Top Things to do in Brisbane
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What to do and see in Brisbane, Queensland: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
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 Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,219 reviews
Brisbane's most famous landmark features the circular Concert Hall, a world-famous grand piano organ and a majestic view from the clock tower.
Reviewed By 228malcolmw - Coffs Harbour, Australia
Nice old style building, which includes the Museum of Brisbane, well worth a look at with a beautiful Main Hall.
2. Brisbane Powerhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 673 reviews
Reviewed By Grand_Times123
Great venue to catch a show, eat a meal or wonder around. Situated by the Brisbane River, it is steeped in history, had a great gallery and fabulous shows, especially during Brisbane Comedy Festival.
3. Commissariat Store Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
The heritage-listed Commissariat Store was hand built and completed by convicts in 1829, using Brisbane Tuff from the Kangaroo Point cliffs. The Store (now a museum run by the Royal Historical Society of Queensland) and the Windmill on Wickham Tce, are the only buildings remaining from the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement. The Commissariat Store is Queensland's most significant heritage building/landmark, as it represents the commencement of European settlement. This historic site, located in Queen's Wharf Brisbane in the CBD, is also considered the birthplace of Brisbane.
Reviewed By mrdom
Brisbane's second oldest building. Not much inside it, just a small exhibition looking at the early colonial days, although well told with some good artefacts and a lot of dedicated staff, and not too expensive.
4. Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
Embark on an interactive journey from the First World War to today inside Anzac Square Memorial Galleries—a free exhibition curated by State Library of Queensland. Located in Brisbane CBD, with the magnificent Shrine of Remembrance and Eternal Flame burning at its heart, Anzac Square provides permanent recognition for those who have served our nation and offers a tranquil place to commemorate and reflect on their commitment, bravery, and sacrifice. Visitors to the exhibition can now enrich their experience by joining our brand-new Collection Highlights tour, departing every Wednesday at 10.30am (excluding public holidays). This free, 45-minute guided tour explores the best of State Library's military collection including the people, places and stories that underpin the Queensland war experience. Larger groups can also enjoy an exclusive, complimentary tour of the galleries, ideal for Queensland-associated battalions, regiments, and other special interest groups. Admission is free
Reviewed By dough424 - London, United Kingdom
We visit the square as it was shown on the map and decided to investigate while in Brisbane, what we didn’t know until we arrived was that there were galleries. The galleries are well set out and cover many conflicts from the Great War, Second World War, Korea and other conflicts that Australian and New Zealand armed forces have been engaged in. It’s all very well laid out and very informative.
5. Boggo Road Gaol (Jail)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 688 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 and 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 Carm24B - Brisbane, Australia
Excellent tour today of Boggo Road Goal 1-1/2 hours long our guide Kim she was excellent very knowledgeable and happy to answer all our questions. Definitely recommend this tour.
6. Historic Ormiston House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Historic Ormiston House was built by Captain Louis Hope between 1853 and 1865, and is the birthplace of Australia's commercial sugar industry.
Reviewed By Memento_Mori_55 - Brisbane, Australia
I wasn't born in Brisbane but I have lived here for many years and never visited Ormiston House in the Redland Bay area. We decided today was the day to change that. Ormiston House is open every Sunday a 12 noon. It costs $5 to enter which includes parking and a guided tour of the house. You can also visit the church / chapel of the Carmelite sisters just next door which has some lovely stained glass windows. The house is maintained by the historical association and staffed mainly by volunteers who provided and interesting and entertaining tour of the house. They also tell you the story of the "Father of the Sugar Industry" in Australia Capt Hon. Louis Hope who built the house in 1862. He moved his wife here from Kilcoy and all told they had 8 children. So the house continued to expand to accommodate the increasing size of his family. It could be a little bit difficult to get here by public transport if you were visiting without a car but train / taxi or uber would still work
7. South Bank Parklands
8. World Expo 88 Art Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, Brisbane City Council has extended the self-guided World Expo '88 Public Art Trail to include additional Expo associated artworks and artefacts. Council has also undertaken a number of restorations and relocations of some of the artworks, giving residents and visitors better access to this fantastic cultural resource.
Reviewed By Django777 - Yellow Springs, United States
i was commissioned to create 2 major sculptures in stainless steel for Expo: MORNING STAR II, now reinstalled in Botanical Gardens, and PARADIGM, at 100 ft. hi/30 meters, with 66 airplane lights. PARADIGM has yet to be reinstalled, being stored by the City. the Expo Art Trail is not complete with out PARADIGM, an amazing 100 foot high sculpture and a major installation at Expo, close by the Art Museum. There are many other wonderful sculptures at Expo, some of which are now on the Art Trail, which i encourage you to visit.
9. Brisbane Masonic Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
10. The Old Windmill
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By KMcQld - Brisbane, Australia
We were fortunate enough to get tickets to this through Brisbane Open House. The people we dealt with via email and then on the day were so friendly and accommodating. The tour was wonderful - really interesting to hear some of the history and go inside.
