of the downtown core, Brisbane has cleverly taken that geographic uniqueness and implemented a ferry system that makes travelling that much more fun for locals and tourists alike.
Known as CityCats and KittyCats, the public transportation available on the Brisbane River consists of ferries that make their way up and down the river from the University of Queensland stop in St. Lucia all the way to the Northshore Hamilton stop. The network consists of 22 stops total, with the CityCats being the ones making their way up and down the river, while the KittyCats make their way across the river. CityCats consist of large catamarans that range in size from one deck to two decks, while the KittyCats are much smaller boats, given that they only go across the river. And the best part of all, because it is considered public transportation, its only 50 cents per journey! So here’s an example of how we spend a day in Brisbane and on the Brisbane River!
Breakfast: Oakberry Açai
We usually stay in South Bank, which means we start our day with breakfast in this area. One of our favourites to grab is açai from Oakberry Açai. The bowls are fully customizable, piled high with açai, fresh fruit, and anything else your heart desires (that is on their menu). The bowls are so filling, and having a healthy start to the day makes for a great foundation to our day of exploration.
Estimated time at breakfast (30 minutes) and price ($33.90 for one small and one regular with no extras beyond what is included in base price).
Activity: Ferry to North Quay, Explore the CBD, then Back on the Ferry Down to UQ
Now, it’s time to get the river adventure started. Hopping on the ferry at South Bank terminal 1 or 2, which is located on the Clem Jones Promenade, we will head down the river towards The University of Queensland. Our first stop happens to be North Quay aka the CBD, conveniently located just across the river from South Bank. We get off here and explore Queen Street Mall and the City Botanic Gardens, before hopping back on the ferry at QUT Gardens Point stop. Yes, you will stop at South Bank and North Quay again, but you will have gotten the chance to explore the CBD, which is a win in our books. Now, we head down to the University of Queensland stop (UQ St Lucia), with five stops along the way (South Bank, North Quay, Regatta, Guyana Park, West End).
Estimated time (2 hours) and price (50 cents each)
Activity: Walk around UQ
Once at the UQ St Lucia stop, we thoroughly recommend getting off the ferry and exploring the beautiful campus of the University of Queensland and the surrounding suburb of St. Lucia. If you are travelling from mid-October to early November, you will have the opportunity to see the marvellous jacaranda trees in full bloom, which is an absolutely amazing sight to behold. A couple of must-sees around the campus grounds include the Great Court, the lakes (where you might spot some turtles), and the Forgan Smith Building.
Estimated time (2 hours) and price (free!)
Lunch: Building 63 Food Court
Now, you’ll likely be a bit hungry after exploring the grounds, and lucky you there are plenty of lunch and quick snack options available. There’s a food court (building 63) to the left of the Great Court, a bit up from the Student Central and Faculty of Science Building, if you’re walking up from the river, that has quick-bite versions of everything from Mexican, to sandwiches, to coffee, and smoothies.
Estimated time (30 minutes) and price ($22.70 for iced matcha, iced chocolate milk, 3 tacos from GYG, and fries).
Activity: Ferry up to South Bank
With our bellies filled, it’s time to head back up river and enjoy the breeze from the catamaran cruising along. About 30 minutes up the river, you’ll get back to South Bank where our journey started and get off the ferry.
Estimated time (30 minutes) and price (50 cents each)
Activity: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Walk
Taking a left from our exit of the terminal, we will walk along the Clem Jones Promenade. As you walk along the Promenade, you’ll pass the Queensland Maritime Museum and the Promenade will become the Cliffs Boardwalk, which is exactly where we are headed. This beautiful walk hugs the south side of the river and brings you from the South Bank Parklands all the way to Kangaroo Point, with views of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the CBD, culminating at Captain Burke Park.
Estimated time (1 hour walking (just shy of 4 kms) and price (free)
Activity: Ferry to Riverside
Once done at the park, we’ll hop on a KittyCat at Holman Street Terminal to head across the river to Riverside Ferry Terminal.
Estimated time (10 minutes) and price (50 cents each)
Activity: Ferry to Northshore Hamilton
At Riverside, you’ll switch from the KittyCat service to the CityCat service, making sure you are heading up river towards Northshore Hamilton. Enjoy the rest as you cruise up river for the next hour towards maybe the best no longer hidden gem of Brisbane, Eat Street.
Estimated time (1 hour) and price (50 cents each)
Dinner: Eat Street
Super duper important note, Eat Street is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so be diligent when booking your trip and following this itinerary that it is open before you commit.
Eat Street is like a food truck meeting ground on steroids. Craving Mexican… they have you covered. Filipino, Australian, French, Dessert for dinner… check, check check and check. There are also a limited amount of home good stores among all the food, in case your full belly is telling you to just buy that “Live, Laugh, Love” sign you’ve been after. There are also live performances in each of the sections, which will get you dancing, signing and loving the atmosphere. We try something new every time we go here, and have yet to be disappointed by any picks. Our advice is to get a mix of items and share them. There is an entrance fee for adults and they don’t accept cash once inside.
Estimated time (2 hours) and price ($82.88 for our entry fee and food and drinks for which we got two souvlakis with chicken and lamb, lemonades, honey roasted macadamia nuts, and pofferties)
Travel Back to Home Base
Once your bellies are truly full, its time to head back to your home base, via CityCat (last one at 10:15pm, except for Friday and Saturday, which is at 11:15pm) or Uber, depending on where you are located.
Estimated time (1 hour) and price (50 cents each)
Behind the Day
If we’re travelling with friends or family and it’s a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, this is our go-to day! You get to truly see so many spectacular sights along the river and really appreciate how stunning Brisbane is. UQ is an absolutely beautiful campus to walk around, the Kangaroo Cliffs Walk is stunning and gives you 180 degree views of the CBD, and Eat Street is just the most fun vibe you can think of. Plus, your main mode of transport is the ferry which we personally feel makes this day one of our favourites.
Turn your Day into a Stay
Need hotel recommendations to continue the adventure for multiple days? We’ve stayed at the Emporium Hotel (apartments via AirBnB), as well as the Courtyard Marriott and would recommend both of them. The Courtyard Marriott is a tiny bit more out of the way, but if you don’t mind an extra 5 minute walk (*uphill), we would recommend this hotel for the price you pay any day. The Emporium Hotel is a 5 star hotel so it is quite expensive if you book through the hotel, but do look on AirBnB for the apartments option as it was very reasonably priced and we got access to a pool.