22 Best Things to Do in Brisbane: Your Complete Guide to Australia's River City
Brisbane, Queensland's sun-drenched capital, is a vibrant subtropical city where modern sophistication meets laid-back outdoor living. With year-round sunshine, a stunning river winding through the city, world-class cultural attractions, and easy access to beaches and islands, Brisbane offers the perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty — and it's more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne.
Brisbane CBD & River, QLD
Riverside & City Attractions
South Bank — Brisbane's Premier Entertainment Precinct
South Bank is Brisbane's cultural heart — a 17-hectare riverside parkland featuring an inner-city beach, world-class restaurants, markets, and major cultural attractions. Built for Expo 88, it's been the city's playground ever since.
✅ Experience:
- •Streets Beach — a free inner-city lagoon with real sandy shores, patrolled year-round
- •Brisbane Wheel for panoramic views over the river and CBD
- •Weekend Collective Markets with 150+ artisan and food stalls (Fri–Sun)
- •Riverside dining and entertainment precincts with global cuisine
- •Beautiful parklands, BBQ areas, playgrounds, and community gardens
- •Cultural precinct: QPAC, Queensland Museum, and GOMA all within walking distance
💡 Tip: Streets Beach is free and open daily — it's the only inner-city beach in Australia, and it gets busy on weekends.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb — Iconic Views
Scale Brisbane's iconic 1940 cantilever bridge for breathtaking 360° views of the city, river, and mountain ranges. One of only three climbable bridges in Australia — a genuine bucket-list experience.
✅ Experience:
- •Climb 80 metres above the Brisbane River to the summit
- •Twilight climbs to witness the spectacular transition from sunset to city lights
- •2.5-hour guided experience packed with Brisbane history and stories
- •Perfect photo opportunities from multiple elevated vantage points
- •No rock-climbing experience needed — suitable for most fitness levels
💡 Tip: The twilight climb (starting ~90 minutes before sunset) is the most popular time — book weeks in advance.
Brisbane River Cruises — City from the Water
The Brisbane River is the city's lifeblood, and exploring it by water is one of the best ways to appreciate how the city has grown around its bends and banks. The CityCat ferry doubles as both transport and sightseeing.
✅ Experience:
- •CityCat — fast catamaran ferry with excellent CBD skyline views (use Go Card)
- •Evening dinner cruises with city lights and fine dining on board
- •Kayak tours under the Story Bridge with local guide commentary
- •Ferry stops connect to major attractions, universities, and precincts
- •Beautiful views of Queenslander-style riverside homes and suburbs
💡 Tip: Ride the CityCat from South Bank to New Farm and back — it's one of the best cheap city experiences you can have.
City Botanic Gardens — Tropical Urban Oasis
Brisbane's oldest park (established 1855) offers 20 hectares of lush tropical and subtropical plantings right beside the Brisbane River. A serene oasis just a short walk from the CBD.
✅ Experience:
- •Beautiful riverside walking paths with river and city views
- •Tropical rainforest plantings and heritage Moreton Bay fig trees
- •Free guided walks on weekday mornings
- •Perfect for picnics — BYO and find a shaded riverside spot
- •Mangrove boardwalk along the river edge — excellent birdwatching
💡 Tip: The river walk from the Botanic Gardens to Kangaroo Point takes 20 minutes and offers great views across the river.
Queen Street Mall — Shopping & Entertainment Hub
Brisbane's premier pedestrian shopping precinct stretching through the heart of the CBD, featuring over 700 retailers, street performers, alfresco cafés, and easy connections to every corner of the city.
✅ Experience:
- •Major department stores, international brands, and local fashion boutiques
- •Street performers and public art installations throughout the mall
- •Dining options from casual food courts to fine dining rooftop restaurants
- •Brisbane Arcade and Wintergarden shopping centres connected off the mall
- •Central hub with excellent public transport connections via Roma Street station
💡 Tip: The Queen Street Mall Christmas markets (November–December) transform the precinct into a festive wonderland.
Wildlife & Nature Experiences
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — World's First Koala Sanctuary
The world's largest and oldest koala sanctuary (since 1927) is home to over 130 koalas plus a huge range of other native Australian wildlife. One of Brisbane's most-loved attractions — and genuinely world-class.
🌿 Wildlife & Nature:
- •Hold a koala for a photo — a quintessential Australian experience
- •Hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies in the kangaroo meadow
- •Platypus viewing and educational keeper presentations throughout the day
- •Bird of prey show, sheep dog demonstrations, and wombat encounters
- •Arrive by scenic cruise from South Bank — a great way to approach the sanctuary
💡 Tip: Koala holding is available at set times (book ahead online) — arrive early before the daily quota fills.
Mount Coot-tha — Summit Views & Botanic Gardens
Brisbane's highest accessible point offers spectacular 360° views and the city's most impressive botanic gardens — all within 15 minutes of the CBD. The summit is especially magical at sunset.
