Imagine it’s nearing Christmas, but instead of Eggnog, dressing, rolls, and warm apple pie—you’re eating gravy. Yes, Gravy. You haven’t heard of Gravy Day?

Brisbane just became more accessible to Americans thanks to Delta’s new route from LAX to the river city. Whether you’re visiting the Queensland capital city as a layover or for an extended period of time—its culture, charm, mixed with its sunny climate–there’s something for everyone. 

So, what’s “Gravy Day?” Scroll down to find out. 

How to Get There

The quickest way to get to Brisbane is Delta. Put simply, this creates a flywheel effect for you to accumulate substantial SkyMiles that you can use for future trips or a subsequent trip to Australia. 

Where to Stay

Fortitude Valley. That’s it. But I’ll tell you why I picked this neighborhood.

There’s a lot to do in this vibrant city. Each neighborhood has a little bit of everything—from beer, eateries, and bakeries. That makes the situation even more challenging.

So it really depends on which neighborhood fits your taste, your vibe, and ultimately what you want to do.

As you might have sensed across this blog, I tend to love breweries, especially microbreweries. I also love a good view mixed with walkability. I hate not being able to easily walk around and spend more money on an Uber—when I already have a rental. And that’s what led me to stumble on Fortitude Valley. 

Not only are there a ton of breweries, you’re surrounded by waterfront landscapes that are 100% walkable. There’s no need to take a taxi while you’re exploring the area, unless you want to hit up some more distant areas. Don’t forget when Story Bridge lights up at night–you’ll wish you were within walking distance to take in the views while drinking a beer at Felon’s Brewery. 

Therefore this one day Brisbane itinerary is 100% walkable. 

Hotel X Brisbane

You want to find a hotel that’s close to the action. That’s in a safe area. And where you can do remote work without effort—that means reliable internet connection with access to amenities. 

While there are plenty of hotels in Fortitude Valley and the surrounding area, Hotel X Brisbane part of IHG was the only one that offered good value as part of the American Express Hotel Collection.

That means you can get an early check in (including a late check-out), as well as a $100 USD complimentary credit that you can use for food, beverage, spa, or other charges that you might accrue on site (like mini-bar). The other benefit? You will most likely get a room upgrade. 

Room upgrade, dinner-on the house, a hotel next to breweries? Sign me up. 

The hotel more than met my needs. Staff was attentive—the room was plenty spacious, and there was car parking. The only downside was that I just couldn’t figure out how to pull up (in my little Suzuki) to the entrance. 

Now that we got our Brisbane hotel squared away—let’s explore this river city.

Gear Used

What to Do in 24-hours 

Whether you’re arriving early or later in the day then you want to start off by unpacking. I had to do some work so by the time I got to my itinerary it was well into the evening. So definitely pick and choose, which of the following would best match your schedule. 

Disclaimer: I still have work, so I have limited time. I was pretty tired so I didn’t do much sightseeing. I wanted to get a feel for the vibe of the city.

Checking in and dinner:

Grab dinner at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar–Iris–and use your $100 USD comp. Iris is a Spanish-style restaurant that offers sweeping views of Brisbane and the iconic Story bridge. If you’re a solo traveler–or even a couple traveling it will be hard to hit the $100 USD complimentary credit you get with your American Express platinum. If you’re a solo traveler staying for two nights–that means you get fed delicious food for two nights without tapping out the your credit balance 

With a night behind you–let’s get some rest and get ready for a productive day tomorrow. If you are feeling festive, then it won’t hurt to make your way to Chinatown to take in some of the night life, make some new friends, and at least get a lay of the land. 

However, I recommend waking up feeling refreshed, so we can hit some hot spots.

Note: Tell me about this gravy day–An Australian Holiday. 

While “Gravy Day” is technically not a real holiday–it’s become an Australian tradition on December 21 made popular by the now famous Christmas song, “How to Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly, that’s now made into a movie called “How to Make Gravy.” The song follows an inmate who writes home ahead of the Christmas holiday sharing his gravy recipe. The holiday is now widely celebrated and recently touted by Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, despite the fact that Kelly didn’t believe this particular song would be a hit out of his expansive discography.

Morning

Now you’re refreshed to start the day! Yes? Well, I’m saying yes for you–you have to maximize your time in Brisbane.

Trust me, some caffeine is just what you need. With a morning walk–you will be up and running in no time. So, make your way to Bellissimo Coffee and try one of their many coffee varieties–pour over style. If you need some fuel, then their croissants can hold you over before you make your way to the next destination.

