A little over an hour by train turns a beach-and-marathon trip into a two-city one, with Brisbane's river, galleries and CBD a straightforward add-on rather than a detour.
South Bank and the River
South Bank Parklands sits directly across the Brisbane River from the CBD, with the Queensland Art Gallery, GOMA and the State Library all within an easy, flat walk of each other. It is an undemanding way to spend a day on legs that don't want another long walk so soon after a marathon.
Winter in Brisbane
July sits in southeast Queensland's dry season: comfortable daytime temperatures without summer's humidity, which makes walking the riverside precincts genuinely pleasant rather than something to endure.
Where to Stay and Eat
Brisbane's CBD and South Bank both offer a full range of accommodation, from budget to five-star, and a much wider dining scene than the Gold Coast's resort strip. Fortitude Valley and West End are worth a look for anyone wanting a livelier, more local feel than the CBD itself.
Getting Back
The same train line runs back to Nerang or Varsity Lakes in around 70 minutes, connecting directly with the G:link tram back into Southport.