Queensland’s buzzing riverside capital city is wedged between the ocean and rugged national parks. Brisbane is a cosmopolitan hub for arts, culture and dining but still retains a close connection with nature and a classic laid-back Queensland attitude. It’s also the gateway to the wonders of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Whether you want to catch an art exhibition, cool off in a rainforest waterhole or just sample some great Queensland food and wine, you can do it all in and around Brisbane.
Walk across the Victoria Bridge to discover Brisbane’s cultural heart, home to world-class museums, theatres and event spaces. Take me to South Bank.
It’s worth the one- to two-hour drive south-west of Brisbane to step foot in the vast, World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. Popular hiking and camping spots include Main Range or Mount Barney national parks.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a 20-minute drive south-west of the city, is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, home to more than 130 of Australia’s cuddliest creatures.
Eat and drink your way around the city at cool cafes, waterfront restaurants and rooftop bars.
From the vibrant heart of the city to the white-sand beaches of Moreton Island and the sleepy hinterland villages of the Scenic Rim, you’ll find incredible diversity in and around Brisbane.
This is where the action is. Eat, drink, shop and discover everything Brisbane has to offer.
A quiet island retreat of vast sand dunes, shipwrecks to snorkel, wild dolphins and beautiful beaches. Take the ferry from Holt Street Wharf in Brisbane for the 75-minute journey. Take me to Moreton Island.
Spot whales, go four-wheel driving on the beach, and camp right by the water on the world’s second-largest sand island. Take me to North Stradbroke Island.
Hike through the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests and climb Tamborine Mountain, then indulge at a local winery or glamp under the stars. Take me to the Scenic Rim.
Get out of the city and discover some of Queensland’s most enticing destinations. Head 70km north for a relaxing day on beautiful Bribie Island (the only Queensland island with a bridge), or – just 30 minutes from the city – D’Aguilar National Park is the place for an active adventure.
Moreton Island is the perfect place to take your boat a short distance across the bay and enjoy a picnic on the golden beaches. Karen Nye
Moreton Island
There’s always something happening in Brisbane. From sporting events and concerts to festivals, exhibitions and markets, find out what’s on this weekend or schedule a visit around your favourite event.
Check in to a grand luxury hotel, a trendy boutique property, a family-friendly self-contained apartment or a great value hostel. In Brisbane, you’ll find accommodation options for every style and budget spread right across the region.
Brisbane Airport is where the world comes to Queensland. It’s less than 15km from the CBD and there are two terminals, Domestic and International, with 30 airlines flying to and from about 80 destinations.
The Airtrain rail service links both the Domestic and International terminals with the Brisbane CBD and the Gold Coast, with trains running every 15 to 30 minutes.
Drive time between the airport and the city is about half an hour and you can take a taxi or a ride-share service (such as Uber).
Or hop on one of the many shuttle buses that will take you to the city or right to your accommodation.
Taxis and ride-share services are plentiful in Brisbane.
If you prefer to drive yourself, hire cars are available at the airport and the roads are well signposted (remember – in Australia, we drive on the left!). A hire car is also a great option if you plan to visit other areas in southern Queensland.
Brisbane’s extensive public transport network makes it easy to get around.
The red City Loop buses will take you around the CBD for free or you can take the blue CityGlider buses which go further afield to suburbs such as Fortitude Valley or the West End.
Trains service the city centre and suburbs, and travel up and down the coast.
For a scenic trip, it’s hard to beat the CityCat and CityHopper ferries that cruise the Brisbane River.