Beneath the steel-girder underbelly of the Story Bridge, the once-derelict Howard Smith Wharves have been transformed into one of Brisbane’s liveliest dining spots. A meeting place for locals and visitors alike, the neighbourhood has plenty of crowd-pleasing offerings.

Design-lovers should stop by the stylish Calile Hotel, just steps away from the cosy bars and intimate restaurants on James Street. The hotel’s arch-adorned façade and accents of pink marble and bronze impart a chic, Miami-meets-South-of- France feel.

Tree-lined bike paths wind along the Brisbane River, past a man-made beach lagoon and lush lawns, making the South Bank area ideal for kids. There’s also an abundance of museums, galleries and restaurants to ensure adults are equally entertained.

Queensland Museum’s Discovery Centre is perfect for little ones who love to get hands-on. There’s a range of digital displays as well as the chance to examine fossils, peer at objects under microscopes and meet live critters, such as a tree python to a burrowing cockroach. Specialist staff are happy to answer questions and there are regular Meet the Curator sessions.

Fish Lane’s walls and façades provide a broad canvas for works by some of Australia’s best street artists, including Fintan Magee, Sofles and the mysterious Blu Art Xinja. Take advantage of the Brisbane Greeters Program with a free tour led by a knowledgeable local, and pop into the vibrant Hello Please to refuel after.

It’s the hotel tailor-made for Fortitude Valley’s edgy artistic vibe. Tucked under the Story Bridge, The Crystalbrook Vincent is filled with original works by Australian painter Vincent Fantauzzo, and it’s right on the doorstep of the Howard Smith Wharves precinct, where you’ll find some of Brisbane’s best restaurants.

Among Howard Smith Wharves' stellar eating choices, chef Louis Tikaram’s Stanley is always popular but never more so than during Sunday yum cha service. Graze on Cantonese dishes, from sticky barbecue pork buns and spicy chicken feet to XO seafood dumplings, finishing with the star of the dessert trolley – egg tart.