10 Things to Do in Brisbane in Just Two Days
things to do in Brisbane
If you're a local, here are some of the places we feel visitors must see in Brisbane to gain an insight into Brisbane and its people, whether this is your first time in Brisbane, you've been here before or even. Please note these have been in no particular order:
Mt Cooth-tha Summit
Take a drive to the peak of Mt Coot-tha (7km west of the CBD) where you'll obtain a spectacular panoramic look at the whole of Brisbane city and surrounds. On a clear day you will notice up to the distant ranges within the south-Moreton and west Bay towards the east. Here you are able to invest some time in the cafe sipping a latte, cool down using a gelato ice-cream or take pleasure in the famous Summit restaurant in the mountaintop. For any real buzz come right here at night and you'll view the city ablaze with lights (very romantic indeed! )
things to do in Brisbane
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
While you're at Mt Coot-tha Lookout, visit the Botanic Gardens. These 52 hectare gardens contain subtropical and Australian flora within a setting of streams, lakes and ponds. Mt Coot-tha also hosts a planetarium, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, a particular favourite of kids.
Story Bridge
For your more adventurous, take a two and 30 minutes climb to the top of Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge. Here you'll experience uninterrupted 360 degree views of Brisbane, its river and surrounding mountains. Dawn climbers will capture the advantage of sunrise over the bay, while dusk climbers will see the setting sun reflected inside the glass and steel in the city's high-rise apartment and office buildings. One of the things to do on New Years Eve in Brisbane is to head down to Southbank and watch the fireworks explode around the Story Bridge if you happen to be visiting Brisbane on New Year's Eve.
Ale House
Consider the one hour brewery tour on the Ale House at Milton where you'll get a glimpse in to the background of the Castlemaine Perkins brewery along with its world-famous beers. Only minutes from Brisbane's CBD, you can have an entertaining and interactive brewery tour, pick up some souvenirs and sample some ales in the Ale House bar - a real experience. And what could be more Australian than beer!
South Bank
It's difficult to imagine Brisbane without South Bank. Just throughout the river from your CBD, you will enjoy South Bank's sandy beach (Streets Beach), open grassy picnic areas, a and shops plethora of eating spots. Free live entertainment, festivals and fireworks all year round enhance the vibrancy you'll experience here. On Fridays, Sundays and Saturdays, visit South Bank Art & Craft Market where you'll find crafts by local artisans including fashion, tarot, homewares and jewellery or even a massage. It's at South Bank where you'll also find Queensland's theatres and arts. Places to visit are the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland Museum Sciencentre is favored by children.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
If you are wanting to experience Australian wildlife without leaving the city, then Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is for you! Hold a koala, feed a kangaroo, hear a speak about our reptiles. You are able to the RiverCat from your city to Lone Pine for any truly Brisbane experience.
Brisbane River
Many state that Brisbane River defines Brisbane, after all, we're referred to as RiverCity! A great way to see Brisbane is always to take a ride on the CityCat - a easy and cheap method of getting around. Have a cruise all around the river, stopping where ever you want as you go along - South Bank, University of Queensland, New Farm. Another way to begin to see the sights of Brisbane is to use an entertaining cruise along the Brisbane River on one of the Kookaburra River Queens.
Brisbane CBD Historic Walking Tour
Brisbane hasn't had a great reputation for preserving its heritage buildings. The drive to modernize the metropolis for economic purposes saw a lot of historic sites torn down within the 1970's and 1980's. There are still a number of them around, particularly in the CBD districts, but a day or two's walking will be enough for you to see most of the really old sites.
Queen Street Mall
In the heart of Brisbane's CBD, Queen Street Mall is actually a busy half kilometre pedestrian open air thoroughfare including al-fresco shopping and dining. With wide swooping sails to supply necessary shelter from the rain and sun, Queen Street mall draws over 26 million visitors annually. Queen Street Mall is recognized as the biggest retail precinct between Sydney and Singapore, and hosts an exceptional collection of designer national, international and labels retail chains, independent boutique outlets, jewelrybookstores and designers, shoe shops and much more. If you like to people-watch, come here as the mall is a hive of activity. A purpose built performance stage features regular free live entertainment, and buskers never forget to delight passers by using their antics. There are many 24 / 7 eateries and bars that can be found across the mall's central spine for people who wish to party on.
City Botanic Gardens
Brisbane's (original) botanic gardens extend for the river on three sides where one can walk or cycle the right path around to adopt in the exotic plants that flourish within our sub-tropical climate. A fairly easy and relaxed walk from your CBD, a necessity do is always to take a stroll with the mangroves on the boardwalk. If you're here on a Sunday, continue along to Eagle Street pier to browse the many stalls at the Riverside Markets, open every Sunday from 7am.
Fortitude Valley
Fondly referred to as 'The Valley' it has created a term for itself with visitors and locals alike and is still at the forefront of alternative and emerging entertainment, music and fashion. Walk into any main street inside the Valley and you're sure to locate a selection of trendy locations for drinks, dance or food. Try James Street, Brunswick Street, or Ann Street. There are a large number of venues on offer, each with their own style and atmosphere. Some compare the Valley to Sydney's Oxford Street for nightlife. Take your pick of designer nightclubs and make sure not to miss Family Nightclub, recently awarded Australia's best nightclub. The Valley is also at Brisbane's forefront in live music experiences. An excellent place to begin visiting The Valley is the Brunswick Street Mall which can be lined with cafes, eateries and bars. Right next to Brunswick Street is Ann Street, with a lot of avant garde fashion boutiques which feature cutting-edge and retro designs.