Brisbane Tourist Attractions

Brisbane offers a combination of riverside views, outdoor adventures, cultural precincts, and unique wildlife encounters. Here are some of the top attractions to explore in and around the city:

South Bank Parklands

Park

Located along the southern bank of the Brisbane River, this 17-hectare lifestyle precinct features landscaped gardens, riverfront promenades, and dining options.

• Key Features: Includes Streets Beach (a free, man-made city beach with real sand), the Grand Arbour walking path, and the Wheel of Brisbane.

• Vibe: Relaxed, family-friendly, and walkable.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Zoo

As the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, this park provides up-close encounters with native Australian wildlife.

• Key Features: Hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos in an open enclosure, and watch raptor flight demonstrations.

• Location: Fig Tree Pocket, about 20 minutes from the CBD.

Gallery of Modern Art

Art gallery

Cultural Precinct (Gallery of Modern Art) & Queensland Art Gallery situated together in South Brisbane's Cultural Centre, these modern art galleries host premier exhibitions across Australian, Indigenous, and international art.

• Key Features: World-class contemporary galleries, interactive art installations, and dedicated children’s centers.

• Admission: Free general entry for main collection spaces.

Story Bridge

Brisbane’s iconic steel cantilever bridge spans across Petrie Bight and connects Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley.

• Activities: Walk or cycle across for panoramic river vistas, or book a guided bridge climb for elevated skyline views.

Howard Smith Wharves

Tourist attraction

Tucked directly beneath the Story Bridge along the riverbank, this heritage-listed wharf area is one of Brisbane's main entertainment and dining hubs.

• Highlights: Craft breweries, riverside dining, and views of the city lights reflecting on the water at sunset.

Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout

Scenic spot

Rising west of the city center, this viewpoint offers broad, sweeping vistas across Brisbane all the way to Moreton Bay on clear days.

• Best Time to Visit: Sunrise or sunset for city skyline photography.

• Nearby: Access to surrounding hiking trails and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.

Eat Street Northshore

Market

Built on a historic shipping container wharf in Hamilton, this lively night market operates on weekends.

• Highlights: Hundreds of colorful shipping containers housing global street food stalls, dessert shops, bars, and live entertainment stages.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park

A heritage-listed parkland featuring dramatic natural rock cliffs overlooking the river and CBD skyline.

• Activities: Outdoor rock climbing, abseiling, riverside walking/cycling paths, and public picnic and BBQ areas.