Where to Stay in Brisbane: Best Areas & Neighbourhoods

Brisbane is a compact, sun-drenched city built around bends in the Brisbane River. Its inner suburbs each have their own distinct personality, and choosing the right one can shape your entire visit. The good news is that the central neighbourhoods are close together and well connected by ferry, bus, train, and riverside walking paths, so wherever you base yourself, the rest of the city is never far away.

This guide covers the six best areas for visitors, from the cultural hub of South Bank to the cliff-top views of Kangaroo Point. We've included what each neighbourhood is best for, what you'll find there, and how it connects to the rest of Brisbane.

Best for First-Time Visitors & Families South Brisbane & South Bank

South Bank sits on the southern bank of the Brisbane River directly opposite the CBD, and it is the most popular base for first-time visitors to Brisbane. The area grew out of the World Expo 88 site and has since become the city's cultural and recreational heart, with a 17-hectare parklands precinct stretching along the waterfront.

You'll find the Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Museum, State Library, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre all within walking distance of each other. Streets Beach, a man-made swimming lagoon surrounded by white sand and subtropical plants, is a unique Brisbane attraction and a hit with families. The riverside promenade is ideal for morning walks, and the South Bank markets run on Friday evenings and weekends.

Dining is a strength here too, with a dense concentration of restaurants along Little Stanley Street and Grey Street. Public transport links are excellent: South Brisbane and South Bank train stations connect you to the wider network, the CityHopper ferry is free, and the CBD is a short stroll across the Goodwill or Victoria Bridge.

GOMA & Queensland Museum Streets Beach South Bank Parklands Wheel of Brisbane Little Stanley St dining

Best for First-time visitors, families with children, culture lovers, and anyone who wants a central base with easy walking access to major attractions.

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Best for Convenience & Sightseeing Brisbane CBD & Spring Hill

The Central Business District is the geographic and transport heart of Brisbane, making it the most practical base if you want to be within walking distance of everything. Queen Street Mall is the main shopping strip, and the City Botanic Gardens stretch along the river at the southern end of the CBD, offering one of the loveliest green spaces in any Australian capital city.

From the CBD you can easily walk to South Bank across the river, catch a CityCat ferry to explore upstream and downstream suburbs, or stroll down to the historic Howard Smith Wharves precinct at the base of the Story Bridge. Spring Hill, the quiet residential pocket immediately north-west of the CBD, offers a slightly more relaxed atmosphere with heritage Queenslander houses and leafy streets while still being just minutes from the city centre on foot.

The CBD has the widest range of accommodation in Brisbane, from backpacker hostels and mid-range apartment hotels through to five-star properties. The Roma Street and Central train stations provide express connections to Brisbane Airport via the Airtrain, which is particularly handy if you're arriving late or departing early.

Queen Street Mall City Botanic Gardens Howard Smith Wharves Story Bridge Airtrain access

Best for Business travellers, first-time sightseers, those wanting the widest range of accommodation options, and anyone arriving or departing via the airport.

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Best for Lifestyle & Cafés New Farm

New Farm is where Brisbane locals go for long brunches, riverside strolls, and weekend markets. This leafy inner suburb sits on a peninsula east of Fortitude Valley and feels noticeably more relaxed than the CBD while still being just a short ferry ride away from the city centre. It's the neighbourhood that best captures Brisbane's laid-back, outdoor lifestyle.

The heart of the area is New Farm Park, a sprawling riverside green space filled with jacaranda trees, rose gardens, and families picnicking on weekends. The Jan Powers Farmers Markets run here every Saturday morning and are one of Brisbane's best. At the park's edge, the Brisbane Powerhouse — a former power station turned arts centre — hosts live theatre, comedy, and contemporary art exhibitions.

Merthyr Village and the surrounding streets are lined with some of Brisbane's best independent cafés, bakeries, and boutique shops. For a memorable evening, the nearby Howard Smith Wharves precinct, nestled beneath the Story Bridge, has become one of the city's premier dining and drinks destinations with several acclaimed restaurants and bars set against the river and cliffs.

New Farm Park Brisbane Powerhouse Saturday farmers markets Merthyr Village cafés Howard Smith Wharves

Best for Couples, foodies, return visitors who want a local experience, and anyone who values café culture, parks, and a relaxed village atmosphere.

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Best for Culture, Food & Markets West End

West End is Brisbane's most eclectic inner-city neighbourhood. Located just south of South Bank, it has long been home to a community of artists, students, and creative types, and that energy shows in its multicultural dining scene, independent shops, and weekend markets. If you enjoy neighbourhoods with character and a slightly bohemian feel, West End should be at the top of your list.

