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Travel Guide: The Best Things To Do In Brisbane
Curate your perfect itinerary with our edit of the best things to do in Brisbane.
Wedged between the ocean and rugged national parks, the buzzing cosmopolitan city of Brisbane offers much to explore.
Whether you want to delve into the latest art collection at the Gallery of Modern Art, sample the delightful flavours of Fish Lane, or simply soak up the city’s stunning riverside views, Queensland’s capital is a weekend destination to get excited about.
The food and lifestyle scenes have stepped it up a notch to compete with Australia’s bigger capital cities, so nowadays you’ll find no shortage of rooftop bars, fine dining restaurants, quirky new bars or incredible shopping.
So, to plan your next weekend getaway, we’ve put together the best things to do in and around Brisbane CBD.
Here’s our handpicked edit of the best things to do in Brisbane, Queensland’s definitive city of culture.
Enjoy a Picnic at One of Brisbane’s Parks
Make the most of Brisbane’s balmy climate with an outdoor feast. The city has an abundance of green open spaces, so there’s an endless choice for alfresco fun — Kangaroo Point and the City Botanic Gardens are two of our favourites.
The Roma Street Parklands is also a top choice. The gardens are impeccably maintained, and feature seasonal plants, flowers and food plants for you to explore. Keep your eyes peeled for water dragons, they’re often sunbaking on rocks or pathways.
Stroll Through South Bank
A visit to Brisbane wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through the city’s iconic South Bank.
The city’s cultural and entertainment hub, here you’ll find the Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Streets Beach (Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach), and the 60m-high Wheel of Brisbane.
Feast Your Way Through Brisbane’s Markets
Stock up on wholesome fresh goodness for the week, or sample some of the incredible street food stalls, serving up tasty eats from all corners of the globe at Brisbane City Markets.
If you’re not staying close to the city, there are multiple other market options to choose from, we recommend scanning through our guide to Brisbane’s best markets to find one to visit when you’re exploring the city.
The iconic Eat Street Markets is a favourite for visitors and locals alike. Sprawling along the Northshore precinct, the markets have grown from a pop-up event to an established food, drink and entertainment precinct of their own.
Operating from Friday to Sunday, we recommend coming down to Eat Street for some sundowners with a view over the water and working up an appetite by exploring all the different shopping stalls.
Shop Up a Storm
Brisbane’s shopping scene is small but mighty. Queen Street Mall and neighbouring Edward Street is the place to head for high-end, designer luxe, or for more unique finds, take a stroll to James Street.
Here you’ll find the city’s best boutiques sitting alongside a selection of chic bars and cafés — it’s the perfect way to while away an afternoon.
Vintage more your style? Head off on a vintage crawl starting with our favourite haunts here.
Explore the Brisbane River
Snaking through the centre of the city, the Brisbane River is a hive of activity. Locals descend on it each afternoon and weekend to sip cold drinks as the sun sets at haunts like Felons and Mr Percival’s.
If you’d like to explore from the water, Riverlife offer a relaxed, guided kayak tour which will take you on a 90-minute paddle as the colours of the day shift and change atop the reflections of the water.
Prefer to kick back? Consider hiring a GoBoat, no licence required!
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Museum Of Brisbane
You could be forgiven for forgetting about this little museum tucked within City Hall, but it’s one not to be missed! The Museum of Brisbane is free to visit and contains a variety of historical photographs, artworks and installations that tell the history of Brisbane and its people.
They regularly feature different exhibitions and installations, so you never know what you might discover! You can also book a free Clock Tower Tour and have your very own Boy Swallows Universe moment.
They operate daily every 15 minutes, but bookings are essential!
Free
Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City
Sample Brisbane’s Bar Scene
A night out is a given whilst in Brisbane, whether it’s for a quiet wine or a trip to the city’s nightlife capital, Fortitude Valley. If you’re not sure where to start, click through for our edits of the best new bars, rooftop bars and hidden bars.
