Tourism in Brisbane is an important industry for theQueensland economy, being the third-most popular destination for international tourists after Sydney and Melbourne.[1]
Brisbane is a popular tourist destination, serving as a gateway to the state of Queensland, particularly to theGold Coast and theSunshine Coast, which are home to numerous popular surf beaches, located immediately south and north of Brisbane respectively. Major landmarks and attractions includeSouth Bank Parklands, theQueensland Cultural Centre (including theQueensland Museum,Queensland Art Gallery,Gallery of Modern Art,Queensland Performing Arts Centre andState Library of Queensland),City Hall, theStory Bridge, theCity Botanic Gardens andParliament of Queensland, theHoward Smith Wharves,ANZAC Square,Fortitude Valley (includingJames Street andChinatown),West End, theTeneriffe woolstores precinct,Roma Street Parkland,New Farm Park (including theBrisbane Powerhouse),St John's Cathedral, theLone Pine Koala Sanctuary, theMount Coot-tha Lookout andBotanic Gardens, theD'Aguilar Range andNational Park, theBrisbane River and itsRiverwalk network, as well as waterside locations aroundMoreton Bay(such asTangalooma onMoreton Island,Point Lookout onNorth Stradbroke Island,Bribie Island, and coastal suburbs such asShorncliffe,Wynnum and those on theRedcliffe Peninsula).
TheStory Bridge is aBrisbane icon, designed by Dr.John Bradfield, designer of theSydney Harbour Bridge.[2] It spans Petrie Bight fromKangaroo Point toFortitude Valley and totals 1,072 metres (3,517 ft) meters in length.[3]
Tourist groups run the Story Bridge Adventure Climb as well as the Abseil Climb, which provides daylight, twilight, and night tours.[4]
Brisbane's most famous landmark is Australia's largest and grandest city hall. It is home to theMuseum of Brisbane and features the circular Concert Hall and a world-famous grand piano organ. Free tours are available of the city hall and its clock tower.[5][6]
The Brisbane City Hall contains the re-established historic Tudor-styleShingle Inn restaurant, with its original 1936 Tudor furnishing and fittings restored.[7]
TheKangaroo Point Cliffs extend south from just north of the former Naval Bridge Depot to the formerSouth Brisbane Dry Dock, west of theCaptain Cook Bridge. The rock comprising the cliffs was formed about 230 million years ago, but the cliffs were created by convicts quarrying the stone for the early colony.[8] The cliffs are popular with rock climbers, and the park and gardens below are available for BBQs and picnics.[9]
The Valley experienced an urban renaissance in the 1980s and 1990s, when young people flocked to new nightclubs, some in place of the brothels and illegal gambling joints of an earlier era.[10] As more people lived in the suburb, social and religious developmental trends explain the present diverse nature of The Valley, characterised by commercial buildings, hotels and churches side by side with residential buildings.[11] James Street is a popular shopping street that straddles Fortitude Valley and the adjoining suburb ofNew Farm.
