Top 10 Things To Do In Brisbane

In this blog we are sharing the Top 10 Things To Do In Brisbane for anyone coming to visit! What once used to be a sleepy country town is now a bustling metropolis.

Brisbane is home to approximately 2.8 Million people and is situated in South East Queensland. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. If you are thinking of visiting the capital of ‘The Sunshine State’ Queensland, there is plenty to know before you go. So, let me help you out!

Hi, I’m Rebecca and I have been living in the beautiful city of Brisbane for over 40 years after emigrating to Australia with my family from the U.K when I was a child.

Back then I had no idea of what to expect…the picture I had in my head before I arrived was a land of stick huts, sand and snakes. I was pleasantly surprised when we landed to discover that Brisbane was not at all how I had imagined. (read my ‘How It Began’ blog HERE)

One of the first things that did come as a shock however was the heat and humidity. Even arriving in April (Autumn) the heat was brutal for a young English lass like myself…so be warned and be prepared! haha.

With a subtropical climate and an average of 8 hours of daylight a day, Brisbane is the perfect destination to enjoy the great outdoors.

CLIMATE:

Summer (December to February) – Min average temp is 21C and max is 35C+
Autumn (March to May) – Min average temp is 16C and Max is 26C
Winter (June to August) – Min average temp is 7C and Max is 26C
Spring (September to November) – Min average temp is 16C and Max is 26C

If you are planning to visit Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane then you are going to need to have an idea of where to go!

If you are arriving at either the Brisbane Domestic or International airport, then it is just a short rail journey into the heart of the CBD. Airtrain services depart the airport every 15-30 minutes. A return adult ticket is $37 AUD or if you purchase in advance online it will be a little cheaper at $28 AUD.

You can also pick up a hire car from the airport and make your way along Kingsford Smith Drive (a pretty drive along the Brisbane River) into the city, which is approximately 16km away and takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic.

If you are not venturing out of the city too far, then I would recommend not getting a car and instead getting yourself a ‘GoCard’ for use on all translink buses, trains and ferries. You can easily access the city’s many sights, restaurants and nightlife precincts using your GoCard!

One of my favourite modes of transport are the Brisbane CityCat Ferries which can get you to popular places like Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Northshore Hamilton: home to Eat Street, Bulimba: an upmarket area filled with boutique stores and cafes, New Farm Park, Southbank, Brisbane CBD and West End.

If you are looking for a great place to stay I would recommend the Stamford Plaza located in a quieter part of the city, next to the city gardens and within walking distance of Queen Street Mall. If you prefer to be on the Southbank side of the river then you can’t go past the Emporium Hotel with its roof top restaurant and bar offering panoramic views of the city skyline.

So once you are all checked in to your accommodation it’s time to explore what the locals affectionate refer to as ‘Bris-Vegas’. So what do I recommend? Here are my Top 10 Things To do In Brisbane…

1. Southbank Parklands

There are many things to do at Brisbane’s Southbank, such as visiting the man-made beach, checking out the art galleries and museums, dining at the various restaurants and cafes, and enjoying the river views. You can also attend events and festivals that take place throughout the year or take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane for stunning city views. You can watch our travel vlog HERE where we show you around Southbank as well as other popular places in Brisbane.

2. Take In The View From Mt Coot-tha

Mount Coot-tha is located approximately 10km west of Brisbane CBD and is the closest mountain to the city. Mt Coot-tha was home for the Turrbal Aboriginal people before the establishment of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony at Brisbane Town in 1824. It’s name is derivered from the Aboriginal word ‘Kuta’ meaning ‘honey’ as it was a place the first nations people used to collect honey produced by the native stingless bee.

Mt Coot-tha can can easily be accessed by car. Alternatively, you can use a GO CARD to take the bus. The bus journey takes around 24 min and covers a distance of around 29 km. Operated by Translink, the Brisbane to Mount Coot-tha bus service departs from Adelaide Street Stop 42 near Albert St and arrives in Carwoola St at Bardon, stop 22. Once at the summit you will be treated to spectacular views across the city.

If you are feeling up for the challenge it is also a popular route for cyclists!

Once at the top you can take in panoramic views of the city and surrounding area including Moreton Bay. It is the perfect place for a romantic breakfast picnic as you watch the sunrise or perhaps dine at the Summit Restaurant & Bar which offers a formal dining experience whilst overlooking the spectacular views of Brisbane or if you are looking for something a little more informal the Summit Café serves light refreshments and also has an ice-cream kiosk. Watch our travel vlog of our visit to Mt Coot-tha.

There are many bushwalking trails on the mountain at varying degrees of difficulty, there is something for beginners right through to experienced hikers.

3. Brisbane Botanic Garden

Also situated at Mt Coot-tha is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Located at the base of the mountain, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens span over 52 hectares and is open every day of the year.

