Things to do in Brisbane, Australia: Complete Travel Guide
Planning a trip to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia? Brisbane combines a modern city centre, riverside attractions, subtropical gardens, nightlife, sport and easy access to some of South East Queensland’s most popular destinations.
For first time visitors, some of the best things to do in Brisbane include exploring Brisbane CBD, walking through South Bank, travelling along the Brisbane River on a City Cat, experiencing Fortitude Valley, visiting the City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, and seeing famous sporting landmarks such as The Gabba.
This Brisbane travel guide uses our own experience exploring and filming around the city to help you understand what to see in Brisbane, how the major areas connect and which attractions are worth adding to your itinerary.
Watch Our Complete Brisbane Australia Travel Guide
Before planning your trip, you can see many of these locations in our complete Brisbane Australia Travel Guide from AuzPix.
The video includes original footage from Brisbane CBD, South Bank, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane River, City Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha, QUT Gardens Point, The Gabba, Brisbane International Airport, Brisbane Domestic Airport and roads around the city.
1. Explore Brisbane CBD
Brisbane CBD is a good place to begin if you are visiting Brisbane for the first time.
Brisbane Central Station provides convenient access to the city centre. From here, visitors can explore King George Square, Brisbane City Hall, Queen Street Mall and surrounding city streets before continuing towards the Brisbane River.
Walking through the CBD also reveals an interesting mixture of heritage buildings and modern high rises.
What can you see in Brisbane CBD?
Popular places around central Brisbane include:
- Brisbane Central Station
- King George Square
- Brisbane City Hall
- Queen Street Mall
- City Botanic Gardens
- Brisbane River
- Eagle Street and surrounding riverside areas
Many central attractions are close enough to combine into a walking itinerary.
2. Spend Time at South Bank Brisbane
Across the Brisbane River from the CBD is South Bank, one of Brisbane’s major lifestyle and cultural precincts.
South Bank stretches along the southern side of the Brisbane River and brings together parklands, restaurants, cafés, cultural attractions and entertainment within a relatively compact area.
For a first time visitor, this is one of the areas I would prioritise.
Things to do at South Bank Brisbane
Walk through South Bank Parklands, stop at the colourful Brisbane sign, see the Nepalese Peace Pagoda and enjoy the riverside atmosphere.
Another major attraction is the Wheel of Brisbane, which provides elevated views across South Bank, the Brisbane River and city skyline.
The Clem Jones Promenade is also a great option if you simply want to walk beside the river and experience Brisbane at a slower pace.
South Bank’s cultural precinct includes major institutions such as the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum, State Library of Queensland and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
3. Ride a CityCat on the Brisbane River
One of the best ways to understand Brisbane is from the water.
The Brisbane River curves through the centre of the city and plays an important role in Brisbane’s geography, transport and identity.
Visitors can use Brisbane’s CityCat ferry network to travel along the river while seeing the CBD skyline, South Bank, bridges and riverside neighbourhoods from a completely different perspective.
Official Brisbane tourism information also recommends cruising the Brisbane River on a CityCat as one of the city’s visitor experiences.
For travellers, this means public transport can become part of the sightseeing experience itself.
4. Walk Across the Neville Bonner Bridge
South Bank is now connected directly with the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct by the Neville Bonner Bridge.
Walking across the river gives visitors another perspective of Brisbane’s skyline and riverfront.
It also makes it easy to combine South Bank and the city side of the river during the same day without needing a car.
If you enjoy exploring cities on foot, Brisbane’s river crossings are an important part of the experience.
5. Experience Fortitude Valley During the Day and Night
Fortitude Valley, often simply called the Valley, shows a very different side of Brisbane.
During the day, visitors can explore Chinatown, Brunswick Street and the surrounding streets before continuing towards the more polished shopping and dining precinct around James Street.
After dark, Fortitude Valley becomes one of Brisbane’s major nightlife areas, with restaurants, pubs, live music venues, bars and nightclubs.
This contrast makes Fortitude Valley particularly interesting. You can experience shopping, dining and inner city street life during the day and return later for Brisbane nightlife.
6. Relax in the City Botanic Gardens
You do not have to travel far from Brisbane CBD to find nature.
The City Botanic Gardens sit beside the Brisbane River in the heart of the city and cover approximately 18 hectares with around 1.2 kilometres of river frontage.
They are Queensland’s oldest heritage garden and contain more than 600 plant species, including native, exotic and heritage plants. Entry is free and the gardens themselves are open 24 hours a day, although individual facilities have separate operating hours.
The gardens are particularly convenient because they can easily be combined with Brisbane CBD, QUT Gardens Point and a walk along the river.
7. Visit Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha
For a much larger garden experience, head to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot tha.
The gardens cover 56 hectares and are described by Brisbane City Council as Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens. Entry is free.
