Although Brisbane is still a big country town, it’s slowly maturing, giving both Sydney and Melbourne plenty of competition in the tourism stakes. The current growth spurt and transformation are incredible. And now that Brisbane has been awarded the 2032 Olympic Games, there are significant changes planned that are sure to deliver considerable community benefits for locals and tourists alike.
If you’re visiting this sunny South East Queensland city, you should put these recommendations on your list of things to do in Brisbane. If you’re a local, you probably already know that these are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Brisbane. How many of the following suggestions have you seen or done?
James Street
Turn leftinto James Street from Ann Street, and the first thing you’ll notice is the beautiful trees lining the street. You can almost feel the relaxed vibe as you watch people wander through the luxury brand shops and trendy bars and eateries.
James Street has become a popular shopping and entertainment hub and the perfect place for a slow drive. In fact, James Street is 1.5km of the ideal opportunity to see and be seen. However, if you don’t feel like parking just yet, note the surrounding cafes and restaurants and decide where you’d like to eat later.
New Farm Park
A 5-minute drive from James Street is one of Brisbane’s oldest and largest parks. Located on the Brisbane River, New Farm Park is a 37-acre fusion of Jacaranda trees, Moreton Bay figs, rose gardens and picnic areas.
Whether you choose to park and wander or drive the ring road a couple of times, you’ll be glad you did. You will also find several choices for coffee stops and lunch venues in the area.
South Bank Parklands
Head across the Brisbane River to South Bank. This excellent waterfront area is home to wonderful eateries, beautiful gardens, and a man-made beach. This vibrant area is worth parking your car and taking a stroll to absorb the authentic Brisbane lifestyle.
Overlooking the Brisbane River and the CBD, Streets Beach is Australia’s only inner-city beach – Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands If you’re looking for calm water surrounded by white sand, you’ll find it here amongst the beautiful palm trees.
Just a few blocks from Streets Beach, you’ll find the heart of Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct. QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art) features art from the Pacific region, including Australia and Asia. In addition, QAGOMA frequently displays an intriguing Indigenous Australian collection.
Mt Coot-tha Lookout
For a breathtaking view of Brisbane city, head up to the Mount Coot-tha Summit lookout. Then, at the top of Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, you’ll find a fantastic viewpoint. Make sure to have your camera or phone ready as you’ll want to capture everything you see.
The Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout is approximately seven kilometres from the Brisbane CBD. You will find a café located at the top, where you can grab some takeaways; however, it’s the perfect spot to stop for a picnic. Did you pack a blanket and picnic basket?
Samford
If you’re ready for a country drive, head northwest from the centre of Brisbane to Samford Valley. The drive over the range features gradual hills set amongst towering leafy trees and takes around 40 minutes from the Brisbane CBD.
Once you drive into Samford Village, you’ll find a host of places to eat and things to see and do. Then, if you have more time available, hop back in your car and drive through the surrounding Samford hinterland.
Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast’s beautiful sandy beaches start about an hour’s drive north from Brisbane. For 60 kilometres of white sandy beaches, national parks, waterfalls, unique eateries, boutique galleries and shopping experiences, you won’t be lost for something to do.
For an incredible beach drive, pull into Caloundra and wind your way to Noosa Main Beach, making sure you stop at Mooloolaba, Coolum, Peregian and Sunshine beaches along the way.
Bulimba
Oxford Street Bulimba also offers an opportunity for a slow drive while taking in the sights. This is another of Brisbane’s excellent shopping, and entertainment precincts tucked away in a riverside suburb.
With excellent delicatessens and bakeries on hand, you can organise your food choices for a picnic underneath the shade of the weeping fig trees in Bulimba Memorial Park.
Manly
Head east from the Brisbane CBD, and you’ll find the bayside area of Wynnum and Manly. Approximately a 35-minute drive will have you in the heart of the well-known seafood, seaside, and shopping village location.
You can park the car and take a stroll along the waterfront, taking in the sea views or take a drive down to the Manly Boat Harbour and enjoy a seafood feast as you watch the tide rise and fall.
Scenic Rim
From Brisbane to Boonah and onto Mt Barney is a relaxing drive. If you leave Brisbane early enough, you can be in Boonah for breakfast. The drive from Brisbane’s CBD to Boonah will take around an hour.
Once you’ve had breakfast and a stroll through Boonah’s quaint streets, hop in your car for an additional hour of driving towards Mt Barney. As Queensland’s fourth highest peak, Mr Barney is easily seen from most Scenic Rim points.
Mt Barney National Park is home to several large mountains that were initially a volcano that erupted over 26 million years ago.
You will come across the Lost World Valley if you drive another hour east towards the Gold Coast hinterland. No, they didn’t film Jurassic Park here, but maybe they should have. The towering cliffs are only surpassed in magnificence by hidden forests and wild rivers. And don’t forget to check out the natural beauty of the rainforest.
Gold Coast
Another expanse of pristine white sandy beaches lies about an hour south of Brisbane. The Gold Coast stretches for approximately 30 kilometres, and if you drive along the coastline, you’re assured of some of the most exquisite beach views in the world.
Surfers Paradise is the most well-known of this iconic holiday and entertainment hub, although a few Gold Coast southern beaches are throwing out a challenge for great food, seaside bars and beachside vibes.
Take the drive from Southport to Tweed Heads and soak up everything this fantastic area has to offer.
