I have lived in Queensland‘s capital city, Brisbane my whole life…that’s a lot of years! There is so much to see and do in beautiful Brisbane that I couldn’t fit all of my top recommendations into just one post. Therefore, I have split my Brisbane travel guide into 3 parts.
In this post, volume 1 of my Brisbane series, I will share my list of top FREE things to do in Brisbane for first time visitors. In volume 2, I will share an extensive list of Brisbane paid activities that are worth spending a little on, as well as dining and accommodation recommendations. Finally, in the last post of the series I will share my top recommended day trips from Brisbane. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of them!
Key Information About Brisbane
If you are planning your first visit to Brisbane, then there are some key things to know before you start working out an itinerary.
Best time to Visit Brisbane
The best time to visit Brisbane is anytime really, although our summers can be quite intense if you are not used to high temperatures. The winters are quite mild, with temperatures in the low 20s (degrees Celsius that is) during the day and the low teens at night. Still warm enough to head to the beach and dine alfresco. If you are coming from the UK, you might like to think if it as similar to your summer😁.
In summer (December – February) temperatures rise from between the mid 20’s to mid 30’s with a bit of humidity. This is definitely the time to head to the water, explore nearby Islands or the hinterland and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a summer thunderstorm.
How to Get Around in Brisbane
It is easy to get around in Brisbane… and cheap! All public transport in Brisbane is only 50c! This includes buses, trains and ferries. Use a contactless card and simply tap on and off as you enter and exit the vehicle. There is an exception to the 50cent fare and that is for the City Loop bus, which is free! Purple electric buses run every 10 minutes in a clockwise (route 40) and anticlockwise (route 50) direction around the CBD from 7am – 6pm.
Note: The 50cent fare does not include some specialty services like the AirTrain that takes you to the Brisbane Airport.
An extensive network of riverside boardwalks and bikeways make getting around the city on an electric scooter or bike another easy transport option. Here is a link for more information.
Once you get to Taxis and Ubers obviously not so cheap, but always an option.
Top FREE Things to See and Do in Brisbane
There are so many things to see and do in Brisbane that don’t cost a cent. Combining some or all of these free activities with some of the top paid activities that I will be recommending in volume 2, is the perfect way to keep costs under control.
1. Brisbane Greeter Tours
Brisbane Greeters is a Tripadvisor 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards winner! You can book a free Brisbane Greeters tour to gain unique insights into the city’s history, landmarks and culture. Run by local volunteers who are passionate about Brisbane and its colourful history, visitors can choose a Greeter Tour to suit their interest. History enthusiasts will enjoy the Penal Colony and Early Settlement History tours. The 21st Century Brisbane tour visits Brisbane’s modern buildings, public art, hidden cafes and lane ways. The Precinct Greeter tours also explore some of Brisbane’s interesting suburbs.
What I love is that Greeters can deliver tours in several different languages and for people of all ages and abilities.
2. Brisbane City Hall Tour
Located in King George Square, City Hall is a beacon of Brisbane’s history and culture. The heritage-listed building is used for local government functions. It also hosts events such as exhibitions and concerts.
Located on level 3 of City Hall is the Museum of Brisbane, a social history museum and art gallery. There is always something to see there, so make sure not to miss it while visiting City Hall.
One of Brisbane’s most beloved cafes is located in Brisbane City Hall. The Shingle Inn was originally located a block away on Edward St and was relocated to City Hall along with its original wooden wall panelling and chandeliers. Famous for its high tea and cakes, a visit to the Shingle Inn is like stepping back in time to a bygone era.
I have been to many events in Brisbane City Hall – New Year’s Eve Balls, Guest speakers, concerts and my favourite….as an extra on the Netflix show Boy Swallows Universe! The penultimate scene of the show centres around Brisbane City Hall and its famous clock tower…. I am one of the many guests in the City Hall for that scene. The show also features our iconic Boggo Road Jail and is a wonderful glimpse into Brisbane in the 80’s. If you’re after a little cultural immersion before you come, then I highly recommend you give Boy Swallows Universe a watch 😁
There are regular free guided tours of Brisbane City Hall and the Clock Tower, make sure to include the Clock Tower! The Brisbane Greeters, that I mentioned above, also do tours of City Hall.
3. Southbank Parklands
This precinct is located across from the CBD on the south bank of the river. A whole afternoon exploring this precinct is highly recommended, there is so much to see and do here. Pack your swimmers and take a dip in the man-made Streets Beach – a sandy series of patrolled pools along the river front. Stroll along the boardwalk, taking in city views. Plenty of dining options in the area. Head to the Emporium for sundowners at their Terraces Rooftop bar.
Every weekend, Friday through to Sunday the Collective Markets in Southbank, offer an eclectic mix of art, gifts and fashion. Little Grey Street is closed off to cars and market stalls are set up throughout the parklands. Note: You will end up buying something at the markets – so not totally free! 🤣
4. Brisbane Gardens and Green Spaces
Brisbane has plenty of green spaces to explore. We have the perfect weather to be able to spend a lot of time outdoors, so I encourage you to make the most of it.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Established in 1825, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, spans 18 hectares alongside the Brisbane River. It is a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city offering a variety of different themed gardens, numerous walking paths, sculptures and lakes.
Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens and Planetarium
We have 2 Botanic Gardens, the second is located West of the CBD at Mt Cootha. Here a vast array of gardens and wildlife are spread across 52 hectares. You can do self-guided tours of the gardens, or free guided walks are on offer regularly. The Gardens often host different festivals or art & craft shows throughout the year.
Mt Cootha also has a variety of walking tracks and bike trails to explore. I will include a link here with more information. A favourite activity is to have a little picnic in one of the Mt Cootha picnic areas. Then burn off the calories by taking a walking trail up to the summit of Mt Cootha, and be rewarded with the best views of Brisbane.
