Looking for the best things to do in Brisbane? You’ve landed in the right place.
Brisbane (or Brissy as locals call it) is the capital of Queensland, located on the East Coast of Australia and is a city that effortlessly weaves the laid-back Aussie lifestyle with big-city buzz. With over 280 days of sunshine each year, Brisbane is a sunshine city for sure. Still, due to its close proximity to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, islands of Moreton and North Stradbroke, plus its green areas within the city itself, you are never far from open spaces and outdoor adventure.
Brisbane is a thriving cultural hub with a growing foodie scene, and is a welcome burst of energy and opportunity sandwiched between the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. It didn’t feel as hectic, as busy or as big as Sydney to me, but still gave the full city feels and that warm buzz of strangers around every corner you turn.
If you love a mix of adventure, sunshine, and city life, Brisbane is an epic place to base yourself. With the international airport just 20 minutes from the city centre, this could be a good destination to land in as you start or end your Australia adventure.
Regardless of how long you’re coming for or when you’re coming, this Brisbane travel guide is going to give you all the best things to do, see, eat and explore when in Brisbane, Queensland. Let’s tuck in!
How to Get To Brisbane
Brisbane International Airport (BNE) is located just 20 minutes from the CBD. From here, International flights connect directly to and from Asia, the Middle East, the US, and Europe. An abundance of domestic connections makes it super simple to add Brisbane onto a wider Australian road trip. You can take short domestic flights to the likes of Byron Bay (Ballina Airport), Sydney, Perth and Cairns. From Byron Bay, Brisbane is a 2 hour drive (traffic dependant).
When heading from the airport into Brisbane city, you can then take the Airtrain, an Uber or a rideshare. Easy!
Best Time to Visit Brisbane
Brisbane’s subtropical climate means it’s actually warm year-round. The best time to visit, IMO, is during spring (September–November) or autumn (March–May) when it’s sunny, dry, and not too humid. The summer months can get really hot and sticky as you venture further north into Queensland and so it is actually winter that delivers the milder and more pleasant temperatures for hiking, exploring and camping adventures.
Where to Stay In Brisbane
As with most cities, if you’re only there for a couple of days, it’s a good idea to stay central and walking distance from all the bucket list ticks. This is going to save you time, energy and money with taxis so even though central spots are often more pricey – bear this in mind!
For Brisbane, I’d say it’s South Bank and the CBD that are central and well-connected. Fortitude Valley offers a dose of nightlife and boutique stays, while New Farm is perfect if you want a local, laid-back base. I stayed in the New Farm and I absolutely loved it!
If you’re road-tripping, you’ll also find caravan parks and camping spots on the city fringes and beyond.
Wander James Street and grab a Gelato
I highly recommend spending an afternoon wandering through New Farm and James Street. This street is lined with boutique shops, hotels and eateries, making it a stunning place to grab brunch with a friend or relax with a coffee or wine. You can see how stunning this street is from the images below.
If you want to make a day of it, start with a yoga class at Assembly by Aiko, browse the boutique shops with a stop for brunch, coffee or doughnuts at Nodo, relax in the sun at New Farm Park and then finish the evening with Thai at sAme sAme and a scoop of gelato at Messina. A seriously dreamy day in Brisbane right there.
Visiting James Street is one of the best things to do in Brisbane if you love a mix of shopping, food, and local vibes.
Have a sunset drink or dinner at Howard Smith Wharves
I loved this part of the city and think this is absolutely one of the best things to do in Brisbane. Whether you have an hour in the afternoon or you’re wondering what the best thing to do in evening in Brisbane is, head down to Howard Smith Wharves where you have a riverside hub with multiple places on the water to dine and drink.
They have so much outdoor seating so it’s pretty easy to get a spot and you can choose from many food vendors depending on what you fancy.
My suggestion would be to grab a craft beer at Felon’s Brewery, or head next door to Felon’s Barrel Hall and order the Massaman curry. See below. Views across the city and very very tasty food.
Have brunch at The New Black in Fortitude Valley
On my morning wander, I wanted to let my senses direct me to a brunch spot and boy did they do good. Just off the main road, Ann St, I peered down an alleyway filled with luscious tropical green plants (always a good indicator), and I noticed a warm buzz of locals.
I walked down and nearly drooled over everyone’s breakfast plates! The vibe was immaculate, and the lady serving was the most friendly and attentive human I could have asked for as I browsed the menu. See the menu here.
It was ticks all around and so I ordered the Chilli Scram (see below) which included fermented chilli, scrambled egg, chives, fried halloumi, creme fraiche and prok dust on rye toast. Heavenly.
The New Black easily earns its spot on the list of the best places to eat in Brisbane.
Climb the Story Bridge
If adventure is your style, don’t miss the iconic Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
Scaling this iconic bridge gives you 360° views of the city, the Brisbane River, and the mountains beyond. It’s a touristy but fun thing to do in Brisbane if you want to do something active! For an extra adrenaline rush, you can abseil down afterwards.
I’d say this is one of the most unique best things to do in Brisbane, and it’s a fun way to see the city from a whole new angle. Book your climb here.
