Planning a trip to Brisbane? Great choice — Brissy is one of the most underrated cities in Australia.
I lived in Brisbane for a while (plus I’ve done a handful of house-sits across the city), and even now that I’m based on the Gold Coast, I still head up regularly for weekend breaks, city escapes, and mini-trips.
So yes — I know Brisbane well, I love it, and I’ve done all the top attractions (and plenty of the underrated ones too).
The Best Things to Do in Brisbane
Here are some of the best things to do in Brisbane. I’ve included a mix of free highlights, cultural must-sees, iconic experiences, and day trips that are well worth booking ahead.
And if you’re also exploring the East Coast of Australia, don’t miss my guide to the best things to do on the Gold Coast, and when you need somewhere to stay, check out the best hotels on the Gold Coast.
🐨 1. Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (A Must-Do)
If you do one paid attraction in Brisbane, make it Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It’s the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary — and honestly, it’s one of the best wildlife experiences I’ve had in Australia.
Lone Pine isn’t a zoo — it’s a conservation-focused sanctuary doing incredible work with wildlife protection and rehabilitation. I’ve visited multiple times, and every time it reminds me why Brisbane should be on every Australian itinerary.
UPDATE: Although you can see me holding a cute baby koala in this photo, sadly, Lone Pine no longer allows visitors to hold koalas. Instead, you can book a Koala Moment where you can meet them up close, touch them and learn cool koala facts from their keeper.
What you can do at Lone Pine:
Spend time close to and pat a koala in a Koala Moment or a Koala Close-Up (DEFINITELY book this one ahead — spots sell out fast)
Hand-feed kangaroos in the open paddocks
See platypus, dingoes, wombats, and birds of prey
Watch keeper talks and conservation presentations
Relax under the gum trees — it’s a surprisingly peaceful day out
Why you should book:
It’s educational, ethical, and uniquely Australian. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is easily one of the best things to do in Brisbane, especially for international visitors.
👉 Book the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary here.
2. Wander South Bank Parklands
South Bank is Brisbane’s heart: palm trees, river views, cafés, markets, and plenty of green space. It’s one of the city’s best free attractions and a top spot for a lazy morning or sunset stroll.
South Bank is always at the top of any list of the best things to do in Brisbane, and it’s a spot I visit often.
Don’t miss:
Rainforest Walk
Streets Beach
The Arbour (the pretty pink bougainvillea walkway)
Weekend markets
The Brisbane Sign (yes, tourists love it for their Instagram captions… and so do I)
You could easily spend half a day here — and it’s great for families or travellers on a budget.
⛴️ 3. Take a Brisbane River Cruise
Brisbane is best seen from the river, so I always recommend doing at least one cruise.
Top Brisbane River options include:
CityCat (public ferry, cheap and scenic)
Dinner or sunset cruises
Brewery or cocktail cruises
A river cruise also helps travellers get their bearings quickly.
👉 Book Brisbane River cruises here.
4. Abseil Down Kangaroo Point Cliffs
This is one of Brisbane’s most epic adventure activities.
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are iconic, and abseiling down them gives you unbeatable views of the Brisbane River and city skyline.
You can also join a guided twilight adventure or a rock climb.
👉 Book abseiling at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
5. Climb the Brisbane Story Bridge
One of the best things to do in Brisbane is to climb Story Bridge.
If Sydney has the Harbour Bridge, Brisbane has the Story Bridge Adventure Climb — and the views at sunset are incredible.
There are day, twilight, and night climbs, plus the option to add a walk on the cantilever platform.
A classic “only in Brisbane” experience.
👉 Book the Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure Climb here.
6. Cool Off at Streets Beach
Cool off at Streets Beach in Brisbane. Photo by ROMAIN TERPREAU on Unsplash
Right inside South Bank, you’ll find Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city beach.
It’s free, lifeguard-patrolled, and surprisingly spacious. It also saves you from having to travel all the way to the Gold Coast for a beach!
Great spot to:
Swim
Sunbathe
Let the kids burn energy
Enjoy skyline views
A good add-on after South Bank Parklands or QAGOMA.
7. Explore Brisbane’s Markets (and Eat Street Northshore)
Brisbane does markets really well, and they’re a fun way to try local food without blowing the budget.
Top picks for Brisbane Markets:
Eat Street Northshore – a must-visit; vibrant, colourful, and perfect for dinner.
Brisbane City Markets – fresh produce and local snacks.
Jan Powers Farmers Markets – great for brunch.
South Bank Collective Markets – handmade gifts and souvenirs.
Eat Street deserves its own moment: this place is an explosion of neon lights, shipping containers, global street food, and live music. It’s fun, lively, and ideal for groups, families, or couples.
8. See the Views from Mount Coot-tha Lookout
A 100% free activity and one of the best lookouts in Southeast Queensland.
You’ll get panoramic views over the entire city, the river, and out to the bay on a clear day.🌄
You can:
Drive up (easy)
Hike one of the bush trails
Visit the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha (free and beautiful)
Stop for coffee at the summit
Sunrise is spectacular if you’re an early bird.
9. Visit QAGOMA: Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art
If you love art, culture, or air-conditioning (essential in summer), QAGOMA is brilliant.
It’s split across two buildings in South Bank and always has:
Free permanent collections
Big international exhibitions (paid)
Interactive art for kids
Thought-provoking modern installations
It’s one of Australia’s best art galleries — right up there with Melbourne and Sydney.
