Brisbane is a beautiful, subtropical city that offers travellers plenty to see & do. Known as “The River City”, the best things to do in Brisbane are outdoors, and make the most of the riverfront setting and the city’s sunshine, warm climate and laidback outdoor lifestyle. Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, and is one of the most exciting cities in Australia at the moment.

This Brisbane Travel Guide includes the best things to do in Brisbane, recommendations for where to stay, the best places to eat & drink and the best neighbourhoods to visit. At the end, you’ll find suggested day trips from Brisbane, if you have some extra time.

The best time to visit Brisbane is March-October, avoiding the peak of summer which can be humid and often rainy. The best things to do in Brisbane include exploring Southbank parklands, getting dinner & drinks on Howard Smith Wharves, visiting GoMA and shopping on James Street in New Farm.

I grew up in Brisbane, and return several times a year. I love discovering the latest & greatest new things to see & do in Brisbane on each visit!

Is Brisbane worth visiting?

Yes! Brisbane is absolutely worth visiting, especially if it’s been a while since your last visit. The city has blossomed in the last ten years, and offers so much to see & do for visitors.

Brisbane is known as “The River City” for it’s location on the winding Brisbane River, and it celebrates this with the annual River Fire fireworks show.

Brisbane’s best known precincts & attractions include South Bank Parklands, Howard Smith Wharves and the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

Brisbane is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia and is known for its sunny, subtropical climate with 280+ days of sunshine per year, its outdoor lifestyle and its proximity to some of Australia’s best beaches as its located between the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

How many days do you need in Brisbane?

For first time visitors, 2-3 days in Brisbane is a great start. This leaves enough time to explore the most popular precincts such as Southbank, Howard Smith Wharves and the city. Add a third day if you want to add a day trip.

Where is Brisbane?

Brisbane is approximately half way down on the east coast of Australia, and is the capital city of Queensland. It’s located in the southeast corner of the state, 2 hours’ drive north of the Queensland-New South Wales border. Brisbane is 900km north of Sydney.

Best time to visit Brisbane

The best time to visit Brisbane is any time from April-October, through late spring to early autumn. This avoids the peak heat, humidity and storms of summer.

The absolute best month to visit Brisbane is September, which has warm, sunny days and the city comes alive for the Brisbane Festival, which culiminates in the spectacular Riverfire fireworks show.

Brisbane has a hot and humid subtropical climate, with beautiful, mild winters and hot, rainy summers. It’s possible to visit year-round, but depending on your tolerance of the temperature and crowds, you may want to plan accordingly.

It’s most likely to rain (and occasionally, flood) in January and February, which are the hottest and wettest months.

December to February (Summer) – Brisbane summers are HOT. The average temperatures range from 21 – 30 degrees celsius, but with the strong sunshine and intense humidity, it can feel a lot hotter. The last few years have had lovely “cool” summers, but typically it’s a very hot time to visit.

March to May (Autumn) – Autumn is a lovely time to visit Brisbane, with average temperatures from 16-26 degrees celsius. Catch the end of the Brisbane Comedy Festival in March & Paniyiri Greek Festival in May. Don’t expect traditional autumn foliage however, in subtropical Brisbane.

June to August (Winter) – Brisbane winters are beautiful, with crisp days, clear blue skies and average temperatures between 10-21 degrees celsius.  No heavy coat required!

Catch a game in the State of Origin series, a historic grudge which match pits Queensland against New South Wales in the best of three games. The Ekka, a major agricultural show, brings the farm to the city every winter for the state’s largest event.

September to November (Spring) – Brisbane is extra beautiful in spring, especially when the iconic purple jacarandas bloom in October. September brings the Brisbane Festival, which culminates with Riverfire, a dazzling and beloved fireworks show on the Brisbane River. Spring is warm with average temperatures 16-26 degrees celsius.

Where to stay in Brisbane

The Calile – $$$$ – The Calile is an urban oasis in the heart of James Street on New Farm, and one of the most stylish (and awarded) hotels in Australia. We stayed here for the week leading up to our wedding, it was bliss! Make time for an afternoon at a poolside cabana (hotel guests only), dinner at Hellenika and a session at the world’s chicest hotel gym.

