Brisbane attractions

About

NOTE: This page is a daughter page of: Travel

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia, is known for its vibrant urban precincts, outdoor lifestyle, and diverse attractions. From cultural institutions to outdoor adventures, there's something for everyone in this sunny, sophisticated city.

Videos

The best place to start is to watch a couple of videos. We're talking massive spoilers, but hey... you asked for information!

• Top 10 Things to do in Brisbane 2023 | Australia Travel Guide - British people, good fun. #10 Feast at Eat Street Northshore, #9 Get Your Heart Pumping on the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, #8 Shop at Queen Street Mall, #7 Explore South Bank & Ride the Wheel of Brisbane, #6 Find Inspiration at the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), #5 Admire the Views from the Brisbane Lookout Mount Coot-tha, #4 Stroll through Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, #3 Sightsee on a River Cruise, #2 Visit the Museums & Galleries in the Cultural Centre, #1 Cuddle a Koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

• Top 10 Things to Do in BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia | Ultimate Brisbane Travel Guide - The GOMA section is a bit long, but some good highlights: GOMA & the Queensland Art Gallery (curator interview), South Bank Parklands & Streets Beach, The Wheel of Brisbane, City Cat cruise to the Brisbane Powerhouse, Self-guided CBD art and architecture walk, Brisbane City Hall & Museum of Brisbane (tour guide interview), Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout, Eat Street Northshore, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Cruise with Mirimar Cruises, Mount Tamborine wine tour with The Vino Bus

• Brisbane Australia Travel Guide: 15 BEST Things to Do in Brisbane - #15 Discover Southbank Parklands, #14 Scenic Cruise Brisbane, #13 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, #12 Explorer Fortitude Valley (nightlife), #11 Mount Coot-Tha View, #10 Chase Waterfalls in Scenic Rim, #9 Planetarium, #8 Redcliffe Beach (waypoint jetty), #7 Abseiling Kangaroo Point Cliffs, #6 Day trip to Moreton Island (sandboarding & dolphin feeding), #5 New Farm Park (music events), #4 Saturday Jams Powers Farm Powerhouse, #3 Spirits of the Red Stand, #2 Wheel of Brisbane, #1 Roma Street Parkland

Local Attractions

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

• Description: The world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, offering up-close experiences with koalas, kangaroos, and other Australian wildlife.
• Activities: Koala holding, feeding kangaroos, bird of prey flight demonstrations.

South Bank

• Description: A cultural, social, educational, and recreational precinct in Brisbane.
• Highlights: Streets Beach, the Wheel of Brisbane, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, various restaurants and cafes.

CityCat Ferry Ride

• Experience: Enjoy a scenic ride along the Brisbane River.
• Tips: Great way to see the city from a different perspective, hop on and off to explore different neighborhoods - locals use this one... and if you what there are paid tourist cruises like this one.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

• Adventure: Climb the iconic Story Bridge for stunning panoramic views of the city.
• Options: Day, twilight, and night climbs available.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

• Activities: Rock climbing, abseiling, picnicking, and cycling.
• View: Offers spectacular views of the Brisbane skyline.

Night Tours and Cultural Experiences

• Options: Ghost tours, walking tours, cultural experiences.
• Popular Picks: Brisbane Ghost Tours, Indigenous culture walks.

Salsa Dancing

• Venues: Check out local clubs and dance studios for salsa nights.
• For Beginners: Many venues offer lessons before social dancing begins.

Vertigo-Themed Dining

• Experience: Dine at high-altitude restaurants offering breathtaking city views.
• Suggestions: Eagle's Nest, Eleven Rooftop Bar... or Vertigo Brisbane - $250 a meal, but unique (in a harness).

Day Trips from Brisbane

Sunshine Coast

• Highlights: Beautiful beaches, surfing, Noosa National Park, Australia Zoo. Just be warned it's at least a 2 hr drive north from Brisbane to Noosa, more with traffic.
• Activities: Beach hopping, nature walks, wildlife encounters.

Gold Coast

• Description: Famous for its long sandy beaches and surfing spots. At least a 1 hr drive south from Brisbane, more with weekend traffic.
• Attractions: Theme parks (Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild), Surfers Paradise.

Mount Tamborine

• Experience: Rainforest walks, waterfalls, quaint shops, and wineries. About 1 hr drive south.
• Activities: Bushwalking, visiting Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, wine tasting.

Mount Glorious

• Nature: Part of the D'Aguilar Range, known for its dense rainforest and scenic lookouts. About 50 mins NW from Brisbane.
• Activities: Hiking, birdwatching, enjoying cafes with mountain views.

Moreton Island

• Dolphin Feeding: Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island offers a unique wild dolphin feeding experience, where guests can hand-feed the dolphins that visit the shore each evening in the shallow water. It's kept pretty brief though - like a conveyor belt of tourists supervised by staff, so some are disappointed if not paired with other activities. It's 75 mins by ferry from Brisbane, but the nearest other dolphin feeding is Tin Can Bay, near Gympie, which is 2.5 hours north by car.
• Other activities: Snorkeling around shipwrecks, sand tobogganing on the island's dunes, quad biking and other adventure activities

Tips and Recommendations

• Best Time to Visit: Brisbane has a subtropical climate, making it an ideal destination year-round. However, the cooler months (April to September) are particularly pleasant.
• Getting Around: Public transport in Brisbane is convenient, with options including buses, trains, and ferries. Consider purchasing a Go Card for ease of travel.
• Accommodation: From luxury hotels to backpacker hostels, Brisbane offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets.

See Also

• Brisbane Airport

Links

• Brisbane travel guide - Wikitravel (quite good)
• Brisbane - Wikipedia