BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (2025) | 12 Best Things To Do In & Around Brisbane (+ Travel Tips)

A winding river on Australia's east coast, Brisbane River is a central feature of the city and offers scenic exploration via City Cat Ferries.

North Stradbroke Island is the world's second-largest sand island, offering stunning nature, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for spotting marine animals like turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales.

The Story Bridge is an iconic bridge that you can climb, offering great views of the city, and is surrounded by restaurants and bars at Howard Smith Wharves.

Apartments on Connor in Fortitude Valley, is a vibrant area with restaurants and convenient access to grocery stores, the train station, and river ferry terminals.

Fortitude Valley is a vibrant area with an abundance of restaurants and convenient access to grocery stores, train station, and river ferry terminals.

Spicers Balfour Hotel is located in Fortitude Valley.

Rambla at Story House is located in Kangaroo Point.

Kangaroo Point is known for its cliffs, which are popular for rock climbing and offer great sunset views.

Brisbane's Central Business District is a bustling hub with a mix of towering skyscrapers and preserved historic buildings, featuring landmarks like City Hall, ANZAC Square and Queen Street Mall.

City Hall is a key landmark in Brisbane's Central Business District.

ANZAC Square is a key landmark in Brisbane's Central Business District.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a key landmark in Brisbane's Central Business District.

Customs House is a key landmark in Brisbane's Central Business District.

Post Office Square is a key landmark in Brisbane's Central Business District.

Queen Street Mall is a pedestrian-only area in Brisbane's Central Business District.

Reddacliff Place hosts a weekly market on Wednesdays with food stalls and live entertainment.

The City Botanic Gardens is a historic green oasis home to diverse plant and tree collections, where you can stroll, picnic, and see Old Government House and Queensland Parliament House.

Old Government House stands elegantly at the perimeter of the City Botanic Gardens.

Queensland Parliament House stands elegantly at the perimeter of the City Botanic Gardens.

The Brisbane Riverwalk is a walking and cycling path that winds along the riverbank, offering stunning city skyline views and passing under the Story Bridge.

The Brisbane Riverwalk extends to New Farm Park.

The Kangaroo Point Bridge is exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists, offering views of the city skyline and the Story Bridge.

South Brisbane offers a local experience with a vibrant atmosphere and street art.

West End offers a local experience with a vibrant atmosphere, street art, cute eateries, cafes, and boutique shops.

Fish Lane, connecting the cultural center to West End, is known for its murals and installations.

West Village Shopping Precinct offers eateries, cafés, and boutique shops within a revitalized heritage setting.

West End Markets at Davies Park feature farm-fresh produce and handcrafted items on Saturday mornings.

Davies Park is the location of the West End Markets.

City Cat Ferries offer a scenic and affordable way to explore the Brisbane River.

South Bank Ferry Terminal is a terminal for the City Cat Ferries.

Sydney Street Terminal is a terminal for the City Cat Ferries.

South Bank Parklands is a haven of lush forest, riverside parks, and aquatic facilities with the rainforest walk, Brisbane Sign, the wheel, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda, restaurants, cafés, a public outdoor swimming pool, water park, and Streets Beach.

Streets Beach is a popular man-made beach located in South Bank Parklands.

Brown Lake is a unique lake on North Stradbroke Island.

Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island is a prime location to view marine animals via the Gorge Walk.

Gorge Walk is a cliffside trail at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, a prime location to view marine animals.

Cylinder Beach is a beach on North Stradbroke Island.

Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island where koalas can be found.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs are popular for rock climbing and abseiling, providing some of the best sunset vantage points in Brisbane.

Eat Street Northshore is an open-air market on Brisbane's riverside with international street food, gourmet treats, desserts, drinks, live music, and performances.

Mt Coot-tha offers a fantastic escape from the city, featuring Brisbane's largest natural area, botanic gardens, and a summit lookout with city skyline views.

Howard Smith Wharves is buzzing with people enjoying the array of restaurants and bars with incredible vistas of the Story Bridge.

Wilson Outlook Reserve offers great views of the Story Bridge and Howard Smith Wharves.

Felons Brewing Company is a popular place to grab a drink at Howard Smith Wharves, boasting incredible vistas of the Story Bridge from below.