Brisbane Travel Guide: Top Things to See and Do

I have lived in Brisbane my whole life…that’s a lot of years! I might be biased but I think it is one of Australia‘s most beautiful cities. With the International spotlight soon to be shining on Queensland‘s capital city, as it hosts the 2032 Olympics, I wanted to share my list of top recommendations for visitors travelling to my hometown.

In this blog post I will recommend fun things to see and do while visiting, where to stay, unique places to eat, and most importantly for any visit to Brisbane…where to grab a drink!

Buckle up…. plenty of recommendations incoming!

Key Information About Brisbane

Brisbane is known as the River City; a lot of our lives revolve around the Brisbane River. Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Brown Snake’, it’s not the prettiest blue river by day, but by night…boy does it put on a show! I will be featuring the Brisbane River quite a bit in my list of things to see and do.

Best Time to Visit Brisbane

The best time to visit Brisbane is anytime really. 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. In summer temperatures rise from between the mid 20’s to the 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 doesn’t 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 Things to See and Do in Brisbane

Depending on how much time you have, you can add as many or as few of these activities into your itinerary as you like.

As I was compiling this list, it became very apparent that this is going to be quite a lengthy post. Brisbane has so much to offer! As well as the activities outlined below, I have written a companion post on cost-free activities to do in Brisbane. You can read more by clicking on this link…there was just too much to put in one post!

I also highly recommend hiring a car and doing a day trip or two while you are in Brisbane, if you have the time. I will be writing a separate complementary post to this one on recommended day trips to do from Brisbane. Stay tuned for that one and subscribe so you know as soon as it is published.

I have chosen a selection of activities that are rather unique to Brisbane. If you have the time, I recommend you do them all!

1. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Every celebrity or VIP that comes to Brisbane, visits Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It’s a Brisbane institution! Understandably, international visitors want to see Australia’s native wildlife, especially if it is their first time ‘Down Under’. Lone Pine is the perfect place to see most of them in one spot, close to the city!

Located in Brisbane’s Western Suburb of Fig Tree Pocket, at Lone Pine you can get up close and personal to some of Australia’s cutest native wildlife. Hand feed kangaroos, learn about Koalas (holding them for a photo is no longer allowed) but you do get quite close to them and the handlers may let you pat them. Dingoes, cassowaries, emus, crocodiles and other reptiles are all there.

Explore the park yourself with a map that can be picked up at the entrance. Make sure to check show times so you don’t miss things like the Raptor show or the Sheep Dog show, all included in the cost of the entrance fee. Tickets available at the gate or through Viator etc

2. Story Bridge Climb

Sydney may have the Harbour Bridge climb, but Brisbane has its own iconic bridge climb. The Story Bridge climb is easy and well-paced. If you time it just before dusk, you get about an hour on the bridge and see Brisbane in all of its twinkling glory after watching a beautiful sunset. For more of a thrill, climbers can now opt for a little bridge swing while they are up there.

There are multiple photo opportunities during your climb, and the guides provide interesting history about the bridge along the way. Fun fact – the Story Bridge is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia and is also called the Bradfield Highway, which is the shortest highway in Australia, at just 1073 metres long!

3. Explore Queensland’s Cultural Centre – Queensland Museum, GOMA, State Library & QPAC

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 Kurilpa including SparkLab

The Queensland Museum Kurilpa, is pretty self-explanatory – there are permanent displays but there are also regular temporary exhibits. While the permanent displays are wonderful and are free of charge, the temporary exhibits have an entrance fee. Currently on display is Crocs! If visitors want to learn more about our powerful apex predator without having to get too close to them – this might be perfect! Coming to the Queensland Museum in 2027 is the Terracotta Warriors Exhibit, which I will definitely be seeing.

Sparklab is an interactive science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) space, ideal for 6- to 13-year-olds! Visitors can explore 40 interactive exhibits across the 3 zones, see live experiments and get hands-on. Add this to your itinerary if you are travelling with kids.

