Brisbane has changed significantly over the past decade — a city that used to be dismissed as a stopover between Sydney and the Gold Coast now has genuine claim to being one of Australia's most enjoyable destinations in its own right. The riverfront South Bank precinct, a thriving arts and food scene, easy access to islands and hinterland, and the kind of weather that makes outdoor activity genuinely comfortable for most of the year. Seven days is enough to get a proper feel for the city and reach a few places beyond it.

Start at the City Botanic Gardens — 20 hectares of gardens running along the river bend, with the Queensland University of Technology campus on one side and the CBD on the other. The gardens are free, relaxed, and a good orientation point for understanding where things are in relation to each other. The Clock Tower of the Old Government House is worth a look while you're there.

From the gardens, cross to South Bank Parklands — the former site of Expo '88, now a riverside precinct with beaches, restaurants, cultural institutions, and walking paths. The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and the Queensland Museum are both here and both free to enter (some special exhibitions charge separately). GOMA in particular has a collection that punches above what you'd expect from a state gallery.

In the evening, ride the Wheel of Brisbane for a 12-minute rotation above South Bank with views of the river, the Story Bridge, and the CBD skyline at dusk. It's touristy in the best sense — the view is genuinely good and the timing works well as the city lights come on.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, about 12 km from the city centre, is the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary — opened in 1927 and now home to over 100 koalas alongside kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, platypuses, and native birds. The experience of holding a koala is available here in a way that's genuine rather than staged. Kangaroos roam freely in a large paddock; hand-feeding them costs nothing beyond the entry ticket.

Return to the city in the early afternoon and spend time at QAGOMA — the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art sit on adjacent sites at South Bank and together form one of the better art museum experiences in Australia. The APT (Asia Pacific Triennial) exhibition when it runs is genuinely significant in the contemporary art world.

Eagle Street Pier along the river makes a good dinner location — multiple restaurants with direct waterfront views, accessible on foot from the CBD.

Moreton Island is 75 km northeast of Brisbane — a large sand island accessible by ferry from Holt Street Wharf in Brisbane. The island is almost entirely national park, with the world's tallest coastal sand dunes, the Tangalooma Wrecks (15 deliberately sunk vessels that have become an artificial reef and popular snorkelling site), and clear water on the western side that's good for kayaking and paddleboarding.

Day tours from Brisbane handle the logistics — ferry transport, equipment hire, and optional activities including sandboarding down the dunes and snorkelling the wrecks. Most tours run approximately 10 hours return. No cars are permitted on the island; guided 4WD tours cover areas you can't reach on foot.

Mount Coot-tha rises about 300 metres above the city's western suburbs, 8 km from the CBD. The summit lookout provides the most comprehensive panoramic view of Brisbane — the river, the islands in Moreton Bay, and on clear days, Moreton Island itself. Drive or take Bus 471 from the city.

The Brisbane Botanic Garden at the base of the mountain is a 56-hectare garden with a Japanese garden, a bonsai house, and a cactus and succulent collection — quieter and more contemplative than the City Botanic Gardens downtown. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium on the same grounds runs shows on astronomical themes; booking ahead is recommended.

J.C. Slaughter Falls is a short walk from the lookout — worth the detour after rain when the falls are actually running. The rest of the time it's a pleasant rainforest walk rather than a dramatic waterfall.

Fortitude Valley is Brisbane's most energetically evolving neighbourhood — a mix of warehouse venues, independent restaurants, galleries, and the James Street precinct (boutiques and design stores in a concentrated strip). During the day it's a shopping and café destination; after dark it's Brisbane's main nightlife area.

New Farm runs along the river east of the Valley — a residential neighbourhood with a riverside promenade, the New Farm Park (established 1914, good for walking under the Moreton Bay figs), and a cluster of cafés and bookshops along Brunswick Street. The Brisbane Powerhouse is at the riverfront end of New Farm — a converted power station that now hosts theatre, comedy, dance, and live music. Check the programme and book tickets if something is on during your stay.

The Gold Coast is 80 km south of Brisbane — 50 minutes by train from Roma Street Station or about an hour by road. It's best known for Surfers Paradise, a dense cluster of high-rises behind a long surf beach that has its own particular energy. The beaches along the Gold Coast run for 57 km and are genuinely among Australia's best surf beaches — Currumbin, Burleigh Heads, and Coolangatta are all worth reaching if beach time is the priority.

For a theme park day, the Gold Coast has Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Wet'n'Wild within a few kilometres of each other on the Pacific Motorway. A multi-park pass covers all three and represents good value if you plan to spend a full day on rides. Movie World is the most popular individually; Sea World is better for families with younger children.

Roma Street Parkland is worth a morning visit — an urban garden just behind Roma Street Station with terraced gardens, water features, and a sprawling area that feels like a scaled-up version of a private estate. Free to enter and rarely crowded on weekday mornings.

If you haven't visited the Museum of Brisbane yet, the top floors of City Hall house a free museum covering the city's history through photographs, objects, and first-person accounts. The observation deck in the Clock Tower is particularly good for a ground-level perspective on how the CBD has changed.

For a farewell dinner, Aria Brisbane or Donna Chang are both reliable choices for a proper sit-down meal. For something more casual, the Howard Smith Wharves precinct under the Story Bridge has a cluster of restaurants and bars in a riverfront setting that's among the most atmospheric in the city.

Prices and timetables are subject to change — confirm with TransLink and individual operators before travel.

Book your flights to Brisbane from Singapore on Traveloka and secure your hotel in the same session — Brisbane's most convenient neighbourhoods to stay are South Bank, the CBD, or Fortitude Valley, all within easy reach of the week's itinerary. Activity tickets including Lone Pine, Moreton Island tours, and Gold Coast theme parks are available through Traveloka with instant confirmation.