Brisbane

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Brisbane

Brisbane is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with excellent restaurants, beautiful riverside parks, a busy cultural calendar, and lively nightlife. Queensland's capital city is surrounded by some of the state's major tourist attractions, and there is an abundant choice of day trips. Explore the coast for the golden beaches or go inland for some of the region's serene bushland — there is something for everyone here.

The City

not finished The capital of the “Sunshine State,” Brisbane, could very well be the world’s most laidback city: its residents are friendly and optimistic in a way rarely seen in big city life. But with such a fantastic lifestyle, who can blame them for smiling? Brisbane has a world of experience to offer its visitors. From the hustle and bustle of the Central Business District (CBD), you can escape to the creative ambiance of the contemporary arts centre—The Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm. Perhaps you’d prefer dinner with sights of the city at South Bank? Afterwards, if you’d like a stiff drink, head towards the trendy bars of Fortitude Valley and West End. If you don’t dance the night away, you might be up early enough to watch the sunrise as you kayak on the Brisbane River or perhaps you’d prefer relaxing at Australia’s only inner-city beach at South Bank. If you still have the energy, you can try rock climbing and take in the views of the Story Bridge and the city skyline from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. When you’re ready to relax, head down to Woolloongabba to enjoy some of the spectator sports that Queensland is famed for!

Do & See Dining Cafes Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Beach, art, and food. Mix and match those three options any way you like and get the most out of Brisbane. Take a walk through the air-conditioned halls of QAGOMA or catch the breeze riding on the tiny red CityHopper vessel. Lay down your towel and rest your feet on the warm sand of Streets Beach at South Bank. The food is a whole other delicious story. Check out local farmers’ markets and pluck a few fresh treats from the numerous free public garden beds.

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium is Queensland’s largest oceanarium/aquarium with 25,000 sea animals and a multi award winning tourist attraction. Take the opportunity to walk with thousands of marine animals without getting your feet wet.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

This sanctuary gives you the opportunity to touch and hold koalas in the world’s largest koala enclosure. The site is easily accessible by bus from the CBD, or via Miramar Cruises who do daily trips from South Bank’s Cultural Centre pontoon at 10am.

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo was opened in in 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin, Steve Irwin's parents. Steve Irwin and his wife aimed to make the Zoo a wildlife conservation facility that is second to no other. Australia Zoo is the place to see a crocodile up-close without getting eaten.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Less publicized, but no less astounding, the sanctuary is home to the world’s largest collection of Australian native animals. It was designated as world heritage site in September 2009. Check out their website to choose from a variety of experiences and encounters available.

Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park is World Heritage-listed and about a 2 hour drive away from Brisbane. The park’s walks take in pristine waterfalls, sections of the ancient Gondwana Rainforests and over 120 bird species that live there.

The Gabba

The Gabba is the spiritual home of Queensland sport, it’s a legend in itself and a must-see for any cricket or Australian Football League fan. It is the home ground for the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls.

Roma Street Parkland

The world’s largest urban subtropical garden is the perfect place to see some of Australia’s native flora and fauna in the heart of the city. All year round you can enjoy spectacular colours in this perfect picnic spot.

Moreton Bay Escapes

Moreton Bay Escapes offer tours to astoundingly beautiful Moreton Bay Marine Park and Moreton Island National Park. Their tours are a good match for outdoorsy people and their guides are experienced with senior first aid.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Ever wanted to climb a bridge? The Story Bridge at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane is one of only four legally climbable bridges in Australia. With the height being the equivalent of a 22-storey building, it is not something for the faint hearted! Make sure you stop in at Story Bridge Hotel for a celebratory drink…

Gallery Of Modern Art aka QAGOMA

Brisbane’s Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art are the largest, modern and contemporary art galleries in Australia. The complex is situated at the Kurilpa Point on the Brisbane River.