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. My last visit to GOMA was to see the Fairy Tales exhibit last year and it was fantastic! We walked through room after room full of displays related to my favourite childhood fairytales. Enchanted forests, glass slippers, costumes and artwork. See what’s on during your visit with this link.

QPAC – Queensland Performing Arts Centre

I have to say QPAC is where I spend the most of my time within our Cultural Centre. I love live theatre, musicals, dance performances… anything really! QPAC is home to five world-class performance venues and state-of-the-art production facilities, the newest being the Glasshouse Theatre. Drawing inspiration from the Brisbane River as an important meeting place for telling stories, it has an iconic rippled glass facade. It is so new, that I haven’t actually been to a performance inside it yet!

The State Library of Queensland regularly hosts events that are worth checking out, most are free, so I talk more about that in my other free activities to do in Brisbane post.

QPAC and the whole cultural centre is so close to the Brisbane CBD, just a short walk over the bridge, that it would be a shame not to catch some live entertainment while staying here.

4. Take a Scenic Brisbane River Cruise

Take in the sights of the river city from the river! There are many sightseeing cruises to choose from that may include snacks, lunch or shore excursions. Here is a link to choose a river cruise that suits you. Alternatively, if you want to be a little more active, you can take a kayak tour of the city.

Brisbane also has a wonderful ferry service that is practically free, it’s a wonderful way to see the city.

CityCat or KittyKat 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 on Bluey’s World below).

5. Brisbane Ghost Tours

Boggo Road opened in 1883 as The Brisbane Gaol. The very Australian nickname came from the road that led to it, which would become a boggy quagmire after rain. Boggo Road housed both male and female prisoners over the years including some of Australia’s most notorious inmates.

After 119 years of operation, Boggo Road, finally closed its doors forever in 2002. The prison became heritage listed and was reopened in 2012 as a tourist attraction. There are various crime and ghost tours available of the famous prison. At the time of publication however, tours have temporarily been suspended, while construction on a new development next to the prison is underway. I will update this post when the tours begin operation again.

Don’t be disheartened though, if you are keen to do a ghost tour while in Brisbane, we have a few other options to choose from. I will feature a favourite from over my side of town – the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour. Learn about the history and legends of some of the 120,000 dead buried in this 140-year-old cemetery, from your guide, while on a walking tour at night. Ooooh spooky!

In the CBD, there is a ghost tour of our beloved City Hall that you can do. See it for free during the day (see below in the free activities section), then return at night to get a whole new perspective.

If ghosts aren’t your thing but you still want to get some goosebumps, then maybe an after dark, true crime tour in the CBD is more your thing. Have a look at this true crime tour!

6. See Iconic Brisbane Houses

Yes, houses! We have a few stand out houses that you should check out while you’re here.

Bluey’s House

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will have heard of the children’s extremely popular TV series, Bluey. What was only meant to be a temporary exhibit but proved to be so popular that is now permanently open, Bluey’s World is must-do if you are travelling with kids. Located on Brisbane’s Northshore, you can easily get there via CityCat – there is a ferry terminal right out front!

Bluey’s World is a one-of-a-kind guided immersive experience, that takes you into the Heeler family’s iconic Queenslander home, backyard and beyond – for real life! The kids will lose their mind!

For the really enthusiastic, our large Hardware Warehouse chain – Bunnings, has collaborated with Bluey to transform their store in Keperra into a Hammerbarn, as seen on the show.

Newstead House

Newstead House is Brisbane’s oldest standing European residence. With it’s origins dating back to 1846 it was once a magnificent home in early colonial times. Today it is a house museum, offering a glimpse into early Australian colonial life. Much like the Planetarium and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Newstead House was a regular on the school excursion circuit.

Distinctly Queensland Style Houses (free activity, but I’m adding it here)

That’s right….our houses! Did you know that Queensland has a style of house specifically designed for our tropical weather? Before the invention of air-conditioners, temperature control in our homes was mostly in their clever design. These homes are known for their distinct raised design, wide verandahs, and timber construction. 