There are some dining options at the summit of Mt Cootha, appropriately named The Summit Restaurant and cafe. There is also some parking available at the top.
New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse
New Farm Park is one of Brisbane’s oldest parks known for its gorgeous rose garden, sprawling lawns, riverside views and a large children’s playground that winds through large fig trees. It is a very popular meeting place for Brisbanites. Social games of footy, picnics, outdoor birthday parties or just lazing in the sun, all happen down at New Farm Park.
In September, the park is awash in a blanket of purple when the Jacaranda trees are in bloom. In Spring some areas of Brisbane, with clusters of Jacaranda trees, look spectacularly mauve! New Farm Park is one of those places. Jacaranda trees will always remind me of Brisbane in Spring and Uni exam time… but mostly fond thoughts of Brisbane. 😁
New Farm Park is located, as the name suggests, in the inner-city suburb of New Farm and sits right next door to the historic Brisbane Powerhouse. The Powerhouse used to be a large power station in the 1920’s and has since been reborn into a home of contemporary art and culture. Throughout the year, the Powerhouse hosts over 1200 events and performances, ranging from festivals, visual arts, music, theatre, comedy, dance, film, in-conversation and digital arts. Again, the Powerhouse is free to have a look around, but you’ll obviously need to pay for different experiences on offer.
Roma Street Parklands
Located right next to a major transport hub, Roma Street Parklands is an easy way to spend a few hours. Wander through 16 hectares of gorgeous gardens and green spaces including a subtropical and rainforest walk. There are playgrounds and picnic areas with BBQs. You will probably see a water dragon or two while you are there, it is one of their favourite hangouts.
5. Brisbane CityCat or KittyCat Ride (practically free!)
50 cent fares are practically free! There is no better way to see the river city than from the river! The CityCat and KittyCat (cross-river) services offer a network of 22 terminals stretching from The University of Queensland (UQ) in St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton. This link will have further information about timetables and terminal locations.
You may even be lucky enough to nab a ride on the Bluey and Bingo CityDogs, especially designed to service the new Bluey’s World attraction (more details on Bluey’s world in Volume 2 post).
6. Go Scavenger Hunting
I don’t know if it is just Brisbane, but we do love a trail.
Brisbane Street Art Trail
We have the traditional Street art/mural trail that a lot of cities have, but we also have some rather quirky trails. To discover Brisbane street art installations, you can follow this guide by visit Brisbane.
To discover Brisbane’s amazing murals, this link will give you more information. Alternatively, you can join a guided walking tour (not free).
Bin Chicken Trail
Now let’s talk quirky…. Did you know that Brisbane has a Bin Chicken trail?
Firstly, what is a bin chicken I hear you ask? It is a nickname given to a very common species of bird in Brisbane, the Ibis, because it is always scavenging through rubbish bins. A local artist, Sethius Art, began installing custom made ‘Binny’s’ around Brisbane and now there is trail of Binnys around Brisbane for you to find (did you see the one in the Roma Street Gardens above?). Click on the link to view the trail map and get hunting!
Hidden Tiny Door Trail
Not to be outdone by bin chickens, we also have a ‘secret tiny door’ trail. You would probably walk straight past them if you weren’t looking properly. Take a careful look, and you’ll find secret and mysterious little doors all around Brisbane- on trees, in the city’s oldest lane ways, even inside the Queensland Art Gallery! Tiny door artist, Mace Robertson, has a map of the location of all the doors. how many can you find?
7. Explore Queensland’s Cultural Centre – Queensland Museum, GOMA, State Library and QPAC
I have added the Queensland Cultural centre in both this post as a free activity as well as in my paid activity suggestions. This is because some exhibits are free and some you need to pay for.
Conveniently located just across the river from Brisbane’s CBD, is the Queensland Cultural Centre. It is home to the state’s leading cultural institutions all in one place!
Queensland Museum
Queensland Museum‘s permanent collections cover an extensive range of world-class exhibits and they are completely free of charge. These exhibits include the Wild States exhibit that explores Queensland’s diverse ecosystems. The big hit with the kids is the Dinosaur and Ancient Life exhibit which features towering dinosaur skeleton casts and the Lost Creatures exhibit are also part of the permanent exhibitions.
Special temporary exhibits at the museum will require an entrance fee. Here is a link to see what exhibits are currently on display at the Queensland Museum.
Queensland Art Gallery & GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art)
Our two architecturally acclaimed galleries, Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), sit 150 metres apart in the Queensland Cultural Centre, on the banks of the Brisbane River. While entry is free, some exhibits require a paid ticket. See what’s on during your visit with this link.
The State Library
Also located in our Cultural Centre precinct is the Queensland State Library. While not an obvious tourist destination, they often host different events that might be of interest, and if you are in the area, it is definitely worth a look.
The Queensland Cultural Centre also includes our Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) however most shows are ticketed and not free, so for more details read my next follow-up post on things to do in Brisbane.
8. Explore Brisbane’s Bayside Areas
I highly recommend heading out of the city to explore Brisbane’s Bayside suburbs such as Wellington Point or Redcliff. I’m going to save details on these destinations for my companion post on Brisbane day trips, as I think it really is worth spending the whole day there. Make sure to subscribe, so you don’t miss it.
As you can see, you don’t have to break the bank to explore beautiful Brisbane. For more ideas on unique things to do in Brisbane, as well as accommodation and dining recommendations make sure to read volume 2 and 3 on my Brisbane travel guide coming very soon!
Deb Morrow is a wife and mum of two in her 50’s, who works in education. She has a passion for travel and through sharing her travel experiences, tips and recommendations, wants to encourage other women her age to start making time for themselves, grab their besties, and go see the world!
