Brisbane, or as in informal Aussie slang lovingly called Brissie, is the stunning capital of tropical Queensland and doesn't disappoint - trust us. The weather tends to be very sunny throughout all seasons, so you can enjoy a city trip all year round. At night the city is all lightened up and you can catch amazing views of the famous Story Bridge or the Gateway bridge that connects the city center to Southbank, a uniquely designed district, different to anything you might get to see throughout your travels around Australia. So make sure you include at least 2 - 3 days in your itinerary to discover the city!
Image thanks to MacArthur Chambers
What To Do In Brisbane?
Brisbane as the capital of Queensland, the so called Sunshine State, and offers a wide range of activities, shopping facilities and also great nightlife.
Visiting Brisbane is also a great thing to do if you are on a budget since you will find a lot of free things to do as well as getting to enjoy beautiful views and spending a few relaxed days. Centrally located Queen Street Mall offers many shops of all famous brands in case you rather want to spend your money or need some warmer clothing for going further down the east coast.
For the more relaxed part simply cross Gateway Bridge and head over to Southbank to get a tan at Australia’s only city beach and have some lunch at one of the multiple different restaurants of the food mile along the river. Another beautiful Brisbane must see are the botanical gardens, which are located only a short walk from the centre of the city.
So whether you want to do some city tripping or just relax on the city beach or in the botanical gardens or go for some drinks at Southbank - Brisbane is always worth a visit!
Image thanks to Brisbane City Council
Top FREE Things To Do In Brisbane
I get it, you don't want to keep spending your hard earned money. These are my best picks when it comes to the best free things to do in Brisbane.
- explore the beautiful botanical gardens with a huge array of flora and educational displays located close to the city centre
- visit Australia’s only city beach at Southbank - a pretty unique experience within a bustling surrounding
- catch a free ferry to cruise Brisbane river - the CityHopper departs every 30 minutes from North Quay and takes you on a approx. 1 hour river cruise, stopping at all the main spots along Brisbane River. You can get off anytime to explore more or simply stay on the ferry to catch some sun rays on the open top deck.
- have a wander around Roma Street Parklands - the world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre
- check out the Museum of Brisbane to find out more interesting facts around the city, admission is free!
- see the city from a different perspective at Mt Coo-Tha lookout, located just a short drive from the city
- watch the sunrise or sunset at Kangaroo Pointwith an amazing skyline view
- listen to a free concert at the Customs House every Sunday
Image thanks to Brisbane times
Cheap Eats In Brisbane
Here are some of the best cheap eats in Brisbane my taste buts approved.
-
Guilty Rogue at Base Uptown offers some huge, tasty pub meals at small cost
-
Pancake Manor open 24/7, so if you ever need to fill your face after a big night out, this is your spot
-
Miss Kay's Burger juicy burgers and smooth shakes - what else could you wish for?
Places To Party In Brisbane
You can't leave Brisbane without going to a banger party so here are my picks for best party places in Brisbane
-
Party with us every Tuesday on our epic Pub Crawl
-
Down under bar is a backpacker institution and the perfect place to get some beers and up on the table
-
The Valley is the perfect place to stroll around and go for any bar that catches your interest. You will find many fancy bars, night clubs and cool venues to spend your night out in the city.
Explore Brisbane Surrounds
Got a few days left to spend?! Visit Moreton Island and snorkel through the Tangalooma Shipwrecks - these are the days full of fun activities and beautiful island scenery you were always looking for!
If you’re into local beverages you can also take part in the XXXX brewery tour, get a taste of the different beer flavours and understand why Queenslanders love this famous local beer so much.
Image thanks to XXXX Brewery
If you’re after getting to see some Australian wildlife you will most definitely love Lone Pine! The Sanctuary located only a 30 minutes drive out of the city center (you can even get there by public transport) hosts 130 Koalas, Kangaroos (always a great motive for sneaky selfies) as well as Dingos, Platypuses, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats and many more species.
Events In Brisbane
Brisbane, as the biggest city in Queensland of course also hosts a lot of events throughout the whole year. Whether you’re interested in arts and music, sports or cultural events - there’s always something on for everyone in Brissie!
Besides the many music festivals and concerts, Brisbane is hosting in one of the major concert venues or smaller location, many world wide famous festivals take place there as well like Brisbane Comedy Festival in February / March or the Brisbane Festival in September. Brisbane’s sports venues host many games of the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League (NRL). Watching one of these games is a must for everyone wanting to get into the local passion about sports in Australia!
You see there is always something happening in the city - all year round!
Where To Head Next?!
Heading up North?! Explore the beauty of Noosa.
Heading down South?! Get your heart racing on the Goldy.
Major wanderlust right? Check out our awesome Brisbane deals now.
About The Author:
Lena is a Tourism Management student from Germany and wants to travel every country in the world before turning 80. For her, travelling is more than just holidays on the beach, it’s about exploring the local life and get to know different cultures and traditions.
