Brisbane, Australia Travel Guide
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Brisbane is the state capital of sunny Queensland and the 3rd largest city in Australia. You’ll find plenty of things to keep you busy in the city from funky bars and restaurants to a manmade lagoon all on the banks of the famous Brisbane River.
When to Visit Brisbane Australia?
Know for its all-year-round warm climate Brisbane is a destination you can visit anytime. As Brisbane is located in a tropical state and can be no stranger to tropical downpours, the optimum time to visit is in the Autumn between March to May. However, that being said I was there from Jan to Feb and although I did witness a fair few downpours/lightning storms it never prevented me from doing much.
Getting Around Brisbane Australia
The public transport in Brisbane is good, however not as extensive as some other Australian cities, so If you are looking to be able to explore beyond the city limits, renting a car may be something to consider.
That being said, there are trains and a tram linking Brisbane to the Gold Coast, which are at affordable prices, it just requires a change. You can also hop on a train from the airport straight into the centre of Brisbane, with the two main stations being Brisbane Central or Roma Street.
The city is split by the Brisbane River making the ferries a great option for getting around. The red ferry also known as the City Hopper can be used for free, this runs from the North Quay to Sydney Streets with 5 stops along the way!
I would recommend getting a GoCard if you will be using public transport, similar to an Oyster Card, where you top up as you go and it also saves you about 30% off your fares on trains, trams, ferries and buses in the Brisbane area.
The city is also well equipped for cycling with dedicated paths and bike storage, if you want to explore whilst getting your workout in.
Where To Stay In Brisbane Australia?
Brisbane has 4 main areas in which people tend to stay:
Central
Surprisingly enough this area is the centre of Brisbane. Whilst you may pay a premium to stay in the heart of the city you'll be close to many transport links, shops and restaurants. For a middle budget option, I can recommend the Ibis Brisbane.
Upper Roma Street
Just a short walk from the centre, this is the perfect location for a backpacker with a street packed full of hostels for you to choose from. I recommend Brisbane City YHA, there's a great rooftop pool so make the most of the amazing city views, especially at sunset!
Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley, although slightly out of the city centre, is known for its nightlife and there's a popular hostel here called Bunk, it's not the most budget-friendly but if you like a party atmosphere it's the place for you. If you have a group together or a higher budget there are so many great Air BnB rentals in this area.
Southbank
The only area of Brisbane I didn't stay in, however, I can see the appeal to staying in this area, close to the Southbank Parklands and the surrounding cafes/restaurants. The accommodation in this area is mostly upmarket hotels and serviced apartments.
Where To Eat and Drink in Brisbane Australia?
Here are some of my recommendations for eating and drinking in Brisbane.
Eat Street Northshore- Just slightly along the Brisbane River, you will find this place full of different stalls whipping up all sorts of cuisines. As well as food stalls you will find shops, drinks vans and entertainment, the perfect place to spend a Friday night with friends.
Tipplers Tap- With self-serving beer taps this sports bar is a comfortable spot to refuel. You’ll find it in Southbank so be sure to take a look down Little Stanley Street which is home to plenty more places to get some munch.
Wholly Crumpets- A super lovely cafe in the Brisbane suburb of Bulimba that serves great coffee and stacked crumpets, what more could you ask for?
Sixes and Seven- The restored old public house has a lovely vibe and is the perfect place for some afternoon/day drinks before going on to explore the nightlife of Fortitude Valley.
Things To Do In Brisbane Australia
Jump on one of the CityCat boats for a 50-cent ride along the river.
Climb Mount Coo-that for the best views of the city
Take a Saturday morning trip to the Farmers Market in the West End
Watch the sunset at Kangaroo Point
Check out the street art on Fish Lane
Have a beach day at Street Beach and explore the Southbank Parklands
Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Explore the Glass House Mountains
Grab a picnic and chill in the Botanic Gardens
Walk across or take a guided climb on Story Bridge
Visit Australia Zoo, the creation of the brilliant Steve Irwin
Get all creative with free entry to GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art)
Join a bar crawl around Fortitude Valley
Take the free Brisbane City Hall Tour, tickets here.
Day Trips from Brisbane Australia
Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland a beautiful and diverse part of Australia. The city is located in the South of Queensland but is surrounded by plenty of great places for day trips, some of which I have shared with you below.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is a popular holiday destination for Aussies and it's easy to see why. With endless beaches, surfing spots and cool cafes it's the perfect place to kick back.
And from Brisbane, it's only a short train/tram ride away. Just jump on the train at any of Brisbane's main stations heading to Helensvale this is where you will find the start of the G-link (the tram that covers the northern Gold Coast).
The most visited area would be Surfers Paradise, a long stretch of beach which guess what is great for surfing. It is also home to plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, mini-golf and other entertainment venues to keep you busy.
With plenty more to see in this region than just the tourist honeypot of Surfer's Paradise is a great place to extend your day trip to a few nights away. Check out the more quiet spots such as Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta or head inland and discover the Glowworm Caves and the area around Tamborine Mountain.
Morton Island
A perfect day out to escape the city madness and get yourself outdoors in nature. Morton Island is a gorgeous protected island that is home to the Tangalooma Wrecks. With many tours being offered from Brisbane it's simple to get to and you can kick back and relax knowing it's all organised for you.
Most tours contains the ferry ride over, snorkelling, bodyboarding, clear kayaking around the Tangalooma Wrecks, a 4WD tour around the island and sandboarding (which I tell you is a thrill and a half).
If you are a beach lover this day trip is totally for you, check out your options here.
Noosa Heads
Noosa Heads is a gorgeous beach town on the Sunshine Coast and roughly about a 2-hour drive or bus from Brisbane. Whilst completely achievable to do on a day trip, you may want to stop for a few nights. You could go hiking in Noosa National Park, take a dip in the Fairy Pools or even learn to surf on the main beach.
With plenty to keep you busy in the Sunshine city of Brisbane, it's a lovely place to add to your Australian bucket list. Let me know your best Brisbane recommendations in the comments below.
Looking for more Australia travel inspiration:
40 Epic Things To Do In Australia
