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Brisbane

No longer satisfied in the shadow of Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is subverting stereotypes and surprising the critics. Welcome to Australia's new subtropical 'It kid'.

Alfresco Living, Year-round

Brisbane has a climate its more famous southern rivals would kill for (despite what they may tell you). When Sydney and Melbourne shiver through the winter months, Brisbane continues basking in the sun. After all, this is the capital city of the Sunshine State, a meteorological Promised Land where winters are mild and short enough for a daytime alfresco toast. It's a fact not lost on Brisbanites, who indulge in outdoor thrills all year round, from inner-city rock-climbing and kayaking, to riverside cycling and sunning on the nation's only man-made city beach.

Culinary Enlightenment

The Brisbane food scene is booming. Innovation and ingenuity are the key words these days, driving everything from Gauge's cult-status black garlic bread to Nodo's Valrhona chocolate and beetroot dougnuts. Menus across the city are flaunting the seasonal and the regional, transforming top-notch produce into beautiful, confident dishes spanning all budgets and countless cuisines. Imbibing in Brisbane is no less impressive, with a sharp, competent booty of specialty coffee microroasteries, microbreweries and cocktail bars pouring faultless single-origin brews, seasonal beers and out-of-the-box cocktails crafted with everything from lemon myrtle to local Brisbane honey.

Cultural Awakenings

Forget the 'cultural backwater' tag. Brisbane 2.0 is a kicking hub of creativity, with an expanding arsenal of enlightening, thought-provoking drawcards. It's here that you'll find the Australia's largest public gallery of modern art (GOMA) and its most important festival of new Australian music (Bigsound Festival). Whether you're up for catching a cult-status band in a state-of-the-art hangar, a subversive cabaret in a one-time power station, or an opera in a subterranean reservoir, this town has you covered.

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Planning Toolkit

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Brisbane.

  • Cultural Centre

    Queensland Cultural Centre

    On South Bank, just over Victoria Bridge from the CBD, the Queensland Cultural Centre is the epicentre of Brisbane’s cultural confluence. Surrounded by…

  • Park

    South Bank Parklands

    Should you sunbake on a sandy beach, saunter through a rainforest, or eye-up a Nepalese peace pagoda? You can do all three in this 17.5-hectare park…

  • Landmark

    City Hall

    Fronted by a row of sequoia-sized Corinthian columns, Australia's largest city hall was built between 1920 and 1930. Although free, fascinating heritage…

  • Gallery

    Gallery of Modern Art

    All angular glass, concrete and black metal, must-see GOMA celebrates modern and contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on Australian, Asian and…

  • Museum

    Museum of Brisbane

    On the 3rd floor of City Hall, this forward-thinking museum explores historic and modern aspects of Brisbane, offering fresh, progressive insights into…

  • Historic Building

    Old Government House

    Queensland's most important heritage building, this 1862 showpiece was designed by estimable government architect Charles Tiffin as a residence for Sir…

  • Gallery

    Queensland Art Gallery

    While Brisbane's main art museum includes numerous international works, its forte is its Australia collection. This includes works by heavyweights like…

  • Arts Centre

    Brisbane Powerhouse

    On the eastern flank of New Farm Park stands the Powerhouse, a once-derelict power station superbly transformed into a contemporary arts centre. Its…

  • Public Art

    Pillars Project

    Beneath the South Brisbane rail overpass, a row of concrete pillars has been transformed into 11 giant street-art murals by some of the hottest names on…

  • Bridge

    Brisbane Riverwalk

    Jutting out over the city's big, brown waterway, the Brisbane Riverwalk offers a novel way of surveying the Brisbane skyline. The 870m-long path – divided…

  • Viewpoint

    Brisbane Lookout

    You'll be surveying the Brisbane skyline and greater metro area from this lofty lookout within Mt Coot-tha Forest. Choose a clear day and you'll even spot…

  • Park

    City Botanic Gardens

    Originally a collection of food crops planted by convicts in 1825, this is Brisbane’s favourite green space. Descending gently from the Queensland…

  • National Park

    D'Aguilar National Park

    Covering roughly 36,000 hectares, D'Aguilar National Park (pronounced 'dee-ag-lar') lies only 10km northwest of central Brisbane. Its mix of open eucalypt…

  • Nature Reserve

    Mt Coot-tha Reserve

    A 15-minute drive or bus ride from the city, this huge bush reserve is topped by 287m Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane's highest point. On the hillsides you’ll find…

  • Park

    Roma Street Parkland

    This beautifully maintained, 16-hectare downtown park is one of the world’s largest subtropical urban gardens. Formerly a market and a railway yard, the…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

    About 12km south of the city centre, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary occupies a patch of parkland beside the river. It’s home to over 130 koalas, plus kangaroos…

  • Park

    New Farm Park

    On the tail end of Brunswick St by the river, heritage-listed New Farm Park provides urban respite with its jacaranda trees, rose gardens and picnic areas…

  • Gardens

    Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha

    At the base of Mt Coot-tha, this 52-hectare garden houses a plethora of mini-ecologies, from cactus, bonsai and herb gardens, to rainforests and arid…

  • Library

    State Library of Queensland

    Sandwiched between the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane's pre-eminent library hosts free, often fascinating exhibitions…

  • Gallery

    TW Fine Art

    With around 10 shows annually, this easy-to-miss space has a knack for showcasing fresh, boundary-pushing contemporary art from around the globe. Its fold…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Brisbane.

  • Activities