Mount Coot-tha

Mount Coot-tha is one of Brisbane’s most popular tourist destinations, but also offers an escape from the city life through its 220 hectares of natural bushland and native wildlife that make up the Mt. Coot-tha Reserve. See the breathtaking panorama of Brisbane City all the way out to the ocean at Moreton Bay from the…

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

The original Botanical Gardens were established in 1855 and were located on Alice Street on the south-east side of the city. Due to the proximity to the river, the gardens have been flooded eight times which lead to the new botanical gardens at Mount Coot-tha. Don't miss the Tropical Display Dome — a large geodesic…

South Bank Parklands

South Bank offers 17 hectares of lush gardens, lawns, beach, restaurants, cafes and shopping. Both tourists and locals frequent the Riverside Walkway and flock to the area during music and arts festivals.

XXXX Brewery Tour

XXXX Brewery Tour is an iconic brewery in Brisbane. Learn about the history, how to serve the perfect beer and of course taste a couple of cold ones. The tour takes around 90 minutes and you are invited to taste four beers.

Springbrook and Tamborine Rainforest Tour

Book one of these tours for a full day packed with adventure. Walk through Springbrook and Tamborine National Parks and drive through the beautiful Numinbah Valley. You will see rock pools and waterfalls in a lush rainforest. Don't forget to stop at Natural Bridge to check out the Glow Worm Caves.

Lovers' Walk and Shorncliffe Pier

This scenic 2.5km walk takes you along the shoreline from the 350m long timber Shorncliffe Pier to the former Sandgate Baptist Church. It's great for dog walking, jogging, taking in the ocean and mountain views. Grab fish'n'chips from one of the local vendors and enjoy the sunset.

CityHopper

Brisbane City Council is runnings a free inner city ferry line called CityHopper. The tiny red boats cruise between six stops in central Brisbane between North Quay and Sydney Street, New Farm. The service runs every 30 minutes.

Brisbane City Markets

Brisbane City Markets delivers a premium selection of gourmet food and ingredients. Browse artisan goods, buy some premium meats and trawler-direct seafood, bite into a freshly baked loaf of bread. The original market at Reddacliff Place is a favourite for city workers, local residents and tourists. The second location at Cathedral Square is smaller in…

Howard Smith Wharves

Right underneath the north end of the Story Bridge is a trendy waterside development with restaurants, bars, a huge brewery and a hotel. Enjoy a cold one from the large green space and take in the river view.

Fairy light trees at Captain Burke Park & Gardens Point

Here and there around the inner city, you will find secluded fig tries covered in fairy lights. Perfect location for a romantic moment or a little photoshoot.

The Wheel of Brisbane

The iconic Wheel of Brisbane takes you up 60 metres above the ground for a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the city. The gondola is fully enclosed and air-conditioned, and seats up to 8 people. One ticket gets you for revolutions within 10–15 minutes. The ride is especially magical during sunset.

Book a winery tour

Of course, you could get all the best Australian wines without leaving Brisbane's city limits, but what could be better than meeting the people whose hands made the wine and taking in the atmosphere of a lush winery. Book a tour or get into a car with a designated driver, and don't forget to back…

Dining

One of the many highlights of any visit to Brisbane is experiencing the epicurean delights of the city’s different neighbourhoods. Brisbane is immeasurably proud of its reputation for fine dining, and within a ten minute radius of the town centre you can choose between the kitchens of European, Mediterranean, Asian or contemporary Australian restaurants.

CRU Bar & Cellar

CRU is an impeccably stylish bar and restaurant, and a hotspot for celebrity spotting. The food is made with the finest Australian ingredients and the dining hall is bathed in natural light. Come here for a cocktail or for an elaborate multi-course meal expertly paired with a bottle of wine.

Julius Pizzeria

Julius Pizzeria serves authentic wood-fired pizza and Italian dishes in a rustic atmosphere. The restaurant is always busy, however their food is definitely worth the wait for a table. If you are lucky, you will get a table close to the kitchen and see how your food is prepared.

