What to do in Brisbane
Brisbane's subtropical climate makes it a good place to visit any time of year.
It's a city where everyone spends their time outside, looking fabulous and having fun. So we thought we'd round up all the fun things we did while exploring the Queensland capital.
1. Story Bridge Climb
Climb the story bridge
Brisbane's Story Bridge is as iconic to the skyline as the Harbour Bridge is to Sydney.
Without it, it wouldn't be the same city. Watching the sunset over the Story Bridge from Wilson's Lookout in New Farm is beautiful, but taking a sunset climb to the top is even better.
We climbed during the day and while it wasn't the thrill of the CN Tower EdgeWalk, it was a good adventure.
Several people on our tour were nervous about the height but had a lot of fun once they got there. It's a super way to see the layout of the city and the winding river that runs through it.
For more information, visit the Story Bridge Climb website.
2. Outdoor Adventures with Riverlife
Outdoor Adventures with Riverlife
We went on a Segway tour of Kangaroo Point and it was a great way to see the city. But Riverlife offers many activities.
There is abseiling and rock climbing at Kangaroo Point Cliffs, cycling, Stand up Paddle Boarding (SUP) and kayaking.
Life in Brisbane takes place by the river, so join the locals and enjoy the outdoors on the water.
For all the adventures Riverlife offers in Brisbane, visit their website.
3. Explore the South Bank
Views from South Bank
South Bank is Brisbane's cultural hub.
Here you will find the Brisbane Convention Centre, Maritime Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Science Centre and Art Galleries. It is worth spending a day or two exploring.
Besides all the galleries and museums, it's also a great place for a walk along the river to enjoy the city views and some ice cream.
There's even Wheel of Brisbane where you can hop on the Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the area.
Do you enjoy Australian cities? See, 11 things to do in Melbourne, Australia's coolest city.
4. Coot-tha Mountain Scenic View
Views from Coo Tha Mountain
Our friend Anthony from TheTravelTart suggested we come to Coot-tha Mountain after we met for a beer at The Whickam (one of Brisbane's most historic bars) and I'm glad he did!
It offers fantastic panoramic views of the city and there's a cafe at the top where you can soak it all in.
On your way up or down you can stop at the Botanic Gardens, it's considered Queensland's premier subtropical gardens.
There is also a sanctuary Koala.
Koalas can be hard to find in the wild, but at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, there are 130 koalas that can easily be seen. You can even cuddle a koala.
Getting around Brisbane
Take the water taxi to get everywhere
City Hopper: the City Hopper is a free ferry service between Sydney Street, New Farm and North Quay. Take a ride for free scenic views.
The City Cat is an affordable river taxi that runs from one end of the city to the other. It's perfect for after hours. We took it home from the bar from pier to pier.
Car rental: Brisbane is an easy walking city downtown, but we found that having a car was an excellent way to see all the sites we wanted. Rent a car for a few days to go to the beach or explore the surrounding area.
5. Free Brisbane Greeter Tour
Looking for things to do in Brisbane? Take a free Greeter walking tour and discover hidden gems.
Free Greeter tour
A great way to get your bearings on a new city is to take a guided tour. What better way than to take a free tour!
The Brisbane Greeter Tour is run by a group of volunteers who share their favourite stories and tips about the city of Brisbane.
We had a great time learning little-known facts about Brisbane's history with our greeter Rob Cochrane.
For more things to do in Brisbane, enjoy 48 Hours in Brisbane by Eat, Travel, Love
6. Brisbane Powerhouse
The Brisbane Powerhouse
The Brisbane Powerhouse is an artists' district where comedy shows and live theatre take place indoors and outdoors.
It's where the city's cool cats hang out and the patio bar is the perfect place to watch the sun go down with friends.
It is a picturesque setting along the river with park and paths with clever signs of poetry and humour.
There are some great Instagrammers from Brisbane and The Gold Coast: check out our best Australian Instagrammers to follow.
