Embrace the beauty of the Sunshine State’s capital with a week of exploration throughout Brisbane city. Exploring all the incredible sights and activities that Brisbane / Meanjin has to offer has never been easier with six convenient Hertz car rental pick-up locations positioned around the city, meaning you can get in and go to any corner of the city you wish. From arts and culture to sights and wildlife, a week is the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights of all things Brisbane.
Exploring Brisbane
A city where the beauty of nature meets the excitement of the bustling CBD, the best place to start your week in Brisbane and experience both is by following the Brisbane River. Beginning at Moreton Bay next to the Airport, the Brisbane River snakes through the heart of the city and is the perfect natural map to direct you towards discovering how the surrounding nature interacts with the vibrancy of the city. 
Make your first stop along the river at the famous Fortitude Valley for a day of experiencing some of the best eateries in Brisbane. A go-to hub for local foodies, Fortitude Valley is filled with all kinds of award-winning restaurants and cafes, suited to every taste and cuisine. Whether you’re after Moroccan flavours or Italian dishes, or perhaps even some steak and oysters, the James Street precinct is the place to be for some of Brisbane’s best food. To break up the day, walk across the river on the heritage-listed Story Bridge to explore Kangaroo Point and some of its parks and beaches. The bridge itself is a great place to spend some time exploring, with the option of climbing the summit of the superstructure with Story Bridge Adventure Climb to see the 360-degree views of Brisbane City. Watching the skyscrapers fade out into the surrounding mountain ranges and islands is a view not to be missed.
Under Story Bridge sits Fortitude Valley’s centre of all entertainment and dining, Howard Smith Wharves. Situated on the waterfront and boasting thirteen cafes, bars, event spaces and a hotel, Howard Smith Wharves has you covered for a night spent under the stars by the river, looking out onto the city and river in front of you.
Art and Culture
A bit further down the Brisbane River, the renowned Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art sits nestled in the banks of one of the most culturally-significant corners of the city. Surrounded by a diverse range of street food vendors, as well as a plethora of traditional favourites, South Brisbane is the perfect place to spend the day roaming through the Gallery and immersing yourself in all the arts and culture the city is becoming famous for. Established by two gallery buildings next to each other that offer their own distinct personalities, the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art are as much about the work they exhibit inside as they are about the architecture of the buildings themselves. Showcasing over 20,000 pieces of contemporary art from across Australia, Asia and the Pacific, the galleries have an extensive collection of free exhibitions, as well as a rotating calendar of special events and tours.
When you’re ready to kick up your feet and settle down for a cocktail after a day of exploring some of the best art in the world, you can head down to the waterfront to the galleries’ very own award-winning restaurant. Or, if you’re up for some more exploration, South Brisbane is home to a range of trendy bars and restaurants that can be found on the backstreets around the galleries.
Nature In The City
A city that’s this beautiful from the banks of the river only gets more so when it’s seen from new heights. Jump in your rental car and head west through Brisbane to Mount Coot-Tha Forest and Botanic Gardens. A heritage-listed forest reserve that is one of Brisbane’s largest natural areas, this expanse of open eucalypt is only an easy fifteen-minute drive from the CBD, meaning you can easily spend a whole day surrounded by nature, or even just an afternoon. At the top of Mount Coot-Tha sits a viewing platform that looks out over some of the most incredible panoramic views of Brisbane River and the city skyline. But don’t worry if you’re not up for the hike, sight-seekers can also drive to the top of the mountain to be sure no one misses out on the view.
For more nature adventures in the city, head further along the river to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. Only twelve kilometres from the CBD, the sanctuary gives you the opportunity to get up close with the country’s most cuddly of native animals. Make sure to remember your camera, because the sanctuary is also filled with a range of other exciting native wildlife creatures, allowing visitors to see some of Australia’s most beloved animals in a natural and intimate setting.
Whether it’s a view from a mountain-top or from the top of a bridge, with every gallery, cafe and restaurant nestled in between, Brisbane is never short on things to do for a relaxing and easy getaway.
