The Coolest Things to Do in Brisbane, Australia

On our most recent trip back to Australia, Dennis and I spent three non-consecutive nights in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. We got to see a bit of what makes this such a cool city, often called “Brisvegas” by Aussie locals, but we didn’t have enough time to see everything that Brisbane has to offer. I’ve since collaborated with some other travel bloggers to bring you this list of all the best things to see and do in Brisbane, whether you’re into fine dining, museum and art gallery hopping, exploring the river and more!

About Brisbane

As I already mentioned, Brisbane is the capital city of the state of Queensland, and it’s also the third most-populated city in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne. It’s located on the coast of Queensland near to the border of New South Wales, and while it’s a bit inland from the coast it’s still close enough to easily get to the nearby beaches of the Gold Coast.

Brisbane flanks both sides of the Brisbane River, with a number of iconic bridges spanning the river and a fun system of ferries to travel around on the water. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia and is also set to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games. Additionally, it’s one of the greenest cities in the country, with lots of beautiful parks and botanic gardens to explore, making it a great spot if you enjoy getting outside in nature.

The Coolest Things to Do in Brisbane

Without further ado, here are the best things to see and do in Brisbane as recounted by other travel bloggers (some of whom are local to Brisbane) and myself. Make sure you add these to your Brisbane bucket list!

Visit Story Bridge and the Howard Smith Wharves

One of the things I personally really enjoyed doing on our first trip to Brisbane was a visit to the Howard Smith Wharves, which are located beneath Bowen Terrace and one side of Story Bridge. To get there we caught the train to Fortitude Valley station and then walked about ten minutes.

As you arrive there’s a cool little lookout spot with an elevator to get down to the wharves, which now house a variety of excellent restaurants, bars and the Felons Brewery. We had dinner at Felons, which has lots of tables sitting on decks directly looking out over the river and Story Bridge all lit up at night, as well as a beer garden. The food was so good I didn’t even get a photo of it!

There’s also a Greek restaurant in the vicinity called Greca, a Japanese restaurant called Yoko Dining, the Fiume Rooftop Bar and Mr Percival’s, an overwater bar, so there’s plenty to explore here for a night out. Of course, you could also come for lunch to see the bridge and river in daylight, plus you can climb up on top of Story Bridge in much the same way as the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, so that’s something for those not afraid of heights to enjoy!

Explore South Bank Parklands

Text contributed by Liza from Atlas Rambler Travel Guides

Visiting South Bank Parklands is a must-do while in Brisbane. This sprawling riverside recreation precinct is home to pubs, restaurants, rainforest walks, barbecues and picnic areas. The area is a vibrant hub for a variety of festivals and events, everything from street food festivals to the renowned Riverfire festival. There is always something happening at South Bank.

South Bank Parklands is also home to the iconic Streets Beach, a man-made beach in the heart of the city. It is complete with crystal-clear lagoons and sandy shores. There are even water play areas and lifeguards, making Streets Beach the perfect day out for families.

If you’re there on a Sunday, don’t miss the free live music at River Quay Green – it’s the perfect vibe for relaxing with a picnic and soaking up the riverside views of the Brisbane skyline. You can BYO drinks and food, or buy food hampers and bottled wine from nearby restaurants such as River Quay Fish or The Jetty to enjoy. This is one of my favourite things to do with friends in Brisbane. Watching live music as the sun sets over the city is a quintessentially Brisbane experience.

There is so much more to explore at South Bank Parklands, from cool art installations to lush gardens and endless spots to grab a bite. South Bank really has something for everyone!

Visit the Museums in South Bank

Text and photos contributed by Make More Adventures

Located in the Cultural Centre at South Bank in Brisbane are multiple museums that always offer free entry for some of their exhibits, and if you ask me, free is always cool!

The Queensland Museum is a natural history museum with free exhibits including the interactive Dinosaur Garden outside, an indoor dinosaur exhibit, and Wild State, which features animals from various habitats around Queensland. Other free exhibits rotate throughout the year.  

Spark Lab is a science centre at The Queensland Museum that charges a fee, but it is worth going to if you are in Brisbane with kids. It is hands-on and includes a maker’s lab and experiments performed throughout the day. A rotating paid exhibit also runs at The Queensland Museum. In the past, it has included Discovering Ancient Egypt and Disney’s Magic of Animation.

The two other museums in South Bank combine to make QAGOMA. Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art are in two separate buildings. Queensland Art Gallery is always free and is set up like a typical art museum, where you can wander for as long as you want. They offer materials to sketch if you’d like and will even offer stools so that you can sit closer to the artwork.

GOMA is the coolest place in Brisbane that I know, literally! The air-conditioning is strong and I love going to GOMA on a hot day. While QAG is always free to enter, GOMA has a paid exhibit that rotates. GOMA also has a children’s art gallery that changes themes and activities. The children’s gallery offers hands-on exhibits and the chance to make multiple art projects.

Cinematique is also located at GOMA, which is a place to watch unique and obscure movies. Some of their options are paid while others are free.  

If you are looking for something cool to do in Brisbane, literally or figuratively, South Bank is my favourite spot and the Cultural Centre is home to multiple amazing museums. Stop by one or all three museums on a fun day out in Brisbane.

