Visit Brisbane: what to do in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland? Discover our must-see
Brisbane is the third city of Australia and may seem less effervescent than Sydney and Melbourne . In a way, this is true: the capital of Queensland is not as cosmopolitan and animated as the other two major Australian cities. However, the region offers many things to do and you will necessarily spend a few days there if you want to travel around.
Here are the best places to visit in Brisbane to organize your stay.
1. CBD
First step to visit Brisbane, get lost in its city center. Urban crossroads, economic hub and main artery of Brisbane, the CBD hosts the main cultural attractions of the city. Large buildings, shops, museums, monuments, parks and gardens dress this area both modern and authentic. On foot or the time of a full guided tour, discover the CBD a few hours and discover, among other things, the oldest church in Queensland, the City Hall (which houses the Brisbane Museum and an auditorium), Anzac Square Eagle Street Pier or Saint Stephen Cathedral ! Surprisingly contrasted, Brisbane’s heritage enjoys a blend of style that makes the city unique.
Finally, know that several streets in Brisbane are worth a visit. Among them and for a shopping session, direction Queen St which is totally pedestrian and very lively all day. At the end of this, the casino is also to be seen for its architecture. In short: whatever direction you take, there will be for everyone.
2. City Botanic Gardens
On the side of the Brisbane CBD, and on the other side of South Bank, there is a nice walk along the river. ♪ City Botanic Gardens are the green lung of Brisbane and for cause, they extend over nearly 18 hectares. Footing, biking or stuffing, so you can see! For a drink in the day or a bite, take a break at Eagle Street Pier.
3. South Bank
Playground in downtown Brisbane for small and large, South Bank Parklands is a wonderful place to explore, preferably during beautiful days. This place is incredibly popular with locals and tourists.
Located in the heart of the city, on the south shore as its name suggests, South Bank is an ideal setting for spending a day or afternoon. Get down in the artificial lagoon that faces the buildings, walk in the lush gardens and on the walking and cycling paths. Use a barbecue or eat in one of the countless restaurants, go shopping and much more! It is also a nice place at night.
4. Brisbane River
There are several companies in Brisbane that offer cruises on its eponymous river. But the cheapest way to explore the city center and the surroundings by boat is to use the boats of the public transport company, namely CityCat . Windy, you can admire the skyscrapers of the city and the shores without spending too much. The trips of the boats are regular, so you can stop several times to visit what it is close to the stops before going back on board and continue your discoveries. Take a ticket, and it's gone!
For those who would like to enjoy the places otherwise, go to the discovery of the surroundings on foot or by bike. The artificial beach Streets Beach is not very far: here you can spend good time in the sun, swim and even climb into the great wheel to enjoy a nice view of Brisbane.
So, advice from botanical gardens to the New Farm , let yourself be guided by the various walks that can be done along the Brisbane River!
5. Fortitude Valley
For a long time, Fortitude Valley is now part of the must-see if you are going to visit Brisbane. Hosting the city's Chinatown, Fortitude Valley took some galon in a few years, becoming a reference in trendy locations. As a bohemian as well as underground, the neighbourhood enjoys a unique atmosphere: cinemas, shops, musical and artistic scenes, bars and restaurants... All of them are in the heart of this place to be , very popular as of night fallen.
If you ask Brisbane to have a party, let yourself be at Fortitude Valley sandstone! In fact, it is within itself that the Brunswick Street Market is set up every weekend. From vintage pepits to design creations, one thing is certain: you will find it difficult to leave empty hands.
6. Story Bridge
This is the emblematic bridge of the city of Brisbane. You can walk from Fortitude Valley and admire this large steel structure that leads to Kangaroo Point. It is also possible to climb or descend as a reminder of the Story Bridge to make the full of strong sensations.
7. Mont Coot-Tha
The Mont Coot-tha offers one of the best panoramic views of the city of Brisbane, just a 15-minute drive from the city centre. You can also take a public bus or rent a bike for a more sporty ride. If you have time, explore the subtropical botanical gardens of 52 hectares. Enjoy it, the entrance is free.
8. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
What to do in Brisbane to discover the emblem of its local fauna? Located about 20 minutes from the centre of Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary exists since 1927 and is to date the largest reserve of koalas in the world. There you can hold a koala in your arms, feed kangaroos and wallabies and have rainbow loriquets on your head.
Although the park is destined for koalas, the Lone Pine has several other Australian animal species. If you arrive in Australia for the first time in Brisbane, it will be your first contact with local wildlife.
9. Brisbane Powerhouse
Meeting place taken by the Brisbanais, the Powerhouse draws the artistic portrait of the city.
