Brisbane is the vibrant capital city of Queensland and is filled with things to do, whether you’re looking for action packed activities, exploring Australia’s natural scenery, or city sightseeing, here are some of the top things to do while in Brisbane.
Outdoor Adventures
Brisbane’s warm climate and natural terrain makes it ideal for outdoor activities, and makes abseiling, cycling, quad biking, and boating fun ways to see more of Brisbane.
Spend some time on the water by kayaking, or taking a boat ride along Brisbane’s coasts or the Brisbane River. Alternatively take a look beneath the surface with snorkelling around Brisbane’s many reefs.
Beaches and Islands
Australia is known for its beautiful beaches and islands, so it’s worthwhile taking a trip to visit some of Brisbane’s most exquisite coasts.
For nature and stunning scenery, take a ferry to Fraser Island. The island is home to many species of wildlife including 300 species of birds and is the largest sand island in the world.
Another island of interest is the Moreton Island, which is covered mostly by a national park, and numerous walking trails. The island also offers adventure, as the Tangalooma Wrecks are a popular location that you can kayak, or take a boat ride to; you can even scuba dive or snorkel to fully explore the wrecks! These waters also offer whale watching and dolphin feeding.
Wildlife
Australia is home to many unique animals such as wallabies, wombats, koalas, kangaroos, platypus, and Tasmanian devils, and Brisbane offers some of the best places to visit them.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to over 100 koalas, as well as many other animals. It is the first and largest of its kind in the country, so make sure you stop by to hold a koala and feed kangaroos!
The Australia Zoo has a wide variety of animals and includes African savannah, birds of prey and outback animal enclosures. Founded by Steve Irwin, the zoo is one of the best in Australia and is an hour’s drive from Brisbane’s centre.
Dining and Shopping
Being a large city, there are hundreds of restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as many shops in Brisbane, most of which are located in the town centre. South Bank and Fortitude Valley are particularly popular locations, and offer a variety of cuisines, styles and prices, so there’s always something to suit your tastes. Most cafes, bars and restaurants offer outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the weather while you dine.
For a local shopping experience, why not try the Collective Markets at Stanley Street Plaza? It features stalls selling art, crafts, music, jewellery and food, among other things. Or for a more cosmopolitan shopping trip the Queen Street Mall is a must, with access to more than 700 stores in an open-air plaza. It is also a hotspot for food, entertainment and events throughout the year.
Tourist Attractions
Brisbane has a rich history and culture which you can learn more about by visiting some of the museums and galleries in the city, such as the Museum of Brisbane, Queensland Cultural Centre, GoMA, Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland performing Arts Centre.
Two of the top tourist attractions are the Wheel of Brisbane and the Story Bridge. Located on South Bank, the Wheel of Brisbane offers a fantastic view over the city during the day or at night.
Story bridge crosses over the Brisbane river, and as well as being able to cross the bridge you can even climb up it for a spectacular view of the city and abseil down (if you’re feeling adventurous). For a more scenic adventure, walk or cycle up to Kangaroo Point Cliffs for a great abseiling and climbing location.