Brisbane On Foot: Slow Down and Explore the City
Whether you’re a Brisbane newbie or a city mouse through and through, these are the best walks in Brisbane to be enjoyed time and time again.
Need to stretch your legs after too long cooped up at home or in the office? It’s time to take a stroll around the city and explore some of the best sights and sounds Brisbane has to offer. It’s easy to miss the details when you’re zipping around the city, so slow it down and appreciate all that our city has to offer on one of these Brisbane walks. Explore the CBD on foot, or head out to South Bank to take in the river views and city lights. Or if you need some time away from the hustle and bustle, explore some of the green spaces close to the city. Read on for the best walks in Brisbane.
Roma Street Parklands
When was the last time you visited the Roma Street Parklands? In our humble opinion, this is one of Brisbane’s most underrated spaces! Park your car in the College Close car park and wander through the leafy, green and tropical entrance. With water dragons sunning themselves and casting baleful glances at the human visitors, dragonflies flitting around and birdcalls echoing, you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into Narnia. Follow the path to stroll around the waterfalls and pond, then through the Spectacle Garden and the lush green hills.
Sitchu Tip: Pack a picnic blanket, some snacks and a book to relax in the shady, breezy corners of this gorgeous green space in the heart of Brisbane City.
1 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane City
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Best enjoyed at dusk or late evening, begin one of the best walks in Brisbane by parking your car at Kangaroo Point. Head down the infamous KP Stairs to find yourself riverside, with a popular path favoured by walkers, joggers, cyclists and skaters. Watch rock climbers scale the cliffs and enjoy the glittering city lights over the water. Keep following the riverwalk around and woah, how convenient, now we’re at Howard Smith Wharves! Enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshing beverage at one of the popular restaurants before walking it off back to the car.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Windsor History Walk
The charming, leafy inner city suburb of Windsor is home to cute cafes, green spaces and tree-lined streets. But did you know you can also find one of the best walks in Brisbane that will take you back in time, exploring the history of the area in one of Brisbane’s oldest shires? Begin at the Windsor Station and stroll past Windsor’s oldest home (1864), through the Memorial Park and up Maygar Road through the Grange. You’ll discover homes laden with significant Brisbane narratives and the people who lived within their walls, some changing the course of local and national history. Wear comfy shoes, BYO water bottle and be sure to stop in for a cuppa at one of the excellent local cafes.
Queen Street Mall
Take a stroll through the mall in the heart of the CBD and discover why this is one of the best walks in Brisbane to experience the essence of our River City. When you have the opportunity to slow down and actually take in the sights of the CBD, you’ll discover heritage buildings and historical sites, hidden under layers of modern commerce and lifestyle. If you lift your gaze upwards you’ll spot the old facades of businesses, factories and merchants who once lined the city streets. Wander through arcades like the Brisbane Arcade (one of Brisbane’s oldest fashion shopping destinations), or Tattersall’s Arcade, yet another luxurious shopping destination steeped in history. Explore down laneways and you might even find some of the city’s hidden gems.
Queen Street, Brisbane City
City Loop
If you’re new to Brisbane or are ready to see it like a tourist, the City Loop via South Bank is one of Brisbane’s best walks. Begin from the city and trek over the old Victoria Bridge, until you find yourself in the Cultural Forecourt. Here’s where you’ll find the iconic BRISBANE sign for your Instagram moment. Keep wandering along the water and cross the Goodwill Bridge in the direction of the City Botanic Gardens to complete the loop.
Begin: Victoria Bridge, South Brisbane
Boondall Wetlands - Aboriginal Cultural Trail
Take in a little education with your exercise with the Nurri Millen totem trail located within the Boondall Wetlands, where the Aboriginal peoples have an extensive history. Nationally renowned Indigenous artist Ron Hurley created 18 cast aluminium totems that refer to food, plants and animals, tools, camp life and the Dreaming and are placed in relevant sites within the Wetlands. This is one of the best walks in Brisbane to observe art, indigenous history and native flora and fauna all in one fell swoop!
