Touring Brisbane Australia
Aug 24, 2014, Updated Jun 25, 2024
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Touring Brisbane Australia can be overwhelming, take all the hassle and question marks out by using my guide to where to stay, dine, and enjoy for an incredible Australian adventure!
Table of Contents
Touring Brisbane Australia with Family
I recently had the trip of a lifetime down under to Brisbane and Sydney Australia. The 13 days we spent both went incredibly fast, and far too short- my mom, dad, cousin and I headed down for my brother’s wedding.
It was tough trip though, because I decided not to bring my kids. I am still confident in my decision to not bring them since traveling with a 2 and 4 year old for over 30 hours sounded pretty much awful.
Visiting Brisbane with my mom and dad was an unforgettable experience, filled with beautiful sights and warm, sunny weather. We explored the vibrant South Bank, enjoyed delicious meals at riverside restaurants, and marveled at the stunning views from the Brisbane Wheel. The lush parks and friendly locals made our stay even more enjoyable, creating cherished family memories. From the bustling markets to the serene river cruises, every moment in Brisbane was simply amazing.
I have broken my suggestions down into three sections: where to stay, where to eat, and where what to do so you can plan an incredible trip to Brisbane too!
Where to Stay in Brisbane
- Why: Located in the trendy Fortitude Valley, it offers a luxurious experience with its stylish design, rooftop pool, and easy access to boutique shopping and vibrant nightlife.
- Why: This boutique hotel combines historic charm with modern amenities, offering unique rooms, a cozy library bar, and a central location near the city’s cultural attractions.
- Why: Situated in the heart of South Bank, it provides stunning views of the Brisbane River, luxurious suites, and proximity to cultural landmarks like the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Gallery of Modern Art.
- Why: Known for its chic design and vibrant atmosphere, W Brisbane boasts riverfront views, a rooftop bar, and is within walking distance of the city’s best shopping and dining districts.
- Why: Located in Kangaroo Point, it offers panoramic views of the city skyline and Story Bridge, with spacious rooms and a tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle.
- Why: Positioned along the Brisbane River, this hotel offers luxurious accommodations, riverside dining, and close proximity to the Botanic Gardens and Eagle Street Pier.
- Why: Perfect for both leisure and business travelers, it features modern rooms, a rooftop pool, and is adjacent to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- Why: Nestled under the Story Bridge, this art-inspired hotel offers contemporary rooms with river views and a focus on local art, providing a unique and culturally rich stay.
Where to Eat in Brisbane
Gerard’s Bistro
- Why: Located in Fortitude Valley, Gerard’s Bistro offers innovative Middle Eastern cuisine in a chic setting, perfect for foodies seeking unique and flavorful dishes.
E’cco Bistro
- Why: A Brisbane dining institution, E’cco Bistro serves modern Australian cuisine with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, providing a sophisticated dining experience.
Otto Ristorante
- Why: Overlooking the Brisbane River, Otto offers contemporary Italian cuisine with stunning views, making it an ideal spot for both casual and special occasion dining.
Julius Pizzeria
- Why: Situated in South Brisbane, Julius Pizzeria is known for its authentic wood-fired pizzas and bustling atmosphere, making it a favorite for casual and family-friendly dining.
Gauge
- Why: This trendy South Brisbane café and restaurant serves inventive, modern dishes with a strong emphasis on seasonal produce and creative presentations.
GOMA Restaurant
- Why: Located within the Gallery of Modern Art, this restaurant combines art and dining with contemporary Australian dishes inspired by the museum’s exhibitions, offering a unique cultural experience.
Rogue Bistro
- Why: Rogue Bistro in Newstead is known for its ever-changing degustation menu, providing a surprise culinary journey with each visit, ideal for adventurous eaters.
Aria Brisbane
- Why: Overlooking the Brisbane River, Aria offers fine dining with an emphasis on Australian produce, crafted by renowned chef Matt Moran, perfect for a luxurious dining experience.
Stanley
- Why: Located in Howard Smith Wharves, Stanley serves up authentic Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist, paired with breathtaking river views and a lively atmosphere.
Honto
- Why: This hidden gem in Fortitude Valley offers contemporary Japanese dishes in a sleek, intimate setting, ideal for those seeking a stylish and flavorful dining experience.
What to Do in Brisbane
Explore South Bank
- Why: This vibrant cultural precinct offers lush parklands, restaurants, and the iconic Streets Beach, making it perfect for leisurely strolls, dining, and family fun.
Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Why: The world’s first and largest koala sanctuary allows you to cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos, and learn about Australian wildlife up close.
Climb the Story Bridge
- Why: Experience panoramic views of the city and the Brisbane River by climbing this iconic bridge, offering a unique and thrilling perspective of Brisbane.
Cruise the Brisbane River
- Why: Take a relaxing river cruise to see the city’s skyline and landmarks from the water, with options ranging from daytime sightseeing to evening dinner cruises.