Side note: If you want to work out then you can of course work out at the gym at Hotel X. But feel free to check out the area. For that, I would consider adding Teneriffe Athletic Club.

Now, remember we’re still walking. And we need some lunch. So, where are we heading next? We’re heading to one of my favorite breweries in Queensland, right up there with Black Hops Brewery in Burleigh Heads (Gold Coast), Range Brewing. 

Side Note: Range is always pushing the boundaries when it comes to beer. They even have beers that have terpenes—aromatic compounds also found in certain botanical plants (including the hops family and more famously, hemp). To be honest, I thought this would have an effect, but I couldn’t notice any direct effects. While found in hops, specifically adding terpene in beer can add a more crisp and as the rapper Future says, “sensational” flavor. If you’re paying a visit to Range, check out their “The Most West Coast West Coast IPA Ever” or “West Coast Kush” (on tap) beers. 

And guess what? It’s here, at this brewery, where everything comes full circle. You know how this post started off with “Gravy Day.” Range Brewing is right where you want to be.

Not only is their beer spectacular–in fact I’m wearing their streetwear designed t-shirts as I’m writing this blog post–but they also cultivate a full experience from food to beer options for the beer goer. 

What Do I Mean? 

You cannot stop here,  during this time period, without getting the chicken and gravy roll. It’s simply delicious. You can’t skip their homemade duck fat gravy with specially ordered bread for this event, especially paired with their delicious beers. After this experience, I went and made some gravy based on Kelly’s song.

Note: Make sure to get some beer to take home. Not all their beer is on tap. They also, crazily, have a version or emulation of Bud Light “American” called Range Lite. It’s an interesting take on cheap American light beer, which I only tasted when I was back Stateside. I mean the beer is literally described as “American Light Lager.”

And this place is packed! From groups of friends to families. Therefore, it will be hard to find a table. I managed to snag one, but ultimately gave it up to a family who generously offered to buy me a beer even though I said they didn’t have to. This meant I went to a standing oval table. But the conversations continued; I got to talk to many other individuals, sharing stories and even more beer.

The short? This place is teaming with amazing people and amazing vibes. Met an amazing guy called Steve (Shout out to Steve!), who helped me pair down my overwhelming beer list and provided some new spots to add. This place was definitely the highlight of my short trip to Brisbane–with Green Beacon brewery coming in a close second. 

Note: Before you head out of Brisbane and Australia altogether, stop by the grocery store Woolworths. You want to make sure you stock up on Australian goodies to bring back home, like Honey Soy Chicken with Stradbroke Island Honey (don’t knock it, they’re really good!), Angus Beef and Caramelised Onion, and Coffee flavored Doritos (yes, coffee, like the caffeine beverage you might drink in the morning). While I know that we are in Australia, it won’t hurt to stock up on some Kiwi (New Zealand) products . I definitely can’t go without stocking up on Glow Lab soap. And Aussie and Kiwi snacks are not the only thing you should get. Here, you can get Asian snacks and ramen that you can’t get elsewhere.

Afternoon

Get some Fresh air and water views at Wharf Park. You can also plan a picnic here if you want to. There are people fishing and just hanging out. After having a fun-filled experience in the Gold Coast, I treated my time in Brisbane as more of extra relaxation. Even though, funnily, you’d think I would have done that in the Gold Coast. But nope, there’s no opening my Runkeeper app and going for a run here. 

Note: Walking isn’t the only way to explore Brisbane. You can also explore the city directly on the river. You know how New York City has a water taxi? Brisbane does, too.

It’s called the City Cat and it’s a wheelchair-accessible catamaran that takes you along the Brisbane river. If you want to explore and reach Kangaroo Point consider this an option. 

Head to Working Title Brew Company, otherwise known by locals as just “Title.” You want to make sure to ask the brew staff which beers you should get and which one are phasing out, since it’s likely that they will put beer on tap and then take it off when it’s run its course

Make your way to Green Beacon Brewery. If you want to add another brewery to your list, then add Tidal. They also have a great assortment of beer and I spend almost the same amount of time here as I did at Range brewery. While their merch isn’t as good as Range’s, they have crazy combo socks and weird beer flavors near the entrance. Same with Range; I was able to meet some really cool people and even though I said no, I couldn’t turn down their offers of free beer. Australia, well Queensland, just hits different. 

If you want to take a break here and grab some food. Check out these other restaurant suggestions I received: The Green, Beppin ramen restaurant, Ramen Danbo Brisbane City East, Chu The Phat in South Brisbane. I’ve updated this list, since sadly some of the restaurants have closed since my visit. 

