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Top Things to Do in Brisbane
Ready to explore sunny Brisbane?
Although Brisbane is not always the first choice of destination when you are visiting Queensland, there is so much to discover in Brisbane city. Whether you are local looking to explore your city or just on a short trip, there is so much to do and experience in Brisbane.
Stroll the streets of Brisbane along the Brisbane river, visit Art galleries, Museums, churches, sports, venues, restaurants, Parklands, hotels, Inner city suburbs, Lookouts or soak up the sun on the artificial beach, there something for every kind of tourist.
Best and Covid Safe way to sightsee while observing social distancing is to do it yourself self-guided tour to explore the beautiful river city Brisbane.
South bank
Start your south bank exploration by walking from the city side of the Brisbane River over the Kurilpa Bridge to the northern end. Enjoy the diverse culture and cuisine of this popular destination.
Get to know the real Brisbane by spending a day at the south bank. Below the list of activities, you can enjoy while you are around the Southbank.
- Catch a free ferry, or cruise the Brisbane river
- Explore nearby art gallery and museum,
- Walk by the river
- Swim in the artificial beach
- Dine at River Quay
- Hop on the Wheel of Brisbane
- Hire a bicycle and stroll in the park and riverside
- Kayak on the Brisbane river
- Picnic on the Brisbane riverbank or in the botanical garden
Nepalese Peace Pagoda
Southbank Parklands
- Catch the Hop on hop off free Ferry on Brisbane river – One of the best ways Explore the city like locals is by Free Ferry on the south bank. Enjoy the house for views of the CBD and have ‘walk on, walk off’ access to some of the best attractions and things to do in around Brisbane river.
- Grow your own herbs and make your own pesto at Southbank parkland – Other fun activity recently introduces by South Bank Parkland for visitors to learn about growing and cooking their own produce with the introduction of the Epicurious Garden to its grounds. The South Bank Parklands inspire the home gardener. You will have the opportunity to learn how to cook with home-grown produce such as fruits, herbs and edible as well as a variety of flowers.
- Roma Street Parkland– Don’t miss Roma Street Parkland – the biggest Sub Tropical city parkland in the Southern Hemisphere and is the perfect place to escape the heat. Loads of shady spots to read a book and a few good restaurants within the park. The perfect spot to take a break. Take a free, one hour guided tour walk or stroll at leisure.
- The Cathedral of St. Stephen – St. Stephen’s Chapel is one of the Brisbane’s oldest religious site dating back to 1850. Throughout the cathedral and its parks, there are many remarkable statues. Day tours of the cathedral run daily from 10.30 am Monday to Friday If you wish to learn more about these and other aspects of the cathedral.
- Mt Coot-tha Lookout – Marvellous Mt Coot-Tha lookout is an iconic landmark of Brisbane and on a clear day, you can see Morton bay, Morton island, and Brisbane city centre and surrounding bird eye view. Enjoy the panoramic views of both day and night. There are lots of local coffee shops, restaurants, and bars that fill your tummy with breathtaking views and relish the Ferryland of Brisbane night lights.
- King George Square and Brisbane City Hall – King George Square is one of the city’s main meeting point. The square has long been a public space where people have voiced their opinion on political views and been the preliminary point for many protests. The centre of the Brisbane City Council notable Italian style structure is remarkable. Brisbane City Hall is located in King George Square in the city’s CBD. The Brisbane city hall building is extensively considered to be one of Brisbane’s finest and one of the best looking city halls across Australia. For many years the city hall building was Brisbane tallest building. You can visit the top of the clock tower and embrace yourself with an impressive panoramic view of the city for free. The viewing platform is open from 10 am to 3 pm.
- The Story Bridge – The Story Bridge is the largest steel bridge to be designed and built in Australia, by Australians and is one of the landmarks of Brisbane and provides stunning views of the city’s CBD. You can enjoy spectacular views from the top of the bridge look out over the city and out towards Moreton Bay by climbing the bridge.
- Visit stadium – Game on! – The Gabba cricket ground, Carrara Stadium, The gold coast Aquatic centre, Suncorp Stadium. Whether you are here before or after the commonwealth games you can make the most of its brilliant sporting venues scattered along the Gold Coast.
- Botanical Garden – The spectacular Brisbane Botanic Gardens features a Tropical Dome, Japanese Garden and Children’s Playground. It is a wonderful spot to spend a romantic gateway or a family outing. Just pack your lunch and have a blissful picnic in the Garden.
Information on self-guided walking trails will be available at the Mt Coot-tha visitor centre. There are few volunteers on a free guided walk through the gardens as well. Few things to note that park is not a dog friendly so no dog permitted at any time.
The Botanic Gardens opening hours:
- From September to March – 8 am to 6 pm
- From April to August -8am to 5 pm
- Entry is free,
- Monday to Saturday at 11 am and 1 pm (public holidays excluded) visitor can enjoy free guided tours.
- ANZAC Square War Memorial – The memorial is devoted to all Australian and New Zealand Army personnel who have battled for their country since the Boer War. You can get to the Anzac Square War Memorial both from its Ann Street entrance or by the stairs from Anzac Square off Adelaide Street.
- Streets Beach – Swim at Southbank’s iconic artificial beach located in the middle of Brisbane City. Best way to escape the Brisbane hit. This pool is surrounded by the boat pool and Aquativity, an interactive water-play park for children. Beach entry is absolutely free to use and safe as it is patrolled by qualified lifeguards all year round.
Day trips from Brisbane
- Morton Island– fresh bay breezes and Morton bay views-Best way to book a day tour with a tour operator.
- Gold coast -surfer’s paradise – from Brisbane central station there are direct train and tram routes up to suffers paradise. Its take approximately one and a half hour. You can enjoy swimming and walking on the beach or spend time doing shopping.
- Spring-brook National Park– the only way to reach this destination is via private transport. It is about an hour and a half drive from Brisbane. Either you can book your car or day tours with a tour operator. For more updated information Visit “I Information local tourist centre.
- Australia Zoo – You can go to Australia Zoo via Train, Greyhound Bus, Private car or with a day tour operator. Australia Zoo is located on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah. It is an hour journey if you choose to drive from Brisbane.
Via Train is one of the cheapest ways to reach the destination however its take around 2 hours to reach if you choose to go by train. You can take the train from Brisbane central station or Roma street station to Beerwah station-Take bus.
The QR City train has a seven-day service that operates between the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Beerwah. For more information, check out www.citytrain.com.au or phone 13 12 30 for the train timetable. The Australia Zoo courtesy coach meets most trains at the Beerwah Rail Station to transfer passengers to the Zoo. If the bus is not at the station, simply call the Zoo on 5436 2000 and a bus will be sent out for your convenience. Return train trip costs approximately $15.00 per adult and $7.80 per child from Brisbane. This does not include the cost of Australia Zoo admission.
Private car/ Greyhound bus: you can personally hire a car for the day and drive and I would save the train hassle and just pay the extra and catch the coach. Australia Zoo is situated on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah and is approximately a 60-minute drive from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway.
- Glass house-mountain – you can take a train route or private car or private bus tour. A famous thing is to do at Glass House Mountains is National Park which is full of craggy volcanic peaks that tower over the surrounding landscape. There are various walking tracks and explore the area and sock in nature.