Brisbane is a city we always love coming back to and one that continues to surprise us every time. Located in sunny Queensland, Brisbane is a great destination for anyone looking for a mix of vibrant city life, nature, culture and a city where plenty of things to see and do. It’s the kind of city where you don’t need to plan every minute, because you often experience the real Brisbane by simply exploring spontaneously. At the same time, it’s helpful to get some inspiration beforehand for the best places to visit and the top things to do in Brisbane, from vibrant neighbourhoods and scenic viewpoints to lively markets and the Brisbane River. In this blog, we’re sharing our favourite places and tips for things you definitely shouldn’t miss in Brisbane.
South Bank
One of our favourite places in Brisbane is South Bank, an area that has seen plenty of development over the past few years. Although we already loved South Bank when we first visited several years ago, it’s even more worth visiting now. It feels like the number of restaurants and pubs in the area has almost doubled, making South Bank even livelier than it was before.
Along the river, you’ll find several great bars, including the large South Bank Beer Garden and Southbeach. Both are stylishly decorated beach-style venues where you can enjoy a drink and soak up the atmosphere. It’s also a lovely place to spend the evening. With a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love!
Streets Beach
If you want to visit a beach in Brisbane, you’ll have to travel a little further, as the city’s actual beaches aren’t located near the city centre. But Brisbane has come up with a great alternative: Streets Beach. This large swimming pool sits right along the river at South Bank, making it easy to cool off on hot summer days. And I have to admit, it’s also a pretty spectacular place for a swim. Don’t you think?
But there’s much more to South Bank than that. The area is home to several museums and cultural attractions, including the Queensland Museum, which features exhibitions on science, culture and natural history with a particular focus on Queensland. You’ll also find the Queensland Maritime Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art and SparkLab in this vibrant area. There’s plenty to discover around South Bank!
West End
If you love weekend markets, handmade products and microbreweries, you shouldn’t miss the neighbourhood of West End. This vibrant area is located just 2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD, making it easy to reach by public transport, but it’s also within walking distance. In West End, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants where you can enjoy everything from Vietnamese and Greek to Mexican cuisine.
Brisbane Brewery Co.
We decided to visit the microbrewery Brisbane Brewing Co. in West End. We always enjoy trying new beers, and this microbrewery is the perfect place to do just that. What we love about these small breweries is the cosy, intimate atmosphere that comes with their size.
Since we were getting hungry, we decided to have lunch here as well, and we can definitely recommend it. The food was delicious!
Culinary delights
It didn’t take us long to realise that Brisbane is a fantastic city for food lovers. No matter which part of the city you’re in, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines. You can pretty much find every type of cuisine here, and there’s even a pancake house (located in St Luke’s Church of England) that’s open 24/7. Perfect for grabbing a late-night bite after a night out. 😉
Bakery Lane
One of our favourite places to dine is Bakery Lane. Through a small, charming alleyway decorated with atmospheric lights, you’ll find a cosy courtyard lined with several restaurants. We opted for Korean cuisine and had a delicious meal at Nom Nom Korean Eatery. But there are plenty of other great restaurants here too, including The New Black, Kiosk Beer Garden and Gung Ho! Dumpling Ramen Bar.
Irish Murphy’s
You’re never far from a good time in Brisbane. Throughout the city, you’ll find plenty of pubs, many of which regularly have live music. We were lucky that our accommodation, Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, was located right across from one of the best Irish pubs in Brisbane.
Irish Murphy’s is without a doubt one of the cosiest pubs in Brisbane. We were drawn inside by the great live music on our very first evening. And that first visit immediately left us wanting more, because the chicken parmigiana with gravy, chips and salad is now, without a doubt, one of my favourite chicken parmigiana dishes in all of Australia. And I don’t say that lightly. 😉
No matter which evening you visit Irish Murphy’s, there’s live music seven days a week. Music lovers can really enjoy themselves here!
Strolling along the river
Brisbane is a city with two sides. If you’re the kind of person who likes to keep things casual, you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy a great night out. But if you’d rather sip champagne among the city’s jet set, Brisbane has you covered too. For a more sophisticated dining and nightlife experience, head towards Eagle Street Pier. Here, you’ll find several stylish restaurants and bars with stunning views across the river and the beautifully illuminated Story Bridge.
For us, the pubs in the city centre were the place to be, but of course, we couldn’t resist taking a stroll along the river in this area. We wouldn’t have wanted to miss all those beautiful lights.
Fun things to see in and around Brisbane
But that was Brisbane in a nutshell. The city has so much more to offer and plenty of places worth exploring. These are some of our favourite attractions in and around the city:
Brisbane Botanic Gardens
How lovely is it to escape for a while and surround yourself with nature and wildlife? The Brisbane Botanic Gardens are a wonderful place to leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind and enjoy some time in nature. Keep an eye out as you explore: you’ll often spot plenty of lizards, and there’s also a chance of seeing snakes.
Sky Deck
One of Brisbane’s newest attractions is the Sky Deck. Floating 100 metres above the ground, the Sky Deck offers breathtaking views across the city, from Brisbane’s stunning skyline all the way to Moreton Bay and Mount Coot-tha. This 250-metre-long rooftop in the heart of Queen’s Wharf is Brisbane’s newest eye-catching attraction.