Visitors can explore different plant collections, walking trails, rainforest environments, wetlands, the Japanese Garden and Tropical Display Dome.
The wider Mount Coot-tha precinct is only around a 15 minute drive from Brisbane CBD and also includes Mount Coot-tha Reserve and the famous lookout. Brisbane City Council describes the reserve as the city’s largest natural area.
Is Mount Coot-tha worth visiting?
Yes, particularly if you enjoy nature, gardens, walking or panoramic views.
It provides a strong contrast with Brisbane CBD and South Bank and is one of the easiest ways to experience Brisbane’s greener side without travelling far from the city.
8. See Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane Skyline
Kangaroo Point sits across the Brisbane River from the CBD and is particularly well known for its cliffs and city views.
The riverside paths are ideal for walking, while the elevated areas provide excellent views towards Brisbane’s skyline.
Sunset and early evening can be particularly attractive as the city lights begin appearing across the river.
9. See The Gabba in Woolloongabba
Sports fans may recognise The Gabba, located in Woolloongabba.
The stadium has a long association with cricket and Australian football and remains one of Brisbane’s most recognisable sporting landmarks.
If you are already travelling through inner Brisbane, it can be worth seeing the stadium even when you are not attending an event.
10. Discover Student Life at QUT Gardens Point
The Queensland University of Technology Gardens Point campus occupies an interesting location beside the Brisbane River and City Botanic Gardens.
The campus combines modern university facilities with historic architecture, including Old Government House.
Its central location also provides a glimpse of what student life in Brisbane can look like, with the CBD, gardens, South Bank and public transport all nearby.
11. Getting to Brisbane by Air
Travellers flying to Brisbane will generally arrive through Brisbane Airport, which has separate international and domestic terminals.
Visitors have several options for travelling between Brisbane Airport and the city, including train, taxi, rideshare, car rental and other transport services.
If you plan to hire a car, Brisbane Airport can also be a convenient starting point for a larger Queensland road trip.
12. Driving in Brisbane Australia
Do you need a car when visiting Brisbane?
Not necessarily. Many central Brisbane attractions can be reached using a combination of walking and public transport.
However, hiring a car becomes more useful if you want to explore outer Brisbane or continue towards destinations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or other parts of South East Queensland.
Visitors from countries where traffic drives on the right should remember that vehicles in Australia drive on the left side of the road.
How Many Days Do You Need in Brisbane?
For a first visit, two to three days gives you enough time to experience several of Brisbane’s major areas without rushing.
A simple itinerary could look like this:
Day 1: Brisbane CBD, City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane River.
Day 2: South Bank, CityCat ferry, river bridges and Kangaroo Point.
Day 3: Mount Coot tha during the day and Fortitude Valley later in the afternoon or evening.
If Brisbane is part of a longer Queensland holiday, consider adding additional days for destinations outside the city.
Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?
Yes. Brisbane is worth visiting for travellers who enjoy a combination of city experiences, riverside spaces, subtropical nature, food, nightlife, sport and outdoor activities.
What makes Brisbane particularly interesting is that these experiences are not concentrated into one tourist district.
You can begin among the high rises of Brisbane CBD, cross the river into the parklands of South Bank, travel by CityCat, experience Fortitude Valley after dark and then spend the next morning surrounded by subtropical vegetation at Mount Coot tha.
Brisbane also works well as a gateway to the wider South East Queensland region.
Brisbane Travel FAQ
What are the best things to do in Brisbane for first time visitors?
For a first visit, prioritise Brisbane CBD, South Bank, a CityCat ride on the Brisbane River, City Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot tha, Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley.
What is Brisbane best known for?
Brisbane is particularly associated with its river, subtropical climate, outdoor lifestyle, South Bank, major sporting venues and its position as Queensland’s capital.
Is South Bank Brisbane worth visiting?
Yes. South Bank combines parklands, river views, restaurants, cultural attractions and entertainment within walking distance, making it particularly convenient for first time visitors.
Are the Brisbane Botanic Gardens free?
Yes. Entry to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha is free. The City Botanic Gardens in central Brisbane are also freely accessible.
Is Brisbane easy to explore without a car?
Central Brisbane can be explored using walking, ferries and other public transport. A car becomes more useful when travelling farther from the city or exploring South East Queensland.
Where should I go for nightlife in Brisbane?
Fortitude Valley is one of the main areas visitors associate with Brisbane nightlife, particularly around its entertainment precinct.
Explore More of Brisbane with AuzPix
This guide is based on locations we explored while filming our Brisbane Australia Travel Guide.
If you want to see Brisbane before planning your own trip, watch the complete AuzPix video featuring original footage from across the city.
🎥 Watch: Brisbane Australia Travel Guide | Best Things to Do in Brisbane
You can also explore our individual guides to Brisbane attractions and neighbourhoods as we continue adding more destinations across Queensland and Australia.