7 things to see and do in Brisbane
Brisbane is not a big city, so it’s a great place to explore on foot.
The city is divided by the Brisbane River into the City in the north and Southbank in the south, but even on the City side, most of the major attractions – The City Hall, Queen Street Mall, Central Station, Anzac Square, Post Office Square, Brisbane Square, and Brisbane Square – are all close enough to each other on a map that you can easily walk around and see them all. I loved how easy it was to get around Brisbane on foot.
Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Possibly the most exhilarating experience you can have in Brisbane!
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is exactly what it sounds like – a unique activity that takes you to the top of the steel bridge for a bird’s eye view of the city.
Story Bridge is an iconic Brisbane landmark, connecting the south and north sides of the city, bisected by the Brisbane River.
Opened in 1940, the bridge is approximately 1,375 meters long and 24 meters wide.
The experience of standing on top of this massive steel bridge is exhilarating, isn’t it?
Brisbane Arcade
The Arcade is said to be the oldest shopping mall in Brisbane.
According to the sign at the entrance, it was built in 1923, making it over 100 years old. I remember this from my previous trip to Melbourne, and Australia seems to have a lot of these quaint arcades. It’s home to 50 of Brisbane’s best shops. The whole place has a very classic, old-fashioned feel. It’s a 100-year-old mall, but it’s very well maintained, so it doesn’t feel dated at all, and it has a classic vibe.
Queensland Maritime Museum
Digest the exhibits at the Queensland Maritime Museum. This historic museum was built in 1971. It has two floors of exhibits and displays sailing ships, cruise ships, shipwreck models, cabin interiors, and more. Drinks are also sold inside the museum. You can freely take photos with the various ships outside, and you can even climb aboard the naval vessels.
The museum is closed Monday-Tuesday. It is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but be aware that the entrance closes at 3:30 p.m. The Old Bulwer Island Lighthouse outside the museum is a photogenic spot, so be sure to stop by and snap a photo.
Brisbane City Market
The Brisbane City Market is only open on Wednesdays.
It is located in front of the Treasury Casino Hotel. The Treasury Casino itself is one of Brisbane’s landmarks, and it’s close to Queen Street Mall, so it’s easy to get to. The city center was, in retrospect, very walkable. You can walk to just about everything.
It’s not that big, it’s a farmer’s market of sorts, just a little bit smaller. Brisbane Square itself isn’t that big of a space, so the market is pretty small.
The market is only open every Wednesday from 8am-6pm
Location: Square in front of Treasury Casino
Streets Beach
One of the most laid-back places in Brisbane is this one.
Streets Beach is a man-made beach in the middle of the city center. It’s lined with white sand and dotted with palm trees, giving it a real vacation-like feel.
It’s relaxing to see locals soaking in the warm sunshine.
There is also a separate pool for children, so it’s a great place to visit with your family. It’s free and open to everyone.
Howard Smith Wharves
Howard Smith Wharves is the perfect place to end the day with a relaxing stroll. It used to be a dock, but now it’s home to atmospheric restaurants and cafes.
Beer-loving travelers will especially enjoy this spot, as it’s home to the famous brewery Felons Brewing Co.
At night, the Story Bridge, the bridge in front of the pier, is illuminated and the river is brightly colored. Sit by the river and sip on a cool drink as you soak up the Brisbane night.
Eat Street Northshore
Eat Street Northshore is one of the most memorable because it was bigger than I expected and the atmosphere was so lively.
When I researched it before my trip, I read somewhere that it’s the hottest place in Brisbane right now, and that was definitely true.
However, it’s only open on weekends, so you’ll have to make sure you’re traveling during the right time. If your schedule allows, Brisbane’s It Street Market is definitely worth checking out.
It Street Market is a night market that only takes place on weekends, Friday through Sunday. It’s open from 4pm to 10pm, and until 9pm on Sundays. As a night market, there is an entrance fee. It’s 6 AUD per person, and it’s important to note that you can only pay by card, not cash.
The night market is relatively clean, and there are performances all around, so the atmosphere is great. It was a fun place to watch and eat!
It’s a different kind of night market from the ones in Southeast Asia, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re traveling to Brisbane.
It’s currently Brisbane’s hottest market, with a total of 180 shipping containers where you can taste more than 70 different cuisines from Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and other parts of the world, and there are regular performances of dancing, singing, and more.There is an entrance fee, and most of the food and drinks are cash only, so it’s recommended to get some cash in advance as the ATM lines are often long.