TheConrad Treasury Casino, formerly the State Government of QueenslandTreasury Building, is situated at 1-27 Queen St, right up at the top of the city near the Victoria Bridge. It was built on a site that had been earmarked for Government use since around 1825. Three stages of construction went into the completed building, starting with the William Street frontage.[12] Completed, occupied and opened officially in 1928 at a final cost of £137,817, it provided expansive space for its Treasury Building tenants. As State Government Departments moved into the nearby Executive Building in the 1980s, the Treasury Building and adjacent Land Administration Building were sold, and consequently redeveloped as the Conrad Treasury Casino and Hotel precinct.[13] With the opening of theQueens Wharf & Casino the Treasury building will be transferred toGriffith University as a new CBD campus in 2027.[14]
One of Australia's most famous sports stadiums,the Gabba was established in 1895 and hosts a number of sports includingAFL,cricket,rugby league,rugby union, andbaseball, as well asathletics andconcerts. Its current seating capacity is 42,000.[citation needed]
Lang Park, also known as Suncorp Stadium, is a major sports stadium and is considered the best rectangular stadium in Australia. It was established in 1914 on the site of a former cemetery. The stadium hosts mainly rugby league andfootball, and is a venue of theState of Origin. Its current seating capacity is 52,500.[citation needed]
St John's Cathedral is a Medievalgothic revivalcathedral, and an international centre of pilgrimage attracting over 20,000 visitors annually from around the world. The cathedral is the centre for big diocesan events, and is a major centre for the arts and music with its own orchestra. St John's also has the largest cathedral organ in Australia, which hosts many concerts throughout the year.[citation needed]
TheCustoms House is a Brisbane landmark known for its distinctive copper dome.[15] Originally constructed for the government, there is now a restaurant and function centre within the building, and regular concerts and art exhibitions are also held here.[citation needed]
TheQueensland Gallery of Modern Art has a total floor area of 25,000 square metres (269,098 sq ft). The Gallery holds mostly Queensland arts as well as a variety of artworks from around the world.[citation needed]
TheQueensland Museum has various human and natural historical artefacts. It is located within theQueensland Cultural Centre atSouth Bank and has various cafes and restaurants within and surrounding its location across the Brisbane River from theBrisbane CBD.[citation needed]
Also located within the Entertainment District of South Bank, theQueensland Performing Arts Centre has a number of theatres and auditoriums showcasing various famous shows and operas annually. Some of the most recognized shows featured at the centre includeMamma Mia!,The Phantom of the Opera,Wicked,Jersey Boys, and International Gala.[citation needed]
TheState Library of Queensland is Queensland's largest library, and contains extensive historical and archive materials.[citation needed]
TheMuseum of Brisbane is the City ofBrisbane's official museum and is located inBrisbane City Hall. It features a changing exhibition program that celebrates Brisbane through social history, visual arts, craft and design.[citation needed]
TheQueensland Maritime Museum is located adjacent toSouth Bank Parklands.[citation needed]
Brisbane's major parklands include the riversideCity Botanic Gardens atGardens Point,Roma Street Parkland, the 27-hectareVictoria Park atSpring Hill andHerston,South Bank Parklands along the river atSouth Bank, theBrisbane Botanic Gardens atMount Coot-tha and the riversideNew Farm Park atNew Farm.[citation needed]
There are many national parks surrounding the Brisbane metropolitan area. TheD'Aguilar National Park is a majornational park along the northwest of the metropolitan area in theD'Aguilar Range. TheGlass House Mountains National Park is located to the north of the metropolitan area in theGlass House Mountains and provides green space between the Brisbane metropolitan area and theSunshine Coast. TheTamborine National Park atTamborine Mountain is located in theGold Coast hinterland to the south of the metropolitan area.[citation needed]
The eastern metropolitan area is built along theMoreton Bay Marine Park, encompassingMoreton Bay. Significant areas ofMoreton,North Stradbroke andBribie islands also covered by theMoreton Island National Park,Naree Budjong Djara National Park and theBribie Island National Park respectively. TheBoondall Wetlands in the suburb ofBoondall include 1100 hectares of wetlands which are home tomangroves andshorebirds as well as walking tracks.[citation needed]