The ‘Queenslander’ home is traditionally raised on stumps or stilts to offer some protection from flooding and termites, and to allow cool air to circulate underneath and help cool the home. Wide wrap around verandahs provide shade at all times of the day and offer outdoor living space, often the only place to catch a breeze.

A lot of inner-city Brisbane suburbs feature Queenslander style houses that you can view. It’s a free activity and something you probably won’t see anywhere else in the world or in other States in Australia for that matter.

7. See Live Entertainment; Theatre, Music or Sport

To really get a feel for Brisbane and our way of life, there is nothing better than experiencing live entertainment while you’re here. Australians love getting together, listening to good music or watching our favourite team win…usually with a drink in our hand! Below is a list of some of my favourite live music venues in or near Brisbane as well as where you can catch a live game of Rugby League or Aussie Rules football. I was going to mention QPAC here but have already sung its praises earlier.

Brisbane Jazz Club

The Brisbane Jazz Club is one of my favourite live music venues in Brisbane. Enjoy stunning river views, while listening to intimate performances by top local and international artists. Book a table, enjoy a meal and drinks, and great live Jazz with the city skyline as the backdrop. The building is actually an old historic boat shed on the river and is easily accessible via City Cat or Kitty Cat services. Highly recommend…it’s a little bit romantic.

The Tivoli

I get that jazz music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, in which case, The Tivoli is an alternative iconic Brisbane live music venue. I love The Tivoli and have seen some of my favourite bands here. It also proudly hosts up and coming artists too. Again. it is a rather intimate venue, it’s not huge so you can get up close and personal to your favourite artists. The Tivoli has been a Brisbane institution for over 35 years and is Brisbane’s longest running live music venue.

Fortitude Music Hall

This one is the new kid on the block and fills a void left in Brisbane, when the iconic Festival Hall closed down. Located in Fortitude Valley, the Fortitude Music Hall always has a wide variety of musicians and genres of music on offer.

Sirromet Winery

In Australia we have these events called ‘A Day on the Green’ which involve international artists performing big outdoor concerts at large outdoor venues. In Brisbane, Sirromet Winery hosts our Day on the Green events. Even if there is no concert on, it is a beautiful venue for lunch with a little wine tasting. Located south of the city in Mount Cotton, it will require a car to get to, but is worth it. You can also book one of several winery tours with tastings.

Suncorp Stadium

Ok, let’s talk sport! Ask anyone and they will tell you that Australia is nation that loves their sport. We particularly love our footy – Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Rules (AKA Aussie Rules AKA AFL). The home of Rugby League in Brisbane is Suncorp Stadium, and it is also the venue for large international stadium concerts. It is worth looking at their website to see if any games or concerts are going to be on while you’re in town.

The Gabba

The home of AFL in Brisbane is The Gabba, it’s also our cricket ground and occasional concert venue. Located in Woolloongabba (hence the name), it is just a short taxi ride from the CBD.

8. XXXX Brewery Tour

If we are a nation that loves its sport, then we are a nation that likes to watch that sport with a drink! XXXX Beer is our local Queensland brew, and the iconic XXXX brewery in Milton is where all the magic happens. It is located right next door to Suncorp stadium….hmmmm seems like a winning combination to me!

A XXXX brewery tour takes you through the 145+ year history of Queensland’s most iconic brewery. You’ll learn about their favourite brews, their world-class brewing methods, and how to pour the perfect XXXX.

The tour takes around 90 minutes and is followed by a beer tasting session in the Alehouse! For obvious reasons you have to be over 18 (the legal drinking age in Australia) to do the tour. Look atop the front awning of the XXXX building and you might just spy your first ‘Binny’ holding a XXXX can (if you are doing the Binny trail mentioned in my Free Activities to do in Brisbane post.)

9. Free Things to do in Brisbane

There are plenty of things to see and do in Brisbane that don’t cost a cent! So many in fact that I needed to write a whole separate post about them all. Click on this link to read my post about Top Free Things to do in Brisbane.