Although Brisbane is still a big country town, it’s slowly maturing, giving both Sydney and Melbourne plenty of competition in the tourism stakes. The current growth spurt and transformation are incredible. And now that Brisbane has been awarded the 2032 Olympic Games, there are significant changes planned that are sure to deliver considerable community benefits for locals and tourists alike.
If you’re visiting this sunny South East Queensland city, you should put these recommendations on your list of things to do in Brisbane. If you’re a local, you probably already know that these are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Brisbane. How many of the following suggestions have you seen or done?
James Street
Turn leftinto James Street from Ann Street, and the first thing you’ll notice is the beautiful trees lining the street. You can almost feel the relaxed vibe as you watch people wander through the luxury brand shops and trendy bars and eateries.
James Street has become a popular shopping and entertainment hub and the perfect place for a slow drive. In fact, James Street is 1.5km of the ideal opportunity to see and be seen. However, if you don’t feel like parking just yet, note the surrounding cafes and restaurants and decide where you’d like to eat later.
New Farm Park
A 5-minute drive from James Street is one of Brisbane’s oldest and largest parks. Located on the Brisbane River, New Farm Park is a 37-acre fusion of Jacaranda trees, Moreton Bay figs, rose gardens and picnic areas.
Whether you choose to park and wander or drive the ring road a couple of times, you’ll be glad you did. You will also find several choices for coffee stops and lunch venues in the area.
South Bank Parklands
Head across the Brisbane River to South Bank. This excellent waterfront area is home to wonderful eateries, beautiful gardens, and a man-made beach. This vibrant area is worth parking your car and taking a stroll to absorb the authentic Brisbane lifestyle.
Overlooking the Brisbane River and the CBD, Streets Beach is Australia’s only inner-city beach – Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands If you’re looking for calm water surrounded by white sand, you’ll find it here amongst the beautiful palm trees.
Just a few blocks from Streets Beach, you’ll find the heart of Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct. QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art) features art from the Pacific region, including Australia and Asia. In addition, QAGOMA frequently displays an intriguing Indigenous Australian collection.
Mt Coot-tha Lookout
For a breathtaking view of Brisbane city, head up to the Mount Coot-tha Summit lookout. Then, at the top of Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, you’ll find a fantastic viewpoint. Make sure to have your camera or phone ready as you’ll want to capture everything you see.
The Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout is approximately seven kilometres from the Brisbane CBD. You will find a café located at the top, where you can grab some takeaways; however, it’s the perfect spot to stop for a picnic. Did you pack a blanket and picnic basket?
Samford
If you’re ready for a country drive, head northwest from the centre of Brisbane to Samford Valley. The drive over the range features gradual hills set amongst towering leafy trees and takes around 40 minutes from the Brisbane CBD.
Once you drive into Samford Village, you’ll find a host of places to eat and things to see and do. Then, if you have more time available, hop back in your car and drive through the surrounding Samford hinterland.
Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast’s beautiful sandy beaches start about an hour’s drive north from Brisbane. For 60 kilometres of white sandy beaches, national parks, waterfalls, unique eateries, boutique galleries and shopping experiences, you won’t be lost for something to do.
For an incredible beach drive, pull into Caloundra and wind your way to Noosa Main Beach, making sure you stop at Mooloolaba, Coolum, Peregian and Sunshine beaches along the way.
Bulimba
Oxford Street Bulimba also offers an opportunity for a slow drive while taking in the sights. This is another of Brisbane’s excellent shopping, and entertainment precincts tucked away in a riverside suburb.
With excellent delicatessens and bakeries on hand, you can organise your food choices for a picnic underneath the shade of the weeping fig trees in Bulimba Memorial Park.
Manly
Head east from the Brisbane CBD, and you’ll find the bayside area of Wynnum and Manly. Approximately a 35-minute drive will have you in the heart of the well-known seafood, seaside, and shopping village location.
You can park the car and take a stroll along the waterfront, taking in the sea views or take a drive down to the Manly Boat Harbour and enjoy a seafood feast as you watch the tide rise and fall.
Scenic Rim
From Brisbane to Boonah and onto Mt Barney is a relaxing drive. If you leave Brisbane early enough, you can be in Boonah for breakfast. The drive from Brisbane’s CBD to Boonah will take around an hour.
Once you’ve had breakfast and a stroll through Boonah’s quaint streets, hop in your car for an additional hour of driving towards Mt Barney. As Queensland’s fourth highest peak, Mr Barney is easily seen from most Scenic Rim points.
Mt Barney National Park is home to several large mountains that were initially a volcano that erupted over 26 million years ago.
You will come across the Lost World Valley if you drive another hour east towards the Gold Coast hinterland. No, they didn’t film Jurassic Park here, but maybe they should have. The towering cliffs are only surpassed in magnificence by hidden forests and wild rivers. And don’t forget to check out the natural beauty of the rainforest.
Gold Coast
Another expanse of pristine white sandy beaches lies about an hour south of Brisbane. The Gold Coast stretches for approximately 30 kilometres, and if you drive along the coastline, you’re assured of some of the most exquisite beach views in the world.
Surfers Paradise is the most well-known of this iconic holiday and entertainment hub, although a few Gold Coast southern beaches are throwing out a challenge for great food, seaside bars and beachside vibes.
Take the drive from Southport to Tweed Heads and soak up everything this fantastic area has to offer.