Brisbane riverside stays: a quick guide

Brisbane runs along a bend in the river, and most visitors end up choosing between the CBD, South Bank and the inner suburbs just across the bridges. The CBD suits business trips and short stays, with the airport train stopping right in the middle of town.

South Bank for leisure

South Bank is the pick for holidays — it is green, walkable and right next to the cultural precinct, with plenty of serviced apartments for families. The riverside path links it to the city in minutes on foot.

Inner suburbs to save

Fortitude Valley is lively and close to the nightlife, while West End and Paddington trade a short ride for a quieter, more local stay. They are usually cheaper than the riverfront and well served by bus and train.

• Check whether your hotel is on the river side of the free CityCat ferry route — it doubles as a cheap sightseeing ride.
• Brisbane is subtropical, so a room with air-conditioning matters more here than almost anything else in summer.