The best beach.... Only got an hour to spare? Brisbane has a beach right at its heart, Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands. Suttons Beach at Redcliffe has small waves that kiddies love but for surf, your best close option is Nobby Beach on the Gold Coast.
The best island to visit? It's a ferry ride away but Stradbroke Island is in a class of its own for beaches, relaxation and environment.
Top 3 things to do? Catch a CityCat ferry on Brisbane's River, climb the Story Bridge, take a City Hopper tour around the sights.
Where do you go for the best food? For an all-round Brisbane experience head to Stokehouse Q on the Brisbane River at South Bank. Expect interesting dishes created with local flavours while you enjoy the fabulous views.
Best place to take the kids? Queensland Museum has plenty to engage bright minds and endless activities for children. It's also the perfect spot on days when you don't want to be outside.
Just place for a flat white? Open from 5am daily, Brendan's Café positioned right in the middle of the foot-friendly Goodwill Bridge, offers Brisbane's best coffee with a view.
Where do you head for the best views of the city? On a clear day, you can see right to Moreton Bay from the lookout at Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane's highest point, plus you can eat an ice cream too.
Just the place for some shopping? Cruise the length of James Street, poking into its nooks and crannies, for a satisfying local shopping experience.
Just the place if you're after adventure? Go vertical at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and abseil your way down with Riverlife.
Kerry Heaney. Photo / Supplied.
Just the place for relaxing? Take time to smell the roses at New Farm Park. It's 15 hectares on the river with a children's tree house playground. Get there on a City Cat and go for the Saturday morning farmer's markets.
The best place to ride a bike or go for walk? Walk or ride, the New Farm river walk takes you right out over the water from suburban New Farm to the centre of the CBD.
The best thing you can do for free? Head to Brisbane's City Hall where the Museum of Brisbane's displays showcase the city. Check out Sit. Pose. Snap. Brisbane Portrait Photography from 1850 - 1950 from March 24 March to 30 July 30, 2017.
The best event in 2017? The Brisbane Festival from September 9 to 30 is a dazzling program of theatre, music, dance, circus and opera. It closes with the bang of Sunsuper River on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Just the place for a drink? It's nice to get high in Brisbane and the stylish Eleven Rooftop Bar on Ann Street in Fortitude Valley gives you a bird's eye view over the Valley with plenty of breeze action.
Just the place to see the local wildlife? If you want to cuddle a koala head to the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine where there's 100 Australian animal species waiting to meet you.
