Each time I visit Brisbane, I fall a little more in love. I’m slowly peeling back the layers, discovering new areas, new eateries, new places to take photos and more reasons to love this City, the closest big City to my country home.
Just this past weekend, while we were visiting, my husband turned to me and said, “This is my favourite city in Australia” which is a pretty big call, because Sydney was home for us for so long. I totally understand what he’s saying, because I feel it too. It’s laid back, and arty, and delicious, and pretty, and fun, and surprising. Everything that you want a City to be really. Most of all, it’s family-friendly. This is how to spend 24 hours in this city we love, Brisbane, but honestly, I think I could visit every weekend for a year and still unearth new things, so one day really isn’t enough.
HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN BRISBANE
EAT | Dumplings at New Shanghai
This reason alone brings me to Brisbane a few times a year, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. These are the best dumplings you’ll ever taste. New Shanghai is perched in between Coles and David Jones in Queens Plaza, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just another food court eatery, but walk in and you’ll understand that it’s not. It’s like walking into a little Chinese Dumpling House, because that’s exactly what it is. On the menu you’ll find New Shanghai favourites, and my advice is to order as many of those as you please, and roll out of there happy, feeling very much like a… dumpling.
DO | Visit GOMA
The GOMA gallery in Brisbane, is one of my favourite spots to visit. As an art lover, I could happily stroll through the air-conditioned gallery for hours, but the draw card for my family is definitely the Children’s Art Centre that always has something to delight the kids. On our recent visit the kids loved the Purple Reign exhibit, but most of all enjoyed Joyce Ho’s Uncovered Library, where they created their very own book cover. It’s free, and worth making time for.
EAT | Eat Street Markets
Warning: When visiting this place, you will be overwhelmed for choices. You know when you walk into a place, and it’s all so good it feels impossible to actually decide. That was me the night we visited Eat Street Markets. I could not decide, so I simply sent Shane and the kids off to go and pick whatever they pleased while I sat back with a chilled wine and people watched. We ended up with burgers {the best I’ve tried} and traditional cannoli, and it was what culinary dreams were made of. It’s open Friday and Saturday nights, costs $3 to enter, and there are over 180 food and entertainment stalls to choose from.
DO | Catch a show at QPAC
Back in South Bank at the arts area, there is always something to see or do. We’ve watched musicals such as The Lion King there before, and recently we were lucky enough to check out The Illusionists which is a magic show appearing in Brisbane for a short time {and really worth watching, my mind is still blown}. Check out what’s showing at QPAC, and pick a show to watch.
STAY | FV By Peppers
There are a multitude of fun, new hotels popping up in Brisbane, and this one is at the top of the list. Located in Fortitude Valley, FV by Peppers, is the perfect spot for families. The large rooms {more like apartments than a hotel, with lounge rooms, kitchens and laundries} mean that you can happily all exist in the same space and not feel like you’re living on top of each other. Not only was the room beautiful, but the little extras are what make Peppers one of my favourite hotel chains around Australia. FV by Peppers has a private cinema that is complimentary for guests to book, and this location even has a private spa lounge which was the highlight of my weekend.
DO | Relax at the private Spa Lounge
We reserved the FV Lounge for the morning after out stay, so that we could relax as a family before checking out. We felt like celebrities, because surely that is what their everyday life is like; private spa, room service, city view, so much luxury. The lounge is complimentary for guests, but just incurs a small cleaning fee, which is totally worth it!
EAT | Kennigo Social House
Sometimes when I’m traveling, I like to check the location section of Instagram to see what everyone is doing in the area I’m in. It helps me pick places to eat and things to do {try it!}. And it was these pancakes that I spotted and knew I had to try. Kennigo Social House is a few minutes stroll from FV by Peppers, and worth visiting. I mean look at those pancakes. Drool.
DO | Swim at South Bank Parklands
When visiting South Bank, you’ll be impressed by how beautiful planned out it all is. There is something for everyone, including a whole heap of areas for the family to take a dip and cool down. Bring your cossies {or togs as they call them in Queensland}, and take a dip before heading back home.
What’s your favourite city to visit?
We stayed at FV by Peppers as their guest, and also attended The Illusionists Show as a guest. All opinions are my own.
