Home › East coast tours › Is Brisbane worth it
Is Brisbane worth visiting?
Yes, mainly as a starting point. Brisbane is where the east coast run north begins — K'gari, the Whitsundays and the reef from $1,449 — and it is a comfortable, warm city to start in. Byron Bay and Noosa are both a couple of hours away.
Checked on 6 October 2026.
Brisbane does not get the attention Sydney and Melbourne do, and most travellers pass through it rather than stop. That is a reasonable way to use it — it is the gateway to the whole Queensland coast, and the weather is better than either of the other two.
Why it is worth going
- It is the start of the east coast run.Everything north — K'gari, the Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef — leaves from here.
- The climate.Warm all year, with September the driest month at under 30mm. Month by month.
- South Banka man-made beach and lagoon on the river in the middle of the city, free to use.
- Byron Bay is two hours southand the Sunshine Coast two hours north, so a day either way is easy.
- It is cheaper than Sydneyby a noticeable margin, which matters at the start of a long trip.
The honest version
- One or two days is enoughfor the city itself. The value is in what it connects to.
- There is no ocean beach in Brisbanethe river runs through it and the coast is an hour away at the Gold or Sunshine Coasts.
- Summer is hot, humid and stormywith February the wettest month at 176mm.
- If you are choosing between here and Sydney to startBrisbane puts you four days closer to the reef.
What leaves from Brisbane
| Trip | Length | Route | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlights | 7 days, 6 nights | Brisbane / Cairns | $1449 |
| 10 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlights | 10 days, 9 nights | Brisbane / Cairns | $1999 |
| 14 Days Brisbane to Cairns Highlights | 14 days, 13 nights | Brisbane / Cairns | $2339 |
| 15 Days Brisbane to Cairns Explorer | 15 days, 15 nights | Brisbane / Cairns | $2699 |
| 21 Days Brisbane to Cairns Explorer | 21 days, 20 nights | Brisbane / Cairns | $2949 |
The trips
7 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlightsfrom $14497 days, 6 nightsHostelView trip
10 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlightsfrom $199910 days, 9 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView trip
14 Days Brisbane to Cairns Highlightsfrom $233914 days, 13 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView trip
1 Day Fraser Islandfrom $2991 dayView tripPeople also ask
- What is the best way to travel the east coast of Australia?
- East coast Australia itinerary — 7, 10, 14 and 21 days
- When is the best time to visit Brisbane, Byron Bay and K'gari?
- Can you do K'gari (Fraser Island) in a day?
Not sure which one fits?
Tell us your dates and where you are starting from, and we will point you at the right trip.
Where this comes from. Each trip's own route and inclusions sheet, as held on its page here. Prices are the current from price and update on their own.