There are manynational parks surrounding the Brisbane metropolitan area which are popular recreational attractions for hiking and bushwalking. TheD'Aguilar National Park runs along the northwest of the metropolitan area in theD'Aguilar Range, and contains popular bushwalking and hiking peaks atMount Nebo,Camp Mountain,Mount Pleasant,Mount Glorious,Mount Samson andMount Mee. TheGlass House Mountains National Park is located to the north of the metropolitan area in theGlass House Mountains between it and that of theSunshine Coast. TheTamborine National Park atTamborine Mountain is located in theGold Coast hinterland to the south of the metropolitan area.Moreton,North Stradbroke andBribie islands are substantially covered by theMoreton Island National Park,Naree Budjong Djara National Park and theBribie Island National Park respectively. TheBoondall Wetlands in the suburb ofBoondall are protectedmangrove wetlands with floating walking trails.[citation needed]
The suburbMount Coot-tha Reserve contains theMount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens which house theSir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and the "Tsuki-yama-chisen" Japanese Garden (formerly of the Japanese Government Pavilion of Brisbane'sWorld Expo '88). Atop the mountain is theMount Coot-tha Lookout, providing views of the metropolitan area and Moreton Bay.[citation needed]
South Bank Parklands attractions include theWheel of Brisbane (a large ferris wheel), a swimming lagoon with sandy beaches, theSouth Bank Arbour,[16][17][18] rainforest walks, picnic areas and a picturesque riverfront promenade. Entertainment venues at South Bank Parklands include theQueensland Conservatorium Griffith University andSuncorp Piazza. South Bank Parklands are also home to the Lifestyle Markets on Fridays (5pm-10pm), Saturdays (11am-5pm) and Sundays (9am-5pm).[citation needed]
TheCity Botanic Gardens include Brisbane's most mature gardens, with many rare and unusual botanic species. In particular the Gardens feature a special collection ofcycads,palms,figs andbamboo. The Gardens are located at Gardens Point, to the south-east of the CBD, within walking distance of the city centre.[citation needed]
New Farm Park is a large heritage-listed riverfrontpublic park covering 15 hectares (37 acres). It is located at the southeastern end of the New Farm peninsula within a bend in theBrisbane River.[19] ThePowerhouse arts centre is at the eastern end of the park. The park also includes theNew Farm Park ferry wharf and links to theBrisbane Riverwalk fromNewstead toToowong. It is one of Brisbane's most popular parklands and tourist attractions.[citation needed]
Roma Street Parkland is the world's largest subtropical garden in a city centre.[20] The parkland features a variety of themed gardens and recreational areas, with a web of pathways and boardwalks traversing cascading waterways and rocky outcrops, andin situartworks by 16 local artists. Roma Street Parkland also has an open airamphitheatre (which was previously called the Albert Park Amphitheatre).[citation needed]
Moreton Bay and itsmarine park is also a major attraction, and its three primary islandsMoreton Island,North Stradbroke Island andBribie Island, accessible by ferry, contain popular surf beaches and resorts.Tangalooma resort on Moreton Island is popular for its nightly wild dolphin feeding attraction, and for operating Australia's longest running whale watching cruises. Beachside suburbs such as those on theRedcliffe Peninsula, as well asShorncliffe,Sandgate,Wynnum,Manly andWellington Point are also popular attractions for their bayside beaches, piers, and infrastructure for boating, sailing, fishing andkitesurfing.[citation needed]
Moreton Bay is on the east side of Brisbane, sheltered from thePacific Ocean by two sand islands -Moreton Island to the north andNorth Stradbroke Island to the south. Activities here include sailing, boating, diving,windsurfing and fishing.Tangalooma, at the site of an old whaling station on the bay-side of Moreton Island, offers diving, whale-watching and dolphin tours. The two larger islands, and many of the smaller islands, for example,Coochiemudlo Island, Lamb Island andRussell Island, can be accessed by ferry.St Helena Island is near the mouth of the Brisbane River and is significant for its history as apenal colony, and itsmigratory birds.[citation needed]
Beachside suburbs that offer swimming and watersports includeWynnum,Manly,Shorncliffe,Sandgate andWellington Point.
