Top Things to do in Brisbane
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Brisbane, Australia
Australia’s third-largest city, Brisbane is the hub of Queensland culture, offering a peek at the past and a glimpse into the future. Visit the historic Windmill and Old Commissariat Store, built by convicts in 1828, or fast-forward to the present (and beyond) with a trip to the new Gallery of Modern Art. Mingle with locals atop Mount Coot-tha, cruise the Brisbane River to South Bank’s sandy beach on the City Cat and make sure to fill the cuteness quota at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to koalas and kangaroos.
Restaurants in Brisbane
1. City Hopper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By itchyfeet2014 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
What a great little free ferry service. Prompt, efficient and wonderful stops. Wish we had more time to take full advantage of this splendid service. Thank You!
2. CityCat Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Jonathan W
The City Cat is such a good way to experience Brisbane.
The City Cats are clean and very quite. Great engineering as they seem to just glide down the river, hardly registering the movement in the river as they move.
You get stunning views of the river and a very different experience if travelling in the evening. I recommend both a day and a night trip.
Staff are very helpful and friendly.
The best way to pay is to get a GoCard which you can top up when boarding the boat. I am pretty sure that trips cost $5 irrespective of how far you travel. If you tap off you have an hour to get back on the boat without repaying. This is useful if travelling the length of the river before returning to the city.
3. Roma Street Parkland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Scenic park located right in the middle of the city features colorful subtropical Gardens and Celebration Lawn, a green oasis for picnicking, flying kites or just relaxing.
Reviewed By barbara s - Logan City, Australia
I’m ashamed to say this is the first time I’ve visited this icon. WOW! It’s just one huge horticultural mine field. The Gardens are split in various sections. The Spectacle Garden, the Children’s garden, the lake abounding with wildlife.. it all radiates fro the Hub where we found one very informed volunteer. We loved the water dragons and the different plants that made this place one to visit.. it’s wheel chair friendly, dog friendly on leads, and a great place to meet friends.we even found a great cafe.
4. Boggo Road Gaol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Boggo Road was one of the most notorious prisons of the Twentieth century. The former prison has reopened as a cultural-heritage tourist attraction which offer tours and events. Through Historical Tours, Historical Re-enactments, Educational Experiences, Functions & Events – the drama and stories of human beings, their failings and their achievements, within the walls of Boggo Road Gaol, are brought to life.Enter. Escape the 21st century…
Reviewed By NiftyNorm - Cincinnati, Ohio
We got Jack as our guide and he was amazing .. excellent knowledge of the gaol and great interaction with our group
5. New Farm River Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelandAnne - Bribie Island, Australia
Just the spot for a lovely walk. You don't have to go to far. I said it had Coffee and toilets - but you have to look for these - they are not really "on" the river walk. Be wary of bikes too - you can get the odd cyclist who feels the "walk" belongs to them. Take the hound and take your time. Cooling breezes in the late afternoon and mornings. Beautiful views of the river and river craft. Costs nothing.
Maybe park at Teneriffe/Newstead/New Farm - and walk along - then return to your car.
A lovely way to idle away a few hours.
6. Rocks Riverside Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Behrang A - Brisbane, Australia
This is a nice park, especially for families with young children. The park has nice Playgrounds and shallow pools/water canals for small kids. It has multiple bbq facilities, nice cycling tracks and a small cafe. It's sometimes very crowded though, especially around the Playgrounds. It has a very interesting history and you can find the traces of this history in the park.
7. Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Reviewed By Paul M - Richmond, Australia
Of course any suggestion of the Story Bridge climb will immediately draw comparisons with it's older and more grander Sydney cousin to the south, but resist the temptation to compare. Brisbane stands very much on its own two feet.
Story Bridge Climb is a far more relaxed affair. You're just exploring the bridge, without necessarily having talking commentary in your ear or guides trying to rev you up and make you all excited (well she did at the start..)
Its certainly the best way to take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane. Because of the smaller bridge and wider walkways, this bridge climb experience is for all ages and abilities.
The photos look great and are cheap to buy (unlike Sydney).
All in all, a great way to spend a few hours in Brisbane. Catch the free city hopper ferry to Thornton St Ferry Terminal, walk up turn left and walk two blocks and you're there.
8. State Library Of Queensland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
Reviewed By linhughes6 - East Lothian, United Kingdom
spent a couple of hours here, Very interesting morning also met quite a few other travellers from France and Usa.
9. Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 927 reviews
One of Australia's best construction projects, this centre is home to a performing arts complex, an art gallery, a museum and a number of food outlets for all budgets.
Reviewed By Mark T
Awesome show awesome venue have seen show previously some years ago in Melbourne but enjoyed this one so much better comfortable seatingDear Patron Thank you for your kind review of QPAC. We are so happy to learn that you enjoy visiting our venue. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Kind regards. The Team at QPAC
10. The Brisbane River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
The Brisbane River is perfect for adventure, leisure and recreation. Go kayaking, stand up paddleboarding or take a trip on a City Cat. Celebrate the Brisbane River at a Riverfire function or just have a picnic in the riverside parkland. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are a great vantage point to see the Brisbane River, or go rock climbing or abseiling with Riverlife Adventure Centre. Try Story Bridge Adventure climb, cycle, rollerblade or go for a jog. Dance with the local aboriginal tribe, Mirrabooka or visit South Bank. However you look at it you can't visit Brisbane without experiencing the River. Then cruise out to Tangalooma Island Resort for a must do experience. Enjoy!
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
Brisbane River is a long winding river that empties into the Coral Sea by Fisherman Island. Sprawling suburbs appear on both sides of this river but are connected by the many Bridges that cross the river. Commuters who live close to the river in these outlying areas have the choice of using the river Ferries instead of road transportation to get to the CBD. The city offers Ferries like Citycat on which passengers pay a fee or the free City Hopper ferry which provides service on a more limited section of the river.
In the CBD, skyscrapers appear on both sides of the river, but the more established CBD is on the north side where the city had its start. On this side of the river, tourists will find City Hall and its museum and similar older style buildings like the Casino once The Treasury and the historic Commissariat Store. Nearby, are the Parliament Buildings, the City Botanic Gardens, and the university campus.
South of the river, the popular South Banks Parklands has many cultural tourist attractions - museums, art galleries. The Parklands has a lot of concrete - walkways alongside the river, pools, attractive patios, container plantings - all softened with shade trees and some lawn. Walkers on Victoria Bridge get a good view up and down this river - quite muddy looking at this point.
The river in the CBD seems to be used more by the ferry system than locals. Few privately owned boats were in the river in the CBD; no sailboats; no cruisers; no barges or tankers. The industrial sections - the ugly part - requiring water transportation are located closer to the mouth of the river at Portside and the Port of Brisbane near Fisherman Island. I enjoyed the river views from several locations in Brisbane - at the Koala Sanctuary, the CBD, and Port of Brisbane.
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