Stroll Through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens
- Why: Located at Mount Coot-tha, these gardens provide a peaceful escape with diverse plant collections, walking trails, and stunning city views from the nearby lookout.
Visit the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
- Why: Explore world-class exhibitions and collections of modern and contemporary art in these twin galleries, offering cultural enrichment and artistic inspiration.
Shop at the Queen Street Mall
- Why: This bustling shopping precinct in the heart of the city offers a wide range of retail stores, dining options, and entertainment, making it a must-visit for shoppers.
Hike in the D’Aguilar National Park
- Why: Just a short drive from the city, this park offers scenic hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and beautiful lookouts, ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Visit the Brisbane Powerhouse
- Why: This dynamic arts venue hosts live performances, exhibitions, and markets, providing a lively hub for contemporary culture and entertainment.
Enjoy the Nightlife in Fortitude Valley
- Why: Known for its vibrant nightlife, Fortitude Valley offers an array of bars, clubs, and live music venues, perfect for those looking to experience Brisbane’s energetic after-dark scene.
Taste of Australia At Home
Besides some of the interesting protein choices – kangaroo, Australian cuisine is very similar to American cuisine. In Brisbane they eat a lot of fish and seafood, check out some of my favorite seafood recipes inspired by my trip to Australia below.
Try these recipes:
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Anyway I hope you come back to see what you missed;
Also Brisbane will be very different when you come back, we have the Queen’s Wharf project going on in the heritage precinct.
The entire South Bank area is going to be redeveloped in the next 10-15 years with massive expansions of the museums, art galleries, boulevards, as well as a new museum and a BNE Aquarium at Grey Street.
You must also visit the areas around Brisbane, Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island are beautiful you should google them. And then you have the UNESCO world heritage listed rainforests to the west of Brisbane.
Oh man- you’re telling me southbank will have even more? It so became one of my favorite spots, but it was lacking in shopping and culture. Add museums and I’ll never leave it! I am also really sad I didn’t get to visit St. Georges. I am Orthodox, and it looked amazing in photos. Unfortunately the day we had planned to head there was a little bit of a quiet one in as a very late night at the wedding the night before kind of put a damper on my desire to walk around that day…. oy!
I’m sorry but you seem to have missed most of South Bank as well !!!! XD
South Bank is packed with museums, that enormous Berlin war bunker building you probably saw crossing the Victoria Bridge is the Queensland Museum.
Then you have the Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Art Gallery, the Sciencentre, the GOMA (which is the largest Modern Art Gallery in the Southern Hemisphere) as well as the Maritime Museum.
It’s also home to the Brisbane Exhibition Centre (Rated the 3rd best Exhibition Centre in the world), the Conservatorium, the State Library, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
It’s also the site of the world’s largest tensegrity bridge, which is a truly bizare looking structure.
All of the museums and theatres I mentioned are along Grey Street, (which is a beautiful tree lined boulevard), which is the street after Stanley Street where all the cafes and restaurants are located.
I also make note that you never went to Kangaroo Point Cliffs, they are about 20-30m high and were carved out by the convicts during the early days of settlement. The views of the city from here are amazing, and there are cafes and restaurants along the entire strip.
Mt Cootha, a 15min drive to the west of the city also offers amazing city views.
Hi Courtney, as a Brisbanite reading this I’m glad you had a great time, but you missed the best part of Brisbane. The River cruises are absolutely amazing, you must go on one next time.
Also you seem to have missed a lot of Brisbane’s major historical landmarks.
St Stephen’s Cathedral is nothing compared to St John’s Cathedral which is without doubt the most beautiful Cathedral in Australia.
You also seem to have missed the MacArthurs Chambers, during WW2 Brisbane was the Allied Headquarters of the Pacific War, the room in MacArthurs Chambers is where the American Supreme General Douglas MacArthur led the WW2 Pacific War effort.
Then there is the Queensland Parliament which is a French-Empire inspired building, the interior ceilings are painted with Gold leaf so I def recommend a tour. Also quite a lot of history there as well, including the armed rebellion of 1939.
Not sure how long you stayed in Brisbane for, but I at least hope you visited the Brisbane City Hall, it is a truly breathtaking building.
David- we missed SO much of Brisbane! Since a lot of our trip centered around heading to the wedding, we stayed in a pretty small corner of the city. We will certainly be back- but I had to share what we DID go see! We really only scratched the surface of the city. I can’t wait to visit my brother and his wife and see more of the lovely city someday soon!
DREAMING of this trip someday!!! Gorgeous photos!!
That sounds amazing! I would LOVE to do that. I need to travel more!
Just gorgeous Courtney! I was drooling over all you pictures on Instagram during your trip. I definitely want a trip to Brisbane now!
looks like a trip of a life time for sure! your photos are awesome. those buildings and skyline are incredible as well! so glad you got to experience it all! one day – i’ll be able to visit…one day!!!