Stunning Brisbane Travel Guide 2026
In this Brisbane travel guide, you will uncover the most unforgettable things to do in Brisbane; explore incredible hikes in Tamborine Mountain, dine at great restaurants at The Star or grab sweet treats at Newfarm Market, or get up close with native wildlife at any of Brisbane’s amazing wildlife centers.
This travel guide will give you a quick glimpse into what you can fill your Brisbane itinerary with and a short overview of what to expect. If you are needing further explanation or details, I have provided links to other articles I have written about the area. The purpose of this Brisbane Travel Guide is to introduce you to the area and inspire you for your next trip.
There is no shortage of things to do in Brisbane and this Australian travel guide will try and cover them all!
Best Time to Visit Brisbane
Spring (September–November)
- Pros: Warm, sunny days (around 20°C), outdoor public events, blooming jacarandas, best time for outdoor activities like hiking and fewer crowds than summer.
- Cons: Popular, so book ahead.
Autumn (March–May)
- Pros: Comfortable temperatures (20°C), lower humidity, less rain after the storm season, great for exploring outdoors, shoulder season deals possible.
- Cons: Still warm, can get humid.
Summer (December–February)
- Pros: Hottest, sunniest time, ideal for coastal trips, potential for good deals.
- Cons: Hot, humid, and can be rainy with plenty of electrical storms (especially at night).
Winter (June–August)
- Cons: Cooler evenings but can be busy (though less than summer).
- Pros: Mild, dry, sunny days, good for whale watching (June-Oct), great for those who dislike heat.
Brisbane Accommodation
We were over the moon with our Brisbane accommodation; We stayed at the Ibis Styles in the heart of Brisbane CBD which overlooked the Brisbane river towards Southbank. At night we had a spectacular view of the city lit up at night.
Ibis Styles is conveniently located next to Uptown Shopping Mall, making any emergency supermarket trips for last minute snacks or coffee an easy trip. This Brisbane accommodation is a short walk from the North Quay ferry terminal, Streets Beach Lagoon and The Star Brisbane; a stylish hotel and restaurant precinct.
If you’re looking for a variety of accommodation options then don’t forget to check out Booking.com.
Best Places to Eat in Brisbane
A Brisbane travel guide is not complete without sharing some of the best restaurants in Brisbane! These delicious restaurants and dining precincts are worth a visit if they tickle your fancy; from ethnic flavours to hearty meals these dinner options in Brisbane will definitely have you coming back for more.
Hizola’s Kitchen and Bar
If you’re looking for a great Cantonese restaurant in Brisbane then look no further than Hizola’s Kitchen and Bar in Fortitude Valley. Indulge in contemporary Cantonese cuisine with a side of your favourite cocktail, the menu encapsulates the lively and rich flavours while not losing the authenticity of the dishes.
Jan Powers Farmers Market, Newfarm
Every Saturday between 6am and noon you can head down to Lamington Street in Newfarm and devour your way through the food stalls. From coffee and fruit juices to quench your thirst, to authentic French pastries and fresh fruit and vegetables. You can get to the farmers market via bus or ferry.
The Star
The Star is a grand entertainment and accommodation precinct in the heart of Brisbane CBD. Featuring a 5-star hotel with luxurious rooms, a casino, a 250 meter long sky deck sitting 100 meters in the sky with contemporary restaurants and bars overlooking the Brisbane River. Many incredible restaurants and a fabulous leisure deck where you can enjoy sports matches on a large outdoor screen while relaxing on bean bags.
The Star in Brisbane is definitely where you want to explore on a night out, start at Cucina Regina for some of the best pizza and pasta in Brisbane, then head to the sky deck for a drink while watching the sunset.
5 Amazing Day Trips from Brisbane
Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain is an incredible volcanic plateau between Gold Coast and Brisbane. Famous for it’s rainforest, beautiful hikes, waterfalls and boutique shopping, Tamborine Mountain is where you can discover the beauty of natural Brisbane and enjoy a spot of shopping. Discover unique experiences like glow-worm caves, visit distilleries or even take a hot-air balloon ride.
Sunshine Coast
Hire a car and head north to Sunshine Coast for beautiful beaches, Australia Zoo or shopping. Sunshine Coast is just under 2 hours from Brisbane city; head along the coast or jump straight onto the motorway for an easy drive to Sunshine Coast.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is only an hour drive from Brisbane and an extremely popular destination for locals and tourists. With a multitude of popular theme parks and outlet shopping malls, the Gold Coast is where you can find a ton of family friendly activities in Australia.
Moreton Island
Moreton Island is where you can explore the clear blue waters of Australia; snorkel with fish, dive to shipwrecks or relax on the white sand beach with a cocktail in hand. Tangalooma Resort is where you can slow down and enjoy a relaxing beach side holiday for a day or a weekend.
