A day out in Brisbane

Top things to do in Brisbane

• Story Bridge Adventure Climb

  A$150 · Kangaroo Point · about 150 min

  Climb the city's landmark bridge with a guide.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

  A$63 · Fig Tree Pocket · about 150 min

  The world's first koala sanctuary. Catch the river cruise there for extra fun.

• Queensland Museum

  Free · South Bank · about 90 min

  Dinosaurs, wildlife and Queensland history.

• CityCat ferry ride

  A$1 · CBD · about 60 min

  Cruise the river for a 50-cent public transport fare.

• Kangaroo Point Cliffs

  Free · Kangaroo Point · about 60 min

  Floodlit cliffs with skyline views; rock climbing and abseiling too.

• Mount Coot-tha lookout

  Free · Mount Coot-tha · about 60 min

  The whole city spread below you.

• Museum of Brisbane and City Hall clock tower

  Free · CBD · about 60 min

  Free museum and a ride up the clock tower (book ahead).

• Wheel of Brisbane

  A$22 · South Bank · about 30 min

  Fifteen minutes in an air-conditioned gondola.

• Howard Smith Wharves

  Free · CBD · about 60 min

  Restaurants and bars under the Story Bridge.

• Anzac Square and the Shrine of Remembrance

  Free · CBD · about 30 min

  Brisbane's war memorial with an eternal flame, opposite Central station.

Coming up in Brisbane

• Australia v England T20 at the Gabba (Fri 27 November): Men's T20 international under lights.
• Big Bash at the Gabba (Tue 15 December, Mon 28 December, Fri 1 January): Brisbane Heat at home, 6:15 pm starts.

From published fixtures. Check times and tickets with the organiser.

Free things to do in Brisbane

• South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach (South Bank): A free inner-city beach lagoon and riverside gardens.
• QAGOMA galleries (South Bank): Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, free entry.
• Queensland Museum (South Bank): Dinosaurs, wildlife and Queensland history.
• Kangaroo Point Cliffs (Kangaroo Point): Floodlit cliffs with skyline views; rock climbing and abseiling too.
• Mount Coot-tha lookout (Mount Coot-tha): The whole city spread below you.
• Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha (Mount Coot-tha): Japanese garden, tropical dome and bushland.
• Museum of Brisbane and City Hall clock tower (CBD): Free museum and a ride up the clock tower (book ahead).
• Roma Street Parkland (CBD): Subtropical gardens on the edge of the city.

Where to eat

• Lunch on Little Stanley Street (South Bank, around A$28): Cafés and restaurants by the parklands.
• Dinner on Boundary Street, West End (West End, around A$35): Brisbane's eclectic eat street.
• Dinner on James Street (Fortitude Valley, around A$70): Stylish restaurants in the Valley.
• Chinatown dumplings (Fortitude Valley, around A$20): Duncan Street and Chinatown Mall eateries.
• King Arthur Cafe (Fortitude Valley, around A$25): Creative brunch on Arthur Street; dog-friendly.
• The Green (Fortitude Valley, around A$25): Lebanese-inspired breakfasts on James Street.
• The New Black (Fortitude Valley, around A$22): Laneway café on Ann Street with weekly specials.
• Felix For Goodness (CBD, around A$25): Organic, from-scratch brunch in Burnett Lane.
• Morning After (West End, around A$25): Popular West End brunch spot. Often a queue.
• Picnic Cafe (West End, around A$22): Playful brunch on Boundary Street.
• A Cafe Called Kevin (New Farm, around A$22): Brunch in a heritage cottage on Brunswick Street.
• Mylk & Ko (New Farm, around A$22): Acai bowls and dairy-free brunch on Merthyr Road.
• Blue Bear Coffee House (New Farm, around A$22): Waffle eggs benny on James Street.
• Joedy's Cafe (New Farm, around A$22): Across the road from New Farm Park.
• Kin (Teneriffe, around A$22): Café near the riverwalk on Macquarie Street.
• Chapter IV (Paddington, around A$25): Queenslander verandah café with city views on Latrobe Terrace.
• Smoked Paprika (Paddington, around A$22): Little Paddington café with weekly specials.
• Anouk (Paddington, around A$22): All-day brunch on Given Terrace.
• Naim (Paddington, around A$25): Middle Eastern-inspired breakfasts.
• Pawpaw Cafe (Woolloongabba, around A$25): Brunch near the Gabba on Stanley Street East.
• Bear Boy Espresso (Windsor, around A$18): Chicken and waffles and serious coffee.
• Biang Biang Fresh Noodle (Fortitude Valley, around A$18): Hand-pulled noodles, now on Brunswick Street.
• Happy Boy (Fortitude Valley, around A$35): Loud regional Chinese; the roast duck lunch is a local favourite.
• Hai Hai (West End, around A$12): Vegetarian feasts for about $12, for over 20 years. No bookings.
• Little Greek Taverna (West End, around A$30): Greek mains under $30 on Boundary Street.
• Lefkas Taverna (West End, around A$30): Old-school Greek taverna on Hardgrave Road.
• P'Nut Street Noodles (South Bank, around A$18): Thai street noodles near the Cultural Centre.
• Nodo (Newstead, around A$20): Baked doughnuts and brunch.
• The Gunshop Cafe (West End, around A$28): West End brunch institution in an old gun shop.
• Chouquette (New Farm, around A$12): French bakery on Brunswick Street. Croissants go early.
• Strauss (CBD, around A$20): Weekday café on Elizabeth Street.
• Felons Brewing Co (Howard Smith Wharves, around A$35): Brewery hall under the Story Bridge.
• Stanley (Howard Smith Wharves, around A$110): Cantonese in a heritage river building.
• Agnes (Fortitude Valley, around A$140): Everything cooked over fire, in an old Valley warehouse. Book ahead.
• Julius Pizzeria (West End, around A$40): Neapolitan pizza near the Cultural Centre.
• Breakfast Creek Hotel (Breakfast Creek, around A$40): 1889 pub pouring beer from the wood, with steaks.

Step-free and pram-friendly ideas

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary · step-free · pram-friendly
• South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach · step-free · pram-friendly
• QAGOMA galleries · step-free · pram-friendly
• Queensland Museum · step-free · pram-friendly
• CityCat ferry ride · step-free · pram-friendly
• Mount Coot-tha lookout · step-free

Access information can change. Check with the venue if access is essential.

Day trips from Brisbane

Typical weather in Brisbane

Approximate long-term averages, not a forecast.