Nudgee Beach is a suburb about 18 kilometres (11 mi) outside of Brisbane. The beach is surrounded by numerousmangroves, and has a bike track that heads down toBoondall Wetlands.[citation needed]
Retail in theCBD is centred around theQueen Street Mall, which is Australia's largest pedestrian mall.Shopping centres in the CBD include theMyer Centre, theWintergarden,MacArthur Central andQueensPlaza, with the last of these along withEdward Street forming the city's focus forluxury brands. There are historical shopping arcades atBrisbane Arcade andTattersalls Arcade. Suburbs adjacent to the CBD such asFortitude Valley (particularlyJames Street),South Brisbane andWest End are also a major inner-city retail hubs.[citation needed]
Outside of the inner-city, retail is focused on indoorshopping centres, including numerous regional shopping centres along with six super regional shopping centres, all of which areamong Australia's largest, namely:Westfield Chermside in the north;Westfield Garden City in the south;Westfield Carindale in the east;Indooroopilly Shopping Centre in the west;Westfield North Lakes in the outer-north; andLogan Hyperdome in the outer-south. Brisbane's majorfactory outlet centres are theDirect Factory Outlets atSkygate andJindalee.
The 100 hectareBrisbane Markets atRocklea are Brisbane's largestwholesale markets, whilst smaller markets operate at numerous locations throughout the city includingSouth Bank Parklands,Davies Park in West End and the Eat Street Markets atHamilton.[citation needed]
Located in the centre of the city, theQueen Street Mall and its nearby surrounds isQueensland's premier shopping destination. The mall is open plan, stretching half a kilometre along Queen Street Mall.[21] There are five major shopping centres, two department stores and four shopping arcades located within the mall.[citation needed]
South Bank Parklands, once the site of theExpo '88, is now an entertainment precinct boasting entertainment, cafes, restaurants, man-made beaches, lagoons, playgrounds and views of the city along its boardwalk. It is also the location for theBrisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the temporary, relocatable Ferris wheel, the 60-metreWheel of Brisbane.[citation needed]
Queen's Wharf Brisbane, a large entertainment, restaurant and accommodation that is a new addition to Brisbane's cityscape. Officially opening its doors in August 2024, this multi-billion-dollar project, situated along the Brisbane River, has integrated the Star Casino, luxurious hotels, premium dining options, diverse retail spaces, and a signature sky deck with captivating city views. Queen's Wharf Brisbane aims to become a bustling hub, offering a dynamic mix of entertainment and leisure experiences for both locals and visitors.[22]
Howard Smith Wharves along the New Farm Cliffs below theStory Bridge is a stretch of riverside parkland which incorporates numerous entertainment and restaurant venues.[citation needed]
Brisbane's Eat Street Markets (formerly known as Eat Street Markets), is a lively food hub that occupies a repurposed wharf atHamilton. It uses recycled shipping containers to showcase 70+ vendors offering diverse international and local foods. From Asian street fare to gourmet burgers and desserts, visitors can indulge in a culinary adventure. Live music and entertainment add to the bustling atmosphere, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Eat Street Markets is only open on weekends, and is easily accessed by car orCitycat.[23]
Portside Wharf, located approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from theBrisbane CBD on theBrisbane River, is a residential, retail precinct with numerous cafes, restaurants, shops and cinemas.[citation needed]
Brisbane is notable for itsBrisbane Riverwalk network, which runs along much of theBrisbane River foreshore throughout the inner-city area, with the longest span running betweenNewstead andToowong. Another popular stretch runs beneath theKangaroo Point Cliffs betweenSouth Brisbane andKangaroo Point. Several spans of the Riverwalk are built out over the Brisbane River. Brisbane also has over 27 km (17 mi) of bicycle pathways, mostly surrounding theBrisbane River and city centre. Other popular recreation activities include theStory Bridge adventure climb and rock climbing at theKangaroo Point Cliffs.[citation needed]
CityCat Ferries arecatamarans, and are a pleasant way to travel past such Brisbane icons as theStory Bridge,Howard Smith Wharves andSouth Bank Parklands.[24]
Brisbane Greeters provide free walking tours around Brisbane, aiming to provide a customised, flexible, intimate and authentic experiences through a knowledgeable and enthusiastic local volunteer.[25]
Kangaroo Segway Tours offer tours of the city's major attractions usingsegways.[26]
Brisbane By Bicycle conduct daily tours of Brisbane city and surrounding areas in small groups. The tours are fully guided by a Brisbane local with extensive knowledge of the city including local bars, restaurants, events and attractions.[27]
Floating Images operatehot air balloon tours out of theIpswich &Scenic Rim hinterland regions
Yura Tours operate aboriginal cultural tours onNorth Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
Tangalooma Island Resort operate whale watching tours, dolphin interactions, and adventure tours from Brisbane toTangalooma, onMoreton Island.