Enjoy a bite to eat or a drink at one of the three stylish restaurants and bars, or take a walk across the spectacular glass floor, where you can look straight down from high above the city. And the best part? This attraction is completely free!
Eat Street Northshore
For anyone who loves great food and live music, Eat Street Northshore is an absolute must-visit. Located along the river, around a 19-minute drive from Brisbane city centre, this permanent food market is made up of colourful, stacked shipping containers. You’ll find an enormous variety of food stalls here, making it almost impossible to choose what to eat.
The cosy lighting and creative decor create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can easily spend hours. With so many live performances taking place, there’s a good chance you won’t want to go home at all!
Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland is one of the most beautiful green spaces in Brisbane, known for its colourful flowers, waterfalls and scenic walking trails. The park has the feel of a tropical oasis right in the heart of the city and is perfect for a picnic, a relaxing stroll or taking some beautiful photos.
Every December, The Enchanted Garden takes place here, transforming Roma Street Parkland into a magical landscape filled with thousands of colourful lights. It’s definitely an event worth experiencing!
The Officers Mess
The Officers Mess is an awesome place to grab a bite to eat or simply enjoy a drink by the river, just outside the city centre. There’s often live music or a DJ playing, and in the evening, the jacaranda trees around the terrace are beautifully lit up with thousands of tiny lights. It creates a truly magical atmosphere.
Take the free Ferry
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Brisbane is to take a boat ride, especially when it’s completely free! For years, visitors have been able to hop on the city’s free ferry service and enjoy a scenic ride along the river while taking in views of Brisbane from the water.
Please note: during and after flooding, ferry services may be suspended for extended periods. Always check the official public transport website beforehand for the latest service updates.
Wild Horse Mountain Lookout
Wild Horse Mountain Scenic Lookout is located less than an hour’s drive from Brisbane and makes for a perfect short stop on your way to the Sunshine Coast. The walk to the top is short but steep, and within just a few minutes you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views across the surrounding landscape.
From the lookout, you can admire the impressive Glass House Mountains, and on a clear day, you may even be able to see all the way towards Brisbane’s skyline. It’s a great little detour if you’re looking for a beautiful view without spending hours hiking. We especially love it as a quick stop to stretch your legs and take in the scenery.
Glass House Mountains
If you love hiking as much as we do, a visit to the Glass House Mountains is a must. Just like we did, take the train from Central Station towards Nambour Station and get off at Beerburrum Station. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the starting point of your hike through Glass House Mountains National Park.
Treasury Casino
Even though Queensland proudly carries the nickname Sunshine State, Brisbane can still have its fair share of rainy days. On days like these, a visit to the Treasury Casino can be a fun and fitting alternative. This iconic casino isn’t just a great place to escape the rain; it also offers plenty of entertainment, from gaming tables to restaurants and bars.
Even the exterior of the building is impressive. The historic building immediately catches your eye and is definitely worth taking a few photos of.
Moreton Island
There are several tours you can take from Brisbane, and one of our favourites was a trip to Moreton Island. This beautiful island is about a 1.5-hour boat ride from the Port of Brisbane and is known as a fantastic spot for snorkelling.
Over the years, coral has formed around around 15 shipwrecks, creating a home for more than 100 different species of fish. That makes it the perfect place to go snorkelling.
Book your Moreton Island tour now
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
Escape the hustle and bustle at beautiful Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park! This lovely riverside park is the perfect spot for a picnic or to watch the sunset while enjoying spectacular views of Brisbane’s skyline. Thanks to its beautiful views, it’s a popular spot with both locals and tourists.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Animal lovers can drive to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in just 20 minutes. Here, you can get up close to some of Australia’s native animals, including koalas, kangaroos and wombats. The sanctuary also hosts various animal shows, and you may even have the chance to cuddle a koala.
Book your tickets for Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary now
Boondall Wetlands
Just a 30-minute drive from Brisbane CBD, Boondall Wetlands is a wonderful place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. This huge wetland area is home to mangroves, forests, saltmarshes and more than 190 native bird species. We loved exploring the walking trails and keeping an eye out for birds, lizards and other wildlife along the way. The peaceful boardwalk through the mangroves is especially beautiful and makes Boondall Wetlands a great spot for nature lovers and photographers.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
The Story Bridge is Brisbane’s most famous bridge and perhaps even the most iconic bridge in all of Queensland. You can simply take a walk across the bridge, but if you’re looking for a little more adrenaline, you can take part in a Story Bridge Adventure Climb. In a group, you’ll make your way high above the city along this iconic bridge while enjoying spectacular views of the river and Brisbane skyline.
There are also evening tours, allowing you to walk across the bridge while taking in the beautiful city lights. Book your tickets for the Story Bridge Adventure Climb now
Australia Zoo
About an hour’s drive from Brisbane, you’ll find Australia Zoo, a place that is high on the list for many Australia lovers. As fans of animals and Steve Irwin, we obviously couldn’t miss this place. With its many trees and different habitats, the huge park feels almost like a wildlife park, and you can see animals including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, tigers and giraffes.
We were especially impressed by the Wildlife Warriors show in the Crocoseum. It’s a great way to see just how incredible Australian wildlife is up close. And throughout the zoo, you can really feel the Irwin family’s passion for animals and conservation.
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