A former thermal centre transformed into a cultural centre, it is the main place of life of local culture. Dressed in a redesigned industrial setting, the Powerhouse warmly invites you to discover the talents of the city and by the way of its exhibitions, musical performances and other artistic performances. More than a place, the site has become a major echo of the Brisbanese art scene and could even have squandered the time of some performances, its rivals from Sydney and Melbourne.
10. Queensland Cultural Centre
Art, history, science... Brisbane has a superb cultural heritage that it would be a shame not to discover during your stay. To discover the main assets of its city, Brisbane has thus grouped its main cultural centres in one place: the Queensland Cultural Centre . Located on the other side of the Victoria Bridge, the latter hosts:
- GOMA (Gallery Of Modern Art): This is Australia’s largest modern and contemporary art gallery - Queensland Art Gallery : hosts several collections of artists from all over the world - Queensland Museum : dedicated to Queensland, the latter portrays the state. From local culture, to traditions, to fauna and flora, discover the history of Queensland. - Sciencentre The smaller ones will appreciate this playful parenthesis that addresses science and technology through various discovery workshops. - Queensland Performing Arts Centre : artistic scene that hosts various musical shows, theatre, dance, concerts and operas throughout the year.
In addition to museums and art scenes, the Queensland Cultural Centre also houses the Queensland State Library.
11. To see and to do in the vicinity of Brisbane
Australia is a great country and we must not be afraid of long distances. In the Brisbane region, south of Queensland, there are many destinations to explore, especially if you are a fan of adventure and nature. Here is a list of places to visit around Brisbane:
- North Stradbroke Island
Perfect for a fierce parenthesis, North Stradbroke is only white sand beaches, preserved natural flora lakes.
- Moreton Island
Spot taken by water sports enthusiasts, Moreton Island is a must if you ask yourself to do in Brisbane in terms of activities. Here are the practice of adventure sessions where the time of a day, you are led to enjoy the recreation base, paddle sessions at volleyball games.
Snorkeling fans, the time of a special cruise , will enjoy a trip to the crystal clear waters of the bay to observe the dolphins, humpback whales and giant turtles of the Marin Park!
- Fraser Island (classified to UNESCO’s World Heritage)
- Gold Coast south of Brisbane
- Glass House Mountain National Park
- Byron Bay (New South Wales)
How to get to Brisbane?
Brisbane has an international airport and, from Paris or Europe, it is relatively easy to find a flight with stopover in Dubai or Asia. On average, you have about 20 hours of flight, everything depends on the number of your stopovers. Whatever the company of your choice, know that leaving in Brisbane requires a little budget (on average 1000 euros go). So to anticipate your departure as it should be, think to take a look at our partner's website Skyscanner : as a flight comparison, it will offer you the cheapest flights according to your departure period.
Once at the airport and to reach the city centre, several shuttles and taxis offer you to take care of yourself (times depend on the companies but stay regular): on average, count between $35 and $45 the journey.
How to move to Brisbane?
- Public transport
If you are planning to stay in Brisbane during your stay, we recommend using public transport in the city managed by TransLink : buses, trains and ferries, Brisbane enjoys a very good network to which the majority of passengers turn. If the latter operate by area, the centre of Brisbane and the neighbourhoods around it all belong to Zone 1 (count $4.80 per adult and $2.40 per child).
Good to know. :
- To save on your journeys, think about GoCard. With a value of $5, it allows you to benefit from a 30% discount on all public transport in the city. You can physically buy it from a newspaper merchant or a station, or directly on the website. Translink . - If the ferry routes are paid, the CityHopper Ferries are free of charge and go from one bank to another between North Quay, South Bank, CBD, Kangaroo Point and Sydney St (New Farm).
- The car
Do you want to visit Brisbane but also its surroundings? For greater freedom of movement and in order to discover the treasures of the country in all autonomy, favor the car rental . As soon as you arrive at the airport or city, many rental agencies offer several types of vehicles according to your activities.
Good to know. : - If you opt for the car, think about using a GPS for your trips as you will see it quite quickly, the traffic is not so obvious in Brisbane. - With regard to parking, the majority of parking spaces are obviously paid. So to avoid too much costs, prefer parking on the West End or South Bay side that will cost you less than CBD. In the evening, seats are free but make sure to put your ticket properly because there are many controls!
Where to stay in Brisbane?
In Brisbane there is a wide range of accommodations, depending on the neighbourhood of your choice . Youth hostels for backpackers do not miss: one night costs about $25-30 with possibility of reduction for an entire week reserved. Otherwise, higher-end hotels or apartments are located in the CBD and surrounding areas. To find a good value for money hotel in Brisbane, visit this Compare hotels which offers a wide choice of accommodation, from the most comfortable to the smallest of budgets.
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