Brisbane

• The move: South Bank, a pizza at Julius and one gallery. Brisbane works best when the river is the setting, rather than a reason to spend the day on transport.
• Wildlife instead: Choose Lone Pine for a dedicated half-day. Australia Zoo is a separate Sunshine Coast excursion; do not attach it to a city afternoon.
• Tired arrival: Eat first at QAG Cafe during gallery hours, then decide whether you want one room of art. A seated lunch can be the entire outing.
• Skip: Eat Street on Monday–Thursday, and an outdoor route during a storm. The market is a weekend evening choice, not the default lunch.

Getting back before pickup

Set your accommodation as the start and end of the outing. Check both journeys, waiting and any connections before leaving. Set a leave-by alarm that gets you back with time for rest and preparation before your required crew pickup. Cut the extra stop if the return becomes uncertain.

• Money: Use AUD menu prices; check weekend/public-holiday surcharges before ordering. The budgets below are spending allowances, not crew allowance entitlements.

Translink local trains, buses and ferries cost AUD 0.50 per journey under the published fare scheme. Check your actual route and any separately ticketed service. Translink fares.

City journeys and payment

Translink journeys cost AUD 0.50, including local trains, buses and ferries. South East Queensland ticketing is cashless.