Dizzying choices for adventure and culinary attractions command attention in the capital of Queensland
With 283 days of sunshine a year and a subtropical climate that encourages everything from river kayaking to café-hopping in flip-flops, Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city and perhaps its most laid-back. While its southern cousins, Sydney and Melbourne, may often steal the spotlight, Brisbane has quietly grown into a destination that blends cultural sophistication with a deep love of the outdoors.
Life along the river
Set along the winding Brisbane River, the city offers countless ways to experience its sunny disposition. On a typical day, locals picnic under jacaranda trees in sprawling parks, jog along the riverfront promenades, or dive into Streets Beach – the only inner-city, man-made beach in the country, complete with lifeguards and palm trees, just steps from the central business district.
Much of this lifestyle centres on South Bank, the city’s cultural and recreational heart. Once the site of Expo ’88, the precinct has since transformed into 17 hectares of parkland, eateries and striking architecture. Here, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art sit side-by-side along the river, housing world-class exhibitions that range from cutting-edge contemporary art to Indigenous works. Nearby, the Queensland Museum’s suspended life-sized humpback whale looms above visitors, a surreal reminder of the ocean’s vast mysteries.
Just next door, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre hosts everything from Broadway musicals to classical concerts, all within easy reach of the city centre. Crossing the Victoria Bridge from the CBD takes only minutes, but the experience feels like entering a different tempo – one defined by open-air dining, leisurely walks and the steady hum of creative energy.
On the water, under the bridge
This sense of connection extends far beyond the galleries. The river itself is a living artery. Brisbane’s CityCat ferries glide smoothly along its serpentine route, offering an alternative to buses or trains. For something slower, and perhaps more romantic, the Kookaburra Showboat offers old-school paddlewheeler cruises with high tea or dinner service.
Adventurers might opt for kayaking under the Story Bridge, the city’s iconic steel cantilever structure, with skyline views on one side and the volcanic cliffs of Kangaroo Point on the other. Formed over 230 million years ago, these 20-metre cliffs were once quarried for volcanic rock, which now lines several of Brisbane’s oldest churches. Today, the site draws abseilers and sunset seekers. At the top, there’s a sweeping panorama of the city skyline and, further afield, Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane’s highest peak. A seven-kilometre drive from downtown, its lookout offers postcard views of the snaking river as it flows east toward Moreton Bay.
The journey from city to sea is easy to follow. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb delivers 360-degree views of Moreton Bay, the Glass House Mountains and Brisbane’s gleaming towers. The two-hour climb might not be for the faint of heart, but it’s a favourite among visitors looking for both thrill and context – the city laid out at their feet.
Beyond Brissy
Beyond the urban core, day trips offer even more variety. Moreton Island, a short ferry ride from Brisbane’s port, is a pristine escape. Here, visitors snorkel around sunken shipwrecks or hand-feed wild dolphins under the stars at Tangalooma Resort. Inland, the Enoggera Reservoir and D’Aguilar National Park, just 10 kilometres from the CBD, invite travellers to canoe, hike or swim in forest-fringed tranquillity.
North of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast begins with Caloundra and stretches through the stylish beach town of Noosa, where calm surf meets bustling cafés on Hastings Street. Inland, Montville offers an entirely different mood – quaint shops and misty hinterland views, including those from Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, where walking trails overlook the Glass House Mountains.
To the south, the Gold Coast Hinterland brings cooler air and lush rainforest. Springbrook and Tamborine National Parks are home to glow-worm caves, waterfalls and rare flora. Less than two hours’ drive away, they make for a perfect contrast to Brisbane’s sun-drenched urbanity.
A taste of Brisbane
Back in the city, Brisbane’s culinary scene reflects its cultural depth and easygoing nature. Stokehouse Q, perched on the river at South Bank, serves Mediterranean-influenced fare with crisp wines and sweeping views. Il Centro, a longstanding Italian restaurant in the city’s financial district, delivers Queensland twists like its signature sand crab lasagne, while Little Big House, located in a classic Queenslander building, brings bar culture to life with a menu inspired by native ingredients.
For a more offbeat experience, Eat Street Markets, located north of the city in a converted shipping container park, offer everything from Turkish kebabs to Danish pastries – all accompanied by live music and fairy lights strung across the open sky.
And in West End, once a working-class enclave and now a melting pot of Greek, Vietnamese and Chinese influences, you’ll find a dining scene that’s as eclectic as its residents. Here, The Gun Shop Café offers artful brunches (think brioche French toast with caramelised banana), while Billykart, just up the street, draws loyal crowds with a seasonal bistro-style menu that heroes local produce.
This is Brisbane: a city where you can sip coffee under fig trees, climb a bridge at sunset and be kayaking by moonlight – all in a single day. Compact yet full of character, it offers something increasingly rare in urban life: room to breathe.