👉 Book Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art here.
10. See a Show at QPAC
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre hosts a diverse range of musicals, theatre, ballet, comedy, and live events throughout the year.
If your readers want a city-break moment, booking a show here is a world-class experience. It pairs perfectly with dinner along the South Bank riverfront.
11. Time Your Visit With a Brisbane Event
Brisbane hosts amazing festivals throughout the year. Two big ones to highlight:
Riverfire (Brisbane Festival) – massive fireworks and jet planes over the river
Ekka – Queensland’s famous August show
Brisbane Comedy Festival – great for a night out
12. Enjoy a Rooftop Bar with a View
Brisbane also does rooftop bars exceptionally well.
Top Brisbane rooftop bar picks:
Felons Barrel Hall + Felons Rooftop (Howard Smith Wharves)
Iris Rooftop (Mediterranean vibes with epic skyline views)
MAYA Rooftop (Mexican food + breezy city views)
All of these bars are perfect for sunset drinks or dates.
13. Where to Eat & Drink in Brisbane
Bourbon St Restaurant in Southbank, Brisbane
Top Brisbane cafe and restaurant picks:
A few crowd-pleasing spots you will love:
Brunch:
Morning After (West End)
King Arthur Café (Fortitude Valley)
Lunch/Dinner:
South Bank restaurants (easy and scenic)
HSW — Howard Smith Wharves (heaps of great dining options)
Southside (for modern Asian)
Greca (Greek waterfront restaurant)
Bars:
Mr. Percival’s
Brooklyn Standard (underground and fun)
Coffee:
Coffee Anthology
Bellissimo Coffee
Shopping:
Queen Street Mall
James Street (designer boutiques + gorgeous cafés)
Westfield Chermside (if you want everything in one place)
If you love beaches and island adventures, these next two day trips are some of the best things to do in Brisbane for first-time travellers. 👇
14. Take a Day Trip to Moreton Island (Moreton Bay)
Snorkelling on a Moreton Bay Island Day Trip is one of the best things to do in Brisbane if you love nature. Photo by Colton Jones on Unsplash
If you’re after a day trip that’s fun, adventurous, and packed with classic Queensland experiences, Moreton Island is a standout. It’s the world’s third-largest sand island, home to turquoise water, shipwrecks you can snorkel over, and perfectly golden beaches — all just a short ferry ride from Brisbane.
Moreton is a little more energetic and activity-focused than Stradbroke Island, making it ideal for travellers who want a big day out with plenty to do.
Find out more about spending a day on Moreton Island in my Best Day Trips from Brisbane post.
👉 Book Moreton Island Day Trip here
15. North Stradbroke Island (Straddie) Day Trip
If you’re looking for a relaxed island escape with postcard-perfect beaches, North Stradbroke Island — or Straddie, as the locals call it — is an easy and unforgettable day trip from Brisbane.
Straddie is all about slow, scenic, outdoorsy days: spotting wildlife, swimming in crystal-clear water, and soaking up some of Queensland’s best coastal views. It’s less commercial than Moreton Island, which is why so many Brissy locals absolutely adore it.
Find out more about having an island day on North Stradbroke Island in my Best Day Trips from Brisbane post.
👉 Book North Stradbroke Island Adventure Day Trip here
16. Walk or Cycle Along the Brisbane Riverwalk
One of Brisbane’s best free things to do — and a great way to explore without spending anything.
The Riverwalk links New Farm to the city and has gorgeous water views the entire way.
You can bike it, walk it, rollerblade it, or just stop at cafés along the route 🚴
17. Explore Roma Street Parkland
Right next to the CBD, Roma St Parkland is one of the most beautiful inner-city parks in Australia.
Perfect for picnics, photography, and a quiet break from sightseeing.
Final Thoughts: Brisbane is The City That Surprises You
Brisbane has this warm, easygoing energy that pulls you in — and it’s the perfect base for exploring SE Queensland. It’s one of those cities that just feels good to explore — chilled, sunny, easy to get around, and packed with fun little surprises.
After living here, house-sitting across its suburbs, and regularly visiting from the Gold Coast, I can honestly say it’s one of the most enjoyable and diverse cities for travellers. Brisbane may not have the grandeur of Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Opera House, but it’s Queensland’s sunny, laid-back capital city, and we love it.
Whether you want wildlife encounters, river adventures, cultural days, rooftop drinks, island escapes, or just a sunny Aussie city break, Brisbane has plenty to fill your itinerary.
If a few of these Brisbane experiences jumped onto your must-do list, now’s a great time to book them. Popular spots like Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and island day trips can fill up fast, especially in peak season, so grab your tickets early!
That’s a wrap for this post on the Best Things to Do in Brisbane.
I hope this post has been helpful and you now have some ideas for fun things to do in Brisbane on your trip.
Heading to New Zealand or SE Asia Next?
If Brisbane is just one stop on your big adventure, check out my other guides to help you plan the next leg of your trip:
- New Zealand: Check out ALL the free things to do in Auckland or grab my guide to visiting Te Anau and Milford Sound.
- Asia: If you are flying north, read my Thailand travel tips for first-timers and find out what are the cheapest Asian countries to visit.
Happy & Safe Travels 🙂
Alial
