Visit Brisbane: all the must-do activities
Are you planning to visit Brisbane soon? The capital of Queensland is one of the largest Australian cities, and an absolutely essential stopover on a road trip in Australia. This city, both modern and on a human scale, which leaves a lot of room for nature, really has no shortage of assets to seduce visitors. In this post, you can discover a small anthology of the best things to see and do during a stay in Brisbane. And if you don’t know where to sleep in Brisbane, you can read my article about it!
Escalader le Story Bridge
Here is a sporting activity that will appeal to thrill seekers. For 2 hours, you will set out to scale the Story Bridge, one of Brisbane’s iconic landmarks, to enjoy the best panoramic view of the entire city.
You will move along the suspended footbridge of the bridge, and during your progress, thanks to your guide, you will be able to discover the fascinating history of the city and of this bridge. Then you will climb the bridge at one of its wide beams, until you reach the platform at the top. All the equipment necessary for this climb is provided, and once at the top, in addition to admiring an incredible view, you will take a small group photo to immortalize this experience.
Moreton Island
Several very beautiful islands are located very close to Brisbane, and it goes without saying that I recommend that you visit at least one during your stay. And if you had to choose just one, it would without hesitation be Moreton Island, one of the largest sand islands in the world.
This island can be reached by ferry in just over an hour. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region for many reasons. Almost all of its area is part of a national park. You can swim in clear water, go kayaking, and go watch the whales and dolphins that live off this island. You will also have the opportunity to practice activities on dry land (quad biking, 4×4, hiking, mini-golf, etc.).
But the most popular activity is undoubtedly scuba diving and snorkeling. The seabed around the island is simply magnificent, with a very varied aquatic life, and you can discover incredible sites with several underwater wrecks.
The South Bank area
South Bank is the district where the World Expo was held in 1988. It is therefore not surprising that it is still one of the most attractive places in Brisbane today. This riverside neighborhood on the south bank sits directly across from the Central Business District (CBD), the city’s business hub.
South Bank is a really good neighborhood to live in. There are lots of green spaces and places to take beautiful walks, but also many bars, restaurants, shops and cultural sites.
In the center of South Bank, you can find Streets Beach, a real artificial lagoon around which several very beautiful beaches are waiting for you. It is a very popular place for swimming, where it is also possible to practice many other activities.
It is also in this district that the Wheel of Brisbane is located, the Ferris wheel which has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city since its inauguration in 2008. By taking a tour, you will discover a unique view of the city and the river.
If you like shopping, you can find many shops all over the city center, but I also recommend you to visit the Collective Markets, a market in South Bank open on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Small designers come to offer their clothes, fashion accessories and jewelry. This is the perfect place to find souvenirs to bring back from your stay in Australia. You can also see artists who exhibit their works, attend street concerts and taste local specialties in the gastronomic stands.
If you are mainly looking to enjoy the nightlife in Brisbane, I also recommend the Fortitude Valley district, northeast of the CBD.
Brisbane Botanical Gardens
Virtually every major city in Australia has a large Botanical Garden, and Brisbane goes even further with several. These are the true green lungs of the city, and they are accessible free of charge.
The main ones are the City Botanic Gardens, a large green setting of more than 18 hectares. You can only appreciate the tranquility that reigns in this place yet located in the heart of the city. It is the perfect place for a nice walk or bike ride, for a picnic and to discover many plant species, palm trees, bamboos, ficus… An area of ​​the park has even become a mangrove, where you can discover mangroves and see many species of birds that have settled there.
Brisbane’s other great green space is about 8km west of the city center on Mount Coot-Tha. This small mountain which culminates at 244 meters above sea level is one of the best places to admire a panoramic view of the city. Especially in the evening to admire a sunset. I recommend stopping at Brisbane Lookout Mount Coot-tha to enjoy the show.
The Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens are home to a wide variety of trees found in the Australian rainforest, Japanese gardens and many thematic gardens. Many trails run through this park where you can make great discoveries.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Here is one of the attractions not to be missed under any circumstances during your stay in Brisbane. The Koala is one of the animals that best symbolizes Australia, and a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary will be the perfect opportunity to discover these fascinating animals up close.
Koalas are the stars here, as this sanctuary, which was founded almost a century ago, is home to the largest population of koalas in the world. You can even interact with them, feed them and hug them.
But other animals are also present in this nature reserve, including kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles and even a Tasmanian devil. Several activities are organized every day, and you will be able to see birds of prey flights, demonstrations of sheepdogs, see the trainers take care of the animals or even meet a baby crocodile.
The Brisbane Powerhouse
Here is an artistic and cultural center that highlights alternative culture. It is located in New Farm, on the outskirts of the city, and it is so named because it is in an old power station.
Since 2000, the Brisbane Powerhouse has brought together several theaters and performance halls such as the Powerhouse Theater and the Turbine Hall, but also several green spaces, a restaurant and a bar with a pleasant roof terrace which offers a beautiful view of the city. The center even hosts an agricultural market on weekends.
The Queensland Cultural Center
The Queensland Cultural Center is in the South Bank area. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. Bordered by the river and several parks, it includes several museums, art galleries and performance halls and is one of the city’s must-see sites.
At the Queensland Cultural Center, you can visit:
The Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, a large exhibition space dedicated to natural history, science and human heritage. It offers many permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as exciting educational activities and experiences for children.
The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), a large free-to-enter art museum that occupies two large buildings along the river and has over 1,700 works of art on display. Most of the works are from Australia and the Pacific, including a superb display of Aboriginal Australian art.
The Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC), a temple of entertainment and culture in Brisbane, where many world-renowned shows are organized throughout the year (operas, ballets, concerts, plays, stand up… ).
The State Library of Queensland, one of the largest libraries in the country.