The W – $$$ – To stay in the Brisbane CBD, try The W on George St. It was the first of The W hotels to return to Australia, and is known for being super glam.

Hotel X – $$$ – Part of Intercontinental Hotel Group, Hotel X is a beautiful new hotel on Brunswick Street, technically in Fortitude Valley but just a few minutes’ walk from Howard Smith Wharves. I’ve stayed here a few times, and love the rooftop pool, views from the rooftop restaurant and the included a la carte breakfast, which is truly one of the best.

The best things to do in Brisbane

Enjoy Brisbane’s Riverfront

Howard Smith Wharves – This is the best development to hit Brisbane in the last twenty years. Howard Smith Wharves is lined with lively bars & restaurants, and has beautiful views of the city, river and Story Bridge. Go for lunch or dinner.

Catch a City Cat – The City Cat is a high speed catamaran ferry, which zips along the Brisbane River. It’s a Brisbane icon, and a must-do in the River City. The best places to catch the City Cat from are the Brisbane CBD, outside the Regatta Hotel in Toowong, New Farm and Hamilton. Public transport has never been so much fun!

Streets Beach – Brisbane’s manmade beach has river views, from the heart of Southbank Parkland. It’s most popular with families for swimming, but even if you don’t get in the water, it’s still worth a stroll around the expansive beach and pools.

Art & culture

GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art) – Located in Southbank, GoMA is one of Australia’s best contemporary art galleries and has a focus on Australian, Asian and Pacific art. Entry to the permanent collection is free, and its flagship Asia Pacific Triennial series is worth a morning’s detour.

Brisbane Powerhouse – Housed in a former tram powerhouse, The Powerhouse is an arts & cultural centre on the Brisbane River in New Farm. Have a drink on the riverside deck before catching a show inside.

Nature & wildlife

Brisbane’s city gardens – Explore the beautiful City Botanic Gardens (Alice St), the sprawling Roma Street Parkland or take a City Cat to New Farm Park for a picnic in Brisbane’s oldest garden. Visit in October for an overdose of beautiful jacarandas in full bloom.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – More than 100 koalas and 70 other native species live at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, just 12km from the Brisbane CBD. Book a koala experience to meet a koala, and get a photo opp.

Whale Watching – From June to November, spot majestic humpback whales as they migrate up and down the Queensland coastline. A whale watching cruise is one of the most magical wildlife experiences!

Best neighbourhoods to visit in Brisbane

New Farm

Leafy, riverside New Farm is one of Brisbane’s loveliest suburbs, conveniently located near the city and Fortitude Valley. Go for a picnic in the lovely New Farm Park which is on the river, catch a gig at The Powerhouse or go shopping on James Street, one of the nicest shopping and dining destinations in Brisbane. 

Brisbane CBD

Brisbane’s city centre has undergone a major transformation in the last ten years. Stroll from Howard Smith Wharves to Eagle Street Pier via the Riverwalk, or venture further into the city to admire Roma Street Gardens.

Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley, aka “the valley” is Brisbane’s nightlife district. Skip the main drags lined with nightclubs and rowdy pubs, and instead head to charming laneways like Bakery Lane and Winn Lane for cafes, bars and shops.

South Bank

South Bank Parklands is one of the most beautiful spots in Brisbane, and a must-visit. Stroll along the riverfront promenade, and through the super-Instagrammable arbor, which is covered in bright pink bougainvillea. Check out the manmade Streets Beach, walk along the riverfront or visit the Cultural Centre which is home to the Queensland Art Gallery, GoMA, Queensland Museum & Scienceworks, The State Library & the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Where to eat & drink in Brisbane

Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Agnes – Housed in a converted warehouse, Agnes’ concept is built around cooking on an open fire. It’s one of my favourite new(ish) restaurants in Brisbane, I’m still thinking about their woodfired carrots!

SK Steak & Oyster – White tablecloths, perfect martinis, a grand piano and an extensive raw bar make SK Steak & Oyster the best restaurant in Brisbane for a fancy meal. It’s relatively new, and completely contemporary – nothing stuffy here. Don’t miss the ten-dish-strong potato menu, starring Bug & Lobster Mash.

