BrisbaneTravel Guide

Looking for the convenience of a top hotel near the airport and the CBD? The Pullman Brisbane Airport  hotel is it. Lavish five-star luxury literally on the airport’s doorstep. And you’re going to love the resort-style pool terrace.

Sometimes you want to stay on the outskirts, away from the city lights. New Farm is a riverside suburb about 2km from the CBD, one of the oldest in Brisbane and dotted with heritage sites. For luxury accommodation, you can’t go wrong with Spicers Balfour Hotel, an award-winning boutique hotel that features a Vietnamese restaurant, and a rooftop bar as well.

The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley is another stylish place to stay, complete with resort-style pool, and surrounded by some of Brisbane’s most fashion-forward boutiques and eateries.

Many five-star hotels are in the CBD, close to attractions, entertainment, nightlife and shopping. The Point Brisbane in Kangaroo Point with a rooftop bar is where you’ll want to sip on sundowners and drink in the river views. If pampering is part of your itinerary, consider the Westin Brisbane with its on-site spa. It’s also within walking distance of the City Botanic Gardens.

Attracting visitors from all over the world, the cultural precinct of South Bank is also home to several great hotels. If you’re the type who likes to stay fit while on holiday, The Hilton Brisbane has a gym and tennis court. Then there’s The Emporium where luxury accommodation includes poolside cabana suites (piña coladas anyone?). The hotel also certainly capitalises on the views over the river, city and beyond.

A thriving city on the water’s edge, things to do in Brisbane often have to do with the river, so the best way to do sightseeing is on a boat cruise. Touring Brisbane by water, you’ll see the city’s skyscrapers, luxury homes and historical landmarks while relaxing comfortably on board, tipple in hand. You can also do the hop-on, hop-off thing and go exploring.

Move over, San Francisco, here comes Brisbane. The city’s iconic Story Bridge is an engineering feat that stretches over the Brisbane River. At 74m high (like a 22-storey building), the views are pretty spectacular and it’s well worth strolling down the pedestrian lane and capturing some amazing photos. Or take it up a notch and do a guided  adventure climb to the top.

Brisbane’s premier waterfront lifestyle destination, the Howard Smith Wharves is tucked underneath the Story Bridge, overlooking the river. Talk about location, location, location!
This is a fabulous mixed-use complex with bars and restaurants, a brewery and even an on-site hotel – in case you enjoy the local brew a bit too much…

 

Head to the cultural hub of South Bank. Take in a world-class show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or visit the QAGOMA. The two galleries exhibit a whopping 17,000 works of art from the classical through to the contemporary. Then pop over to the Queensland Museum, where fossils and dinosaur exhibits are among the highlights.

Now that you’ve seen the city from the river, see it from above. The Wheel of Brisbane is unmissable on the South Bank skyline – giving you a 360-degree view of the city. And just 6km out of Brisbane is the Mt Coot-tha Lookout viewing deck, for panoramic views of Brisbane both day and night. With picnic sites, a café and barbeque areas, it’s family-friendly and perfect for a day out.

 

Fashionistas and label-loving tourists descend on Brisbane because of its upmarket shopping complexes and high-end retail strips like Edward Street and James Street. In the CBD, Queen Street Mall is an open-air, pedestrian retail hub of more than 700 stores stocking all the big local and international designer labels.

For the best of Brisbane’s boutiques, James Street in Fortitude Valley with its distinct European vibe is where it’s at, while antiques and vintage clothing are the flavour of Paddington, on the fringe of the city.

A popular pastime in Brisbane, you can be sure there’s a market or 10 every weekend. West End Markets in Davies Park showcases the quirkiness and diversity of the suburb, supporting local creators of crafts, fashion, and farm produce. In South Bank, the three-day, Collective Markets is a treasure trove of handmade creations, jewellery, art, vintage clothing and collectibles.

Brisbane’s laneway scene is booming with tiny, tucked away record stores, hole-in-the-wall cafés, boutiques and galleries to be found in the shadow of the high-rise buildings, the most well-known and oldest being Burnett Lane.

Brisbane is famous for its river transport. Locals and tourists alike find getting around in Brisbane quick and easy using the free city hopper. The larger Citycats service suburbs all along the river, so you can venture out further.

Conveniently, the Airtrain operates between the airport and city centre while metered taxis in the city can be booked online, boarded at a taxi rank or hailed. There are also ridesharing services like Uber and Didi.

Other public transport options are trains and buses, both of which are inexpensive ways to get to Brisbane’s attractions. And guess what? There are even free bus services operating in the city centre.

Theis third-largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island, is just 25km from Brisbane. Snorkel among shipwrecks, stroll down pristine beaches, swim in lakes and lagoons and watch the famous resident wild dolphins riding the waves. Just south is North Stradbroke Island, a popular weekend getaway spot for locals, where surfing is a popular pastime. Whales and mantarays are often spotted from here too.

Subtropical rainforests line the gorgeous beaches, humpback whales come visiting from June to November, craft beer tours get your tipple on in the Hinterland – what more could you ask for in a day trip or weekend away? Also just over an hour out of the city.

Last but not least and so unique, did you know Brisbane boasts her own impressive inner-city, manmade beach? Aptly named Streets Beach, located in South Bank, it’s an oasis amid skyscrapers and city bustle where you can lounge on white sand, surrounded by palm trees, then take a dip in the sparkling lagoon.

Say hello to the holiday capital of Australia! The Gold Coast is a day trip of note – just over an hour's drive south of Brisbane you’ll find the famed Surfer’s Paradise resort and theme parks like Sea World. The Coast's long sandy beaches and blue waters will take your breath away.

Because Brisbanites are big dog lovers, man’s best friend also has a long where he can let his hair down and frolic in the shallows. Perfect if you’re missing your pooch back home. where he can let his hair down and frolic in the shallows.

If you’re a hobby horticulturalist, among the must-visit parks in Brisbane is the City Botanic Gardens, dating back to 1828, making it the oldest park in Brisbane. Many rare and interesting botanic species are preserved there.

In the suburb of Spring Hill, the sprawling Roma Street Parkland shows off with impressive flower displays and invites you to linger longer with guided walks and barbeque areas. Children’s playgrounds in Brisbane are often incorporated into these spaces and this park is no different.

Just over an hour out of Brisbane you’ll find the Bribie Island National Park. It’s connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it’s easy to get to but it’s another world – a combination of several gorgeous beaches, camping spots and a nature reserve. A must-do day trip.

Also boasting a long history is Brissie’s grandest park, New Farm, with thousands of visitors regularly flocking to its more than 15ha of manicured lawns and heritage rose gardens. Have a picnic while taking in the river views or make use of the barbeque facilities.

Want to meet the fascinating furballs that are the koalas? Get up close to this protected species, native to Australia, at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. You can also enjoy encounters with other wildlife while you are there, like the weird and wonderful platypus.