The Best Travel Guide to Brisbane

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Australia

Brisbane

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Oceania Australia Brisbane

Overview

Brisbane The guide was updated: 2023-07-13

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.

Facts

Population:	2.6 million (2022)
Currency:	Australian Dollar (AUD) $1 = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police, fire, ambulance: 000 Poisons Information: +61 13 11 26
Newspapers:	The Courier Mail — www.couriermail.com.au Queensland Times — qt.com.au Brisbane Times — www.brisbanetimes.com.au
Website:	www.visitbrisbane.com.au
Opening hours:	City retailers trade Monday to Thursday 9am–6 pm, Friday 9am–9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am–5pm
Tourist information:	Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre The Regent, 167 Queen Street Mall, Brisbane +61 7 3006 6290 visit@brisbanemarketing.com.au Open Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat & Sun 10am–4pm. Closed: Christmas, New Years Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day

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Section in Brisbane

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.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

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 make daily trips from the South Bank’s Cultural Centre pontoon at 10 am.

Wheel of Brisbane

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 four revolutions within 10–15 minutes. The ride is especially magical during sunset.

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo was opened 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

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 a world heritage site in 2009. Check out their website to choose from a variety of experiences and encounters available.

Tangalooma Island Resort

Tangalooma Island Resort

Tangalooma Island Resort has a wide array of excursions on offer, and quite a few of them are for free. This is one of only a few places in the world where it’s possible to hand-feed dolphins in the wild. They come swimming up alongside the jetty at dusk for their nightly feed.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

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 the Story Bridge Hotel for a celebratory drink afterwards.

Lamington National Park

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

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

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

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.

Gallery Of Modern Art (QAGOMA)

Gallery Of Modern Art (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

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 Mount Coot-tha Reserve. See the breathtaking panorama of Brisbane City all the way out to the ocean at Moreton Bay from the observation deck. There are also a handful of bushwalks around the vicinity of the Lookout. The hillside is dotted with picnic areas equipped with gas barbecues.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

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 dome.

South Bank Parklands

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

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 & Tamborine Rainforest Tour

Springbrook & 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.

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