Brisbane, the capital of Queensland and the third biggest city in Australia, had never been on my Australia bucket list. I didn’t even go there during my first trip to Australia. It’s a job offer that took me there a few years ago. It first appeared to me as a beautiful town with its river, palm trees and jacarandas. And that’s it. So, have I changed my mind? Is Brisbane worth visiting?
Why I sometimes say Brisbane is not worth visiting
Don’t misunderstand me. Even if I didn’t fall in love at first sight; I enjoy living in Brisbane. I find it relaxing and easy-going.
When I ask the question, “Is Brisbane worth visiting?” I am not judging the city itself and our lifestyle there.
But living in a place is different from visiting it for a few days. I appreciate that holiday time can be precious, and we want to visit extraordinary destinations. If you are short on time in your Australian itinerary, I think there are better places to explore in Australia than Brisbane.
I associate Australia with wild and impressive nature, so visiting Australian cities isn’t a priority for me, except for the iconic Sydney. Brisbane isn’t very special as a city, apart maybe from the South Bank lagoons and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. You don’t often find a beach and natural cliffs to rock climb just in front of a CBD. Otherwise, from a tourist point of view, I found Sydney a lot more scenic and interesting (see my Sydney vs Brisbane article).
When Brisbane can be worth visiting
If you have time, it is worth visiting Brisbane for a couple of days or using it as a base to explore the region.
If you don’t want to pack
One day you are admiring beautiful corals at Flinders Reef or Cook Island, and the next day you are chasing waterfalls in the Springbrook National Park rainforest. You can spend the day in the wild on Moreton Island, one of the world’s largest sand islands, or explore villages in the countryside of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. And the stunning Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) may be the highlight of your stay in Brisbane. You can even find koalas in Brisbane.
This blog offers many trip ideas around Brisbane. I’ve lived in Brisbane for more than a decade and love exploring my region. The rest of this article will focus on things to do in Brisbane.
What to do in Brisbane
This is the itinerary around the city that I prepare for my overseas friends when they visit Brisbane. So far, they’ve all given me feedback that Brisbane was worth visiting. But we didn’t stick to the city, and they had a local show them around. This can surely change your experience. But I hope these tips will help you maximise your time in Brisbane.
Is it raining? Have a look at this list of things to do in Brisbane on a rainy day!
Loop to explore Brisbane city
This loop is great both during the day and at night.
From the CBD, I recommend going down Queen St to cross Victoria Bridge towards South Bank. You can stop there to relax near the lagoon with a view of the city. Then, board a ferry for a short cruise on the river up to Riverside. The Riverside Bar has a terrace with a perfect view of the Story Bridge. From Riverside, you can walk along the river and through the Botanic Gardens to return to the city. As you wander in the city, try to get a free ticket to go up the Townhall tower. You’ll get a nice view from up there.
If you feel like more walking, head towards the Story Bridge and follow the Riverwalk to New Farm. Make sure you look back at the great views of the Story Bridge with the City behind it. The New Farm Park is a great place to chill. Have a look at what’s on at the Powerhouse, as they sometimes have good shows and exhibitions. You can then catch a boat or a bus back to the city.
If you don’t feel like walking, you can also easily hire a Beam or Neuron e-scooter or e-bike anywhere in the city.
New to Beam? You can download their app here and use the referral code ydXTF (it’s case-sensitive). We’ll both get free credits!
New to Neuron? Register here or use the coupon code 12D5HSYE, and we’ll both get a free 10-minute ride.
This loop is also nice at night when the city lights are on. The night photo below was taken from Bowen Terrace, near the Story Bridge. You can stop at the Felons Brewery for a drink or a bite to enjoy such a view.
Kangaroo Point: Sunset & Climbing
Kangaroo Point is just after South Bank, with the town on the other side of the river. The top of the cliffs is a great spot to watch the sunset in Brisbane while enjoying a barbeque.
Kangaroo Point is also an original outdoor climbing destination. The 20m wall is popular with different levels and even stitch plates on some routes. Read this article for more information.
Scared of heights? I know the feeling! Check out how I overcome my fear of heights.
Mount Coot-Tha: a bird view of Brisbane
You can hike up to Mount Coo-Tha via the Botanical Garden of Mount Coot-Tha. I actually prefer these gardens to the main ones in the CBD.
If you don’t feel like walking, catch a bus to Mont Coot-Tha lookout (timetables here) or go there by car. It is 287m above sea level and the panoramic view of Brisbane from up there is unbeatable.
Queen Street and the Casino
I’ll keep this part short: I never go shopping and don’t gamble. But I know some people enjoy these two places when visiting Brisbane, so I wanted to mention them! A part of Queen Street is accessible only for pedestrians and that’s where you’ll find most shops in Brisbane CBD – enough to keep you busy for the day if you wish.
The Casino is at the end of Queen Street, just before Victoria Bridge which leads to South Bank.
Preparing a trip to Brisbane? Check out these tips about where to stay in Brisbane.
What’s the best season to visit Brisbane?
Brisbane is the capital of the Sunshine State. The climate here is generally very nice. My favourite seasons are Spring (September – November) and Autumn (April – May).
It does not get too cold during the winter months. But I would avoid the wet season from the end of November to March as it is hot and humid, with a high chance of rain and storms.
If I had to pick a date to visit Brisbane, I would come at the end of September. Temperatures are rising as it is the end of winter, and the Brisbane Festival is on. The streets are more animated than usual with art shows and food stalls for the occasion. The fireworks at the end of the festival are breathtaking. And the jacarandas season is not far away; the trees paint some areas of the town in a beautiful purple!
What do you think? Is Brisbane worth visiting? Share your experience in the comments below!
Map of Brisbane Inner City
Brisbane is the second biggest city on Australia’s East Coast. It is around 900km north of Sydney.
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