If you’ve booked a weekend in Brisbane and you’re staying in Kelvin Grove, you’ve made a pretty smart choice.
Sure, you could stay in South Bank and pay more for your accommodation. Or stay in the CBD and deal with city noise and expensive parking.
But Kelvin Grove gives you something better. Kelvin Grove sits just north of Brisbane’s CBD within the inner-north corridor, making it one of the city’s most connected residential hubs for short stays.
You’re close enough to everything that matters, but far enough away to enjoy a quieter, more relaxed stay. You can walk to cafes, restaurants, Woolworths and public transport, and most of Brisbane’s major attractions are only a 5 minute bus ride away.
This itinerary is based on how I personally spend weekends hosting friends and family who stay in Kelvin Grove, using the same routes, transport options, and local spots I’d recommend to visitors who want an easy, low-stress way to experience Brisbane without trying to cram everything in.
No rushing.
No trying to tick off every attraction in the city.
Just a really enjoyable Brisbane weekend.
Friday Evening: Arrive, Unpack and Start Exploring
Most guests arrive at our Sapphire Apartment around check-in time at 3pm.
My first piece of advice?
Don’t immediately rush off sightseeing.
Take a few minutes to settle in, unpack your bags and get your bearings.
One of the best things about staying in Kelvin Grove is that Woolworths is literally right in the centre of the Urban Village. If you’re staying for a few days, pop over and grab some breakfast supplies, snacks and drinks for your stay. Woolworths is usually open until 9pm on Friday evenings, making it easy to stock up before your weekend begins.
Once you’ve freshened up, it’s time to head into the city.
The easiest option is to jump on one of the buses, leaving every 3 minutes, heading towards the CBD. Thanks to Queensland’s 50-cent public transport fares, getting around Brisbane has never been cheaper.
For dinner, I’d suggest heading into the CBD and checking out our Date Night Ideas guide for restaurant recommendations and things to do that are happening during your visit.
My top 3 restaurants in the CBD are:
- AJ’s Vietnamese Noodle House – cafe style and uber affordable (you cannot book and you might have to queue, it is very popular!)
- Aloria on Skydeck – (see my photo above) the posh restaurant on top of the new casino – it is not cheap, because you are paying for the views and the amazing food!
- Shabuhouse Shabu & Sushi Buffet Brisbane – when I am hungry this is my go-to place. They have all you can eat fresh sushi and shabu shabu with exceptional quality meats and vegetables.
After dinner, depending on what’s on, you might choose:
- A movie at Event Cinemas in Uptown on Queen Street Mall or at the historic Elizabeth Picture Theatre
- One of the exhibitions or immersive experiences currently running via Fever, a ticketing platform for pop-up experiences
Insiders tip: when you’re ready to head home, catch your bus from King George Square, not Queen Street. None of the services back to the Kelvin Grove Busway stop at the Queen Street stop. (It is a bit confusing because you can stop at Queen St bus station going into the city but not pick up a bus coming back out to Kelvin Grove busway from there!)
By the time you get back to Kelvin Grove you’ll already have a feel for how easy it is to get to Brisbane city and back without a car.
Saturday Morning: Markets, Coffee and Local Life
Saturday mornings in Kelvin Grove are all about the Village Markets.
If there’s one local thing I encourage visitors to experience while they’re here, it’s this.
Forget the tourist attractions for a few hours and spend some time seeing how locals actually spend their weekends.
The Kelvin Grove Village Markets run every Saturday morning and are packed with fresh produce, food stalls, coffee vendors and live music.
The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and unmistakably Brisbane.
My usual routine?
Grab a Banh Mi or something from the Thai Pan food truck, find a spot to sit for a while and watch the people going by (and pat their dogs) and enjoy the live music.
If it’s summer, I’m also a sucker for the iced coffee van.
Otherwise, you’ll usually find me ordering coffee from Mean Beanz or The Boys House of Coffee.
You can arrive any time between 6am and midday, but I think the markets are at their best mid-morning when the music is playing and the food stalls are in full swing.
It’s also a great opportunity to pick up some fresh fruit if you’re staying for a few days.
Saturday Afternoon: Time for More Fun
After lunch at the markets, I’d head back to your accommodation and enjoy one of the things that often gets overlooked during a city break, some downtime.
If you’re staying at Sapphire Apartment, take advantage of the pools, relax with a book, or simply enjoy a quiet hour or two to recharge before heading out again.
If you’re someone who likes to keep moving, this is also a good time to explore beyond Kelvin Grove.
One experience I recommend to almost every visitor is catching our uniquely Brisbane ferries called the CityCat.
It’s a ferry service that also functions as one of Brisbane’s most scenic public transport routes and my favourite way to experience Brisbane when I invite friends to stay.
From here you have two great options.
Option One: Explore New Farm
If you head south, down the Brisbane River and hop off at New Farm Park, you can spend some time wandering through one of Brisbane’s most beautiful riverside parks.
If you’re hungry, Brisbane Powerhouse is right nearby and home to some excellent dining options overlooking the river.