Greca – Dining on Howard Smith Wharves is a must while you’re in Brisbane, and Greca is one of the best. It’s a lively Greek restaurant, with lovely riverfront views. I keep coming back to Greca, again and again! Don’t miss the chocolate metaxa pudding.

Best Bars in Brisbane

Riverland – As the name suggests, Riverland has a prime riverfront location, making it one of the best bars to visit in Brisbane. It’s got unmatched Story Bridge views, and makes the most of Brisbane’s year-round sunshine. I work for the company that owns Riverland, but it’s honestly one of my top picks for visitors.

Death & Taxes – Death & Taxes is one of Brisbane’s best cocktail bars, tucked away down Burnett Lane in the Brisbane CBD. Gorgeous, wood-panelled interiors & excellent hospitality.

The Gresham – Brisbane’s longstanding “best cocktail bar”, The Gresham is housed in a beautiful historic building in the city and continues to lead the way on the Brisbane bar scene. Get a table inside, the outdoor seating just isn’t the same atmosphere!

Felons Brewing Co – Felons Brewing Co is an enormous brewpub, and the biggest venue at Howard Smith Wharves. It’s super casual, and pretty family friendly. Outdoor tables are walk in only, but you can book to dine inside.

Getting to Brisbane & transport

Fly to Brisbane

Fly direct to Brisbane International Airport, which is the third-busiest airport in Australia. It’s 20 minutes’ drive from the CBD, or you can take the Air Train.

Getting around Brisbane

Brisbane has buses & trains, but trains are mostly used by commuters to move between suburbs. For getting around you’ll be best to use the bus system or take a taxi/rideshare. There’s a free City Loop bus service that runs in the city every 10 minutes.

You can also take the City Cat, a high speed ferry service, along the river. To catch public transport, you’ll need a Go Card so you can tap on & off. You can’t buy tickets or Go Cards on board, but you can buy them at 7/11 and Night Owl stores.

Brisbane is very warm, humid and hilly, so what looks like a reasonable walk on the map isn’t always as easy as it looks!

The best day trips from Brisbane

While Brisbane doesn’t have a surf beach of its own, it’s wedged between two beautiful coastlines – the Sunshine Coast to the north and the Gold Coast to the south. There are also a handful of islands to explore off the coast of Brisbane, so a beautiful beach is never far away. Check out the full post for 18 Brisbane day trip ideas.

Gold Coast

A city on the sea, the Gold Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Stay in Broadbeach or Burleigh for a few days of sun, sand, surf. The Gold Coast is a 50 min drive from Brisbane or you can take the train from Central Station in the city to Robina, and take a taxi or Uber from there to the beachfront areas. From the Gold Coast, it’s another hour’s drive to Byron Bay.

Noosa & The Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a stretch of coastline north of Brisbane, full of beautiful beaches, laidback beach towns and charming hinterland townships. Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Noosa are the most popular beach towns on the Sunshine Coast. Caloundra is closest to Brisbane, 1 hr 20min drive, and Noosa is a 2hr drive.

North Stradbroke Island

Stradbroke Island is the second-largest sand island in the world, and is an easy day trip from Brisbane. Hang out on beautiful beaches like  Cylinder Beach & Point Lookout. Take the fast ferry from Cleveland in Brisbane, which takes 25 minutes.

Moreton Island

Moreton Island is the third-largest sand island in the world, accessible via a 75-min ferry journey from Pinkenba in Brisbane. Stay at Tangalooma Resort, where you can feed dolphins, and go snorkelling in the shipwrecks surrounding the island. There are lots of hikes and 4WD trails all over the island, but you’ll need a 4WD (and experience 4WDing on soft sand, and getting bogged. Best as a buddy drive!)

Byron Bay

Once a sleepy beach town for hippies, Byron Bay may be a victim of its own success these days but it’s still a very special place. Avoid visiting on the school holidays when traffic is mad & its overrun with visitors. Hike to the lighthouse at Cape Byron for a beautiful sunset. Byron Bay is a 2-hour drive from Brisbane or 1-hour from the Gold Coast.

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