A good question.
A local answer.

South Bank and the CBD both make convenient short-stay bases. Compare the exact room's walk to the river, your dinner options and the route from the airport rather than choosing by a suburb label alone.

Choose one park by drive time and the walk you can actually do. Check the Queensland Parks track alerts, access conditions and weather before departure; a waterfall photograph does not show the effort of reaching it.

Allow time at collection to learn how power, water and waste systems work, and photograph the vehicle condition. A short first driving day is kinder than setting off on a long route immediately.

Brisbane's buses and ferries can cover many city outings without a car. Check current Translink stops, accessible boarding and service notices for each journey, and allow rest time rather than trying to fit several riverfront sights into one walk.

If you connect onward the next morning, ask which terminal you need and how the hotel gets you there. Domestic and international terminal journeys may use different arrangements.

Before booking, check current departure points, sea or flight conditions, operator availability and the activity level. If the reef is the main reason for the trip, giving it a separate segment reduces the risk that one disrupted day removes the entire experience.

Check current weather, swimming conditions and operator notices before a nature or coast day. January plans benefit from flexibility more than a rigid sequence of prepaid outdoor activities.

Port of Brisbane says there is no onsite car rental and no public transport connection at the International Cruise Terminal. You would need to arrange a taxi or rideshare to an offsite rental branch and confirm its opening hours and return process.

If you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi or hire vehicle, reserve it well ahead and give the operator the chair dimensions and transfer needs. Ask an island or wildlife operator directly about its vessel, ramps, toilets and any assistance required before buying tickets.

Choose a public ferry when the ride and river views are the main attraction. Check the current route, stops and payment method, then allow time to get off and walk rather than riding end to end without a plan.

If you arrive after the rail service you need, are travelling in a group or have an address far from the rail and tram network, compare a pre-booked transfer with the full train-plus-local-transport journey. Check the provider’s price and pickup point before committing.

Keep several Brisbane days for the river, South Bank and a wildlife visit, then choose a small number of longer outings that suit your children's interests. A CityCat ride can be an easy change of pace between bigger days.