Cidade Turismo
Australia
Brisbane

Queensland · Australia

Brisbane

The capital of Queensland, with the river, the artificial South Bank beach, the koalas of Lone Pine, the museums in the cultural precinct and the nearby sand island of Moreton.

Queensland (Gold Coast e Cairns)

In the photo: Story Bridge, Brisbane

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia. It grows around the bends of the Brisbane River, which is crossed by ferries, CityCats, and pedestrian bridges. The subtropical climate keeps city life outdoors for most of the year.

On the southern bank, South Bank occupies the Expo 88 site with parks, the sandy lagoon Streets Beach—where you can swim in the city center for free—restaurants and the cultural precinct that houses the QAGOMA art gallery and the Queensland Museum. Across the river are the financial district, the botanic gardens and the Kangaroo Point cliffs, lit up at night.

About 13 km from the center, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the oldest koala sanctuary in the world. The Mount Coot-tha lookout shows the whole city from above, and in Moreton Bay the island of Moreton—mostly a national park—has dunes, wrecks for diving and dolphins.

This destination brings together 1 city: Brisbane.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Brisbane is
Brisbane

Limites: Australian Bureau of Statistics / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Brisbane

✈ Brisbane Airport (BNE), in Brisbane · 13 km to Brisbane

Confirm before buying. Brisbane Airport (BNE) is about 13 km from the city center and is linked by the Airtrain. From Sydney and other capitals you arrive by plane; from the Gold Coast you can take the train.

The local experience

Things to do in Brisbane

South Bank Parklands
Brisbane · Queensland · Park

South Bank Parklands

Riverside park on the Expo 88 site, with the sandy Streets Beach lagoon, the floral walkway Grand Arbour, restaurants and the adjacent cultural precinct.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Brisbane · Queensland · Zoo

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The world’s oldest koala sanctuary, opened in 1927, with dozens of koalas, free-roaming kangaroos you can feed, platypus and animal presentations.

Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Brisbane · Queensland · Museum

Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)

Queensland’s two art galleries, side by side at South Bank: the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), the largest modern art gallery in Australia.

Queensland Museum Kurilpa
Brisbane · Queensland · Museum

Queensland Museum Kurilpa

Queensland’s museum of natural history and culture at South Bank, with Australian dinosaurs, reef and rainforest animals and the SparkLab science centre.

See 4 more places in Brisbane
Mount Coot-tha Lookout
Brisbane · Queensland · Viewpoint

Mount Coot-tha Lookout

Brisbane’s best-known lookout, west of the CBD, with views over the city, the river and Moreton Bay, bushwalking trails on the hill and the botanic gardens at its base.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Brisbane · Queensland · Viewpoint

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Cliff of rock beside the river, facing the CBD, an old quarry from convict times, with city views, rock climbing and nighttime illumination.

City Botanic Gardens
Brisbane · Queensland · Botanical garden

City Botanic Gardens

Brisbane’s central botanic garden on the riverbank, with palms, figs, bamboos and cycads, beside the Parliament and the university.

Moreton Island
Brisbane · Queensland · Island

Moreton Island

A sand island in Moreton Bay, mostly a national park, with dunes for sandboarding, shipwrecks for snorkeling, lakes and dolphins, a little over an hour by boat.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to October days tend to be dry, sunny and pleasant. Summer, from December to February, is hot and humid, with thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Humpback whales usually pass near Moreton Island between June and October.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

2 to 3 days for South Bank, the museums, the botanic gardens, Lone Pine and Mount Coot-tha. With one more day, Moreton Island. Many people combine Brisbane with a few days on the Gold Coast.

Which city to stay in

The CBD and South Bank are within walking distance of many attractions and ferry services. Fortitude Valley has bars and nightlife; Kangaroo Point, on the other side of the river, has views of the city. West End, near South Bank, has restaurants and a more alternative vibe.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Brisbane

How many days should I book for Brisbane?

2 to 3 days for the city, Lone Pine and Mount Coot-tha. With an extra day, Moreton Island.

Do you need a car in Brisbane?

Not for the city: buses, trains and CityCat ferries cover the tourist spots. For Moreton Island, the island is explored by 4x4 or on tours. In Australia you drive on the left.

Is Brisbane a good base for the Gold Coast?

Yes. The train links Brisbane to the Gold Coast in just over an hour, and many travelers combine the two.

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