City Guide: 10 Things to do in Brisbane for first-time visitors

Angela Goh 28 Jun 2017

1/10
Climb the Brisbane Story Bridge
Not afraid of heights? Sign up for a breathtaking panoramic group walk atop the iconic Brisbane Story Bridge, one of only 3 bridge climbs in the world. Don’t worry, it’s a safe climb, plus you’ll get an interesting guided tour as well. Learn about the history of the bridge’s construction while gaping in awe at the impressive city views from high above the Brisbane River.

Photo: Story Bridge Adventure Climb
2/10
Meet native wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Located in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket, this animal sanctuary will allow you to get up-close and personal with some native creatures, including (you guessed it) koalas. Established in 1927, the koala sanctuary grew from housing just 2 koalas to over 130 today. Of course, koalas are just the tip of the iceberg. There are kangaroos, lorikeets, sheep, platypus, snakes, dingos and more!

Photo: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Facebook
3/10
Surround yourself with food at Eat Street Markets
Love food? Brisbane’s Eat Street Markets, which opens every weekend of the year, will definitely blow your mind. Located away from the city centre, along Macarthur Avenue in Hamilton (you can take the CityCat ferry to the Northshore Hamilton Ferry Terminal), it might take a bit of effort to get here, but well worth it. Exuding impressive night market vibes and boasting over 70 vendors, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Everything from Thai food to Greek dishes, decadent churros to mega crepes, South American grilled meats to designer fairy floss, organic teas and even vintage art… one evening here is definitely not enough. Click here for more information.

Photo: Eat Street Northshore Facebook
4/10
Visit the man-made beach at South Bank (great in summer!)
Visitors to South Bank will quickly find that there is actually a massive beach-style lagoon that looks out towards the Brisbane River and city skyline. Yes, complete with piles of sand and lifeguards on duty. Popular with kids over the weekend, you can rest assured that there are picnic spots and whole slew of fast food options nearby, so you and the whole family can spend your day enjoying the novelty of this seaside-inside-a-city during your visit.

Photo: Getty Images
5/10
Shop ’til you drop at Queen Street Mall
The precinct that surrounds Queen Street is littered with shopping centres and shopping arcades. Find everything you need here, from high-end fashion brands to department store goods, delicious food to bespoke jewellery. For the kids, there are a couple of game arcades and toy stores to check out, and even a cinema for the movie buffs.

Photo: Getty Images
6/10
Go bar hopping
Brisbane is home to a slew of fantastic bars, from hidden gems and low-key spots that are hard to find yet exactly what you want, to high-end cocktail bars that serve the most bespoke drinks imaginable. For the former, we recommend the cool and casual BREW, a tucked-away cafe-bar hidden in lower Burnett Lane, just off Albert Street (look out for the 7-11).

Photo: BREW Facebook
7/10
Embrace more market vibes at West End’s Boundary Street Markets
Yes, more food! The Boundary Street Markets are where you’ll be able to find the likes gluten-free doughnuts, vegan burgers, impressive Southeast Asian street food, gourmet sausages, Japanese noodle bowls, and… well, pretty much taste sensations from all over the world. Did we mention live music and a bustling market ambience to make you never want to leave? Get in on the action and get salivating! For market events and opening hours, click here.

Photo: Boundary Street Markets Facebook
8/10
Get your art fix at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Both galleries, located in South Brisbane, will definitely impress art lovers. Granting visitors free admission to most of the exhibitions, these galleries largely focus on local contemporary art, though if you are lucky, you might be able to catch one of the world-class touring exhibitions. Even if art is not your thing, you’ll be able to find some respite from the heat in summer wandering through the air-conditioned halls.

Photo: Getty Images
9/10
Surround yourself with nature in the middle of the city
There are two lovely parks within the city centre that nature lovers who’ve had enough of the bustling concrete jungle can enjoy on foot. Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens are both great escapes to explore. Both are a short walk from Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall. The City Botanic Gardens, especially, makes for a scenic walking trail as it sits along the Brisbane River. With public restrooms and picnic areas for convenience, these sprawling parks are ideal spots to take a breather and enjoy some greenery.Photo: Getty Images
10/10
Take a drive to the next city — the Gold Coast
Had your fill of Brisbane? A day trip to the holiday heaven of the beautiful Gold Coast might be just what you need to recharge. With impressive landscapes that vary from rolling green hills to stretches of glorious sandy beaches, it’s no wonder Brisbane folk head down here on the weekends. Take your pick of wine tasting in the hinterland region of Tamborine Mountain, or bask in the glow of the Queensland sun at Surfers Paradise.
Photo: Getty Images

Queensland’s capital city is calling. If you need to fill up your holiday itinerary, here’s a list of ideas to bookmark!

Brisbane may be a concrete jungle, but it has plenty of character to boot. While it may not be the coastal destination its laid-back sister city the Gold Coast might be, it won’t disappoint when it comes to its busy food and cultural scene. Peppered with intriguing markets, shopping arcades, bars, art galleries and family-friendly spaces, the city offers a lot more than you think. From the sprawling parklands of South Bank to the foodie haven of West End’s Boundary Street Markets, you’ll have plenty to add to your list.

So, if you’re thinking of taking a trip to this bustling Australian city, make sure you check out our top picks in the gallery above. Some of them offer free admission, others (like climbing the massive Story Bridge) you’ll be happy to fork out for! Trust us!

Angela Goh

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