Centred around the meandering Brisbane River, Queensland’s capital is buzzing with edgy culture, excellent dining and extraordinary parklands. Add in the glorious year-round weather and it’s hard to justify being anywhere else.

Brisbanites love being active and we agree there’s no better way to start the day than in the great outdoors. Take a Tai-Chi class in the city’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, venture across Victoria Bridge and walk, run or cycle your way along the river at South Bank, or hop on the ferry to Kangaroo Point and challenge yourself to the cliff walk. The beautiful scenery makes even the most challenging bits enjoyable and you’ll be feeling invigorated in no time.

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For a mid-morning coffee head over the bridge to West End, one of Brisbane’s most vibrant areas. The café culture is strong here and there’s an enticing option on almost every corner. Blackstar Coffee, The Burrow and Billykart are our top picks for a consistently excellent cup. Blackstar’s pure coffee focus makes them the best stop for those focused on drinks only, their famous cold-pressed coffee making them a no brainer on a summer’s day, while The Burrow and Billykart also offer excellent eats, particularly in the realm of brunch. West End’s fantastic food also presents itself in the form of the Boundary Street Markets, which bring together the best foods from almost every culture and plate them up in an environment perfect for date night, complete with live music, a licenced bar and – in the chillier months – a fire pit.

Back towards the city from West End you’ll find the thriving cultural and dining precinct that is South Bank. Home to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum and Sciencecentre and Queensland Theatre Company, South Bank has all your concert, play, exhibition and installation needs firmly covered. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, South Bank is also the place to come with restaurants such as the Stokehouse and Popolo providing exceptional menus, spaces and service for a special night out. On the more casual – but no less delicious – end of the spectrum, you’ll find impeccable gastropub Fish Lane Bistro, Spanish tapas heaven Ole and deliciously hearty Italian Julius Pizzeria.

If it’s retail therapy you’re chasing, Brisbane serves up multiple options in the form of Queen Street Mall and Fortitude Valley. The former is in the heart of the CBD and offers all the big names you know and love, while the latter is just next to the city and specialises in local independent boutiques. You’ll find all of Brisbane’s best brands here, including Easton Pearson, Akira and Nana Judy. The boutiques are clustered along seemingly random streets in the suburb (namely Ann Street, James Street, Bakery Lane and Winn Lane), which adds wonderfully to the sense of discovery.