🌿 Wildlife & Nature:
- •Summit lookout with panoramic city, river, and Moreton Bay views
- •Brisbane Botanic Gardens with a tropical dome and Japanese Garden
- •Fragrant plant garden for a sensory botanical experience
- •Bushwalking trails through native eucalyptus and rainforest
- •Summit café with floor-to-ceiling windows and breakfast views
💡 Tip: The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk connects the summit area to the gardens below — a moving tribute to WWII history.
Roma Street Parkland — World-Largest CBD Subtropical Garden
Covering 16 hectares right next to the CBD, Roma Street Parkland is the world's largest subtropical garden in a city centre. Cascading waterfalls, themed gardens, and a spectacular floral terrace make this a must-visit.
🌿 Wildlife & Nature:
- •Spectacular Arbour terrace with thousands of flowering plants
- •Cascading waterfall and lake with native waterbirds
- •Rainforest gully with boardwalk through lush vegetation
- •Free guided walks on selected weekend mornings
- •Adjacent to Roma Street Station — perfect city arrival/departure point
💡 Tip: The Piazza is used for free outdoor cinema and events in summer — check the Brisbane City Council events calendar.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs — Rock Climbing & River Views
These dramatic 20-metre riverside cliffs right next to the CBD are a unique Brisbane feature. Offering rock climbing, abseiling, riverside picnics, and unobstructed views of Story Bridge and the CBD skyline.
🌿 Wildlife & Nature:
- •Rock climbing and abseiling with guided tours for beginners
- •River walk from the cliffs to South Bank or New Farm
- •Kangaroo Point Park with excellent BBQ facilities and open space
- •Stunning cityscape photography at dusk — one of Brisbane's best viewpoints
- •CityCat ferry stop directly at the cliffs
💡 Tip: The Story Bridge illuminates after dark and is best photographed from Kangaroo Point — bring a tripod for night shots.
Culture & Museums
Queensland Museum & Sciencentre — Free Discovery
Queensland's premier natural history and cultural museum with a world-class interactive science centre. Located at South Bank, it's easily combined with a day exploring the cultural precinct.
🎭 Cultural Highlights:
- •Free entry to all permanent exhibitions
- •Queensland's natural and cultural history from pre-colonial to present
- •Life-size whale skeleton and dinosaur displays that kids love
- •Sciencentre — hands-on science exhibits for all ages
- •Located at South Bank's cultural precinct — combine with GOMA and QPAC
💡 Tip: The museum's Gondwana megafauna exhibit (including giant wombat skeletons) is free and genuinely fascinating.
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Australia's Largest Modern Art Gallery
Australia's largest gallery of modern and contemporary art, and one of the most significant in the Asia-Pacific region. Admission to the permanent collection is free — a genuine cultural treasure.
🎭 Cultural Highlights:
- •Free entry to the permanent collection (21st-century Australian and international art)
- •Focus on contemporary work from Australia, Asia, and the Pacific
- •Rotating blockbuster international exhibitions (ticketed)
- •Dedicated cinema screening art-house and independent films
- •Stunning riverside location with café and terrace views
💡 Tip: GOMA's Children's Art Centre is outstanding — interactive artmaking experiences suitable for all ages.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
Queensland's premier performing arts venue hosting world-class theatre, ballet, opera, and concerts across four distinct venues. Located at South Bank, QPAC is the anchor of Brisbane's cultural precinct.
🎭 Cultural Highlights:
- •World-class performances year-round across four theatres
- •Queensland Ballet and Queensland Theatre Company home season
- •International touring productions — musicals, opera, and contemporary theatre
- •Backstage tours available outside performance hours
- •Riverside dining and bars adjacent in the South Bank precinct
💡 Tip: QPAC's free public foyer exhibitions and installations are worth a look even if you don't have tickets to a show.
Islands & Beaches
Moreton Island — Island Paradise
The world's third-largest sand island, just 75 minutes by ferry from Brisbane, offers an extraordinary escape with pristine beaches, world-class snorkelling, and adrenaline-pumping sand dune adventures.
🏝️ Beach Adventures:
- •Tangalooma Wrecks — 15 deliberately sunken ships create an extraordinary snorkelling site
- •Wild dolphin feeding at Tangalooma Resort each evening at sunset
- •Sandboarding down towering desert sand dunes — thrill-seeker essential
- •Blue Lagoon — freshwater lake of crystal-clear tea-tree water
- •4WD tours and camping adventures across the island (vehicle permit required)
💡 Tip: Book a day tour from Brisbane that includes ferry, dolphin feeding, and sandboarding — easy and excellent value.
North Stradbroke Island (Straddie) — Beach Haven
Large sand island accessible by ferry from Cleveland (45 min south of Brisbane) — offering spectacular beaches, excellent surfing, world-class whale watching, and a genuinely relaxed island atmosphere.
🏝️ Beach Adventures:
- •Point Lookout headland — prime whale watching spot (Jun–Nov)
- •Cylinder Beach and Main Beach for excellent swimming and surfing
- •Brown Lake — a serene natural tea-tree lake perfect for swimming
- •Stunning coastal walks, lookouts, and indigenous cultural sites
- •Accessible by ferry from Cleveland train station (45 min from Brisbane)
💡 Tip: Straddie is a fantastic overnight trip — stay at one of the campgrounds or holiday houses for a true Queensland island experience.