Mt Glorious
We stayed at Mt Glorious for 3 peaceful days at Maiala Park Lodge. Mt Glorious sits just over an hour from Brisbane CBD and is a gateway to beautiful hikes and waterfalls, being encapsulated by an incredible rainforest.
Hiking Trails Near Brisbane
The beauty of Brisbane lies within the incredible landscapes that surround the city, so a Brisbane travel guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the incredible hiking trails and waterfalls you can experience while travelling Australia.
- Cedar Creek Falls, Tamborine Mountain
- Curtis Falls, Tamborine Mountain
- Northbrook Gorges, Mt Glorious
Brisbane Travel Tips
Public Transport
The public transport in Brisbane is extremely easy to navigate all while being incredibly affordable. Tag on/off busses and ferries with your bank card and pay only 50c per ride within the city centre. Multiple ferries bounce between the piers along the Brisbane river, and wait time between most busses are between 10-15 minutes.
Wildlife
The city is teeming with wildlife; from birds like crows and ibis (bin chickens), to water lizards and a variety of terrifyingly looking spiders. Keep a look out for yellow-crested cockatoo’s making a racket in the sky, and if you’re anywhere near parks or dense bush during sunset you may just witness fruit bats heading out for their evening feed.
Climate
The climate in Brisbane can range anywhere from mildly warm to hectically humid. Brisbane’s buildings are well equipped to deal with the heat so you will be welcomed with refreshing air conditioned air anytime you enter a building, but make sure you pack plenty of deodorant if you’re visiting during summer.
Free Things to do in Brisbane
Brisbane is a fantastic Australian city to visit, but it is very easy to get yourself carried away when it comes to spending money. So, this wouldn’t be a great Brisbane travel guide if I didn’t supply some free things to do in Brisbane. This list has some of the best family-friendly activities you can do in Brisbane – for free!
Streets Beach Lagoon
Streets Beach is a free to use, man made lagoon in South Bank. Decked out with sand, lounge chairs and life guards. Streets Beach is a great alternative to swim if you have little ones, or have a fear of the open ocean.
The Star – Sky Deck Lookout
The Star is a giant building in Brisbane CBD that is home to the Brisbane casino, numerous restaurants and bars. The Sky Deck is 100 meters in the sky and is free to visit. The Sky Deck offers plenty of bars and restaurants but if you’re looking for free activities then dining at these places might not be on your itinerary. However head up here for the sunset and you’ll get a breath taking view of the city drenched in a golden light.
Mount Coot-Tha Lookout
Head over to Mount Coot-Tha for incredible 360 degree views of Brisbane City. Head up here for sunrise or sunset and you can have yourself a romantic picnic or great photos. There are buses which take you near Mount Coot-Tha but you will need to order an Uber or walk the rest of the way from the bus stop.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
Daisy Hill Koala Centre is one of the cutest things to do in Brisbane. This free to visit Koala sanctuary is a permanent home to three Koalas who can no longer be released into the wild for numerous reasons. You can’t cuddle them but the viewing deck is incredible close to the trees in the enclosure so you’ll be able to get some great photos. The Daisy Hill Koala Center also offers a free educational talk most days, where they teach you about their habitat and cool facts about the Koalas.
Brisbane Shopping
Westfield Chermside Shopping Mall
Westfield Chermside is the largest shopping mall in Brisbane and the second largest in Australia; covering over 176,000 square meters and approximately 486 stores. Chermside shopping mall is the one of the best places to shop in Brisbane or grab a bite to eat from their many food retailers.
Located in the suburb of Chermside which is only a 30 minute drive from Brisbane CBD, you will have no problems finding a carpark or travelling via public transport.
Uptown
Uptown is conveniently located in Brisbane CBD on Elizabeth Street and contains everything you need in the way of food, supermarkets, chemists and everyday clothing items. Easily accessible from Either Elizabeth Street or from Queen Street Mall.
Queen Street Mall
Located in central Brisbane, Queen Street Mall is where you can get some well-deserved retail therapy while still enjoying the sunshine. This pedestrian only shopping district encompasses over 700 retailers which line the streets while also including 6 major shopping centres like Wintergarden, Uptown, and Queens Plaza.
Brisbane Wildlife Centres
If you’re wanting to get up close and personal with a variety of Australian wildlife then you need to check out the following wildlife centres. Some focus primarily on conservation and education, while others allow you to hand feed some animals with the chance to cuddle a Koala (at a cost).
- Daisy Hill Koala Centre
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre
- Lyell Deer Sanctuary
More Experiences for your Brisbane Travel Guide
Brisbane is full of wonderful experiences but of course I haven’t indulged in them all. The following list of things to do in Brisbane are worth adding to your Brisbane travel guide. But be sure to do your own research as I am not lucky enough to share my own personal experiences!
- Stradbroke Island day trip
- Brisbane Opal Museum
- Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
