Brisbane Activities and Experiences

What is there to do in Brisbane?

Perhaps Australia’s most up-and-coming capital, Brisbane has seen continued fast growth over recent years yet still manages to provide one of the best balances of urbanisation versus nature that helps make it one of the more pleasant cities to visit. With an excellent central area dissected by a lovely river, easy access to some wonderful coastal areas, and possibly the best overall weather of any Aussie capital, Brisbane has a ton to offer both visitors and residents. Top 10 Things to do in Brisbane:

10. Explore Brisbane by Bicycle

Location: West End, Brisbane, QLD

The majority of the most popular sightseeing areas in the city and its outskirts are accessible by bike, and each offer a different aspect of the city and its environment – the expansive and green natural surrounds of the Boondall Wetlands, the historic suburb of New farm with its winding path following the Brisbane River, Toowong Bicentennial Bikeway and rides leading up to scenic Mount Coot-tha are just some of the possibilities on offer that are all reachable on two wheels. Choice of bike routes in Brisbane is comprehensive enough to be almost overwhelming, and it’s here that tour company Brisbane by Bicycle come in, offering first-time visitors to the city or those looking to explore some of its best parts by bike a guided tour from a local’s point of view.Offering a range of tours to both the major highlights of the city centre as well as some areas and outlooks that aren’t covered by the majority of guidebooks, a ride with Brisbane by Bicycle helps to add a historical and social context to many of the sights you’ll end up seeing along the way.

9. See the Whales with Brisbane Whale Watching

Location: 133-137 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe, QLD

Brisbane’s coastal aspect and easy access to the open ocean makes it a city that blends all the benefits of modern urban construction with plenty of emphasis for enjoying water-based activities, with its iconic river, waterfront areas and nearby islands all being prime examples of this.Heading out on the water in some form is thus a must while you’re here, and during the yearly whale watching season Brisbane offers a great opportunity to get out and see the gentle giants of the ocean, as the calm waters of the adjacent Moreton Bay offer a place for the Humpbacks and Southern Rights to rest and tend to their young. Brisbane whale watching season takes place between June and November each year, and operator Brisbane Whale Watching provide eager participants with the chance to head out on the water and encounter the most surface-active of all whales.

8. Cruise the Brisbane River with Kookaburra River Queens

Location: 45 Eagle St, Brisbane, QLD

Brisbane wouldn’t be Brisbane without its iconic river, which was a large reason for the city being settled in the first place and continues to this day to serve as a focal point for many of the city’s activities and attractions. In short, you haven’t truly “experienced” Brisbane unless you’ve seen the city from the vantage point of the water, and one of the more unique and tranquil ways for doing so is offered by Kookaburra River Queens.The stars of the show here are the old-style paddle wheel vessels that can often be seen plying their trade around the city’s waterways, and add a vintage touch to the proceedings while harking back to the previous days of water navigation. These are lovely, beautifully-constructed 30m boats consisting largely of wood made utilising old-time shipwright techniques, and their peaceful nature when making their way down the river belies the powerful diesel engines chugging below deck.

Many of Brisbane’s icons take on an entirely new aspect when viewed from the water – such as the Story Bridge, South Bank Parklands and city skyline – and excellent views of each are available on the boat’s spacious top decks that provide an unrestricted 360 degree panorama of all of its goings-on.

7. Get Active with Adventure Moreton Island

Location: Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island, QLD

Not all of the Brisbane region’s aquatic-oriented adventures are purely relaxed and scenic; those wonderful waters that surround Brisbane present plenty of opportunity for more active types to embark on any number of water sports and shore-based fun as well. A great deal of this is owed to the islands that sit just offshore from Brisbane, the most accessible and obvious of which is Moreton Island which lies just 25 kilometres away from the city and serves as something of a lovely little resort-escape hub for Brisbane residents.

While it’s an exceedingly popular destination for Brisbanites to kick back and laze the day away in the sun, operator Adventure Moreton Island take things in the other direction – if you’re looking for some upbeat “fun in the sun” whether on the sand or in the water, this is the place to start.

If you’re looking to partake, the journey begins with the trip from the mouth of the Brisbane River aboard a fast catamaran – a scenic enough trip in and of itself – that takes just over an hour and provides the chance for some marine life spotting along the way. Once on the island, the variety of opportunities opens up – ocean kayaking, stand up paddling, fish feeding and more allow you to experience the waterways up close.

6. The Workshops Rail Museum

Location: North St, North Ipswich, QLD

Located in Ipswich around 40 minutes’ drive outside Brisbane City, simply put the Workshops Rail Museum is one of the best attractions in the greater South East QLD area for kids, serving as an extremely hands-on exhibit that highlights the history and contribution that rail has made to the development of Queensland and Australia as a whole. The facility puts a lot of effort into making things as interactive as possible, in order to not only entertain but also educate kids (and adults as well!) without them getting bored or distracted.

The Workshops Rail Museum covers a broad range of train travel history ranging back from the steam era all the way up to current electric models that are still in use in Brisbane today, and the fact that it’s so steeped in history makes it a prime example of “a learning experience done right”. This tends to have a profound positive effect on kids visiting – the fact that it’s not merely a static “look and learn” facility and the inherent participation aspect encourages kids to learn and absorb while still having fun.The Museum features a small-scale “transporter” train that takes visitors from one of these areas to the other, adding to the already substantial amount of train-based entertainment.

