Welcome to our list of 10 things to do in Brisbane, which is one of the more beautiful cities in the world.
Located on the east coast of Australia, This beautiful place receives visitors from all over the world. Also known as Brissy or Brisvegas, this is the capital of the Sunshine State, Queensland, and the third most populated city in Australia.
With so many beaches near Brisbane, it is very easy to find your own perfect piece of paradise. There are also plenty of parks and gardens where you can go walking or National Parks where trekking is a must.
Without a doubt, the list of things to do Brisbane is a great one.
On a more personal note, we both love this city, not only because it is beautiful, modern and sunny all year round. But because this is the city where we met and fell in love. We have many stories to tell you about our first dates and the things we did here in Brisbane. Most of them are included in the list of the 10 things to do in Brisbane below.
1. Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Here at Lone Pine Sanctuary, you will discover not only koalas and kangaroos but also many other animals from around Australia.
Walking around the park, you will find kangaroos and wallabies relaxing in the green, this is a perfect spot to get your own Australian “Kangaroo selfie”. They are very friendly so don’t be afraid to get close to them, feed them or just take a great photo.
The koalas are in a special place full of eucalyptus trees, where they spend most of their time eating the leaves. It is possible to hold the Koalas and take a picture with them which Dave did.
Just a few of the animals at Lone Pine include tasmanian devils, guinea pigs, emus, crocodiles, birds and 100 other species native to Australia. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a must on the list of things to do in Brisbane.
Some of the animals that can be found at Lone Pine Sanctuary are:
- Koala
- Platypus
- Kangaroo
- Dingo
- Tasmanian Devil
- Wombat
- Kassawary
- + Many More
To see all of the ticket prices involved with visiting Lone Pine Sanctuary, take a look here: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Tickets and Prices
2. Sunset at Mount Coot-tha Lookout
Only at 7 kms from the CBD, Mount Coot-tha offers breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane. If you would like to have a picnic while appreciating the sunset over the city, this is the place to go. Also, the lookout has a restaurant where you can buy drinks and food.
However, do be aware that it is a little expensive as this is the only restaurant in the area.
Get your camera ready and enjoy the spectacular views of the city. At night Mount Coot-tha is especially beautiful as you can see the city lights which combined with the stars in the sky is truly spectacular.
The entrance to Mount Coot-tha is free and also has a car park.
3. Enjoy the South Bank Parklands
This next entry ranks high on the list of things to do in Brisbane. The South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River.
They are home to the famous Streets Beach, the Nepal Peace Pagoda and the Wheel of Brisbane. Also you can find rainforest, plazas, fountains, restaurants and stunning river views. All of this in one place makes the South Bank Parklands one of the best inner city areas in the world.
Streets Beach is a man made sandy beach that included differents pools with palm trees and subtropical trees. The water is very clean with a white sandy beach. You enjoy a quick swim on your way to the city, or sunbath on the sand, how many cities can boast that?
Things to do at Southbank Brisbane:
- Visit the Seed Garden
- Explore the man made Jungle
- Swim in the sand filled pools
- Catch a Broadway show
- Find the Nepalese Peace Pagoda
The Wheel of Brisbane is 60 metres (197 ft) and offers a 360 degree panoramic views of the Parklands, River and also the City.
The South Bank Parklands offer many activities to do such as free yoga classes, free live music and the markets during the weekends. This should be a must when planning your things to do in Brisbane.
4. Climb the Brisbane Story Bridge
The Story Bridge is one of our favourite bridges in all of Brisbane. It connects the northern and the southern suburbs of the city, crossing the Brisbane River. The bridge Is the second biggest in the city being 72 meters tall and 1,072 meters long.
To see the bridge in all of its glory make sure to see it at nighttime. This is when it is lit up with a “million stars of light” … light bulbs 😉 .
If you are looking for an adventure, climbing this iconic bridge will be one the best. Tours are both safe and guided by a certified climber, and offers outstanding views of the city. Also you will learn much more about the construction of the bridge as well as history of Brisbane.
