Things to see in Brisbane
Attractions
South Bank Parklands
On the banks of the Brisbane River, these colourful, vibrant parklands are a major 'Brissie' highlight. There is a perfect mix of nature and culture here, with attractions including the Nepal Peace Pagoda, the Wheel of Brisbane, the Arbour, Streets beach, an aquativity water park, picnic areas as well as a range of cafés, bars and restaurants. It’s also the place to head for major festivals and events including Australia Day.
Address: , South Bank (Stanley Street Plaza), Brisbane, 4101Telephone: +61 7 3156 6366.
Opening times:
Daily 0500-2400.
Website: http://www.visitsouthbank.com.auAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Story Bridge
Ascend to the top of Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge and enjoy a unique perspective of the city below. Alternatively, enjoy abseiling down from Anchor Pier on the southern side of the bridge into Captain Burke Park. The Story Bridge Climb and new Abseil Climb are a great way to appreciate the bridge that was originally built during the Great Depression to connect Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Today the bridge offers stunning views for those who make the climb to the top, 80m (262ft) above the Brisbane River.
Address: Kangaroo Point, 170 Main St, Brisbane, 4169Telephone: +61 1300 254 627.
Opening times:
Daily 0600-2200.
Website: http://www.sbac.net.auAdmission Fees:
$89-$159 depending on package.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane
Construction of the majestic Brisbane City Hall began in 1920 and took 10 years to complete, and until the Sydney Opera House came along it was the most expensive building in Australia. The Museum of Brisbane hosts excellent exhibitions celebrating the city's culture and heritage in the building’s ground floor and basement. The viewing platform on the top of the tower clock affords snap-worthy views over the city. The clock tower tour is free.
Address: , 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, 4000Telephone: +61 7 3403 8888
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat and Sun 1000-1900.
The clock tower tour is daily from 1015-1645, every 15 mintues.
Website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/cityhallAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Queensland Art Gallery
Situated in Stanley Place on the South Bank of the Brisbane River, the Queensland Art Gallery is the state’s major visual arts institution, housing more than 15,000 Australian and international paintings, sculptures and decorative art. It’s worth letting a Volunteer Guide share their knowledge and take you on a 30-40 minute tour of the gallery to get some perspective of the huge range of works that make up the expanding collection.
Address: South Bank, Stanley Place, Cultural Precinct, Brisbane, 4101Telephone: +61 7 3840 7303.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.qagoma.qld.gov.auAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The largest koala sanctuary in the world was also the first; it was founded in 1927. Today the parklands, located in the suburb of Fig Tree Pocket, southwest of Brisbane, are home to over 130 adult koalas as well as dozens of other Aussie animals including dingoes, roos, wombats and snakes. At the park there are opportunities to give the koalas a cuddle or to hand feed the kangaroos. A variety of wildlife shows also take place daily, including a bird of prey show.
Address: Fig Tree Pocket, 708 Jesmond Road, Brisbane, 4069Telephone: +61 7 3378 1366
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.koala.netAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Wheel of Brisbane
Situated on the South Bank, the Wheel of Brisbane is one of the city's more recent attractions, proving continually popular, at a height of 60m (180ft). Modelled after the London Eye, the over-sized Ferris wheel offers visitors 360-degree panoramic views of the city and is particularly impressive at night when it is illuminated by thousands of lights. Gondolas are fully enclosed and can seat up to six adults and two children. Each ride lasts between 12-15 minutes – the equivalent of three to four wheel rotations.
Address: Russell Street, Cultural Forecourt, South Bank, 4101Telephone: +61 7 3844 3464.
Opening times:
Sun-Thurs 1000-2200, Fri-Sat 1000-2300.
Website: http://www.thewheelofbrisbane.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
State Library of Queensland
This cultural beacon shines a light on Queensland’s past and present. It contains major reference and research collections, as well as documentary heritage items, including a range of historic maps and detailed resources relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Events and exhibitions throughout the year include design lectures and animation and manga workshops.
Address: South Bank, Cultural Precinct, Stanley Place, Brisbane, 4101Telephone: +61 7 3840 7666
Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 1000-2000, Fri-Sun 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.slq.qld.gov.auAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Castlemaine Perkins Brewery
Located in Milton, the Castlemaine Perkins (XXXX) brewery provides a glimpse of the inner workings of a heritage brewery – as well as a taste of a much-loved classic Australian beer. The Castlemaine Perkins Brewery was established in 1878. Today visitors can take a 75-minute tour through the site and gain an understanding of the ingredients and brewing process before learning to pour a beer in the XXXX Ale House Bar. On Saturdays and Wednesdays there is an additional option of having a BBQ brewery tour.
Address: Milton, 185 Milton Road, Brisbane, 4064Telephone: +61 7 3361 7597.
Opening times:
Mon - Sat 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.xxxx.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Newstead House
Perched above a lush park overlooking the Brisbane River, the beautiful Newstead House is Brisbane's oldest surviving residence, dating back to 1846.
Where once it stood as a simple colonial Georgian cottage, home to Darling Downs pioneer Patrick Leslie, over the years it has grown to reflect the history of Brisbane, serving as a Botanic Institute, the first headquarters of the Royal Historical society of Queensland, and even acting as the living quarters for American service personnel during WWII.
Today the homestead offers visitors a slice of Brisbane history, as it’s painted and furnished in the style of the late Victorian period. The manicured gardens provide a welcome escape from the city.
Address: Corner of Breakfast Creek Road and Newstead Avenue, Newstead Park, Brisbane, 4006Telephone: +61 7 3216 1846
Opening times:
Fri and Sat 1000-1400, Sun 1000-1600.
Website: http://www.newsteadhouse.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha, 7km (4 miles) from the city centre, are Queensland's premier subtropical botanic gardens. Australian plants, bonsais, cacti, ferns, fragrant plants and herbs and the largest collection of Australian native rainforest trees in the world all thrive here. There is also a tropical display dome, a lagoon and bamboo grove, and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Free guided walks of the gardens take place at 1100 and 1300 Monday to Saturday. There are also free minibus tours at 1030 Monday to Friday.
Address: , Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Brisbane, 4066Telephone: +61 7 3403 2532
Opening times:
Daily.
Website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/botanicgardensAdmission Fees:
Free.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Brisbane Visitor Information Centre
Address: , The Regent, 167 Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, 4000Telephone: +61 7 3006 6290.
Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 9000-1730, Fri 900-1900, Sat 9000-1700, Sun 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.visitbrisbane.com.auTourist passes
For $145 (adults) and $109 (children), the Brisbane five in one card (tel: +61 7 3891 5766) provides opportunities to see five of Brisbane's major attractions out of a choice of 12. The card is valid for three months.
