Brisbane

Brisbane Things to Do

Brisbane hotels

Located on the Brisbane River, Brisbane 's sub-tropical climate makes it the perfect place for outdoor activities. Roughly equidistant between Cairns to the north and Sydney to the south, Brisbane makes a great base for exploring the east coast of Australia .

Brisbane is Australia 's third largest capital in population and is a rapidly growing city of about 1.8 million inhabitants spread over 5,904.8 km². It is a young and lively city with its residents' average age of 33 years old. Brisbane is a contrast of colonial sandstone buildings with modern glass towers overlooking the busy Brisbane River. Around the city are the scenic outlook of Mount Coot-tha affording breathtaking views of Brisbane 's huge metropolitan area, the lush botanical gardens with a plethora of tropical plants and a planetarium or the music and entertainment of the South Bank Parklands with its man-made beach and lagoon.

A diversity of annual events includes the Brisbane International Film Festival, the Greek 'Paniyiri' Festival, a Medieval Fayre and Tournament, the Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run and the Brisbane River Festival, which a celebration of life on and about the river with markets, entertainment, fireworks and music.

 

Brisbane has an excellent public transport system including buses, trains and fast river ferries to take you around Brisbane, to the coast or inland and towards the outback. Less than one hour's drive away are the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches and theme parks and easy access to national parks and the world famous Australia Zoo.

The capital city of Queensland, Brisbane is packed with accommodation of all types and sizes, restaurants, culture, entertainment, shopping, tour options, sporting and leisure activities.

We have created a very comprehensive eguide for Brisbane. Visit BrisbaneEguide.com to learn more about this "in" place. Brisbane is a main entry point for Queensland which is a significant tourism area. Download the Brisbane travel guide free to your computer for Brisbane tourist information.

South Bank Parklands
Situated on the southern side of the Brisbane River, the South Bank Parklands are made up of 17 ha of gardens, lawns and rainforests, the Clem Jones Promenade, barbeque areas, a fantastic man made beach with safe swimming for children and adults, playgrounds and toilet facilities centrally located at various points. There are numerous fast food outlets as well as restaurants and bars. Many shows, markets and other activities make this a great attraction for all.  Paula Duggan

Ghost Tours Brisbane
Local horror historian, Jack Sims, established Ghost Tours in 1998. Visit some of the most haunted and scariest places around Brisbane and learn about the urban legends, true crime and local ghosts. No cheap thrills, no "ghosts" wearing sheets will pop out at you. This is the real deal.  Tours are held regularly and there are various options available including learning about how to find out about ghostly activities.  Paula Duggan

Bulimba
Bulimba is located to the east of Brisbane; Queensland's capital city, on the Brisbane River. A leafy suburb that has a major strip of restaurants and quirky shops, this is certainly a great way to spend an afternoon. The very popular and trendy Oxford Street runs straight down to the water's edge where you may catch the ferry to the CBD or other riverside suburbs. Sarah Anderson

Oxford Street, Bulimba
Oxford Street, Bulimba is around 6 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD. Getting there is easy on the Brisbane River ferry. Take a stroll up Oxford Street and have lunch in one of the many restaurants or bars or enjoy a coffee in any one of the great boutique coffee shops on offer. Browse through any of the unusual and one-off stores that line the street in this upmarket suburb of Brisbane. Sarah Anderson

The Jetty Oxford, Bulimba
The Jetty Oxford, is a meeting place with million dollar views. Overlooking the Brisbane River, crowds gather in the trendy restaurant sipping a fine wine and nibbling on tasty morsels prepared in the kitchen. Coffee lovers won't be disappointed and a great selection of cakes and sweets are on offer. The most appealing part of this destination is the views of the water and the boats going by as you relax indoors or outside on the footpath lined with tables. Sarah Anderson

Mount Coot-tha
Mount Coot-Tha was once called One Tree Hill. This is a place that has walking tracks suited to a variety of ability levels. Weekends are busy with busloads of visitors attending and having lunch at the restaurant or coffee shop on top of the mountain. A fantastic scenic platform with a rotunda is a popular choice for wedding photographs, and the visitor can quickly see why it is such a popular destination. Views to the ocean and Moreton Island can be seen on a clear day. Sarah Anderson

"Powerful Owl" Track Mount Coot-Tha
Mount Coot-Tha is a trail walkers dream. Native wildlife can be spotted on the Powerful Owl track. On a clear day views across to Moreton Island can be seen from its highest point along the trail. When there has been rain, waterfalls make a fabulous reward after an hours trek into the bush from the well beaten path. Be sure to take a map from the scenic tourist station so your trip may be well planned. Sarah Anderson

Brisbane Lookout, Mount Coot- Tha
The Brisbane Lookout sits atop Mount Coot-Tha and offers visitors the best view of the city and the River as it winds its way through the leafy riverside suburbs and then out to sea. The Summit Restaurant and Kuta Cafe are great places to sit back and enjoy the fantastic views by day and at night the lights that twinkle in the city are truly beautiful. The panoramic views can reveal Moreton Island on a clear day. Sarah Anderson

Southbank, Brisbane
Southbank is a great place to spend a summer's day while in Brisbane. With its own beach and plenty of day time and early evening activity there is something for everyone at this popular tourist and local hangout. Restaurants and quick eats are found all within walking distance and Sundays have a market where almost anything can be found and purchased. Be sure to check the movie theatre nearby for something to do alter in the evening or to get out of the heat on a summer's afternoon. Sarah Anderson

Strike Bowling, Wintergardens, Brisbane
Strike Bowling is a ten pin bowling centre located in Wintergarden's in Brisbane's CBD. What makes this ten pin bowling experience different is the dim lighting and strobe lights, making it more like a club or disco than a ten pin bowling alley. Great food and drink can be purchased there as well as being fully licensed for functions or parties. Sarah Anderson

Fortitude Valley Markets, Brisbane Queensland
Fortitude Valley sits in the heart of Brisbane and is home to the nightclub district and clubs and pubs. On the weekend there is a large market that attracts sellers from all walks of life and buyers looking for that something a little bit different. Cheap eats are located all over and there are numerous restaurants and bars that line the middle of the mall for those wanting to enjoy some people watching time. Sarah Anderson

Rocks Riverside Park, Brisbane
Located at Seventeen Mile Rocks is the fantastic urban Ricks Riverside Park. Built around the no longer used coral conveyor belts, Rocks Riverside Park is a popular place for families to enjoy weekends and sunny days. With a water park feature for the little ones and some amazing climbing frames and flying foxes for the older ones, this is surely a great day out for the entire family. Sarah Anderson