things to do in Brisbane
Whether this is your first time in Brisbane, you've been here before or even if you're a local, here are some of the places we feel visitors must see in Brisbane to gain an insight into Brisbane and its people. Take note these have been in no particular order:
Mt Cooth-tha Summit
Require a drive to the top of Mt Coot-tha (7km west of the CBD) where you'll obtain a spectacular panoramic view of the complete of Brisbane city and surrounds. Over a clear day you will notice up to the distant ranges in the south-west and Moreton Bay towards the east. Here it is possible to invest some time in the cafe sipping a latte, cool off having a gelato ice-cream or take pleasure in the famous Summit restaurant around the mountaintop. To get a real buzz come here at night and you'll see the city ablaze with lights (very romantic indeed! )
things to do in Brisbane
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
While you're at Mt Coot-tha Lookout, visit the Botanic Gardens. These 52 hectare gardens contain subtropical and Australian flora in a setting of ponds, lakes and streams. Mt Coot-tha also hosts a planetarium, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, a particular favourite of youngsters.
Story Bridge
For that more adventurous, require a two and a half hour climb to the peak of Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge. Here you'll experience uninterrupted 360 degree views of Brisbane, its river and surrounding mountains. Dawn climbers will capture the beauty of sunrise over the bay, while dusk climbers will spot the setting sun reflected in the glass and steel from the city's high-rise apartment and office buildings. If you happen to be visiting Brisbane on New Year's Eve, one of the things to do on New Years Eve in Brisbane is to head down to Southbank and watch the fireworks explode around the Story Bridge.
Ale House
Go ahead and take 1 hour brewery tour at the Ale House at Milton where you'll get yourself a glimpse to the history of the Castlemaine Perkins brewery along with its world-famous beers. Only minutes from Brisbane's CBD, you will find an entertaining and interactive brewery tour, get some souvenirs and sample some ales in the Ale House bar - a true experience. And what could be more Australian than beer!
South Bank
It's hard to imagine Brisbane without South Bank. Just throughout the river through the CBD, you may enjoy South Bank's sandy beach (Streets Beach), open grassy picnic shops, a and areas plethora of eating spots. Free live fireworks, entertainment and festivals all through the year add to the vibrancy you'll experience here. On Fridays, Sundays and Saturdays, visit South Bank Art & Craft Market where you'll find crafts by local artisans including fashion, tarot, jewellery and homewares and even a massage. It's at South Bank where you'll also find Queensland's theatres and arts. Places to visit include the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of contemporary Art. The Queensland Museum Sciencentre is well-liked by children.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is for you if you are wanting to experience Australian wildlife without leaving the city! Hold a koala, feed a kangaroo, hear a discuss our reptiles. It is possible to the RiverCat through the city to Lone Pine for a truly Brisbane experience.
Brisbane River
Many state that Brisbane River defines Brisbane, after all, we're called the RiverCity! A great way to see Brisbane is always to have a ride around the CityCat - a easy and cheap way to get around. Have a cruise up and down the river, stopping where ever you want in the process - South Bank, University of Queensland, New Farm. An additional way to see the sights of Brisbane is to use an entertaining cruise on the Brisbane River on one of the Kookaburra River Queens.
Brisbane CBD Historic Walking Tour
Brisbane hasn't experienced a great track record of preserving its heritage buildings. The drive to modernize the city for economic purposes saw a huge number of historic sites torn down within the 1970's and 1980's. A day or two's walking will be enough for you to see most of the really old sites, though there are still a number of them around, particularly in the CBD districts.
Queen Street Mall
In the heart of Brisbane's CBD, Queen Street Mall is a busy half kilometre pedestrian open air thoroughfare including al-fresco shopping and dining. With wide swooping sails to provide necessary shelter from the sun and rain, Queen Street mall draws over 26 million visitors annually. Queen Street Mall is considered to be the biggest retail precinct between Singapore and Sydney, and houses an outstanding choice of designer national, labels and international retail chains, independent boutique outlets, jewelrydesigners and bookstores, shoe shops and a lot more. Come here as the mall is a hive of activity if you like to people-watch. A purpose built performance stage features regular free live entertainment, and buskers never neglect to delight passers by making use of their antics. There are numerous 24 hour eateries and bars that can be found across the mall's central spine for people who want to party on.
City Botanic Gardens
Brisbane's (original) botanic gardens stretch out to the river on three sides where you could walk or cycle the right path around to adopt in the exotic plants that flourish within our sub-tropical climate. An easy and relaxed walk from the CBD, a must do is to take a walk through the mangroves around the boardwalk. Continue along to Eagle Street pier to browse the many stalls at the Riverside Markets, open every Sunday from 7am, if you're here on a Sunday.
Fortitude Valley
Fondly known as 'The Valley' it has made a good name for itself with locals and visitors alike and is still at the forefront of alternative and emerging entertainment, fashion and music. Enter any main street in the Valley and you're sure to locate a choice of trendy locations for drinks, dance or food. Try James Street, Brunswick Street, or Ann Street. You can find a large number of venues being offered, each making use of their own style and atmosphere. Some compare the Valley to Sydney's Oxford Street for nightlife. Take your pick of designer nightclubs and make sure not to miss Family Nightclub, recently awarded Australia's best nightclub. The Valley can also be at Brisbane's forefront in live music experiences. A good place to start visiting The Valley is definitely the Brunswick Street Mall that is lined with eateries, bars and cafes. Right close to Brunswick Street is Ann Street, with lots of avant garde fashion boutiques which feature cutting-edge and retro designs.
