6 Things to Do in Brisbane You Shouldn't Miss — South Bank, Story Bridge, Koala Sanctuary

Brisbane isn't just a stopover on the way to the Gold Coast anymore. This once-overlooked city has been through a major revival and turned into one of the most interesting destinations in Australia. The banks of the Brisbane River are packed with parks, restaurants and world-class attractions that are all within walking distance of each other, and with the Sunshine State weather giving you almost no rain all year, every day out is an easy one.

#1

📍 South side of the Brisbane River, in the South Brisbane district

South Bank Parklands

This is the heart of Brisbane's outdoor life. The 17-hectare green strip running the length of the riverbank was built after World Expo 1988 and has become the public park that locals love most. The highlight is Streets Beach, a free artificial beach with an open-air swimming lagoon right in the middle of the city, plus flower gardens, the Queensland Museum, the State Library and riverside restaurants in every style. It connects to the new part of town across a beautiful pedestrian bridge.

Best time Morning 7-9am for soft light and cool air, or evening 5-7pm when the sun sets in the west and casts golden light across the river

How to get there Take the City Loop train and get off at South Bank station, or walk across the Goodwill Bridge from the CBD in about 10 minutes

Travel tips

• Streets Beach is open daily and free, but it gets very crowded on holidays and weekends. Go before 10am to grab a good spot.
• The Queensland Museum and the art gallery sit right next to each other, and one ticket gets you into both for around AUD 25.
• Rent a bike and ride the riverfront from South Bank all the way to New Farm Park along the Riverwalk. It's a gorgeous route.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for South Bank Parklands on Klook →

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#2

📍 Crossing the Brisbane River, linking Kangaroo Point with Fortitude Valley

Story Bridge

Brisbane's landmark steel bridge has been in use since 1940 and runs 1,072 metres long. Today it's one of the city's most popular attractions thanks to the Bridge Climb, which takes you up for 360-degree views from the top of the bridge, more than 80 metres above the river. From up there you can see the city towers, the Moreton Bay bushland and the islands in the distance. There are day, night and sunrise-sunset tours, and each one gives you a completely different experience of light and colour.

Best time The sunset tour is best, around 5.00-6.30pm when golden light spreads across the city, or at night to watch the lights reflect on the water

How to get there Walk from the CBD in about 15 minutes, or take the free CityHopper riverboat to the Holman Street wharf and walk another 5 minutes

Travel tips

• The Bridge Climb runs around AUD 79-139 per person depending on the time slot. The night and sunset tours cost more, but the view is far more worth it.
• Book online at least 2-3 days ahead, especially over holidays. There are no walk-up tickets.
• If you'd rather not climb, you can walk across the bridge on the footpath for free, 24 hours a day. The view is just as good.

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#3

📍 Fig Tree Pocket, about 12 km from the CBD

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

This is the oldest koala sanctuary in the world, open since 1927, and it's home to more than 130 koalas — the most of anywhere on earth. Besides koalas there are kangaroos roaming free across the lawns, plus wallabies, platypuses, turtles and many native Australian bird species. The highlight is the koala-cuddling photo experience (there's an extra fee), which you can only do in the state of Queensland. Other states only let you touch a koala, not hold one.

Best time Morning 9-11am, when koalas are most active before their midday nap. After 2pm most of the koalas are asleep.

How to get there Take bus 430 from Roma Street Station, about 35 minutes, or the MiCat Ferry from South Bank for AUD 25 return

Travel tips

• Buy tickets online ahead of time for AUD 36 (adult), which is 10-15% cheaper than at the gate and lets you skip the queue.
• The koala-cuddling photo costs around AUD 29 per person. The queue is longest between 10.00am and 2.00pm, so go in the early afternoon for a shorter wait.
• Feeding the kangaroos is free with your entry ticket. Be ready, though — the kangaroos will come crowding in around you.

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#4

📍 On the Brisbane River, in the heart of the CBD

City Botanic Gardens

These are the oldest botanic gardens in Australia, founded in 1855 on a peninsula along the Brisbane River. The 20-hectare grounds are full of rare tropical plants, giant trees that are hundreds of years old, and lush green lawns where locals come to run, picnic or read on their days off. There are historic statues and a beautiful boardwalk through the riverside mangroves, and the gardens connect to Alice Street and Queensland's parliament district.

Best time Early morning 6-8am for golden light and cool air, or evening 4-6pm before the garden gates close

How to get there Walk from the heart of the CBD in about 10 minutes. The main gate is on Alice Street, across the road from Parliament House.

Travel tips

• Entry is free 24 hours a day, with no admission fee — great for a morning walk or a run.
• Along the river, the Riverside Walk path connects to South Bank Parklands via the Goodwill Bridge.
• From September to November the jacaranda trees burst into bloom, the most beautiful purple display of the year.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for City Botanic Gardens on Klook →

#5

📍 Mount Coot-tha, about 7 km from the CBD

Mount Coot-tha Lookout

This is Brisbane's best viewpoint, sitting 287 metres up and giving you 360-degree views over the whole city, from the CBD out to Moreton Bay and the islands on a clear day. Almost nowhere else in Australia puts the city and nature this close together in a single view. At the top there's the Summit Restaurant, open since 1958, and at the base of the hill there's the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, which are free to enter.

Best time Sunset 5.00-6.30pm when the sky turns orange-red over the city, or at night to watch the city lights

How to get there Take bus 471 from Cultural Centre Station, about 25 minutes, or a taxi from the CBD in about 15-20 minutes

Travel tips

• The city lights up beautifully at night, but book a table at the Summit Restaurant ahead if you want to eat with the view. Prices start from AUD 40.
• You can drive straight up to the lookout, with a large free car park — no need to hike up the hill.
• The botanic gardens at the base of the hill have a Japanese pavilion and a beautiful lotus pond, perfect for a stroll before heading to the summit.

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#6

📍 Level 3 of City Hall, in the heart of the CBD on King George Square

Museum of Brisbane

The Museum of Brisbane sits on Level 3 of City Hall, a historic 1930 building that is still the most beautiful town hall in Australia. Its rotating exhibitions tell the story of the city's history, Aboriginal Indigenous culture, urban life and Brisbane's contemporary art. Admission is free all year. There's also a clock tower tour where you can go up for city views from the tower, also free. The view may not match Mt Coot-tha, but the experience of climbing this historic clock tower is something special.

Best time Weekdays 10am-3pm, far fewer people than on weekends, so you can do both the museum and the clock tower tour without a long wait

How to get there Walk from Central Station in about 5 minutes, or take any train line to Central and exit at King George Square

Travel tips

• The Clock Tower Tour runs every half hour from 10.15am to 4.45pm. Booking online is free, but spots fill up fast over holidays.
• The permanent exhibition on Level 3 is open daily 10.00am-5.00pm, free with no admission fee.
• The Brisbane Powerhouse cafe is nearby in New Farm, an easy onward trip for more art and culture.

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🏨 That's all 6 spots! Next step — book a top-rated stay in Brisbane →