Road Trip to Tamborine Mountain
Picture long scenic drives, winding around mountain ranges, or through rolling stretches of farmland as far as the eye can see. Thanks to the fertile soils rampant in this part of the state, produce here thrives and is full of exceptional flavour. Sample the best of Queensland’s home-grown dairy products, macadamias, wine, fruits, vegetables and more as you tour around the picturesque surrounds. Find a full guide to the area here.
Catch A Show At QPAC
For a spot of culture, take refuge inside the Queensland Performing Arts Centre for a spectacular live ballet performance. With a mix of classical and contemporary dances, we guarantee you won’t leave disappointed.
Spanning four theatre venues in one precinct, QPAC is Brisbane’s premier destination for live performance. If ballet isn’t your thing, scan the calendar for musicals, opera, comedy and so much more.
Corner Grey and Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Yet another awesome free thing to do in Brisbane, GOMA showcases contemporary art from across Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
Spend hours roaming through the galleries, or if you have little ones with you, check out the Children’s Art Centre (it’s always free).
As for the galleries themselves, General Admission is free, and now and then they host ticketed exhibitions and special events.
You can easily spend a day wandering South Bank, dining at restaurants or cafes before meandering through this iconic gallery.
Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Explore the National Parks Nearest to Brisbane
Reset your soul and reinvigorate your mind with a walk through one of the beautiful national parks that are a stone’s throw (okay, maybe a short drive) from Brisbane.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hiking mountains or just enjoying the fresh air, there’s a park near Brisbane just waiting for you to explore it. Take a peek at your options here.
Brisbane Powerhouse
The Brisbane Powerhouse is Queensland’s home of contemporary culture and art, and it’s not bad on the eyes either. This former 1920’s power station now sees over 1250 performances and events each year, ranging from music, theatre, comedy, dance, film, visual arts and much more.
If you’re searching for things to do in Brisbane on your visit, be sure to take a look at their website to explore what events are on the calendar.
Even if you’re not popping past for a show, the Powerhouse is still an incredible place to visit. There are exhibitions on showcase in the galleries, a unique gift store to explore, a riverfront bar and restaurant as well as some fantastic views of the Brisbane River to enjoy.
You’re also in close proximity to New Farm Park and the Teneriffe Riverwalk, so you can stroll around and explore some of the best of Brisbane.
Jagera Country, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm
Queensland Museum
The Queensland Museum boasts an annual calendar of travelling national and international exhibitions, and is full of awe-inspiring ancient artifacts, preserved creatures great and small, and rare books that will bring a little wonder and joy to your visit.
Free
Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank, South Brisbane
Take a Moment to Relax
Brisbane does relaxation well. Whether it’s saunas and day spas, or head spas and hot tubs, you’re in for a treat.
Our personal favourite has to be the rooftop Soak in West End. Featuring seven mineral spas and pools, plus saunas, a steam room and a sun deck, it’s a place for busy, stressed-out folk to wind down, find peace of mind and receive a healthy dose of wellness. Massages, LED facials and infrared sauna sessions are also available.
Immerse Yourself in Brisbane’s World-Class Dining Scene
Brisbane might not be the largest city, but it does pack a bunch when it comes to food.
One of the many jewels in the state capital’s crown, Agnes has been ranked the 20 best steak restaurant in the world. Built around the concept of cooking on an open fire, this glorious space boasts minimalistic decor and moody lighting and fire-cooked feasts worthy of a Michelin star.
And the feasts don’t stop there. Home to award-winning restaurants from a diverse range of cuisines, from French to Japanese, you’ll be eating well throughout your stay.
If you prefer to pick your location first and your restaurant second, take a peek at our area guides that will take you through the best eats from Fortitude Valley, Howard Smith Wharves and West End.
Find more of our favourite restaurants in Brisbane here.
Loved this edit of the best things to do in Brisbane? Be sure to check what’s on whilst you’re here with our monthly and weekend guides, too.