7. Queen Street Mall
Queen Street Mall in Brisbane, Australia
For outdoor fun, the Queen Street Mall is a pedestrianised street full of shopping arcades and restaurants.
An afternoon can be spent exploring the more than 700 shops and World Heritage-listed historic arcades.
It's hard to believe that in the 1990s people weren't allowed to eat outside in Brisbane, but today there are plenty of outdoor patios and cafes that provide the perfect setting for people-watching.
8. Where to eat in Brisbane
We are a lucky bunch who often have the chance to eat at the best places in town. Our waistline proves it! The meals in Brisbane were divine and here are some of our favourite recommendations.
ARIA is the city's newest and most popular restaurant. Opened by celebrity chef Matt Moran, ARIA offers water views and exceptional cuisine. We had the four-course degustation menu with divisions of wine and it was perfect. They made a great vegetarian option that was to die for. We brought our friends Duncan and Martine here for dinner and they said it is considered the best restaurant in town.
Balfour cuisine is a modern Australian menu with a European flair. For breakfast and dinner, we loved it. Fresh local ingredients make for delicious meals like our fresh scallops and roasted kingfish. Balfour Kitchen was voted best romance and first date spot in 2015. It was perfect for this couple hanging out in Brisbane for a few days.
Madame Wu is an exclusive, elegant and funky bar and dining room serving Asian fusion dishes. Their resident Sommelier and Mixologist have developed a great wine and signature cocktail list featuring the best local and international wines to complement all that is Madame Wu.
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Check out these things to do in Brisbane
9. Eagle Street Pier
For nightlife and dining, there is no better place than Eagle Street Pier. It's the place to hang out at night with great views of the Story Bridge and the river.
With pleasant weather all year round, this is the place to dine outdoors, enjoy the view and have a few cocktails with friends.
The City Cat stops right at Eagle Street Pier, so wherever you're staying in the city, it's a quick and easy boat ride home.
Brisbane is in Queensland, if you're looking for things to do outside Brisbane, check out our 8 great things to do in Queensland besides surfing.
10. Brisbane beaches
Nudgee Beach sunrise in Brisbane, Australia
The Gold Coast is just an hour's drive from Brisbane, but if you want something closer, there are beaches worth visiting near Brisbane.
A few that we visited are....
Nudgee Beach - is the beach closest to Brisbane and it's in a real suburb of the city. Just 18 km (11 miles) from the city centre, it is a beautiful spot for sunrise photography while taking pictures of the mangroves reflecting in the water.
Wellington Point at Sunset in Brisbane, Australia
Wellington Point - is a great beach for sunbathing and swimming. At low tide, people can walk along the sandbar to King Island. It's a perfect day trip for sand and sun, as there are eateries and cafes to get you through the day.
Touring Australia for a while? An interesting stop is Kangaroo Island
Where to stay
Where to stay
Queensland's alluring islands are a treasure trove of paradise, and staying in one of the island resorts promises an enchanting experience. Explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, unwind on pristine beaches, stay in Heal House Bed & Breakfast in Brisbane, and immerse yourself in the allure of island life.
In Hotel deals in Queensland on queenslandhotelmotel.com options are as diverse as the region itself. Whether you're traveling solo, with loved ones, or exploring with friends, the memories you forge here will stay with you for a lifetime.
Brisbane is one of Australia's most liveable cities and we can see why.
After spending a few days in this beautiful city, we wanted to live there.
It is laid-back and relaxed, but there is enough culture, restaurants, and nightlife to keep city dwellers happy.
There are plenty of things to do in Brisbane that appeal to all types of travelers.
Have you been? Do you have any suggestions for other things to do in Brisbane that we might have missed? We'd love to hear in the comments below.
Flights and more information about Brisbane, Australia
Air New Zealand offers great deals to 7 different hubs in Australia. Check out their website for more information.
For more information on traveling to Australia, visit Tourism Australia's website. Our trip to Brisbane was sponsored by these two companies, but all content and opinions remain our own.