Boundary Street is the main strip, and it's packed with family-run restaurants serving everything from Greek and Vietnamese to Ethiopian and Nepalese cuisine. The Davies Park Market on Saturday mornings is one of Brisbane's best-loved community markets, with local produce, street food, handmade goods, and live music. You'll also find vintage shops, independent bookstores, small-batch breweries, and neighbourhood pubs that feel a world away from the CBD.

West End is walkable to South Bank and the cultural precinct, and the ferry terminal at West End connects you to the University of Queensland campus at St Lucia and to the riverside suburbs further upstream. Bus connections along Boundary Street and Vulture Street run frequently into the CBD.

Boundary Street dining Davies Park Market Vintage & bookshops Multicultural food Craft breweries

Best for Independent travellers, food lovers seeking multicultural dining, market fans, and anyone who prefers creative, community-driven neighbourhoods over polished tourist areas.

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Best for Nightlife & Entertainment Fortitude Valley

Known locally as "The Valley," Fortitude Valley is Brisbane's entertainment district and the undisputed hub for nightlife, live music, and late-night dining. It sits just north-east of the CBD and is easily reached on foot or by train (Fortitude Valley station is one stop from Central). If your idea of a good time involves discovering new bands, bar-hopping, and eating your way through Chinatown, this is your neighbourhood.

The Valley has a long history as a live music destination. Venues like The Tivoli, The Fortitude Music Hall, and The Zoo regularly host both local and international acts, and the Brunswick Street Mall and surrounding laneways are full of cocktail bars, rooftop venues, and late-night eateries. By day, the area reveals a different side — James Street is lined with high-end fashion boutiques, homewares stores, and excellent brunch spots, making it one of Brisbane's most fashionable retail strips.

The Valley's Chinatown precinct, centred on Duncan Street, is a compact hub for Asian grocery stores, dumpling houses, and bakeries. The Institute of Modern Art, located in the old TCB building on Brunswick Street, is a free contemporary art gallery well worth a visit.

Live music venues James Street boutiques Chinatown dining Rooftop bars Institute of Modern Art

Best for Night owls, live music fans, younger travellers and groups, fashion-conscious shoppers, and anyone who enjoys energetic, always-on-the-go neighbourhoods.

Explore Fortitude Valley

Best for Views & Outdoor Activities Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point is a small riverside peninsula directly across from the CBD, and it offers some of the most dramatic views in Brisbane. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs — volcanic rock faces formed over 200 million years ago — rise sharply from the river's edge and provide the backdrop for abseiling, rock climbing, and one of the city's best sunset lookouts. The clifftop park is a popular spot for picnics and evening barbecues overlooking the city skyline.

The suburb is connected to the CBD by the new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge (for pedestrians and cyclists) and the iconic Story Bridge, which also offers a paid adventure climb with 360-degree panoramic views. The Kangaroo Point Riverwalk stretches about five kilometres along the waterfront and connects through to South Bank, making it ideal for morning runs, walks, or cycling. Three CityCat and ferry terminals serve the suburb, keeping you well connected to the rest of inner Brisbane without needing a car.

While Kangaroo Point is quieter than the CBD or South Bank, it has a solid collection of cafés, restaurants, and pubs — the Story Bridge Hotel, built around the pylons of the bridge itself, is one of Brisbane's most iconic watering holes. It's an excellent choice for visitors who want proximity to the action but prefer a more peaceful base to return to.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs Story Bridge climb Riverwalk & Green Bridge Abseiling & kayaking Sunset skyline views

Best for Active travellers, couples seeking scenic surroundings, photographers, and visitors who want city-fringe calm with easy access to the CBD via ferry or bridge.

Explore Kangaroo Point

Getting Around from Your Accommodation

Brisbane's inner suburbs are compact and well connected by public transport, so you don't need a car to get around. Most of the neighbourhoods listed above are within two to three kilometres of each other, and you can travel between them by ferry, bus, train, or on foot along the riverside paths.

CityCat & Ferry

The free CityHopper and paid CityCat ferries connect riverside suburbs from end to end.

Train

Airtrain links the airport to the CBD. Inner-city stations serve South Bank, The Valley, and more.

Bus

Frequent bus routes connect all inner suburbs. Tap on and off with a contactless bank card or go card.

Walking & Cycling

Riverwalk paths and bridges make it easy to explore on foot or by bike between inner suburbs.

Quick Tips for Choosing Your Area

If this is your first visit and you want to see major attractions on foot, South Bank or the CBD will serve you well as a central base.

If you've visited before and want a more local experience, New Farm and West End both offer excellent café culture and neighbourhood character without feeling touristy.

If nightlife matters, Fortitude Valley puts you in the middle of Brisbane's best bars, restaurants, and live music venues. If you want a quieter stay with great views, Kangaroo Point is hard to beat.

Brisbane is small enough that staying in any of these areas gives you easy access to the rest. The ferry and walking paths along the river mean that even crossing from one side of the city to the other rarely takes more than 20 minutes.