Ten top things to do in Brisbane

Brisbane is shaking off its reputation as a ‘big country town’. Today it is a gleaming tropical hub alive with skyscrapers, start-ups and a seriously lively dining and nightlife scene. Since Brisbane was announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, any notion that Queensland’s famously friendly city is a poor relation to Sydney or Melbourne has been firmly blown out of the balmy tropical water.

1 Discover the old and new 

Brisbane shines with glass and steel and is in the thrilling midst of a gigantic urban regeneration programme. Check out the heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves under the city’s iconic Story Bridge, transformed into a buzzy riverside precinct, then head to the overwater bar for sunset cocktails. Another energetic new district, Queen’s Wharf, is set to open in early 2024. The city also has more than its fair share of grand historic buildings, such as the central Customs House and Brisbane City Hall. A wander around suburbs such as Paddington and Teneriffe reveal more heritage buildings evoking the Queenslander architectural style (think timber, corrugated iron roofs and dreamy verandas).

2 Glide along the Brisbane River

Hop on board the CityCat ferries for the best (and cheapest) way to see the sights of Brisbane’s CBD and its lovely riverside suburbs. Start at the pretty Bulimba with its heritage-listed ferry terminal and meander your way along the curving river into the city centre. Make use of CityHopper too – the free inner-city ferry service will take you from North Quay to Sydney St, New Farm – an enclave of tree-lined streets, dotted with gourmet cafes and delis for a delicious breakfast or lunch. You can also take river cruises and explore the river and its tributaries by kayak. Kangaroo Point is a good place to start.

3 Discover its dynamic food scene

Brisbane buzzes with dynamic cafes, bars and restaurants. The city has always enjoyed a rich bounty of produce from its hinterland and glorious seafood, including the famous Moreton Bay Bugs – a type of lobster drizzled with oil, seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked on the barbeque in its shell. Foodies should not miss Brisbane’s Eat Street Markets, a buzzing, vibrant open air food market packed with incredible flavours from all over the world. Dine in old shipping containers and take in the sights, smells and sounds of Brisbane. In nearby New Farm Park, you can laze by the river or sample the delicious dining options, from Asian fusion restaurants to stylish haunts serving up mouth-watering dishes. For some of the city’s most celebrated fine-dining restaurants, head to the CBD and Eagle Street Pier.

4 Soak in its culture

Brisbane is a city hungry for culture too, with a creative calendar of artistic events and exhibitions bubbling along throughout the year. An essential stop is the QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art), with its impressively diverse collection of more than 17,000 works, ranging from historical pieces to contemporary art, spread across two landmark gallery buildings. To discover Indigenous culture in the city, visit Birrunga Gallery and Dining, Brisbane's only Indigenous-owned art gallery. Located in the Central Business District, they offer Indigenous art exhibitions, tours, classes and sales, as well as dining experiences. Dance enthusiasts should book to see the world-class Queensland Ballet, the Academy produces a number of stand-out performances throughout the year.

5 Get on your bike

One of the beauties of Brisbane is that there are so many ways to explore it. Rent a bike and cycle the city river loop from Kangaroo Point over the Story Bridge and down along the riverfront City Boardwalk. Take a detour into the City Botanic Gardens and be sure to stop off at the riverside cultural precinct Southbank to cool off at Streets Beach, a delightful man-made oasis. You might also like to pedal your way around the city’s best shopping spots – the boutique-lined James Street in Fortitude Valley and Paddington’s Given and Latrobe Terraces are well worth a meander. You can go it alone or, if you want some insider knowledge, take a tour with Brisbane by Bike.

6 Take a tour with the locals

If you’d rather stick to walking, explore the city through Brisbane Greeters. One of the best ways to get to know Brisbane is through the eyes of a local. Brisbane’s friendly Greeters are proud and passionate volunteers who are keen to share Brisbane’s stories, show you some great spots and introduce you to the vibrant city, taking in shopping and eating districts before heading off to sit a cooling drink in one of Brisbane’s many chic rooftop bars.

7 Get the best view

While the rooftop bars are a great spot for people-watching, you’ll get the best city views from Brisbane’s landmark Story Bridge. Go on the two-hour Story Bridge Adventure Climb and you’ll have 360-degree views of the city, river, mountains and islands beyond. You can go on a dawn, daytime or evening climb. For the more adventurous, there are now two new additional thrill-seeking experiences called Walk the Plank, which allows you to walk out on a modern-day pirate plank. There’s also the Cantilever adventure, which allows you to lean out and take in the stunning 360-degree views.

8 Take to the skies

If you’re after soaring views, how about swooping over Brissie in a hot air balloon with the company Balloons Over Brisbane. You can watch the city wake up in the orange morning glow before easing off to enjoy a vineyard lunch and wine tasting in the beautiful Brisbane Scenic Rim. From these lofty heights it is easy to appreciate just how far this thrilling city has come over the past few years.

9 Watch a game

Catch a game of professional Rugby League – the home team Brisbane Broncos play at the Suncorp Stadium or head to the hallowed grounds of The Gabba to watch a cricket match in the summer. If you’re there between March and September, an AFL (Aussie Football League) match is a must.

10 Bed down for the night

Check into some of the city’s new top-notch hotels, such as the suave Calile Hotel, and Hotel X, both situated in the stylish suburb of Fortitude Valley. Nearby in the midst of the CBD is the central W Brisbane, Next Hotel and Spicers Balfour in the hip suburb of New Farm. Then there is the Emporium Hotel, a spectacular central pillar of the Southpoint precinct that slots neatly into the city’s thriving foodie scene with its food-and-drink options, from a French bistro to a spectacular rooftop bar. Just slightly further afield is Crystalbrook Vincent, a magnificent blend of art, nature and architecture, which sits beneath the iconic Story Bridge right on the waterfront in the new Howard Smith Wharves precinct.