Gold Coast Beaches — Day Trip Paradise
World-famous beaches just 70km south of Brisbane — perfect for a day trip or weekend away. The Gold Coast combines extraordinary surf beaches, theme parks, and lively beachfront entertainment.
🏝️ Beach Adventures:
- •Surfers Paradise — the iconic beach, nightlife strip, and skyline
- •Burleigh Heads National Park — beautiful headland walks and excellent surf
- •Theme parks: Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, and Sea World
- •Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary — excellent native wildlife park
- •Easy day trip by train from Brisbane Central (1 hour, 15 minutes)
💡 Tip: Avoid the Gold Coast theme parks on Queensland school holidays — queues can be extremely long. Mid-week visits are far better.
Sunshine Coast — Northern Beach Escape
A more relaxed, upmarket alternative to the Gold Coast — the Sunshine Coast offers stunning beaches, lush hinterland, world-famous Noosa National Park, and Australia Zoo just north of Brisbane.
🏝️ Beach Adventures:
- •Noosa Main Beach and National Park — exceptional coastal walks with koalas
- •Australia Zoo in Beerwah — Steve Irwin's famous wildlife park
- •Caloundra and Mooloolaba beaches for swimming and seafood dining
- •Glass House Mountains — dramatic volcanic plugs for hiking and views
- •1–1.5 hours drive north of Brisbane (take the Sunshine Motorway)
💡 Tip: Noosa National Park is free to enter — the coastal trail to Tea Tree Bay is one of the best short walks in Queensland.
More Brisbane Highlights (17–22)
Brisbane's nightlife capital — a 20-minute walk from the CBD. The Brunswick Street mall and Chinatown precinct host Brisbane's best live music venues, underground bars, rooftop spots, and the famous Electric Playground club precinct. Comes alive Thursday through Saturday.
A former electricity generating station beautifully converted into one of Brisbane's best arts and culture venues. Located in New Farm beside the river, it hosts comedy, theatre, live music, and major festivals including Brisbane Powerhouse Comedy Festival. Free entry to the precinct and many events.
Brisbane's most beloved park, perched on a beautiful bend of the Brisbane River in the inner-city New Farm suburb. Famous for its rose garden (3,000+ roses) which blooms magnificently each September and October. Excellent picnic facilities, a popular running track, and ferry access via CityCat.
Brisbane's most spectacular outdoor food market, built inside repurposed shipping containers along the North Shore waterfront. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 4pm, with 180+ traders serving street food from every corner of the globe. Live music and waterfront views complete the experience.
The Brisbane Produce Market at Rocklea is the city's wholesale and retail fresh food hub — open to the public from 7am on Saturdays. The Jan Powers Farmers Markets (Powerhouse and Southbank) offer excellent local produce, artisan food, and community atmosphere on weekend mornings.
An extraordinary 37,000-hectare national park sitting right on Brisbane's doorstep, just 20km from the CBD. Over 200km of hiking trails wind through eucalyptus forests, past waterfalls, and to mountain summit lookouts. The Mt Nebo and Walkabout Creek areas are great starting points for day hikes.
Practical Tips for Visiting Brisbane
🌤️ Weather & Best Time to Visit
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and humid, 21–29°C. Perfect beach season with afternoon thunderstorms. Bring light, breathable clothing.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Ideal conditions — warm, dry, and comfortable for all activities. Best overall season for a Brisbane visit.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Mild and sunny, 11–21°C. Perfect for outdoor activities, whale watching, and exploring without the humidity.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Beautiful warm weather, gardens in bloom, whale watching still active, humidity gradually rising.
🚌 Getting Around Brisbane
- Go CardEssential for buses, trains, and ferries. Buy at convenience stores, train stations, or online.
- CityCatFast catamaran ferry service along the Brisbane River — scenic and surprisingly practical for commuting.
- Free Loop BusFree bus (Route 40) circling CBD and Spring Hill — useful for getting around the city centre.
- CityCycleBike share scheme with stations across the inner city. Flat city terrain makes cycling easy.
- Car HireRecommended for Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and D'Aguilar National Park day trips.
🧳 Brisbane Insider Tips
- ✓Many of Brisbane's best attractions are completely free — South Bank, botanic gardens, GOMA, Queensland Museum.
- ✓South Bank Streets Beach is free and open daily — it's the only inner-city beach in Australia.
- ✓Book island ferries and wildlife experiences in advance, especially during school holidays.
- ✓Stay hydrated — Queensland sun is intense. Apply SPF 50+ even on cloudy days.
- ✓Brisbane Festival (September) brings world-class arts, music, and performance to the city for 3 weeks.
- ✓Fortitude Valley nightlife peaks Thursday–Saturday. Sunday sessions are popular too.
- ✓The CityCat provides a great way to see the river and reach most inner-city attractions.
Discover Brisbane's Sunshine Spirit
Brisbane offers the perfect blend of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure — with 300 days of sunshine, world-class wildlife, and easy access to some of Australia's finest beaches and islands.
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