As I stand under the psychedelic green lights of the Story Bridge and poetically admire the shimmering reflections of the cityscapes, I come to a very easy realization – Brisbane has a razzmatazz, an emerging glamour that is almost cosmopolitan in its vibes and is on par with any top-notch city anywhere in the world.
Perhaps it is time for the stars to align for Brisbane to emerge from its small-town chrysalis to join the elitist league of unbeatable cities you have to visit in the world!
Why Brisbane?
Beyond the spotlights that perennially glitter on Sydney and Melbourne lie many an Australian delight, waiting to be discovered.
While there are scores of regional small-town charms, scattered everywhere in the delightful country, when it comes to the other big cities, Brisbane – or ‘Brissy’ in local Ozzie parlance – often gets missed out.
The river city, Queensland’s capital, and the country’s third largest, is, however, fast rising in the charts of travellers’ interest. And Brissy’s latest claim to fame? Being the third Australian city to host the Olympics in 2032, after its elder siblings Sydney (2000) and Melbourne (1956).
Already replete with superb infrastructure and a cosmopolitan vibe, Brisbane is undergoing significant alterations in terms of upgrades, venue development, governance, and planning, ready to welcome the world in the next decade.
Before that global rush begins, it might be the perfect time to soak in the experience of this amazing tropical destination. Whether you’re a nature lover, foodie, art enthusiast, or thrill-seeker, Brisbane has something unforgettable in store. Here’s a list of the top 10 things to see and do in this dynamic city.
Read More: Sydney’s Seaside Secrets: 10 Coastal Walks That Will Take Your Breath Away
1. South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach
Unlike other Australian capital cities, Brisbane is not bang on the beach.
Though initially established as a penal colony for secondary offenders from Sydney in 1824, close to the Moreton Bay waters, the settlement was moved upstream on the Brisbane River for easier access to resources and transportation via the river.
The city, therefore, developed inland rather than on the coast,t leading to significantly lower beach vibes compared to other counterparts. Fast forward to the present day, what do you think the city did to compensate for the same? Well, they made one on the river!
Welcome to Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach housed inside the social and cultural heart of the city – South Bank, 17 hectares of meticulously crafted parklands boasting riverside walkways, lush tropical rainforests, gardens such as the Arbour and the Epicurious, open-air eateries, a giant Ferris wheel (the Wheel of Brisbane), and a Nepalese Peace Pagoda among others.
(You will also come across the colourful and zesty ‘Brisbane’ Sign for that must-have Instagram.)
South Bank is also home to a strong dose of culture, and you can visit the Queensland Art Gallery or catch a show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
With free access to most attractions, South Bank and the Streets Beach should be the best start to acclimatise yourself to the tropical Brissy vibes!
2. Brisbane River Cruise
While at South Bank, you might also consider the best way to see the gorgeous riverscapes of Brisbane – what better way than a free cruise on a red “CityHopper” ferry, which stops at multiple locations along the river, and hop on and off wherever you care.
(Do remember that the CityHopper is an inner-city ferry service, while CityCats are the more frequent but paid ferry service that has much wider coverage on the river.)
Besides all the exuberance at South Bank, the hop-on and off services let you satiate your shopping desires at Queen Street Mall, marvel at the architectural beauty that is the Story Bridge, or even end your day with some fine dining at Brisbane’s best restaurants at Eagle Street Pier or the famous Howard Smith Wharves.
3. Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Of all of South Bank’s attractions, the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) deserves special mention, especially for art aficionados and connoisseurs.
It comprises two architecturally acclaimed buildings—the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)—situated side by side, collectively showcasing over 20,000 artefacts from Australia and globally.
You should also check the permanent Indigenous Australian Art Exhibitions here that showcase the uniqueness and beauty of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art – simple but riveting and unlike any you may have seen so far.
Do note that while the main Museum is free, there might be exhibitions that charge a small fee.
Best Brisbane Tours & Excursions
4. Story Bridge
Perhaps the greatest architectural wonder for Brissy is its Story Bridge, Australia’s longest cantilever bridge and named after eminent public servant, John Douglas Story, an ardent advocate for the bridge that was opened in 1940 and connects the two wonderful suburbs of Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley.
The beautifully lit bridge sparkles from an endless set of points along the Brisbane River, but for the fully immersive experience, you can also climb the Bridge with walking tours available throughout the day.
With only about half a dozen bridges allowing a climb in the world (including nearby Sydney, Auckland, and Perth), this might be your moment to strike off the ‘bridge-climbing’ checkbox in your wish-list.
The climb offers unforgettable views and on a clear day, you might be able to see as far away as Moreton Bay, or the grand Glasshouse Mountains (north, towards Noosa), or even the Scenic Rim.
5. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
If Sydney has Taronga, Brissy has its Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Get up close and personal with Australia’s most iconic wildlife at the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary.
Just a short drive from the CBD, Lone Pine offers the rare chance to take a selfie with a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, and spot platypuses, wombats, and more in a serene riverside setting. Better still, you can even reach the Sanctuary on a Miramar ferry from the Cultural Centre Public Pontoon.
If you love your wildlife, this is it – The sanctuary is home to more than 130 koalas, but they aren’t the only stars of the show.