5. Riverlife Adventure Centre

Location: Naval Stores, Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point, QLD

Located within Brisbane’s historic Naval Stores, Riverlife features a mixture of scheduled tour-based activities as well as equipment hire for a range of outdoor entertainment, and has thus become a go-to destination for those looking to get active without leaving the boundaries of the city. In addition to the raw fun of the activities themselves, Riverlife also offers journeys that aim to highlight and detail the Brisbane region’s Aboriginal culture, which can be experienced on a tour conducted via kayak to designated areas of the banks of the Brisbane River.

It’s an experience that may be a little nerve-wracking for some, but it also comes along with a strong sense of self-achievement at the end, and the Riverlife staff are always famously supportive and encouraging along the way. No prior experience is necessary in order to take part – all you need is to be 8 years or older, and you’re good to go.

4. Climb the Brisbane Story Bridge

Location: 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point, QLD

One of Brisbane’s most obvious and distinctive landmarks, the Brisbane Story Bridge goes a long way to adding its own sense of character to the city. While it may not have the fame of its big brother, the Harbour Bridge down in Sydney, the Brisbane Story Bridge makes for no less an impressive way to view the city from a supremely scenic viewpoint and, like the Sydney’s bridge, the Brisbane Story Bridge is one of the only three bridges in the world that can be climbed.

Thus the option exists for those wanting a combined adventure / outstanding panorama to take the plunge and climb it for themselves, providing one of the best views in the region. The Story Bridge, which spans the Brisbane River and connects the popular Southbank district to the CBD, measures 74 metres in height at its apex, which makes for a climb that is challenging but safe, making it a suitable activity for all ages and fitness levels.

Lasting roughly 2.5 hours, the journey up and back down the bridge is appropriately long without being overly tiring, and it also happens to be good value for money – particularly when compared to the other bridge climbs on offer. During the climb, you’ll be provided with all gear necessary for the experience (including the signature, fully-enclosed climb suit) and have everything well explained in terms of safety and what to expect.

3. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Location: 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane, QLD

Able to be visited in a simple 15 minute drive from the city centre, or via taking one of the scenic river ferry options that will deliver you from your stop of choice to the wildlife sanctuary’s doorstep, it’s an attraction that deserves more publicity on the national stage. Set amongst beautiful natural Aussie bush surroundings, Lone Pine is far more of a literal “sanctuary” than manufactured commercial zoo, which is reflected both in its attitude towards animal welfare and the attitudes of its staff.

As the world’s first and largest Koala sanctuary, Lone Pine has more than 130 koalas and, due to Queensland law being the only state in Australia that allows you to cuddle a koala, you’ll be able to come away with a photograph of your encounter with this most famous and fury of Aussie creatures.The park is famous for its family atmosphere and attention to individual detail that some of the larger zoos and wildlife parks in Australia simply can’t offer due to visitor volume; the workers at Lone Pine are renowned for being warm and approachable, and are typically happy to provide answers to any questions you may have.This also shines through in the number of animal shows held throughout the day – while it’s wonderful to see the animals in action, it’s the knowledge and insight that goes along with it that complete the experience.

2. Enjoy the Arts and Museums at Brisbane’s Cultural Centre

Location: Grey St, South Bank, South Brisbane, QLD

Looking for a day out in Brisbane that provides a helping of sophistication and culture, all for a very modest price? Walking the line between “cheap” and “free” depending on whether or not there are special exhibitions being held, the entertainment-rich cultural district adjacent to Brisbane’s South Bank waterfront area provides a number of opportunities to get your fix of civilisation and history, playing host to various art galleries, museums and exhibits all within some pleasantly clean and modern surrounds.

The Queensland Cultural Centre as it’s known allows you to immerse yourself in a world of creativity both old and new, and is an excellent example of a city providing locals and visitors alike with an easy-to-access dose of historical exhibits, art and more.The Cultural Centre is both well laid-out and modernly presented, and boasts several facilities within walking distance of one another that each emphasise a different aspect of the cultural spectrum. Music, literature, historical artefacts, and both ancient and modern art are all represented here in some form, allowing visitors to take their pick of their preferred form of exhibit and embark on an interesting journey into human creation.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Museum provides a detailed insight into the historical, with exhibitions that focus on a specific aspect of history at different times throughout the year; despite its focus on the past, it’s housed in a very slick, modern building that was constructed just a few years back. The Museum also houses the popular Sciencentre attraction which provides a very interactive look at the world of science. This has long been a popular exhibition for children as many of the exhibits are hands-on and demonstrate physics, chemistry and more in a highly visual way – and they may just learn something while there, too.

1. Spend some time at South Bank Parklands

Location: Stanley Street Plaza, South Brisbane, QLD

Most major cities have a single signature district, landmark or area that help give them their own distinct character and serve as a point of pride, and Brisbane’s answer to this is its outstanding South Bank district.

Simply put, the South Bank area has the most pleasant overall atmosphere to be found in Brisbane that blends everything the city does well into a single focal point; outlooks over the Brisbane River, the Cultural Centre above, its large Wheel of Brisbane and plenty of expansive grassed and shaded areas, there are few better places to experience what Brisbane is all about. Modern, extremely well-maintained and lined with trendy cafes, restaurants, surrounding parks and an artificial beach, this is a great place to unwind and relax and maybe even swim.

The first and most distinctive of these is the Arbour area in South Bank parklands, with a an arched walkway boasting a unique architectural layout that’s draped in colourful flowers. It’s a lovely, modern-feeling gateway to surrounding park spaces that serve as the ideal spot for a picnic, reading a book or letting the kids run around.