Brisbane is a city filled with eye-catching architecture and photogenic viewpoints – and it wears all that well. Some of its most attractive features are kept close, and if you stay in the CBD, you’ll be just within a stone’s throw of all the action.

Walking in a straight line from Queen Street Mall to Eagle Street Pier will take you past an intriguing assortment of retail strips, cafes and parks. The plethora of choices can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together a guide to the perfect wander in and around the heart of Brisbane.

Breakfast: Lune Croissanterie Burnett Lane

Tucked away behind Albert Street (and just a five-minute stroll from your hotel) sits Lune Croissanterie. Since expanding to Brisbane, the Melbourne-born croissanterie has attracted line-down-the-block fanfare at both of its South Brisbane and CBD outposts. One year on, Lune is still delivering big on its reputation for crafting world-class pastries.

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Expect classics – flaky almond croissants, cinnamon-laced morning buns and pains au chocolat – with a Lune twist. Or opt for something from the more inventive rotating monthly menu, which has in the past included Gaytime croissants, cacio e pepe escargot and jam and cream cruffins. Whether you’re hooking in for your daily pastry fix, looking for a grab-and-go before your wander around town, or just curious to see what the fuss is about — starting your day with Lune is always a great idea.

Stay: Hilton Brisbane

Perched atop the bustle of Queen Street Mall, Hilton Brisbane is as central as it gets for those eager for a poke around Brisbane’s CBD: the hotel elevator delivers you right to the doorstep of Brisbane’s prime shopping precinct. But Hilton knows that the heart of a great trip is a great stay, and if you’d rather stay in than go out, the hotel itself offers up some opportunities for rest and relaxation. The outdoor pool with a view and lofty tennis court make for great reasons to stray from the daytrip itinerary.

Lunch: Fika

Spend the morning keeping up with the pace of Queen Street Mall before stopping over at daytime eatery Fika to refuel. Just around the corner from Hilton Brisbane, so makes for a good stop before an afternoon rest in the room. It’s one of four venues that make up Intersection, Brisbane’s own urban laneway brunch precinct. “Fika” is a Swedish term for the tradition of taking pause for a coffee with friends. Outfitted with roomy, leather-padded booths along an exposed brick wall, the venue makes for a cosy catch-up corner, living up to its namesake philosophy.

Beans come courtesy of Adam Wang’s Coffee Anthology, with a rotating line-up of top Australian roasters. Hearty brunch dishes include a torched-tuna niçoise, gnocchi with lamb goulash, and a contemporary spin on French toast that swaps in baked bao as bread.

Do: Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

Brisbane takes pride in its greenery, and you don’t even need to leave the CBD for a stroll through the lush Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.

Enter the heritage-listed parklands through either the Edward Street or Alice Street gates, pick a direction, and you can wander for hours on end if you’d like. Keep an eye out for the dragon tree, ornamental duck ponds, expansive flower garden beds and bamboo groves. Nab an ice-cream from the Riverside Markets on Sundays and find a grassy spot for an impromptu picnic.

Dinner: Tillerman

From Andrew Baturo and the team behind the well-loved but now-closed Naga Thai, Tillerman on Eagle Street Pier makes for a stylish, unpretentious riverside dinner with a view. Rattan furnishings, botanical upholstery, sheer copper curtains and floor-to-ceiling timber create an inviting ambience, while terrace seating affords views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge.

Start off with Moreton Bay bug dumplings, charcoal-grilled octopus or lamb backstrap with fried garlic, black peppercorns, parsley and lemon. Follow up with larger plates of chilli prawn linguine in velouté sauce, bouillabaisse served on fried bread, or charcoal-grilled pink snapper. Round out your meal on a sweeter note with deep-fried rum-and-raisin ice-cream.

Nightcap: Vintaged Bar & Grill

Cap off the night back at the hotel, with a drink at Vintaged Bar & Grill. This contemporary lounge nails the hotel bar brief – it’s slick and bright, with just the right amount of swank. Located on the sixth floor of Hilton Brisbane, directly beneath the hotel’s atrium, Vintaged is fitted out with plush, cherry-red leather banquettes and matching chairs that complement the enormous Matisse-inspired piece from Simon Degroot that sits behind the bar.

There’s a tight cocktail list (with classics like a French Martini, an Espresso Martini and a Margarita) and a sprawling selection of wines, as well as craft beer on tap – knock back a few while reflecting on the day’s adventures. Then, you’re just an elevator ride away from a sound night of sleep.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Hilton. When a great location is a must for your weekend getaway, it matters where you stay.