There are also over 70 species of Australian native wildlife, so you can also see platypus, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, dingos, wombats, the Southern Cassowary, echidnas, wombats, emus, freshwater crocodiles, and loads of Australian birdlife, which will surely tick off all the animals you will ever want to watch Down Under.
Read More: 26 Things You Might Not Know About Australia
6. Roma Street Parkland
Right next to the bustling Central Business District (CBD) of Brisbane lies the green heart of the Roma Street Parkland, claimed to be the world’s largest sub-tropical garden within a city centre.
This urban oasis blends lush subtropical gardens with tranquil open spaces, meandering boardwalks and walkways, cascading waterfalls, and themed garden precincts.
Towering fig trees, perfectly manicured lawns, water bodies, a Spectacle Garden, besides showcasing artworks from local artists, and all on a derelict railway depot that was converted in the 1990s by a prescient government to become one of the city’s most coveted gardens.
If your heart yearns for more greenery, then just 2 kilometres away, along the Brisbane River lies the City Botanic Garden, dating back far earlier to the 1820s when convicts grew food crops for the penal settlement.
It was later used to experiment with new food crops introduced to Queensland by the garden’s first curator, Walter Hill, such as mangoes, sugarcane, and jacaranda, some of which stand even today as a testament to Hill’s prescient efforts.
7. Mount Coot-tha Lookout and Gardens
Yet another of Brisbane’s botanic gardens was established at the base of Mount Coot-tha in 1976 to avoid the flooding issues of its riverside counterpart and to provide a larger, more diverse space for botanical research, conservation, and public enjoyment.
Its Japanese gardens, Bonsai House, Fern House, Children’s Discovery Trail, and a planetarium are sure to keep you delighted for hours.
The biggest draw here, though, is the Mount Coot-tha Lookout, Brisbane’s best vantage point, offering panoramic views of the city skyline, the winding Brisbane River, and the distant peaks of the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Standing at 226 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in the City of Brisbane and a beloved destination for both locals and visitors.
The name Coot-tha translates to ‘place of honey’, reflecting the area’s significance to Indigenous people, who for thousands of years collected native honey from the forests around the mountain.
8. Howard Smith Wharves
Tucked beneath the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves is a restored historic precinct considered Brisbane’s most buzzing dining and lifestyle destination.
Your gastronomical visit to Brisbane will remain incomplete without a visit to the wharves, where you can sip cocktails by the river, grab fish and chips, and enjoy world-class brews in an emerging local brewery industry, all while admiring the amazing lights of the Bridge and the river.
Originally constructed between 1939 and 1942, Howard Smith Wharves was built as part of a large-scale government employment project during the Great Depression. The site was essential for Brisbane’s maritime operations, serving as a central hub for shipping and goods transfer along the Brisbane River.
It includes several preserved World War II-era air raid shelters, which stand as reminders of the area’s strategic importance during wartime. The name comes from the Howard Smith Company, which owned and operated the wharf facilities during the early 20th century.
9. Moreton Island and the Tangalooma Wrecks
Moreton Island is a stunning sandy island located just off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland, about 40 kilometres northeast of the city. It’s the world’s third-largest sand island after Fraser Island and its neighbour, North Stradbroke Island, all in Queensland.
A trip to Moreton Island is an unforgettable adventure, just a short ferry ride from Brisbane (with lots of coach tours available), where you can explore pristine beaches, glide down towering sand dunes on a toboggan, or snorkel and dive around the Tangalooma Wrecks.
This unique site features a series of 15 ships deliberately scuttled between 1963 and 1984 to create a safe anchorage for boats.
Over time, these wrecks have transformed into a vibrant marine ecosystem, now home to over 200 species of fish, 130 species of coral, and various marine creatures such as sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, and Wobbegong sharks.
10. North Stradbroke Island
Just south of Moreton Island lies yet another idyllic day-trip escapade from Brisbane – North Stradbroke Island, affectionately known as ‘Straddie’.
It is a beautiful getaway just a short ferry ride from Brisbane, where visitors can explore scenic coastal walks like the North Gorge Walk, spot dolphins and whales, surf at Main Beach, or relax in the calm waters of the Blue and Brown Lakes.
There are also opportunities for wildlife encounters, adventurous activities like sandboarding and kayaking, besides insightful, cultural tours led by the Quandamooka people.
Beyond Brisbane
Brisbane is yet another of Australia’s underrated jewels. If you have the time and the wanderlust in you that asks for more, don’t stop at Brissy alone. Just beyond Brisbane, you can also visit the Glasshouse Mountains, a striking group of volcanic peaks that offer fantastic hiking and panoramic views.
Further north, you can explore the stunning natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast with its golden beaches and charming hinterland towns like Maleny and Montville. The Scenic Rim offers lush rainforests, waterfalls, and hiking trails, ideal for outdoor lovers.
To the south, the Gold Coast’s iconic beaches and theme parks are just an hour away, perfect for fun-filled family days. The picturesque town of Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterland is known for its quaint shops, wineries, rainforests, and the famous Tamborine Skywalk.
And this is just the start – it won’t be long before you realize that River City Brissy is a gateway to endless adventures…
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Author Bio: Ayan loves travelling, writing, and photography; he has travelled to over 30 countries and has published multiple books on travel and poetry.
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