Where To Eat and Drink in Brisbane

Again, so many to choose from! I am going to feature Brisbane restaurants, where it’s just as much about the experience, as it is about the food.

1. Howard Smith Wharves

I love the Howard Smith Wharves (HSW) precinct…. somehow, I always find myself here when I am meeting up with friends. Whether it’s for a meal or just a few drinks, there are plenty of options to choose from. Catch a CityCat or enjoy a lovely walk along the City Reach Boardwalk from the Riverside Centre to get there.

HSW regularly hosts various events and festivals and can be a hub of activity. The area is large enough, however, to be able to find a quiet spot, maybe on one of their beanbags, and enjoy the cool river breezes and the glorious city view.

2. Eat Street

Eat Street, located at Northshore in Hamilton, about 15 minutes from the CBD, is a truly unique dining experience. A disused wharf has been converted into an international smorgasbord, where over 70 traders offer delicious dishes and beverages, from six of the seven continents.

Wander through a maze of 180 repurposed shipping containers to try and choose what to eat, grab a table and listen to live entertainment while you enjoy your food and a drink.

Open every weekend from 4pm, entry costs $6pp (children under 13 are free) and plenty of free parking is available on site. Alternatively, the Northshore ferry terminal is about 250 metres away.

3. The Prawnster

The Prawnster is a little hidden gem on the river by Brisbane’s botanical gardens, that serve some of the freshest and best seafood in Brisbane. Two refurbished fishing trawlers docked beside a pontoon at Kangaroo Point, offers a unique dining experience. BYO alcohol, bread and salads …. they just do the seafood, and they do it really well! They have a swag of dining awards to prove it. For a truly Queensland dining experience, I would highly recommend a trip to the Prawnster.

4. Riverside Precinct

I did say that Brisbane is a river city and we love our river views. Wander along the City Reach Boardwalk and choose from a multitude of dining options with riverfront views. Known as the Riverside precinct.

5. Southbank

Across the river from the Brisbane CBD is the Southbank precinct, you’ll be spoilt for dining choices here. From restaurants along the waterfront, to the block behind it, there are restaurants that cover every type of cuisine you can think of. Here is a link for a full list of restaurants and bars in Southbank to choose from.

Fish Lane

We love our laneways in Brisbane! You’ll find hidden wonderlands all over the city, if you wander down some of our laneways. Fish Lane is in the Cultural Centre precinct in Southbank, across the road from Queensland Museum. Wander down Fish Lane to discover a number of good restaurants, art and activities to choose from, with a great vibe.

6. The 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. It offers several riverside dining options including one dining experience that I have yet to try …The Vertigo dining experience, where you literally dine on the edge of the Powerhouse building 17 metres in the air! After a charcuterie feed and a drink, you abseil/dropline back down to ground. This one is for the more adventurous diner!

7. Stilts Restaurant

There are only a handful of restaurants in the world that are located on a bridge and Stilts Restaurant is one of them. Perched up high on the Kangaroo Point Bridge, its striking design pays homage to the iconic ‘Queenslander’ house and offers spectacular views of Brisbane city. The menu features premium Australian steak, seafood and fresh produce from the region. Is there anything better than quality surf and turf?

8. Joeys on the Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Joey’s is perched high above the Brisbane River on top of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. It offers relaxed alfresco dining and stunning 180-degree views of Brisbane City.

9. Rooftop Bars

Have I mentioned that we enjoy a cold beverage or two here in Queensland? It must be the weather 😁 sunny skies, warm balmy evenings, perfect for meeting friends for a drink under the open skies.

Practically every hotel in Brisbane has a rooftop bar attached, you won’t have to wander far to find one. Some of my favourites include the Terrace Rooftop Bar at The Emporium mentioned earlier, The Hibiscus Bar and Grill at The Hyatt, and Sixteen Antlers at The Pullman & Mercure Hotel.

10. The Officer’s Mess – New Farm

I only discovered this place recently as my good friend moved into the neighbourhood. At the Officer’s Mess their motto is good food, good company, and good times … and that is exactly what I have experienced every time I’ve been there.

