Brisbane is one of Australia's most underrated travel destinations — a river city with world-class galleries, extraordinary wildlife experiences, an exploding food scene, and a surrounding region that belongs on any Australian itinerary. Here's everything worth doing.
Explore the Guide Day Trip OptionsOne of Australia's premier art institutions with a permanent collection of Australian and international modern art, and world-class temporary exhibitions that rival any major capital. Entry to the permanent collection is free.
Brisbane's riverside precinct is genuinely extraordinary — Streets Beach (the only inner-city artificial beach in Australia), the Arbour rainforest walk, the Wheel of Brisbane, and the vibrant Stanley Street dining strip all within a short walk of each other.
Built into the sandstone cliffs beneath the Story Bridge, this riverside precinct has become Brisbane's most atmospheric dining and events destination. Multiple bars and restaurants, river access, and the story of the city's working waterfront heritage beneath it all.
Brisbane's finest viewpoint — the entire city, Moreton Bay, and on clear days the Glass House Mountains spread before you from 287 metres above sea level. Best at sunset. There's a restaurant if you want to linger over dinner with the view.
Brisbane has one of Australia's most impressive urban art scenes, concentrated in Fortitude Valley's laneways and walls. Ann Street, Brunswick Street, and the McLachlan Street corridor are particularly rich. Pick up a free street art map from the visitor centre.
Brisbane's answer to the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. The 1940s cantilever bridge can be scaled to its 74-metre summit for 360-degree views of the city, river, and bay. Dawn, day, twilight, and night climbs all available.
Natural history, Indigenous cultures, and the state's social history under one roof — and entry to the permanent collection is free. The Dinosaur Discovery exhibit and Australian wildlife section are excellent. Connected to GOMA at South Bank.
New Farm Park is one of Brisbane's most beautiful riverside parks — fig trees, rose gardens, and a 1km river walk with city skyline views. The Brisbane Powerhouse next door is a converted heritage building hosting live theatre, comedy, and arts events year-round.
Brisbane's coolest shopping and dining strip — independent boutiques, homewares stores, artisan food businesses, and some of the city's best restaurants clustered around one of the city's prettiest heritage streetscapes.
Our Best Brisbane Tours cover the highlights locals actually care about — not the tourist checklist version. Small groups of max 14, expert local guide, hotel pickup included.
The world's first and largest koala sanctuary, 12km from the CBD. Hold a koala, feed free-range kangaroos, see platypus, wombats, echidna, and Tasmanian devils. A genuinely outstanding experience for adults and children alike.
100km north near the Sunshine Coast. 600+ animals, Africa Savannah with cheetahs and giraffes, world-class crocodile shows, and Steve Irwin's extraordinary conservation legacy. A full day. Our guided tour includes entry and hotel pickup.
Just 30km from Brisbane, Straddie is home to wild dolphins, migrating humpback whales (June–October), osprey, koalas in coastal heath, and Quandamooka cultural experiences with Traditional Owners.
90 minutes north of Brisbane, the Eumundi Markets (Wednesday and Saturday) are one of Australia's great open-air market experiences. 600+ stalls, artisan food, live music, and a genuine community character that's been building since 1979.
Brisbane's most community-focused weekly market — organic produce, artisan food, local designers, and vintage clothing in one of the city's most bohemian neighbourhoods. The Boundary Street café strip before or after is excellent.
Brisbane's night market precinct on the north bank of the river — shipping container food stalls from across the globe, live entertainment, and a vibrant weekend atmosphere that captures the city's multicultural character.
Eleven ancient volcanic peaks visible from Brisbane on clear days — extraordinary geology, excellent walking tracks, and the best panoramic views in Southeast Queensland. 65km north of Brisbane.
Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, Tamborine Mountain rainforest — a full day that combines Australia's most famous beach strip with a surprisingly spectacular hinterland above it.
Australia's most easterly point — lighthouse walk, surf culture, organic markets, and an atmosphere entirely unlike anywhere else in the country. 165km south into northern NSW.
Eumundi Markets, Noosa National Park coastal walk with koala sightings, Noosa Beach, and Montville hinterland village. Our most popular day trip and arguably the most rewarding variety per kilometre.
Queensland's most accessible island escape — 30km from Brisbane by ferry. Blue Lake, wild beaches, dolphins, whale watching in season, and a Quandamooka cultural experience.
Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo — one of the world's great wildlife parks. Best visited on a guided day tour from Brisbane that includes entry and handles the 100km logistics.
52 hectares of Australian native plants, tropical dome, Japanese garden, and the state's most comprehensive arid zone garden. Free entry and genuinely beautiful at any season.
Paddle the Brisbane River through the CBD, past the Botanic Gardens, and along the South Bank riverside. Multiple operators offer guided tours and kayak hire, with city skyline views from the water level that are impossible to get any other way.
A short ferry from Brisbane to Queensland's most beautiful sand island — snorkelling at the Tangalooma wrecks, sandboarding the inland desert dunes, and dolphin feeding at the Tangalooma Resort. An entirely different Queensland experience.
Brisbane is genuinely excellent for budget travellers. Here are the city's best free experiences — all worth doing regardless of budget.
World-class permanent collection, completely free. One of Australia's finest art institutions charges nothing for its standing exhibition.
Natural history, Indigenous cultures, dinosaur exhibit, and Australian wildlife in an excellent permanent collection. Free entry always.
Streets Beach, Arbour walk, riverside boardwalk, and extraordinary event programming throughout the year — all free to access.
Historic formal gardens on the CBD riverfront with enormous fig trees, free BBQs, and direct access to the Riverwalk. Open every day.
52 hectares of native Australian plants, tropical dome, and Japanese garden. Free entry, always.
The free inner-city ferry runs between South Bank, the CBD, New Farm, and Hamilton. A lovely way to see Brisbane from the river at no cost.
World-class urban art concentrated in the Valley's laneways. Self-guided maps available free from any visitor information centre.
One of Brisbane's most beautiful parks — fig tree canopies, rose gardens, river access, and free BBQ facilities in a genuinely lovely setting.
Our guided day tours cover Brisbane's best surrounding destinations — with hotel pickup, expert guides, and small groups of max 14. Choose your adventure.
All Day Trips from Brisbane Call (07) 3000 0000