Relax in the West End

Text and photos contributed by Taylor of Brown Eyed Flower Child

The West End is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Brisbane, Australia. It’s a thriving area filled with incredible restaurants, coffee shops, farmers’ markets, fitness studios, and more.

One of the most relaxing experiences I enjoyed during my month-long Australia trip was spending an evening at Soak Bathhouse. It’s a modern Australian bathhouse with magnesium-rich mineral pools, hot spas, cold plunges, and cedarwood saunas. You can also book a private spa service, like a well-needed massage or specialty facial.

Speaking of wellness, West End is famous for its various fitness studios, from Pilates to hot yoga. The neighbourhood is also walkable, so you don’t need a car or public transit to easily meander around.

When dining in the West End of Brisbane, my favourite restaurant is Italian Street Kitchen. It’s a trendy restaurant with an incredible selection of homemade pasta dishes, woodfired pizza options, and craft cocktails. Afterwards, head across the way to Anita Gelato for the best Italian gelato in the city!

If you’re someone who loves art, then you must explore the local street art. For those who are strolling the neighbourhood on a Saturday morning, I suggest supporting local businesses at the West End Markets in Davies Park.

Check Out the CBD

While the CBDs of major cities aren’t always the most exciting tourist destinations, Brisbane’s CBD is well worth spending a couple of hours exploring, especially if you’re into architecture, shopping and/or street art.

Some of the best places to check out in the city centre include the Old Windmill, which is the oldest surviving convict-built structure in Queensland, the ANZAC Square memorial and gallery, the Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower (which you can actually go on a tour of inside), the Museum of Brisbane, the Queen Street Mall if you want to do some shopping and St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Like many cities in Australia, there are some great art installations/sculptures and graffiti pieces to find in Brisbane, like the groovy ball sculpture in the photo below. Fans of architecture will probably enjoy seeing the stunning former Treasury Building (second photo below), a heritage-listed property, as well as Old Government House from the 1860s, which now houses an art museum and café.

And if you want someone to tell you more about the sights as you go, you could join this city walking tour which includes stops at ANZAC Square, the Old Windmill, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens (more on that in the next section), the Cathedral of St Stephen and more.

Walk Around the City Botanic Gardens

Text and photo contributed by Brandon from Zimmin Around the World

The City Botanic Gardens in Brisbane’s Central Business District is a large city park full of meandering trails, unique flora, and beautiful scenery everywhere you look. The gardens are just off Alice Street or can be accessed from the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.

The City Botanic Gardens are a great place for anyone to come to and enjoy a wide range of activities, whether that be simply strolling down one of the many trails, exercising, enjoying a family picnic, or even bird watching.

I loved the gardens because after spending a long day walking around the city, it was nice to visit the Botanic Gardens to unwind and take in the beautiful nature. As someone who loves looking out for wildlife, I saw giant fruit bats, a bunch of white ibis, and lizards throughout the entire Botanic Gardens.

If you have kids, the City Botanic Gardens are also a great place to enjoy quality family time. There is a large playground here, which is guaranteed to tire any kid out. There is also a fun Sunday Market in the gardens where vendors sell a wide range of items from arts and crafts to jewellery. Don’t forget to grab a snack and freshly brewed coffee while walking around the market.

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is one of my favourite places that I visited in Brisbane. It was the perfect place to visit at the end of the day to unwind, relax, and enjoy the moment.

Visit Roma Street Parkland

As I already mentioned, Brisbane is one of the greenest cities in Australia with so many beautiful gardens and parks to explore. One of these spots that’s definitely worth checking out is Roma Street Parklands, an extensive garden area near the Roma Street train station and a short walk from the CBD.

Highlights of this extensive area include the Spectacle Garden, where lots of flowers and plants have been strategically planted to make cool designs, a sub-tropical rainforest section called Fern Gully and the impressive fountain in the middle of the lake. There’s also a beautiful children’s garden/playground and a little train to take you on a trip all over the parkland.

The whole park is perfect for picnics or BBQs, plus there’s a lovely café called The Garden Room on-site if you don’t fancy eating outdoors. Along with all the gorgeous flowers and plants you’ll get to see here, the park is also home to more than 600 Eastern Water Dragons, so keep your eyes peeled for these cute lizards (there’s one in the photos above)!

If you’re really interested then you can join a guided tour of the gardens, or pick up a map from The Hub to do your own self-guided tour. Brisbane’s Moonlight Cinema is also held in the Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre if you’re looking for a unique evening activity during your visit.

Explore the New Farm Area on an e-scooter

Text and photo contributed by Knycx Journeying

Exploring Brisbane on an e-scooter was a thrill, and one of the highlights of my journey was gliding through the trendy New Farm area. Just a short ride from the city centre, New Farm is where Brisbane’s vibrant culture, lush green spaces, and stunning riverside views converge. The New Farm Riverwalk was my gateway to this charming neighbourhood – a picturesque 870-meter pathway built over the water. As I cruised along, the views of Brisbane’s CBD and the iconic Story Bridge were simply breathtaking, making every moment on the scooter an experience to savour.