Explore the water by Foot, Ferry or Kayak
Brisbane is a city built around its river (see the image above), and the best way to experience it is from or along the water. Here are some options below, choose one depending on your level of desired adventure:
- Jump on a CityCat ferry to explore neighbourhoods like South Bank, New Farm, and Teneriffe from the water
- Book a night kayaking tour where you paddle under the Story Bridge with the city lights reflecting around you.
- Take the City Reach Boardwalk from Howard Smith Wharves.
- Take the New Farm River boardwalk across the water with views across the city.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all my pins are at the touch of your fingertips.
Head to one of the city’s markets!
Whilst I was in town I went to Brisbane City Markets at Reddacliff Place. Every Wednesday, from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM, locals gather to buy fresh produce, street food, matcha, and artisan goods.
I just so happened to be in the city on this day and I absolutely LOVED my hour there. It’s a great way to support, buy from and chat to local growers. There are some real tasty treats and you could even come here and get your lunch from a food truck. My suggestion though would be coming down to grab picnic supplies before heading out on a day trip or to one of the city parks!
My favourite find was the Nagomi Japanese Matcha stall. I am really fussy when it comes to Matcha and I have to say – this was up there!! So if you’re looking for the best matcha in Brisbane – get yourself to the city markets!
Address: Reddacliff Place – 266 George Street (at the end of Queen Street Mall) Brisbane, QLD
Other Brisbane markets to consider checking out:
- Jan Powers Farmers Markets
- Saturday Fresh Markets, Rocklea (Saturdays 6am–12pm)
- The Collective Markets, South Bank (Fri 5pm–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 9am–4pm)
- West End Markets (Saturdays 6am–1pm)
- Eat Street Northshore (Fri & Sat 4pm–10pm, Sun 4pm–9pm)
Enjoy the views from Mt Coot-tha Lookout or THE City Botanic Gardens
For the best panoramic view across Brisbane, you’ll want to head to Mt Coot-tha Lookout. Take a day for it and take the 471 bus out of Brisbane which takes around 30 minutes. The trails around the mountain are perfect for hiking and you’ll find many heading up here to enjoy sunset over the city. At the bottom of the mountain you’ll also find Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
If you don’t fancy venturing outside of the city and you want to keep it local, you can get your dose of green and explore the trails in Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens. It’s free to enter and to wander and it is here you’ll find many nature trails, areas to enjoy a picnic and places soak up the zen.
Check out the amazing bakeries and cafes in Brisbane
I honestly get a little overwhelmed when I get to the city, haha. There are way too many good places to eat and drink, and just not enough time to experience them all! Brisbane was no different; I really had to enjoy lots of places with my eyes and nose instead of inhaling everything into my stomach!
Here are a few places that were amazing / highly rated and recommended that you should add to your list and try:
- A scoop or two of gelato at Messina (ABSOLUTE MUST)
- Doughnuts and coffee at Nodo
- Cookies at Brooki’s Bakery
- Pastries at Sprout Artisan Bakery
- Mediterranean Buffet at Sunshine, Fortitude Valley
- Amazing thai food at sAme sAme
- Handmade pasta at Nug
- Brunch @ Emme James Street
Day trips to consider from Brisbane:
Camping adventure on Moreton Island
I mean, if you have time for an adventure, this is going to take the number one spot if you ask me my opinion. Moreton Island is literally my favourite place in the world to relax and switch off from the world.
The best way to experience Moreton Island is with a 4X4, so if you have one great, if you can hire one, fabulous. You’ll take a ferry ride from the city which takes around 90 minutes and then you’ll drive straight off and onto the sand. The beach is your highway, nature is your home and the sounds of the ocean, the birds and the campfires will be the soundtrack to your time here.
You can take the passenger ferry and explore for the day or if you pack your camping stuff and get a vehicle permit you can stay for a few days.
If you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime and you love stripping it back and being outdoors, this is one of the best things to do in Brisbane. Find my full guide to visiting Moreton Island here.
Hike the Glass House Mountains
Just an hour north of Brisbane, the Glass House Mountains are a must for us outdoor adventurers and easily one of the best things to do in Brisbane.
These dramatic volcanic peaks rise straight out of the landscape, creating some of the most striking scenery in Queensland. Seriously, even from the highway im like woaaaa.
Popular things to do in this area include:
- Hike to the summit of Mt Ngungun for an unforgettable sunrise view
- Tackle the more challenging Mt Beerwah if you’re an experienced climber
- Wander the surrounding trails and soak up the raw beauty of the national park.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
If you’re keen to meet Aussie wildlife, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is just 20 minutes from the CBD and is a highly recommended spot to meet the native Aussie wildlife. Yep it is here you can hand-feed kangaroos, cuddle a koala, and see native species up close.
Fun fact: Lone Pine is the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary, making it one of the most iconic stops on any Brisbane travel guide.
Scenic Rim Adventure
Around 90 minutes from Brisbane, the Scenic Rim is another lush outdoor adventure and is a haven of rainforest hikes, waterfalls, and camping spots. National parks like Lamington and Main Range are packed with trails, wildlife, and viewpoints. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls or sipping wine at a local vineyard, the Scenic Rim is one of the best things to do near Brisbane for outdoor adventurers.
Have you been to Brisbane, Australia?
What are the best things to do in Brisbane, Australia? Anything you’d add to this Brisbane, Australia bucket list?
Love as always and happy adventuring…Â