Located by the river on Oxlade Drive, New Farm, it offers inside dining options, but the deck and sprawling lawn are the winners for me. Pet and kid friendly, there is nothing better than sitting under an enormous tree twinkling in fairy lights, sipping a cold bevvie, while the kids play…. someone’s watching them, right? 🤣

Here is a link for some more details on most of the waterfront restaurants and bars I have mentioned here, plus others.

Does trying to decide on the best place to wet your whistle put your head in a spin and you’re not sure where to start? Why not go on a walking tour that combines some of Brisbane’s best small bars with some cool street art? A great way to orient yourself to Brisbane’s bar scene, especially since a lot of them are hidden away down laneways and alleys.

Where To Stay in Brisbane

Spoilt for choice here, but I am going to feature some places that I have personally stayed in, or friends of mine have, and can recommend. These options will have you right in the heart of the city CBD. They are all within easy walking distance of most of the top things to do in Brisbane, or to public transportation options, to easily get to where you want to go.

I have split them into 2 groups; my favourite mid-range accommodation choices and my luxury accommodation recommendations. I can’t really comment on the budget options as I haven’t stayed in any…. being my hometown, my stays are usually short, so happy to pay a little more.

$$ Mid-range accommodation recommendations

1. The Hyatt Regency is located right on the Queen Street Mall, our pedestrian only shopping strip. It’s biggest drawcard for me is the pool deck and bar. I have often come to the Hyatt Regency with a friend just for a drink by the pool.
2. MacArthur Chambers is a 4-star accommodation option in a beautiful sandstone building, located at the bottom of the Queen Street Mall. This one was quite a surprise for me; the apartments are individually owned so vary in decor etc. During World War II, it was the chief headquarters of US General Douglas MacArthur – hence the name. Every day crowds gathered out front to watch as his car arrived from Lennons hotel (now the Hyatt Regency mentioned above) and the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces disappeared inside to his office, which is now preserved as part of the small MacArthur Museum located today on the 8th floor. You don’t need to stay there to visit the museum. Tours are available.
3. The Crystalbrook Vincent is located right under the iconic Story Bridge, in the Howard Smith Wharves precinct, and has wonderful river views of the City and is right next to all the HSW action.
4. Another option is the Meriton Suites, which offer self-contained apartment style accommodation with fantastic views of the river and the Southbank precinct. We stayed here in one of the penthouses, which was pretty amazing! A great option for families or groups.
5. The Treasury Brisbane is a beautiful heritage building located at the top of the Queen Street Mall. It used to be our casino, which has now relocated to the new Star Brisbane building. The Treasury Brisbane is a little quieter these days, I have to admit I have spent many a late night there over the years, not at the Blackjack tables but at the old Livewire Bar😁If you are after accommodation close to the Queen Street Mall and a short walk across the River to the Cultural Centre of Brisbane, then the Treasury would be a good choice.

$$$ Luxury Hotel Accommodation Recommendations

1. The Livewire Bar, mentioned above, as well as many other dining options can be found at the new Star Brisbane building. If you prefer 5-star accommodation in a shiny new building with more entertainment options onsite and includes a popular observation deck, then the Star Brisbane is the choice for you.
2. Just across the Brisbane River in the Southbank region, is The Emporium. This is a great choice if you plan on visiting the Cultural Centre or Southbank precincts and the bonus is it has a fabulous rooftop bar with fantastic views of the city. Anyone who’s ever been to the Emporium always comments on their elevators…they are quite unique!
3. Last and by no means least, the very fancy W Hotel, with magnificent city views and in-house dining and bar options. We had a lovely high tea here, which I can highly recommend.

Welcome to Brisbane!

I told you this post was going to be big! Really, I could have written more, but I wanted to recommend places I know and love. I feel very comfortable knowing that you will love them as much as I do if you choose to go there too. In case you need more inspiration, here are some other options for things to see and do in Brisbane that are worth having a look at.

We really are a friendly bunch here in Brisbane and look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful river city soon.