Gerard’s Bistro

Dishes from Africa, Europe and the Middle East in a chic dining room with a 3D timber wall. Every city should be so lucky as to have a bistro like Gerard's. Onions are charred, eggplant is blackened over flames and jars of pumpkin are patiently left to ferment inside Gerard's busy open kitchen. All are…

Gambaro Seafood Restaurant

Gambaro first opened back in 1953 and remains one of Brisbane’s oldest seafood restaurants. This award-winning establishment focuses on getting the best locally sourced produce whenever possible. Though the use of candlelight and sheer curtains between tables, the dining room is intimate and airy at the same time. It is a perfect environment to dine…

Corbett & Claude

Corbett & Claude is hidden away in a laneway basement, underneath the the heritage-listed Corbett Chambers. This modern and elegant in its simplicity space is popular with the young crowd, sipping trademark cocktails, enjoying the cold beer on tap and browsing the wine list. Signature pizzas leap out of the oven at breakneck speed.

Chu The Phat

Chu The Phat (pun intended) is an upbeat contemporary restaurant and bar on Fish Lane, South Brisbane’s up-and-coming dining hotspot. Their menu is inspired by the Asian street food hawker stalls of Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. Try their a la carte dining options and lunch specials.

Miss Demeanour

Brisbane is serious about burgers. Miss Demeanour, located underground in Rowes Lane, is always busy with locals enjoying the juiciest brisket burgers, craft beers, and boozy cocktails. If you're in a mood for something plant-based, their vegan and vegetarian options are excellent as well.

Grown

While you are exploring the foodie central West End, check out Grown — a completely plant-based vegan restaurant that uses ingredients sourced from no more than 400km from Brisbane. Their skilled use of flavours and textures are sure to satisfy and delight even the most meat-loving guests. The coffee is excellent, too.

Tippler's Tap Southbank

Tipplers Tap serves you a rotating array of on-tap brews in a hip atmosphere with wall murals. American classics like hotdogs, chilli and burgers can be found next some great vegan options. The place is pretty budget-friendly, too.

Cha Cha Char

Cha Cha Char offers wood-fired steaks in a spacious upscale venue with river views. The menu is incredibly meticulous. You can find out the breed, age, size, and diet of the animal. Of you are in a mood for something less meaty, their seafood selection is outstanding, too.

Malt Dining

The atmosphere at this loft style restaurant is warm, relaxed and is perfect for an intimate dinner or a wedding reception alike. Have a delicious drink at the 10-meter Tasmanian oak bar after your luxurious, almost-to-good-to-be-true dinner.

Moda Tapas. Brasa. Bar

The chef, Javier Codina, is from Barcelona, Spain and has established a great reputation for his amazing food at Moda. The Catalan influenced menu is innovative. Guest leave raving reviews of their charcoal fired Wagyu Beef and baked figs.

Cafes

As most modern cities, Brisbane has a lot to offer in the realm of Third Wave coffee shops with dedicated baristas, WiFi, bistro food and mouthwatering desserts.

The Gunshop Cafe

The only fault to be found in this cafe situated in the heart of West End is that the all day breakfasts are too popular, but the generous portions are worth the wait. They serve fresh juice, organic tea and merlo coffee.

Marchetti Cafe

Marchetti Cafe serves authentic Italian coffee and wine as well as a selection of breakfast and lunch options. The historic Tattersall’s Arcade gives the cafe a charming flair. Try Nonna's Veal Meatballs for a taste of Italy in Australia.

Scout Cafe

Scout Cafe serves an all day brunch menu with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. They specialise in an unusual selection of bagels and toppings. Try their bagel with roasted pumpkin, onion jam and roasted red pepper for a delicious start to your day. Their homemade muesli bars also come highly recommended.

Grown

Blackstar Coffee Roasters

Blackstar is a cozy bar and roaster serving cold pressed coffee and espresso brewed from single-origin beans roasted in-house. It is a great place to get your morning dose of caffeine, get some work done, and have a delicious brunch or brekkie. Burgers and poached eggs come highly recommended.

