Brisbane is like a quieter version of Melbourne but with nicer weather! If you haven’t made a trip here then it definitely should be on any Australian itinerary. What used to be a small town has now turned into a pretty large city, but still keeping that relaxed vibe. Here are some suggestions of things to do in Brisbane for tourists (and locals).
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Ever wanted to hold a real koala in your hands? Well here you can! You can’t stop here without getting a pic with these cute and cuddly animals. Lone Pine has several koala sections, as well as reptiles, kangaroos (another selfie opp!) and lovely grounds too.
Who’s Up For Mini Golf?!
I just love mini golf, or putt putt as it’s called here. It’s such a fun activity you can play with family or friends. There’s several options for mini golf around the city, an indoor one called ‘Holy Moley’ in the city, there’s one at Victoria Park Golf complex (this one I recommend) and one has just opened up in St Lucia, with lovely views over to the main golf course.
Take a Walk Around Sherwood Arboretum
The pretty suburb of Sherwood has a beautiful park tucked away amongst the local houses, with some great picnic spots under the trees. There are toilets, BBQ facilities and a playground, making it a great day out. There are cafes nearby also if you don’t fancy a picnic.
City Beach
A beach in a city you ask? Yes, Brisbane has it’s very own beach, and it’s in the heart of the city, overlooking the river. This is a great place for local families as well as backpackers on a budget. The best part? It’s free! There’s an adult and kids pool, as well as changing rooms and toilets close by, plus free wifi. It’s a nice way to chill out on a hot day (which is quite regular over here).
Botanical Gardens
Brisbane has two botanical gardens, one in the city and one just a short drive out, at Mt Cootha. The city ones are a nice place to walk around, sit with a coffee and to visit the Sunday markets on the weekend. I personally prefer the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens as it’s more natural and away from the city. There’s lots of different sections such as the jungle, Japanese garden, rose garden, bonsai house and lawns to lounge on. There’s lots of little streams and a nice pond too, as well as a café serving some good food.
South Bank
South bank is a great place to explore, day and night. There’s always plenty of activities, like the markets, festivals and cheap op-shop stalls. This is also where the city beach is. Lined along the whole way are plenty of cafes, restaurants with live music and ice cream shops. They also have a herb garden where you can pick your own herbs for your dinner!
Sunday Sessions at South Bank
Speaking of Southbank, every Sunday from 2-5pm, there is live music on the lawn at the end. This has such a nice vibe to it, with families, couples and groups of friends all sitting around with their picnics, just chilling and listening to some good music. A great place to chill and watch life go by!
Roma Street Parklands
These pretty gardens are always full of flowers no matter what time of year, although they really do come to life in spring. You can wander around the landscaped gardens, sit and read a book on the lawn, check out the waterfalls and fountains or walk through the rainforest section. At Christmas, they have a really cool light display that you shouldn’t miss.
CBD, Brisbane
Brisbane’s CBD has a good amount of shops, including Zara and H&M. Also check out the Myer store and David Jones, two department stores that have regular sales. There’s a cinema here too, and obviously plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and other eateries. On the weekends and weekdays you can find some live music, as well as the Wednesday food markets.
Hike up to Mt Cootha
Just outside from the CBD, Mt Cootha has an incredible lookout over the city. You can get a bus, drive to the top or take the bush path which will get you out of breath but is a pretty reasonable walk that most could do. There’s a café and restaurant at the top, the treat yourself after a long walk! They also have drinking water fountains dotted along the whole path which is very helpful on a hot day.
Check out the Art Galleries
There are several art galleries in the city, from Fortitude Valley, UQ and the big ones in the city, that is the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. Exhibitions change fairly regularly. Also check out the powerhouse for exhibitions and the city museum at the top of the clock tower (you can also go on a free tour of the clock tour here too).
Grab a Blackstar Coffee
Head over to Westend to explore the high street there. It’s very hipster with lots of small bookshops, vintage clothing and other bits and bobs. Just off the main street is Blackstar coffee- the best coffee in my personal opinion! It’s a small and relaxed shop, with a few tables by the street- and delicious coffee.
Take a Day Trip to Springbrook National Park
Just over an hour from Brisbane is Springbrook National Park, where there’s plenty of hiking, walking trails, waterfall swimming, wildlife and stunning viewpoints. This makes a nice change from the city. Hire a car and drive on your own or book yourself on a tour group for the day.
Have a Picnic at New Farm
New Farm Park is a bit along the river from Brisbane CBD and is a very pretty and family friendly suburb. Have a picnic at the park, amongst the rose gardens and pretty trees, surrounding the open grass lawn. There’s a playground for the kids, and a pretty river walk too. There are also lots of cafes close by that do delicious brunch menus!
Hire a City Bike
There are city bikes all over the city, which are just $2 for 24 hours. You can cycle alongside the river by Southbank, along the river at New Farm or by West End. It’s a great way to explore the city and to keep active at the same time. If you’re staying longer in the city, then get the months pass for just $5.
Take a Ride on the Free City Hopper
The city hopper is the small red ferry that runs from the city to New Farm. It’s much slower than the city cat but hey- free travel? Yes please! Some of the boats have seating at the top, so you can sit and take in the sights looking over Southbank and Kangaroo point.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post – More posts on Brisbane are still to come! You may like reading
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- 4 Melbourne Day Trips Without a Car
- Best cities for Solo Female Travel