Option Two: Visit The University of Queensland
(Yes, I am a little bit obsessed with my friend’s dog who I took the Uni of QLD!)
If you head north up the Brisbane River, you will get to the beautiful University of Queensland campus at St Lucia.
The sandstone buildings, jacaranda trees (purple flowers are seasonal) and riverside setting make it one of Brisbane’s most impressive places for a leisurely walk.
Either of these options will show you our gorgeous city from the river and cost you a mere 50 cents each way!
To get back to the apartment, just take the journey in reverse to the CBD and catch the bus back to Kelvin Grove QUT again.
Insiders tip: Public transport times and opening hours may vary on weekends and public holidays. Check Translink for your return journey if you are all concerned about timings.
Saturday Evening: South Bank and a Show
You can’t visit Brisbane without spending at least one evening in South Bank.
Fortunately, Kelvin Grove makes it incredibly easy.
Jump on a bus heading to the ‘Cultural Centre’ from the Kelvin Grove QUT Busway and it is only 4 stops to South Bank. It will only be around 10 minutes and you’ll be wandering along the river, taking in the city skyline and deciding where to have dinner.
My top 3 restaurants in South Bank are:
- Ahmets Turkish Restaurant – this is my top pick and where we often go if in South Bank. It has a large menu and their service is quick.
- Viet Delites – my choice when I feel like Asian – I usually get the rice paper rolls with pork belly. Or the pho.
- Denim Co – this one is more cafe style but they have a good range of options on their menu.
If there is a performance at QPAC that interests you, tonight is the night to do it.
The venue hosts everything from musicals and theatre productions to concerts and comedy shows.
If nothing takes your fancy, that’s perfectly fine too.
South Bank is one of those places where simply wandering is half the fun.
Grab dinner, enjoy a riverside walk and watch the city lights reflect on the Brisbane River.
It’s one of my favourite ways to spend an evening.
Sunday Morning: Coffee, Gardens and a Slow Start
After a busy Saturday, Sunday should feel a little slower.
If it’s summer, take advantage of the apartment pool before the day heats up.
If it’s cooler weather, grab a coffee and walk over to Roma Street Parkland. I have given you walking directions to the park here.
One of the things I love about Brisbane is that some of its best attractions are completely free, and Roma Street Parkland is a perfect example. The gardens are beautifully maintained, there are plenty of shady spots to sit, and it’s a great place to stretch your legs before heading home later in the day. If you fancy a coffee or a bite to eat, try The Garden Room above the Celebration Lawn. The also do ice-cream!
If you’re staying close to the Village, Coco Cozy Cafe is usually my Sunday coffee stop. It’s one of the few places open in Kelvin Grove on a Sunday morning and a great spot to ease into the day.
Sunday Lunch: Try Something Different
By Sunday you’ve probably had enough pub meals and tourist restaurants.
If you’re looking for something a little different, I’d recommend heading back to Kelvin Grove and trying Donana Mini Hotpot. It is on the corner to Musk Ave and Carraway Streets.
It was Brisbane’s first hot pot train and, if you’ve never experienced one before, it’s a bit like a sushi train but with ingredients for hot pot. In the photo above we opted for the hot pot in the table experience rather than the train, because there was 6 of us! The train is inside the restaurant.
I’ve eaten there several times now and it’s always been excellent.
It’s not the cheapest lunch you’ll have all weekend, but it’s definitely one of the most memorable.
Sunday Afternoon: One Last Brisbane Experience
Before you head to the airport or start the drive home, there’s usually time for one last Brisbane experience.
This is where I’d choose based on your interests.
Love Parks and Green Space?
If you didn’t get to New Farm Park yesterday, jump on the bus to the CBD and then the ferry to the park this morning.
The giant fig trees, river views and relaxed atmosphere make it one of Brisbane’s most beautiful parks.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting when the jacarandas are flowering, it’s spectacular.
Love Arts and Culture?
If you do head to New Farm Park you should check what’s on at Brisbane Powerhouse. As I said above, they have 2 restaurants on site, so you can grab lunch there too.
Even if there isn’t a performance scheduled, it’s worth visiting for the riverside location alone.
Love Great Photos?
Take a CityCat ride along the river.
I know I mentioned it earlier, but if you haven’t done it yet, now is the time.
For first-time visitors, it’s one of the easiest ways to understand how Brisbane fits together.
Love Being Active?
If you have more time to spend in Brisbane, I’d recommend you book a kayaking session with Riverlife at Kangaroo Point.
Paddling on the Brisbane River with the city skyline around you is a pretty special way to finish a Brisbane weekend.
Time To Head Home
By now you’ll probably understand why so many visitors enjoy staying in Kelvin Grove.
You’ve spent the weekend exploring Brisbane’s best attractions.
You’ve eaten well.
You’ve walked plenty.
You’ve probably spent less on accommodation than you would have in South Bank.
And through it all, you’ve had supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and public transport right on your doorstep.
That’s why I think Kelvin Grove is one of Brisbane’s less obvious options for accommodation for visitors.
It’s close to everything, without feeling like you’re in the middle of everything.