Salt Coffee Roasters

Salt Coffee Roasters an elegant espresso bar with an in-house roastery. Spend the morning in their picture-perfect interior that flawlessly combines emerald green furniture with millennial pink walls, polished concrete floors and a long leather wall seat with marble bistro tables. Salt serves a list of classic caffeine hits and more experimental cold drips and…

The Single Guys Coffee Co.

The Single Guys serve simple and fresh breakfast and lunch daily. Guests have remarked on their Eggs Benedict with extra bacon and avocado toast with extra mushrooms. The coffee offerings are rotating weekly.

Botero House

Botero House occupies a stunning three-story historic corner building on Adelaide Street. Fantastic coffee is a given, but the food is just another level. Curried scrambled eggs and pulled pork burger with kimchi fennel will make you come back to this stylish cafe again and again. The best part is that all lunch items will…

Microlot Coffee House

Right next to the Hawthorne park, there's a quaint little cafe serving delicious morning brews with a small selection of snacks, pastries, gruyere cheese and fried eggs on brioche, and rye bread sandwiches. They get their beans fresh from Colombia and roast on site.

Sassafras of Paddington

This restaurant serves vegetarian and vegan food. The lush garden courtyard is perfect for an iced coffee. Sassafras is Australian for "place of many delicious and quirky things", at least according to their own definition.

Bars & Nightlife

Brisbane is overflowing with great pubs. Most of the hotels double as drinking establishments for both locals and guests of the city. Beers are served in pots, schooners, pints and jugs and the beer taps in many bars will be specially chilled, causing the condensation to freeze on the outside. Most hotels are open 10:30am–3am, and the traditional “Sunday Session” runs from 11am to midnight.

Norman Hotel

The Norman is a good place to meet a cross-section of Brisbane society. It is a custom for those attending matches at The Gabba to get a pre-match steak. There are two bars here, the new Norman’s Bar and the traditional Sports Bar. Busy steakhouse serving cuts of Queensland beef in a converted old hotel…

The Beat Megaclub

The Beat Megaclub is one of Brisbanes favourite LGBTQI nightclubs that has been around for over 35 years. There is live entertainment every night with DJs, live acts, and drag shows. Check out their Instagram page to see what's on.

Tippler's Tap Southbank

Story Bridge Hotel

Story Bridge Hotel is a Brisbane stalwart. Its existence is intrinsically linked with The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, but it’s probably best known for hosting the Australia Day cockroach races. You’ll find three different bars here: the Shelter, the Corner Bar, and the Outback bar. All of them have plenty of…

Buffalo Bar

The chic beer garden and their large selection of beers make this a very popular first stop on a night out. Buffalo Bar also offers American pub meals and live screenings of your favourite games.

Lychee Lounge

This is a very intimate hipster hideaway with great cocktails. Its interior with red lighting serves as a popular spot for pre-clubbing drinks and meals, but you can also come here for lunch.

Jade Buddha Bar & Kitchen

Come for the stunning views of the Story Bridge and stay for the cocktails and the equally tasty Asian Fusion menu that includes burgers, fish and chips, and dumplings.

Embassy Bar & Kitchen

Embassy Bar & Kitchen is a hidden gem serving great food and beer for a reasonable price. The menu offers an excellent selection of domestic craft and imported beers along with hearty pub grub.

Laruche

This award-winning venue with quirky decor is located in the heart of Fortitude Valley. It opened its door in 2009, and ever since it has attracted the young and beautiful. Here you can indulge in one of the signature cocktails and dance the night away on the dance floor.

Shopping

Brisbane has become one of the hottest shopping destinations in Australia, both for flagship stores and small boutiques. The city boasts an array of hidden gems around every corner, from niche fashion-forward stores to stylish arcades and luxury retailers.