Brisbane Accommodation

Brisbane City is the capital of Queensland and is the home of many exciting cultural venues, like the Queensland Museum, and the Science Centre, which organises interactive exhibitions every year. The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art showcases art from several periods of Australian history, as well as displaying contemporary installations.

Visiting Brisbane, you will find an abundance of exquisite accommodation options. From stylish holiday apartments to chic apartment hotels and spacious holiday houses, there’s something here for every visitor. Apartments are available with one or two bedrooms, spacious beach houses offer gorgeous views of the ocean, and studios or motel rooms are also available for both leisure and business travellers.

How to get around Brisbane

The majority of Brisbane residents drive cars, so urban public transport only makes up a small piece of the passenger transportation pie. The Brisbane River also limits road transportation to some extent with only ten bridges allowing to cross from one side of the city to the other. Therefore, it is best to visit Brisbane on foot or by bike, whenever possible. However, motored visitors can access various parts of the city through the surrounding motorways, including the Pacific Motorway and the Bruce Highway.

If you choose to use public transportation, the Central and Roma Street railway stations, Queen Street Bus Station, and city ferry wharves will bring you close to most destinations in the city. If you’re heading to the north, east, or west sides of the city upon arrival in Brisbane, the Citytrain Urban Rail Network provides a convenient direct connection from the airport into the city.

Exploring Brisbane's colourful cuisine

Enjoy sumptuous meals at Brisbane’s best restaurants, some of which overlook the amazing lights of Story Bridge and the adjacent river ferries. Choose from a broad range of menus matched with local and exotic wine collections.

Try Esquire restaurant for inspired dishes that change according to market availability. If you’re after a funkier experience, Miel Container serves down-to-earth burgers from a playful red shipping container.

After dinner at La Vue Waterfront Restaurant, UP on Constance and Eleven have rooftop bars where you can enjoy cocktails with a view. Black Hide Steakhouse is your go-to for an honest steak.

Outdoor holidays in Brisbane

Story Bridge is an iconic structure that allows visitors to see Brisbane City from a whole new angle. Climb the bridge and enjoy the dazzling view over the cityscape. It will give you plenty of inspiration for further excursions as you can see Moreton Bay, the Glass House Mountains, and the Scenic Rim Mountains from here.

Adrenaline seekers won’t want to miss the exhilarating whale watching tours at Tangalooma, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these majestic creatures in the wild.

Take a day trip to one of the nearby islands, where you can enjoy calm, sunny beaches. Alternately, go snorkelling or diving at the Tangalooma Wrecks. Surfers will be happy to test out the beaches in and around the city.

The Aussie beach vibe offers a relaxing experience like no other. Right in the heart of Brisbane City, there is a fully-patrolled artificial beach. Access is free for all, and the beach features a sparkling lagoon with sub-tropical plants and white sand. Enjoy some ice cream, soak up the Queensland sunshine, or simply spend the day swimming and sunbathing.

Art and culture in Brisbane

Brisbane is paradise for art lovers. Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and the Institute of Modern Art both show cutting-edge collections in the heart of the city that will keep art enthusiasts occupied for hours.

Explore the quirky neighbourhoods of the city, each boasting its own unique feel. After getting to know the city, check out The Triffid for live music shows, or go shopping at over a hundred speciality boutiques in Fortitude Valley.

Family activities in Brisbane

The oldest koala sanctuary in the world, the Lone Pine Sanctuary is an exciting place to spend a day with the kids. Aside from the koalas - some of which might cuddle and pose with you - there are other Australian marsupials here, such as the kangaroo, wallaby, wombat, and the Tasmanian devil.

A boat trip on Brisbane River means that you won’t have to fuss with car rental or public transportation; just sit back and relax as you enjoy the scenic cruise. The sanctuary offers a 3-hour session to educate visitors on native Australian wildlife, including its most famous species, kangaroos and koala bears. After exploring the sanctuary, you can once more enjoy a ferry ride back into the heart of Brisbane city, a perfect excursion for the whole family.

Nightlife in Brisbane

Brisbane's nightlife is lively, particularly in the areas adjacent to the river banks. Though businesses close their doors at 5pm, the day is just beginning for party-goers. Here are a few of the options to consider as the sun goes down.

Fortitude Valley is the most popular night-life neighbourhood with many bars, clubs, and adult entertainment venues. The streets here are filled with the sounds of live bands, nightclub beats, and laughter. As Queensland is blessed with year-round perfect weather, it is the perfect location to explore outdoor and rooftop bars, where you can dance under the open skies. Most venues have an elegant holiday vibe with plenty of water features, greenery, and concrete slab tables. Many venues also have intimate lounge spaces, and fairy-lit beer gardens for the people who want to relax and get away from the party noise.

And that's not all! Brisbane also hosts lots of live entertainment, with Fortitude Valley once again topping the list of popular neighbourhoods. The Zoo, Triffid, and Tivoli are all popular live music joints with both national and international artists thrilling revellers with great performances. If you’re looking for more romantic vibes, The Foundry bar and theatre features some intimate live performances several times a week, while the Black Bear Lodge hosts local artists and upcoming stars. Finally, The Crowbar offers an alternative entertainment spot with lots of punk bands, metal bands, and hardcore performances.

Brisbane Holidays on a Budget

There's plenty of Brisbane accommodation that offers good value, including stylish apartments and hotel rooms. Choose a central location close to major attractions to save on time and transport costs.

The South Bank has 17 hectares of riverfront with a man-made beach, pool areas, and water play park. South Bank also has a state-of-the-art cultural precinct including the Queensland Art Gallery, and the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre. There's various free exhibitions and festivals throughout the year.

Stroll the local farmers markets for the freshest local produce, meat, and beautiful flowers. These are great for self-catering options. Wednesdays offer the Brisbane City Markets in the CBD. Have a look at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets and Davies Park Market on the weekends.

Nature lovers will love a walk through the Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. Admire its collections of native plants, complete with a Japanese garden and lagoon. It's easily accessed by car, bus, or bike.

Brisbane Holidays on a Budget

There's plenty of Brisbane accommodation that offers good value, including stylish apartments and hotel rooms. Choose a central location close to major attractions to save on time and transport costs.

The South Bank has 17 hectares of riverfront with a man-made beach, pool areas, and water play park. South Bank also has a state-of-the-art cultural precinct including the Queensland Art Gallery, and the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre. There's various free exhibitions and festivals throughout the year.

Stroll the local farmers markets for the freshest local produce, meat, and beautiful flowers. These are great for self-catering options. Wednesdays offer the Brisbane City Markets in the CBD. Have a look at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets and Davies Park Market on the weekends.

Nature lovers will love a walk through the Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. Admire its collections of native plants, complete with a Japanese garden and lagoon. It's easily accessed by car, bus, or bike.

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