5. Take a Surf Lesson in Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is located to the east of Brisbane and is famous for sandy beaches and awesome surfing spots. Including the beautiful Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads. Gold Coast also has lots of theme parks such as Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild.
If you would like to learn how to surf for the very first time, this is the right place for you as many surf schools in the area offer lessons. It is also a great spot if you are already an expert in the sport. The waves and the weather are just perfect to get wet and enjoy surfing.
If you are thinking of learning to Surf, why not buy one of these cool and most importantly, cheap surfboards. They are great learner boards and also really cheap.
6. Day Trip to Stradbroke Island
Well known as Straddie or North Stradbroke, this is an amazing island located only 30 km from Brisbane. If you want a day of relaxation, far from the noises of the city head here and explore paradise beaches. Do try to spend two days on this beautiful island so you can see it all.
Stradbroke Island is very easy to reach. You have to catch the train until Cleveland station, and from here, ferries depart every hour. Stradbroke Island is a must when visiting Brisbane.
Look out for the best beach spots on Stradbroke island:
- Cylinder Beach
- Amity Point Beach
- Frenchman’s Beach
7. Go For a Walk in Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland is one of the most beautiful parks in the heart of Brisbane city. This beautiful place covers 16 hectares and is located next to Roma Street train station.
Take a stroll in this incredible green space in which natural gardens, fountains and rainforests are waiting for you to explore.
Roma Street Parklands also have barbecue areas where you can have fun with friends and family. Other things to do include free activities such as yoga, gardening and arts.
8. Drink and Party in Fortitude Valley
When the sun goes down, this is the place to be in Brisbane. Fortitude Valley is the place to go for a drink and dance in one of the many bars and nightclubs that “The Valley” has to offer.
Located in the center of the city, Fortitude valley is home to hundreds of bars and clubs. The Valley also has its very own Chinatown, which boasts some delicious Asian restaurants.
Some of the best bars in Fortitude Valley In Brisbane are:
- Eleven Rooftop Bar
- Ric’s
- Black Bear Lodge
- Gerard’s Bar
9. Trekking in Lamington National Park
Lamington National Park is one of Australia’s best trekking destinations. Located to the South of Brisbane, it has two main trailheads; O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse and Binna Burra Mountain Lodge.
At Lamington National Park there are many different walks which cater to all levels of endurance. This makes the park an incredible day out.
Lamington National Park includes rainforests, ancient trees, spectacular views, extensive walking tracks, exceptional ecological importance and natural beauty. So be ready with your camera for incredible pictures. You should definitely add this to your list of things to do in Brisbane.
A List of some of the best hikes in Lamington National Park:
- Tooloona Circuit
- Coomera Circuit
- Moran’s Falls
- Caves Circuit
- Blue Pool
Follow this link for a map of all the hikes in Lamington National Park.
10. Visit The Sunshine Coast
Located 100 kms north of the city, has approximately 60 kms of coastline. Sunshine Coast is home to pretty villages, renowned surf spots and spectacular rural hinterland.
We added the Sunshine Coast to the list, not only because of its beauty but also because this was where we took our first trip together.
We rented a car and traveled along the coast visiting several sandy blue beaches such as Noosa Beach, Sunshine Beach, Coolum Beach and Rainbow Beach.
Definitely, this is another of the many great things to do in Brisbane. Here are some of the best beach spots on the sunshine coast which are just waiting for you to explore:
- Marcoola Beach, Coolum
- Tea Tree Bay, Noosa
- Kings Beach, Caloundra
- Alexandria Bay, Noosa Heads
- Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay
Our List of 10 Things to do in Brisbane
Have you traveled to Australia? If your answer is yes, then no doubt you will understand these 16 Signs You Have Backpacked Australia. Have a read and see how many you notice in yourself.
If you are heading to this amazing city, do not miss any of these activities. Of course there are a thousand more things to do in Brisbane, these however are the very best.
If you have already visited Brisbane, we would like to hear your own experiences, drop us a line in the comments section below!
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