Brisbane is home to over 6,000 restaurants and dining establishments,[28] withoutdoor dining featuring prominently. The most popular cuisines by number of dining establishments areJapanese,[29]Chinese,[30]Modern Australian,[31]Italian,[32]American,[33]Indian,[34] andVietnamese.[35]Moreton Bay bugs, less commonly known as flathead lobsters, are an ingredient named for the Brisbane region and which feature commonly inthe city's cuisine, along withmacadamia nuts, also native to the region. There are many Good Food Guide-awarded restaurants, cafes and bars in the region.[36]
Brisbane has a number of food markets to sample the local cuisine and street eats. Eat Street Markets atHamilton and Boundary Street Markets atWest End are popular weekend markets, especially with locals and offer a variety of cuisines from local restaurants and food trucks.[37][38]
Food tours provide great insight into a city's local food scene, and Brisbane's local food culture can be experienced on a tour with Delectable Tours.[39]
Whilst technically still within the boundaries ofBrisbane City Council,Tangalooma is a resort town on the sheltered western side ofMoreton Island that is a well-known tourist attraction for both day trippers & overnight visitors. in 2024Lonely Planet listed Tangalooma as one of the 'Best 100 Beaches in the World'.[40]Tangalooma is famous for its sustainable wild dolphin feeding program operated by the Tangalooma Eco Centre. The Tangalooma Wrecks, are a cluster of ships scuttled by theQueensland Government between 1963 and 1984 to provide safe anchorage spot for recreational boat owners on the eastern side ofMoreton Bay.[41] These wrecks provide some of the best diving and snorkeling on the east coast of Australia.[42] Tangalooma can be accessed via a 75 minute boat ride[43] from theBrisbane River with Tangalooma Island Resort operating 4 passenger ferries per day departingPinkenba.[44]
TheLone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened in 1927 and was the world's first koala sanctuary.[45] Wildlife in the sanctuary includeskoalas,kangaroos,Tasmanian devils,wombats,echidnas, various species ofreptiles, as well as many types of Australian birds. The sanctuary is located in theBrisbane suburb ofFig Tree Pocket.[citation needed]
Brisbane Tramway Museum is a transport museum which preserves and displaystrams andtrolley-buses, most of which operated inBrisbane,Queensland,Australia. The museum also has a collection of vehicles and other equipment used in maintainingBrisbane's electric street transport system which operated from 1897 to 1969. The museum is located atFerny Grove, a north-west suburb of Brisbane.[citation needed]
Newstead House, in Newstead Park, is the oldest house inBrisbane. Built in 1846, it is now a museum andheritage listed site. It is open to the public, andconcerts are sometimes held at the house and grounds.[citation needed]
Eagle Farm andDoomben Racecourses stand as iconic landmarks in Brisbane's horse racing scene. Eagle Farm, established in 1865, holds a prestigious reputation, hosting major events like theStradbroke Handicap and showcasing its heritage-listed grandstands. Doomben, opened in the 1930s, offers a more intimate setting known for its charming fig trees and regular race meets. Both venues provide a blend of world-class racing action and diverse event spaces, attracting both racing enthusiasts and those seeking a unique day out, with racing operating most weekends.[46]
Moreton Island is the world's third-largest sand island,[47] offers a diverse landscape of towering sand dunes, clear waters, and dense national park forests. Visitors can take a ferry to the explore the resort town ofTangalooma to take part in organized tours and activities, feed wild dolphins, access the Tangalooma Wrecks (a popular snorkeling and diving site), or embark on a 4WD safari's across the island's sandy terrain. Mount Tempest, the highest coastal sand dune in the world,[48] provides a challenging hike with rewarding panoramic views. Moreton Island is also home to a variety of wildlife, including dolphins, turtles, and dugongs.Cape Moreton Light is Queensland's oldest lighthouse atCape Moreton, a panorama that affords a great vantage point for spotting migratory whales
Mount Mee, nestled in theD'Aguilar National Park, offers misty forests that provide a refreshing contrast to the coastal heat, and its scenic lookouts offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The area is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, where visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, challenging hikes.[49] The historic Mount Mee lookout, built in the 1930s, provides a glimpse into the area's past and offers panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains and the Moreton Bay region.