Visit the Japanese Garden and it’s Bonsai House, Cactus House and the Australian Rainforest. Pack a picnic and relax under the shade of one of the many trees, explore the Tropical Dome and take a photo of the reflection, visit Queensland’s largest planetarium, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and attend a show in the Cosmic Skydome .

4. Ferry Ride on the Brisbane River

Take a ferry ride along the Brisbane River: a great way to see the city from a different perspective. Using your GO CARD you can board a CityCat and either just enjoy the views as you sail past million dollar homes that line the Brisbane River or alternatively stop at one of the many points of interest like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Northshore Hamilton: home to Eat Street, Bulimba: an upmarket area filled with boutique stores and cafes, New Farm Park, Southbank, Brisbane CBD and West End…just to name a few. You can view a map of the Brisbane Ferry network HERE.

5. Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to over 130 koalas and other native Australian wildlife. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is located in Fig Tree Pocket, just 12km from Brisbane CBD. You can get to Lone Pine by taking a ferry from Brisbane. There are also regular buses to and from Lone Pine operated by Brisbane City Council:

• Bus number 430, Queen Street Station
• Bus number 445, Adelaide Street

Whilst at Lone Pine you can take in a sheep dog show, hold a Koala (from $29), take part in feeding the wild lorikeets, feed free range Kangaroos and enjoy a croc feeding show. Get you tickets HERE.

6. Grab a Bite at Eat Street Northshore

Located just 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD, Eat Street is another easily accessible destination via ferry using your GO CARD.

Built with over 180 repurposed shipping containers, Eat Street offers 5 themed bars, a variety of eclectic shops, live entertainment and food stalls serving delicious delicacies from six of the world’s seven continents including Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

Eat Street is open every Friday and Saturday from 4pm-10pm and Sunday’s 4pm-9pm. Parking is free however entry starts at $5 per person.

If you are travelling with your pooch, you will be pleased to know Eat Street is a ‘pet friendly’ venue, however please check their terms & conditions regarding pets before arrival HERE.

7. Take a Ride on the Wheel Of Brisbane

An iconic landmark in Southbank, the Wheel of Brisbane offers 360-degree panoramic views over Brisbane. Standing 60 metres high, you can enjoy the views from a fully enclosed, air-conditioned gondola that seats up to 8 people.

Enjoy an audio commentary of the Brisbane landscape as you explore Brisbane from one of the best vantage spots in the city.

Whether you experience it during the day or in the evening it is sure to be a memorable touch to your time in Brisbane.

8. Climb the Story Bridge

The Story Bridge is an iconic landmark of Brisbane that spans the Brisbane River from Kangaroo Point across to Fortitude Valley.

Take your adventurous spirit to new heights on a Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure day or night climb. After a safety briefing, follow an experienced climbing guide from the central platform to the summit, then cross the width of the Story Bridge. 

Hear audio commentary about Brisbane’s surroundings and enjoy panoramic views of the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay, the Glass House Mountains, distant Mt. Coot-tha, and Lamington National Park. You can book your climb HERE

9. Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Kangaroo point is on the opposite side off the river to the CBD and as I write this blog I am sat at my favourite café in all of Brisbane called Joey’s, which is perched on the top of the cliffs with amazing views across the river to the city. It is a great vantage spot to watch the world go by.

With chilled beats playing in the background, delicious food, amazing coffee…it is the perfect place to catch up with friends for breakfast or dine whilst watching the sunset. On weekends there is a live DJ which really adds to that weekend summer vibe. Ceiling fans and a gentle breeze helps cool the Brisbane heat.

If you are wanting to do your own things, why not bring a picnic and sit on top of the cliffs and watch the sun go down, or perhaps find a spot at the bottom of the cliffs and watch the rock climbers do their thing. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are easily accessible by CityCat using your Go Card.

10. Kayak The Brisbane River

What better way to enjoy the Brisbane River than to take a guided Kayak Tour? Head to the Riverlife Centre at Kangaroo Point using the ferry, or walk around from Southbank.

Where you will go on your Kayak tour will depend on tide times. You may head towards Southbank or head the opposite direction and row under the Story Bridge. Either way there will be ample photo opportunities at some of Brisbane’s well known landmarks and attractions en-route. Why not book a 90 minute twilight Kayak, ideal for date nights and anniversaries or just to make your visit to Brisbane extra special. Get your tickets HERE.

There is so much more to see and do in and around Brisbane and depending on how much time you have you may even be able to venture futher to hotspots like Noosa in the north or the Gold Coast Hinterland in the South.

I hope these ideas are useful in planning your visit. Let me know what you would add to the list!

Happy Travels!

Rebecca

Rebecca Henley

Rebecca was first bitten by the travel bug after emigrating to Australia with her parents at the age of 7. Ten years later she packed her bags and headed back to the UK to live, work and study before travelling to destinations across Europe as well as the USA, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, New Zealand and more. Rebecca worked in the travel industry for over a decade and see’s herself as a free spirit who prefers to explore new places than staying in one place for too long. Her big dream is to travel around the world in a motorhome.