Evening

Head to Felons Brewing Co near Story Bridge 

Felon’s Brewery, according to many, is considered the halo brewery of the region. And by “region”, I mean Queensland. My favorite, Black Hops Brewery on the Gold Coast even mentioned I should give this brewery a shot. And this same sentiment was echoed across many breweries and people I talked to on this Northeast Australian coast. 

The location of Felon’s Brewing is simply amazing. They definitely have prime real estate that influencer moguls would love to snatch up and mark up for a premium. You can sit outside and watch the bridge change colors and admire the flickering city night lights as your eyes navigate between Brisbane’s skyscrapers. 

From the field notes: This is what I wrote down in my notes app when at Felons. “Just not a fan of felons sorry but the view cannot be beat. If I created a microbrewery I’d die for their real estate right under Story bridge“

The aesthetics and the vibes are all to die for. They have a sprawling complex and area that clearly invites itself to tell you and everyone else that you’ve arrived. Yet, once you look past the antics of hype and marketing and strip it down to its core, you find a different brewery masquerading. 

I’m sure, its former self was one of many tribulations. But now, it’s a QR-code driven process where you pick a seat and you drink and consume–which simply reminds me of the Japanese painter Tetsuya Ishida’s “Nenryō Hokyū no yō-na Shokuji” (“Refuel Meal,” 1996), that I saw at the Velázquez Palace art gallery in Madrid, Spain.

In many ways, it’s a victim of its own success. After dealing with QR codes for my day job, I just really cherish the human element when visiting a brewery.

For me, a brewery is where you meet the people, learn the language of the community–the talk, what drives the community. Everyone is stripped down of their accolades and other shields. You are shieldless. It’s just pure and simple conversation that sometimes verges on provoking. Not here. And to boot, a brewery’s main element is, of course, its beer. Unfortunately, the beer here seems to be a mere afterthought and only a step above the main commercial beer of the area XXXX (think Budweiser). And yes, that’s a real beer company’s name.

Though it’s not for me, I still wouldn’t skip this area. Despite the Google review, this venue’s location is the main reason why it continues to be a success. And definitely don’t go home without snapping pics next to Story Bridge.

Now that you’ve seen one of the most popular breweries of the state, it’s time to head back. But first, let’s get some food. 

If you are really craving late night food and simply want a simple snack and don’t want to eat at Hotel X or you didn’t decide to try the Carl’s Jr. in Australia, then try Kebab corner. 

Brisbane Layover / Quick Trip

Tips, Tricks, and Logistics

• Arrive + Enter Fast: Delta’s new nonstop from LAX drops you at BNE just after sunrise; download the free “Australian ETA” app before you fly so immigration is effortless. Estimate 60 min to clear customs and retrieve your bags. My calculated time was over 45mins+.
• Base Yourself in Fortitude Valley: Hotel X (Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts) lets you check-in early, check-out late, and a US$100 dining credit. This is perfect to not just save money but use it at the rooftop tapas restaurant Iris before you wander to 20+ craft breweries, Chinatown dumplings, and capture selfies with the Story Bridge’s rotating night lights. And this is all within walking distance!
• One-Day Walkabout Itinerary: Start with pour-over coffee at Bellissimo, walk to Range Brewing for their cult “Gravy Day” chicken-and-gravy roll (21 Dec each year), ride the CityCat ferry to leafy Wharf Park, beers at Green Beacon, then watch Story Bridge glow while you sit on Felons’ outside patio.
• Layover Logistics Made Easy: There are 24/7 self-service lockers at Domestic and International terminals so you can travel more freely if you have a 10 hour layover in Brisbane; December temps hovered in the mid-to-high 80s °F with sticky humidity—make sure to pack sunscreen and light layers.

Trip Soundtrack

Because every adventure needs a soundtrack, each of my trips comes with a theme song. And for this trip's anthem? Well, it's...

Paul Kelly - How To Make Gravy (Official Video)

Conclusion & Wrap-up

Our short time in Brisbane is now over! Whether you’re considering this river city for a layover or an extended stay, Brisbane should definitely be a stop on your list when visiting Northeastern Australia. I know Delta has new flights coming here and you want to explore the rest of the region from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast. But, take a longer stop in Brisbane. I stayed two days and balanced remote work with traveling and it remains one of my most memorable stops across this Australian coast. 

The other thing is that while this particular blog is beer heavy, just know, Australians love their beer. And they make some great beer. When you mix that with their quirky snacks like Honey Soy & Chicken chips, then you’re bound to have a good time.