At the heart of New Farm is the Powerhouse, a former power station transformed into a buzzing cultural hub. Its industrial architecture now hosts dynamic art exhibitions, concerts, and theatre performances, making it a must-visit for culture lovers. On weekends, the nearby New Farm Park brims with life as families picnic under jacaranda trees, while cafes around James Street serve up artisanal coffee and delicious bites. Riding through these quieter streets on an e-scooter felt like discovering a hidden side of Brisbane – away from the bustling city but still full of energy and charm.

Getting here couldn’t be easier. Grab a shared e-scooter from the city and follow the scenic route along the river. Plan your day with a relaxed brunch, an art exhibit at the Powerhouse, and a leisurely ride around the park. Trust me, New Farm is the perfect spot to soak in Brisbane’s creative and laid-back vibe.

Enjoy the Brisbane River

Since the city of Brisbane is sprawled out on either side of the winding Brisbane River, there are many spots to enjoy this river. Anytime you catch a ferry to other parts of the city you’ll be able to enjoy the views and cool breeze, or you could choose to do a special sightseeing river cruise with lunch if you want to learn more about the river as you go. For something a bit more romantic, there’s also an evening river cruise. You can also do special experiences like kayaking on the river, kayaking on the river at night or even a sunset jet ski tour!

Even if you don’t want to actually get out on the water, there are many ways to enjoy the Brisbane River from its banks. There are boardwalks, bikeways and promenades along most of the river for a very scenic stroll, particularly the City Reach Boardwalk, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Boardwalk and the Bicentennial Bikeway. Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park is also a gorgeous area to just sit and enjoy the view, or if you’re feeling very adventurous you could even go abseiling off the cliffs…

Visit Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

Text and photos contributed by Travelling Gleefully

We absolutely loved visiting the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha. The garden is located about 7 km west of the city centre and has free entry. You can always count on us to find free things to do in any city we visit! You can drive and park in the free parking available, but you can also get to the gardens by bus. This is what we did, and it was so easy. You just catch number 471 from near the city hall, and ride that for about 25 minutes.

The gardens themselves are beautiful, sitting at the base of Mount Coot-tha. There are so many distinct areas in the garden, including a tropical dome, a Japanese garden, rainforests, a lake, and a cactus house. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and Mount Coot-tha Library are also on the site. Both of these are free to enter, however there are fees to attend shows at the planetarium.

One of the coolest things about the garden was the amount of native Australian wildlife. You can see various birds, lizards, frogs, and even snakes. Some people are even lucky enough to spot a koala. We were very lucky (or unlucky, depending on who you ask) to see a carpet python on our visit. We weren’t very close, but it was amazing to see a snake like that in the wild! 

The gardens are open from 8am to 6pm September to March, and 8am to 5pm April to August. The visitors centre has information on self-guided walking tours, or you can join a guided walking tour any day except Sundays and public holidays. You could also do what we did, which was wander aimlessly around the huge area, heading in whatever direction called to us. We loved exploring the garden this way, always being surprised by what was around the next corner. It’s such a beautiful garden full of amazing plant and animal species, and it’s definitely worth a visit next time you’re in Brisbane!

Bonus – Bluey’s World Brisbane!

I don’t have any photos of this experience, but if you’re visiting Brisbane with kids who love the TV show Bluey (or maybe you love it, it’s popular with adults too!) then you should also make sure to visit Bluey’s World. This is an immersive experience that takes you into many of the rooms and locations from the animated series, which is set in the city of Brisbane. It’s located at the Northshore Pavillion in the suburb of Hamilton, but there’s a ferry station directly outside so you can easily travel on the river to reach the experience. It should be open until at least the end of 2025, find out more information here.

Accommodation in Brisbane

I already wrote a guide comparing the Brisbane airport hotels, but if you’re staying more than one night then you’ll probably want to base yourself actually in the city of Brisbane proper. Here are some of the coolest-looking hotels available for different price points.

Budget: If you’re on a budget you can’t go past the YHA Brisbane City, which offers very affordable beds in dorms as well as private rooms. There’s also a rooftop swimming pool. The Riverside Hotel Southbank is also good value for money, with 1-bedroom apartments including a full kitchen and laundry, plus an outdoor swimming pool.

Mid-range: For comfort without breaking the bank, the Novotel Brisbane South Bank is beautiful and colourful, with a lovely-looking restaurant and swimming pool, plus it’s right in the heart of fun South Bank. Ovolo The Valley Brisbane is also very cool, located in Fortitude Valley and featuring some gorgeous decor, with a restaurant and a small rooftop swimming pool.

Luxury: For the most luxurious experience possible, check out Rydges South Bank, with stunning views of the South Bank area as well as a swimming pool, gym and sauna, or Sofitel Brisbane Central, which has an on-site spa along with a swimming pool and very indulgent rooms.

Map of the Coolest Things to Do in Brisbane

I’ve put all of these cool places onto a map so you can more easily find them while visiting Brisbane! Just click on the map to open it.

Pin Me!

Have you visited Brisbane before? Let me know in the comments if there are any places I should include in this guide, or pin one of these if you’re planning your own Brisbane trip!