Brisbane is sunlit riverways, rooftop cocktails, secret laneways, and a surprisingly serious art scene - all wrapped up in warm, friendly weather. Whether you’ve got a long weekend or a few hours between meetings, this is a city that rewards curiosity.
Below: an easy-to-follow local guide, with things to do in Brisbane, mixing the classics with the slightly-less-obvious local picks, transport tips, family options and one very fine excuse to head south for a night at Dracula’s.
Why Brisbane?
Brisbane somehow balances relaxed riverside living with a punchy creative streak. Galleries that’ll make you think, parks that beg you to picnic and a dining scene that treats casual meals like events. It’s compact enough to explore without losing time to travel, and it’s a brilliant launchpad for island escapes and the Gold Coast’s louder charms. For practical travel around the river, Brisbane’s CityCat and ferry network are easy and scenic to use.
Outdoor adventures & scenic spots
(the vitamin D list)
Walk the riverside: From South Bank to the City Botanic Gardens, the riverside walkways are Brisbane’s best free attraction. You’ll pass pop-up markets, lawns perfect for a nap, and Streets Beach - the beloved inner-city, man-made beach. Bring swimmers and a towel.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs: Perfect for an early-morning scramble, picnic or full-blown abseil. If adrenaline’s your language, book a guided abseil or climb for skyline views you’ll use on every Instagram post that follows.
Mount Coot-tha lookout &; botanic gardens: Ten minutes from the CBD and you’ll be trading skyscrapers for sweeping panoramas and shady walks. Excellent for sunrise or a lazy afternoon with a coffee and a camera.
Moreton Island day trips: If you want snorkelling, clear-water wrecks and sand dunes without the international flight, Moreton Island’s Tangalooma day cruises are the move. It’s a full day but thoroughly worth it.
Culture & creativity: The heavyweight art, with a cheeky side
QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art): Two world-class galleries on the river that punch well above their weight. The main galleries are free to enter (special exhibitions may cost), and rotating shows mean there’s often something new to discover. Leave space for the museum shop - it’s dangerously good.
Brisbane Powerhouse: a converted industrial power station that now hosts theatre, comedy, live music and markets. It’s scrappy, brilliant, and worth checking for one-off shows.
Street art & indie hubs: Wander West End and Fortitude Valley for murals, small galleries, and laneway cafés. These neighbourhoods reward wandering and impromptu lunch decisions.
Family-friendly Brisbane
(things the kids will rave about)
South Bank Parklands & Streets Beach: Australia’s favourite inner-city beach; lagoon swimming, playgrounds, picnic lawns and kid-friendly cafés. If you need a no-brainer family day, this is it.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos and meet Australia’s friendliest wildlife. Classic family win and super-easy from the city.
Queensland Museum & Sciencentre: Hands-on displays that entertain kids and keep adults interested. Great if the weather turns wet.
Food, drink & nightlife - rooftop season, always
Howard Smith Wharves: Riverside dining, bars, and breweries under the Story Bridge. It’s South Bank’s flashier cousin for sunsets and cocktails with a view. Bookahead if you want a table at the prime viewing spots.
Fortitude Valley (The Valley): Late-night bars, live music, and an energetic crowd. If you want the city’s night pulse, this is it.
Local tips: West End and New Farm hide relaxed BYO gems and multicultural eats. Rooftop bars and small-batch breweries keep the night interesting, and your phone full of excellent photos.
Unique experiences
(the things you’ll actually remember)
Story Bridge Adventure Climb: Walk (or climb) the arch for a view that makes the city feel honest. Sunset slots are spectacular and go fast; if bragging rights matter, book ahead
River cruises & CityCat rides: Cheap, scenic, and practical - use the river to hop between markets, bars or just for an afternoon of people-watching.
Night markets & pop-ups: Markets rotate across neighbourhoods - ideal for cheap, interesting food and unique local products. Keep an eye on event listings for weekends.
Day trips & nearby escapes
(including a cheeky Dracula’s night out)
Brisbane is close enough to make multiple world-class day trips totally doable.
Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast: Beaches, hinterland walks, and theme-park mayhem are both under two hours’ drive. The Gold Coast is brash and loud; the Sunshine Coast is laid-back and chill. Either way, you can be beachside by lunchtime.
Moreton Island & North Stradbroke: Perfect for snorkelling, dolphin encounters and long sandy walks. Ferries and day tours run regularly from the Brisbane area.
Feature daytrip: Dracula’s on the Gold Coast. Want to flip the script on a standard dinner-and-drinks night? Make the 50–80 minute (depending on traffic) drive to the Gold Coast for Dracula’s - an adults-only, 40-year-running nightlife experience mixing burlesque, acrobatics, live music and a three-course meal.
It’s theatrical, loud, slightly dangerous, and exactly the sort of night out that makes for stories in the morning. Perfect as a one-night detour from Brisbane if your crew wants food, show and chaos all in one.
Practical tips - be clever, not precious
- Getting around: Buy a Go Card (or check TransLink smart ticketing options) for easy use of buses, trains and CityCats. Ferries are scenic and often faster than driving for riverside hops.
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for mild temps and fewer mozzies. Summer is lush and humid - great for late sunsets and rooftop cocktails; winter is mild and quiet.
- Money-saving moves: Free galleries (QAGOMA main galleries), riverwalk picnics, and markets are brilliant low-cost ways to pack your days with value.
Local picks - short, sharp, useful
- Dawn coffee by the river beats almost everything.
- Kayak under the Story Bridge at dusk for a quiet thrill.
- Book Story Bridge Adventure Climb for sunset if you want skyline photos that actually impress people.
Brisbane FAQs
Q: What are the best free things to do in Brisbane?
A: Walk South Bank and Streets Beach, explore QAGOMA’s free galleries, picnic in the Botanic Gardens, and hunt for murals in West End and Fortitude Valley.
Q: How do I get around Brisbane easily?
A: Use CityCat ferries, buses and trains via TransLink. A Go Card or the new smart ticketing options make travel cheaper and simpler. Ferries are scenic and practical.
Q: Is Dracula’s a good option for a night out from Brisbane?
A: Yes - it’s an adults-only, over-the-top cabaret experience on the Gold Coast that works brilliantly as a night out or cheeky day-trip from Brisbane (roughly an hour by car depending on traffic). Book ahead for weekend seats.