Boondall Wetlands, Boondall
Brisbane Riverwalk
This list wouldn’t be complete without the Brisbane Riverwalk! After washing away in the 2011 floods, the riverwalk has been rebuilt and is stronger than ever. Begin in New Farm Park and stroll past the Kangaroo Point Cliffs to finish up at Howard Smith Wharves for a drink at Felons or a meal at Greca. It’s the best way to drink in the most iconic views of our growing city. It’s one of Brisbane’s best walks for your daily dose of fresh air, so grab your trainers, dog leash or bike and head on out for a refreshing stroll around the city.
Begin: Riverview Court, New Farm
Daisy Hill
Need some cute koala sightings to motivate you to get your move on? Daisy Hill is the place to be! There are several bush trails to choose from as well as the Koala Centre (free to visit!), making it the perfect nature escape. You’re guaranteed to spot koalas on this Brisbane bush walk, which makes the outing all the more sweet. It’s easily one of the best walks in Brisbane where you can enjoy nature and unwind, so be sure to add Daisy Hill to your to-do list!
Daisy Hill Road, Daisy Hill
Mt Coot-Tha
We’re very lucky to have so many botanical spaces near the city, so don’t let it go to waste! You could enjoy a stroll around the Mt Coot-Tha gardens, or park at the base and hike up the thirty-minute trail to the lookout. We recommend packing a snack to sit and enjoy once you’re there, or you can visit the cafe to refuel before heading off on foot again.
Begin: Mt Coot-Tha base
O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk
For a true escape from the bustle of Brisbane City or the ‘burbs, head to Lamington National Park to take on the Tree Top Walk. With suspension bridges and ladders to gain a little extra height, this is the perfect way to drink in as much of this gorgeous rainforest as you can. Camping is also an option if one bush walk is just not enough!
3579 Lamington National Park Road, O'Reilly
Teneriffe Riverwalk
Loved by locals and frequented by dog parents, cyclists and run clubs, the Teneriffe Riverwalk is a wonderful afternoon or weekend stroll option. Grab a pal and go for a post-work debrief, or head to Mary Mae’s for dinner and drinks. On the flip side, make the most of your Saturday morning by visiting the Jan Powers markets for breakfast, then strolling down the riverwalk heading into Teneriffe. Soak up the water views and eyeball the palatial homes on the far side of the river on one of the best walks in Brisbane.
Begin: Near the Teneriffe Ferry Terminal or The Powerhouse
West End To QAGOMA
Why not begin your morning at the Davies Park markets (Saturdays 6am-2pm), wandering around with a coffee in hand in search of the tastiest breakfast morsels? That should have you nice and warmed up for a stroll down Riverside Drive, enjoying the view of the Brisbane River. Stick to the river and you’ll land on the South Bank boardwalk which can take you all the way to the QLD Museum or QAGOMA. You can cool off by walking slowly through free exhibits until it’s time to head back.
Begin at the Davies Park Markets: Montague Rd & Jane Street, West End or Riverside Drive, West End
Wynnum To Manly Boat Harbour
For a long Sunday stroll, begin at the Wynnum tidal pool and follow the promenade to the biggest boat harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy scenic waterfront views of pelicans paddling, the water park, Wynnum’s white sandy beaches and the impressive yachts that fill the harbour. It’s one of the best walks in Brisbane to make you feel as if you’re on holiday!
Sitchu Tip: Pack your bathers and a cap so that you can cool off with a post-walk dip at the wading pool!
Begin: Wynnum Wading Pool, Wynnum
Looking for more fun activities around Brisbane? Plan a date night with your beau or your bestie with one of these fun date night ideas. If you need some R&R after walking all of these Brisbane trails, perhaps it’s time to visit a day spa. Brisbane’s got so many luxurious options to choose from, so check out our guide to the best day spas to find the right experience for you.