TheScenic Rim, located just over an hour's drive from Brisbane, is a region renowned for its dramatic landscapes. Visitors can marvel at ancient volcanic peaks, explore hidden waterfalls, and hike through lush rainforests. The region is also dotted with charming towns and villages such asBoonah,Kalbar &Rathdowney, offering opportunities to experience local produce, art, and culture. The Scenic Rim is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities ranging from rock climbing atFrogs Buttress, mountain biking to hot air ballooning and scenic drives.
Stradbroke Island, known locally as "Straddie," is a haven for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The island boasts pristine beaches, ideal for swimming, surfing, and fishing. Visitors can also explore the North Gorge Walk, which offers stunning coastal scenery and the chance to spot migrating whales. Straddie is also rich in Aboriginal culture, and visitors can learn about theQuandamooka people's deep connection to the land through various cultural tours and experiences.
TheGold Coast is a strip of urban areas and beaches located about 78 kilometres (48 mi) south of Brisbane, about an hour's travel by car or train.[50] Major centres with shopping, restaurants and sandy beaches includeSurfers Paradise,Mermaid Beach,Burleigh Heads andCoolangatta. There are several theme parks in the region, includingMovie World,Sea World,Wet'n'Wild Water World andDreamworld, and wildlife parks such asDavid Fleay Wildlife Park andCurrumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.[citation needed]
TheGold Coast hinterland features rainforests and wet sclerophyll forest with walking tracks and picnic areas. Some areas also offer camping sites, bed-and-breakfast accommodation, cafes and markets. Popular areas for tourism includeSpringbrook National Park,Lamington National Park andTamborine Mountain. The Hinterland is promoted as "The Green Behind The Gold".[citation needed]
Bribie Island is a sand island north of Brisbane, accessible by a road bridge overPumicestone Passage. The area features a surf beach on the east side atWoorim, and quiet estuaries for boating and fishing on the west side, in the Passage. Accommodation is available in caravan parks. There are 4WD-accessible camping sites on the northern end of the island, which require permits. Attractions include the recently openedBribie Island Seaside Museum, Passage cruises, and birdwatching at Buckley's Hole Environmental Park.[citation needed]
TheSunshine Coast, about an hour drive north of Brisbane, offers a wide range of beaches, national parks, theme parks and golf courses. Urban centres that cater for tourism along the coastline includeCaloundra,Maroochydore,Noosa, andCoolum. To the west, the iconicGlasshouse Mountains offer scenic drives, lookouts, walking tracks and picnic areas. There is aginger factory atYandina, andMaleny andMontville offer art galleries, wineries, shops and cafes. TheWoodford Folk Festival, an annual music festival, is held near the semi-rural town ofWoodford, 72 kilometres (45 mi) north of Brisbane.[citation needed]
Rainbow Beach is a coastal town in south-easternQueensland,Australia, nearGympie, famed for its rainbow-coloured sand dunes, sand cliffs and pleasant beaches. The beach is located approximately 3.5 hours drive or 265 kilometres (165 mi) north of Brisbane, 76 kilometres (47 mi) east of Gympie and 700 metres west ofFraser Island on the Cooloola Coast.[51][citation needed]
Named after the spectacular Kondalilla Falls, where Skene Creek drops 90m into a rainforest valley, this park is a cool mountain retreat and an important refuge for many native animals and plants.[52] From Brisbane, the drive to the falls takes roughly 2 hours.[citation needed]
