Whether you consider yourself a Brisbane City expert or are exploring The City for the first time, this list reveals the best things to do in The City heart – and *spoiler alert* – you’re going to need more than one day. Between the heritage buildings and sleek glass skyscrapers, The City’s boundaries contain a treasure trove of things to do. From hitting busy shopping streets to quiet riverside strolls, and chic high-end restaurants to laid-back laneway beers – discover awesome things to fill just a lunch break or a whole weekend worth bragging about. Read on to discover our comprehensive guide of where to eat, drink, shop, and play in The City. Let’s explore the best things to do in Brisbane, Australia for your better trip.
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Best Things To Do In Brisbane, Australia
Wander through the air-conditioned halls of QAGOMA
The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art are like yin and yang – two distinct galleries that make a perfect whole. Between them the city showcases world-class art exhibitions that are more often than not free to attend.
Visit the Museum of Brisbane
Be captivated by the stories of Brisbane through curated exhibitions that feature local artists and the culture and history of The City. The MoB gift shop is a must visit for Brisbane made and Brisbane designed treasures by local artisans.
Go on a craft beer crawl
Put aside an afternoon to tackle this craft beer trail hopping you between breweries, bars and bottle shops in The City. Sure, these days you can walk into any pub, bar or restaurant and order a local craft beer (which we think is great, by the way) – but there are so many bars and pubs that turned a love of craft beer into an obsession.
Chill around south bank
It also has a little botanical garden called Epicurious Garden, where you can literally handpick your own herbs for free, extra useful when you want to save a few bucks! And it even has a free man-made beach that’s open throughout the summer, a favorite for those looking for things to do in Brisbane with kids!
Once you are in South Bank, there’s no way you can miss out on the Wheel of Brisbane, their very own 60 Brisbane Eye! It is a splendid place to see a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings!
Admire the view from the top of story bridge
You may have already seen it in pictures, but let me tell you that one of the most famous Brisbane attractions is the heritage-listed and iconic Story Bridge.
A twin of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, Canada, this bridge lights up at night and makes for the best Instagram photos against the Brisbane Skyline!
Are you feeling adventurous? Then why not climb the Story Bridge? Yes, you read that right! This 2-hour adventure tour takes you climbing up the bridge! During the tour you will get a 360º view of the city and get to learn about this iconic bridge’s history! Not recommended for those scared of heights.
The Cultural Precinct
On the banks of the Brisbane River, the heritage-listed Cultural Precinct in South Bank is a fantastic, family-friendly destination for a day out, with a host of excellent museums, galleries, and performance venues. Award-winning architecture adds to the precinct’s beautiful setting on the river near picturesque parklands, and you’ll find plenty of things to do here for the whole family.
Browse the excellent collections at the State Library of Queensland; keep the kids entertained with the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre’s interactive exhibits; or ogle thought-provoking, cutting-edge art at the popular Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) here stages world-class performances of everything from opera and ballet to comedy shows and contemporary music concerts.
Queen Street Mall
The vibrant Queen Street mall shopping precinct is home to more than 700 retailers showcasing local, national, and international designs and labels. In addition to the centrally-located, pedestrian-friendly street frontage, a labyrinth of heritage-listed arcades make it rewarding to explore the complex. Most Wednesdays, the area at the bridge end of the mall transforms into a bustling Farmers Market selling local produce, flowers, and artisan products.
