I'm afraid of heights and I still think a birds-eye view is the only way to see Brisbane

This is undoubtedly the best time of year to visit Brisbane.Clear blue-sky days and warm nights, just before the summer heat gets too baked in throughout January and February.Vibrant purple jacarandas bloomed in pockets amid the lush green of the city's parks, popping against the heritage sandstone and monochrome towers.READ MORE: How to fly Business class without spending a fortuneThe city hums with people. Runners and cyclists dance around each other on the pathways, while tourists and office workers picnic alongside each other by the river.I travel to Brisbane a lot, but this weekend I had a double agenda. I was there to relax, but also face my fear of heights climbing the Story Bridge.READ MORE: Cheap domestic flights on offer in Webjet's boxing day saleWhere to stayOur hotel, the Park Regis North Quay, was in an ideal location overlooking Brisbane River, with spacious and modern rooms and serviced apartments.It's within comfortable walking distance of the CBD, as well as bus services and the ferry terminal which can take you basically anywhere else.Things to doWe started our morning with a short walk over the William Jolly Bridge to South Bank.Coffee in hand, we wandered through the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, and ducked our heads into the State Library of Queensland.After lunch we decided to jump on a City Glider bus (love Brisbane's 50c fares!) into the CBD to take the free tour of the iconic City Hall Clock Tower.Guests ride up in the old cage lift to take a look behind Australia's largest analogue clock face.The 360-degree view of the city sky through the tower's sandstone pillars was breathtaking, and the perfect appetiser for what was coming later that evening.The climbThe Story Bridge Adventure Climb is an adrenaline rush, with more than a thousand steps, but I'd say it's achievable for most fitness levels.The view is extraordinary, stretching from the Great Dividing Range in the west, to the Glass House Mountains in the north and Moreton Bay in the east.And the sense of calm you feel when you reach the top and the city noise fades to a murmur is unreal.I got a blister from desperately clinging onto the railing, despite being perfectly safe at all times and everyone else in my group seeming completely at ease.Our guides, Jen and Tia, were encouraging and knowledgable, and loaded us up with plenty of Brisbane trivia.Admittedly, even from 74 metres up, the river is still brown (I imagine it would look brown from space) but watching the sun set through the towering buildings felt like something out of a superhero movie.We were lucky enough to take the Twilight Climb so the city lights were coming on just as the stars were coming out.Where to eatWhen we got back to solid ground, all we could think about was getting back to our hotel to rest our jelly legs, and grab something to eat.Downstairs from Park Regis North Quay, Augusta Brunch & Bar offers a casual and authentic Brazilian brunch menu by day and live music at night.The unpretentious and welcoming space is styled on the eclectic nightlife hub Rua Augusta in Sao Paulo, Brazil.Owner Marcos Filho came to Australia from Sao Paulo 10 years ago.He told me he loves seeing Brazilian expats sharing their unique and vibrant culture with Aussies.We arrived just as the band was starting and ordered zesty caipirinhas, golden cassava fries, crispy bite-sized dadinho de tapioca, and calabresa acebolada, a board of sizzling smoky sausage with onions, toasted bread and farofa (a traditional Brazilian side dish made with toasted cassava flour).The food was quick to arrive, sizzling hot and delicious.The caipirinhas were sweet but strong with the distinct flavour of the cachaca (a spirit made from fermented sugarcane).Augusta was so much fun we ducked back in for a strong coffee the next morning before our leisurely 11am check out and reluctant return to reality.I could have spent a week exploring Brisbane but this weekend was the perfect recharge - with just a little bit of adventure.The writer travelled as a guest of Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts.