Fun Things to do in Brisbane City (beyond Southbank)

Brisbane City is bustling with exciting sights, sounds and food. If you’ve seen a photo of Brisbane, you probably already seen the first port of call for most tourists – Southbank Parklands and the faux swimming beach which overlooks Brisbane City.

Southbank is popular for families and tourists alike. You can enjoy picnics, quiet walks, long bike rides along the promenade, rent a scooter and many other activities. There are also many shopping and dining amenities.

But there’s a lot more things to do in Brisbane City than Southbank. Here’s our guide.

Fun Brisbane City Activities

1. Go for a lunch or dinner river cruise. There is nothing better than viewing the city from the river. For a cheaper alternative you can jump on a CityCat
2. Enjoy one of the many music festivals in Brisbane held each spring and summer
3. Get an unparalleled view from the Wheel of Brisbane
4. Enjoy the Koalas, Kangaroos and other forms of Australian wildlife. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of the best places to go hold a Koala.
5. Enjoy panoramic city views from the Brisbane Lookout. The Mt Coo-tha lookout offers amazing day and night views where you can see the ocean on a clear day.
6. Set a full day aside to get a fill of Australian adventure. The Riverlife Adventure Centre offers visitors a chance to enjoy abseiling, kayaking or paddling down the mighty (not really) Brisbane River. Other activities include hiking, cycling, scooting and skating.
7. For the shopping junkies, you have not been forgotten. The city is chock full of shopping malls, arcades, luxury shops and exotic boutiques. A good example is the Queen Street Mall.
8. Feel like climbing an adventure bridge? The Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers you the chance to do so. Brisbane’s Story Bridge is one of the few bridges visitors can climb around the world. It is open all the time and promises a unique and unforgettable experience.
9. If you want to sample Brisbane’s best ale, head down to XXXX Brewery where a tour around the Ale House and a taste of the local brew will leave you feeling better than ever. Better yet, visit Suncorp Stadium to watch a game of rugby league.
10. Visit Fortitude Valley at night to enjoy live music concerts and watch famous bands and entertainers perform. It’s also known as one of the biggest clubbing scenes in Australasia.
11. Other attractions you shouldn’t miss out on include the Art Gallery, the Performing Arts Centre, the Queensland Museum, GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and the State Library. Most of these have contemporary cafes which overlook the river and serve create coffee.