10 Best Things to Do in Brisbane

Looking for what to do in Brisbane? Queensland’s capital is a warm, easygoing city built around a sweeping river, subtropical sunshine and a lifestyle that spills outdoors. Instead of grand monuments, Brisbane offers leafy riverfront promenades, cultural precincts, neighbourhood dining, rooftop bars and day trips to islands and rainforests that feel a world away from the CBD.

From South Bank’s parklands and museums to the Story Bridge, Mount Coot-tha lookouts, koala sanctuaries and creative inner-city suburbs, the city invites you to slow down, wander by the water and enjoy long evenings in the open air. Here are the 10 best things to do in Brisbane, crafted to help you experience the river city in depth.

1. Explore South Bank Parklands and the Cultural Precinct

South Bank is Brisbane’s most popular riverfront playground — a long stretch of parklands, pools, restaurants and cultural venues on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. At its heart is Streets Beach, a man-made lagoon with white sand and views of the skyline, where families swim, sunbathe and relax on the lawns almost year-round.

Walk the arbour draped in bougainvillea, browse weekend markets and stop at cafés or eateries overlooking the river. Just across the way, the Queensland Cultural Centre brings together the Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), the State Library, Queensland Museum and performance spaces. Spend your morning in galleries and exhibitions, then cross the street for a swim, picnic or riverside drink — South Bank captures Brisbane’s blend of culture and outdoor living in one compact area.

2. Walk, Cycle or Cruise Along the Brisbane River

The Brisbane River winds through the city in wide curves, shaping its neighbourhoods and skyline. One of the best ways to get a feel for the city is simply to follow the river, whether on foot, by bike or aboard a ferry. Riverwalk paths link suburbs, parks and bridges, with benches and lookout points inviting you to pause and watch boats glide past.

Hop on a CityCat or CityHopper ferry to see Brisbane from the water — gliding under bridges, past the CBD, South Bank, Kangaroo Point cliffs and new riverfront developments. Sunset and evening rides are especially atmospheric, when lights from office towers, bridges and riverside bars reflect off the water.

3. Climb or View the Story Bridge

The Story Bridge is one of Brisbane’s most recognisable landmarks, connecting the CBD with inner-north suburbs. At street level, pedestrian paths offer pleasant city and river views, especially at night when the bridge is illuminated in shifting colours.

For a more dramatic perspective, join a Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Harnessed to a safety line, you’ll ascend the steel structure to a summit platform with 360-degree views over the river, skyline and distant ranges. Dawn climbs showcase soft morning light, while twilight and night climbs reveal a sea of glittering city lights.

4. Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Located a short drive or river cruise from the CBD, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wildlife sanctuaries. Here you can see dozens of koalas lounging in eucalyptus trees, watch them being fed and learn about conservation efforts to protect these iconic animals.

The sanctuary also houses kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, platypus and a variety of native birds and reptiles. In designated areas, you can hand-feed kangaroos and get close-up views of animals you might only glimpse from afar in the wild. Lone Pine is particularly popular with families and international visitors wanting an accessible but ethically minded wildlife experience.

5. Take in the View from Mount Coot-tha Lookout and Explore the Botanic Gardens

Mount Coot-tha rises just west of central Brisbane, offering one of the best panoramic viewpoints over the city, river and Moreton Bay islands on clear days. The lookout, easily reached by car, bus or hiking trails, is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset when the city glows under changing light.

At the base of the mountain, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha showcase subtropical and themed gardens, including Japanese landscapes, native rainforest sections, arid plant collections and a tropical glasshouse. Walking the garden paths gives you a sense of Queensland’s plant diversity, while the nearby planetarium adds a celestial dimension to your visit.

6. Discover New Farm Park and Howard Smith Wharves

New Farm Park, one of Brisbane’s oldest and most loved parks, stretches along a bend in the river with rose gardens, expansive lawns, fig trees and playgrounds. Locals come here for picnics, barbecues, yoga sessions and relaxed afternoons on the grass, often arriving via the CityCat ferry at the New Farm terminal.

A short walk or ferry ride away, Howard Smith Wharves transforms historic riverside wharf buildings beneath the Story Bridge into a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct. Breweries, bars and restaurants line the waterfront, with outdoor seating that fills up as the sun lowers and the bridge lights flicker on. It’s one of the best places in the city to combine food, views and a social evening.

7. Explore Fortitude Valley, James Street and Nightlife

Fortitude Valley — known simply as “The Valley” — is Brisbane’s main nightlife and live music hub. Its streets are filled with bars, clubs, small venues and late-night eateries that come alive after dark, especially on weekends when crowds spill between venues.

By day, the area around James Street offers a more refined side of the Valley, with boutique hotels, design stores, cafes and stylish restaurants. Nearby laneways and backstreets reveal small art galleries, coffee roasters and creative studios. Whether you’re chasing live gigs, cocktails or a leisurely brunch, the Valley area showcases Brisbane’s contemporary, urban edge.

8. Wander West End’s Markets, Cafés and Riverside Paths

Across the river from the CBD and South Bank, West End is one of Brisbane’s most eclectic neighbourhoods. Greek bakeries, Vietnamese eateries, craft beer bars, second-hand bookstores, organic grocers and community centres all share space along Boundary Street and side lanes.

Weekend markets bring stalls selling fresh produce, street food, crafts and vintage goods, accompanied by live music and a relaxed, bohemian crowd. Riverside paths link West End’s parks with South Bank and beyond, making it easy to combine neighbourhood exploration with scenic walks along the river.

9. Visit the Museum of Brisbane and Explore the CBD

Located in City Hall on King George Square, the Museum of Brisbane offers a compact but engaging look at the city’s history, design and evolving identity. Exhibitions often focus on local stories, contemporary art and the changing face of Brisbane’s neighbourhoods.

After exploring the museum, take a free tour up the City Hall clock tower for bird’s-eye views over the CBD. Then wander Queen Street Mall and surrounding streets to experience the city’s main shopping district, laneway cafés and small bars tucked between office towers. The mix of heritage facades and modern high-rises reflects Brisbane’s growth over the past few decades.

10. Take Day Trips to Moreton Bay Islands or the Scenic Hinterland

One of Brisbane’s biggest advantages is how quickly you can escape to beaches, islands and mountain ranges. Offshore, Moreton Bay is dotted with islands like Moreton and North Stradbroke (Minjerribah), where you’ll find sand dunes, clear water, wild dolphins, migrating whales in season and relaxed coastal villages. Day tours and ferries make it possible to sandboard, snorkel, kayak or simply laze on the beach.

Inland, the Scenic Rim and national parks like Lamington and Springbrook offer rainforest trails, waterfalls, lookouts and small country towns. Whether you choose islands or mountains, these day trips show the natural backdrop that shapes Brisbane’s climate and character — giving you a bigger picture of southeast Queensland beyond the city streets.