When is the best time of year to fly to Brisbane?

Brisbane offers a mild sub-tropical climate all year-round.

Travelling to Brisbane during March to May (Autumn) is the most ideal as the season brings comfortable, sunny weather, and there is little rainfall. Avoid school holidays and you’ll also skip the crowds (plus grab a better value flight ticket).

Winter is spectacular, revel in the blue skies, and despite the jackets and boots optimistically worn by the locals you’ll experience an average of 22 degrees during the day.

The summer months (December to February) is, as Brisbane folk say, ‘muggy’, but it’s insta perfect weather if you’re travelling to Queensland for a beach holiday.

What are Brisbane's top attractions?

Brisbane is bursting alive with culture, natural sights, galleries, parklands, markets and more. There’s activities and attractions to suit every traveller.

Howard Smith Wharves

Originally constructed in the 1930s, with a rich shipyard history, the site of Howard Smith Wharves has been repurposed into Brisbane’s favourite new hot-spot. Howard Smith Wharves showcases old warehouses brought back to life, with a craft beer hall and conference spaces, new-build bars, cafes and restaurants. Sample local brews at Felons Brewing Co, relax on the lawn over fish and chips, enjoy a cocktail at Mr Percivals, or dine at one of the many choices including Greca Restaurant.

QAGOMA

Considered one of the top 10 contemporary art galleries in the world, the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is home to over 1,700 works of art from around the world, a must-visit destination of its own right when you fly to Brisbane. Regularly changing exhibitions spotlight everything from painting, sculpture and photography. QAGOMA is also home to the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT), showcasing contemporary art from across Australia, Asia and the Pacific.

During the summer months QAGOMA comes alive with “Up Late” - signature events bringing major exhibitions to life after hours, the gallery’s spaces filled with live music by cutting edge and emerging musicians. Up Late has hosted exclusive live performances by Caribou, Wolfmother, Katie Noonan, Chet Faker, DJ Krush and more.

Museum of Brisbane (MoB)

Housed in the top level of City Hall, this intriguing museum was redeveloped and reopened in 2013. It brings Brisbane’s vibrant history, culture and art to life through state-of-the-art (often quirky) exhibitions, workshops, special events, talks and MoB Kids children’s activities.

Exhibitions past have included The Designers Guide: Easton Pearson – fashionista heaven, and High Rotation by Sean Sennett – showcasing some of Brisbane’s most memorable musicians including Regurgitator and Savage Garden.

Make sure to also book a (free) Clock Tower Tour, a must-do on your visit to Brisbane. Enjoy a ride in one of Brisbane’s oldest working cage lifts, a look behind Australia’s largest analogue clock, and marvel at the 360-degree views at the top.

South Bank Cultural Precinct

This heritage listed precinct is the ultimate family-friendly day out, with a host of museums, galleries and performance venues. Meander through the unique collections at the State Library of Queensland, enjoy the ballet or a musical at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), keep the kids entertained at Queensland Museum and Scienccentre, or view the cutting-edge art at Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).

South Bank Parklands

Start your day on The Wheel of Brisbane, the giant ferris wheel, a top Brisbane attraction with a spectacular birds-eye view of the river city.

A premier lifestyle and culture destination located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands encompasses lawns and rainforest, the iconic Streets Beach, and event / festival plazas.

Its home to Little Stanley Street and Grey Street - bustling with cafes, bars and restaurants, and South Bank Cineplex.

Mount Coot-tha

Once known by local teenagers for ‘parking’, Mount Coot-tha, founded in 1970, is a great place to get your bearings of Brisbane with its panoramic views of the CBD and beyond from the scenic lookout. The highest point of Brisbane also has a café, restaurant, walking trails, and 20km of trail for mountain bike junkies.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha

Covering 128 acres just 7km from Brisbane CBD, a visit to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha is a must for plant-lovers. Highlights include the beautiful Japananese gardens, and the largest collection of Australian rainforest trees in the world. Kids will love the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail through the rainforest, plus don’t miss the new Spotted Gum Trail. A not-miss highlight is catching a show at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a Brisbane bucket list attraction, located just 12km from Brisbane CBD. With a long ethical history, the Sanctuary opened in 1927 as a safe refuge for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas, at a time when the species was being culled.

Get the ultimate cuddling a koala photo, or one holding a snake or baby crocodile! Other Australian animals at the Sanctuary include kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes and more.

The Gabba

Also known as Brisbane Cricket Ground, the Gabba is an icon of the Brisbane landscape and the home ground for Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls. It’s also hosted Olympic soccer matches and rock concerts. This is where you’ll catch the Cricket in summer, and of course an Aussie Rules game.

Story Bridge

Sydney isn’t the only city with an iconic bridge at its heart, and one to climb. The Story Bridge, Australia's longest bridge of its kind, spans the Brisbane River, and is a central icon for Brisbane City.

Illuminated with different colours each night, the lighting display on the bridge is to commemorate a special day in history, raising awareness for charities and upcoming events.

A random fact to learn, the Bridge is painted every 7 years, using a whopping 17,500 litres of paint!

The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is one of only three bridge climbs in the world. Climbing over the steel structure you’ll have a birds-eye view over Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane city, Kangaroo Point, and beyond.

Where to eat in Brisbane?

Oh my, how Brisbane has grown in the culinary stakes, offering the very best in funky cafes, fine dining, and everything in between. You’ll find most eateries within Brisbane city, and inner-city suburbs like Fortitude Valley, West End, and The Gabba - however there are fabulous foodie finds tucked away in the suburbs too.

Where to find the best Cafes?

Brisbane is seriously kicking butt in the café stakes, with a host of both long-established and new cafes hitting the scene. If you’re shopping on James Street Fortitude Valley stop at Jamie’s Expresso Bar – serving up a solid cup since 1998, or Bellissimo tucked behind on Wandoo Street, the new Superthing if you’ve popped over to hippie-vibe West End, or Kiki at Fish Lane South Brisbane for a caffeine hit close to The Museum and QAGOMA. Great cafes are not only littered across the Brisbane CBD and inner-city hipster spots, the suburbs also have their secret gems.

Where to find the best fine dining?

Brisbane now takes claim to some of the best fine dining in Australia, with award-winning fine dining and degustation restaurants, across the city and inner-city precincts, to choose from. For a real treat try Donna Chang in Brisbane CBD, SK Steak and Oyster in Fortitude Valley, E’cco Bistro in Newstead, or Tartufo Ristorante Wine and Bar in the Emporium Centre Fortitude Valley. You’ll be spoilt for choice fine dining in Brisbane.

Where to find the best food markets?

Farmers markets are booming in Brisbane, providing locals and visitors alike the chance to sample fresh produce and meals that are both good value and tasty. From the renowned Jan Powers Farmers Markets Powerhouse (also found in Manly and Mitchelton), Brisbane City Markets, Saturday Fresh Markets in Rocklea, and the fabulous Northey Street Organic Markets - to name just a few.

Where to find the best cheap eats?

There’s no need to buy fast-food for a low-cost meal with so many cheap eats to be found in Brisbane. Venture to Ben’s Burgers or Reverends Fine Coffee in Fortitude Valley for the best burgers of your life, Botanica (located in Red Hill, Camp Hill and Teneriffe) for a gourmet takeaway salad, Bird’s Nest Yakitori (located in West End and Fortitude Valley) for char-grilled goodness, Kim Thanh Hot Bread in West End for the ultimate banh mi, or Govindas West End for vegetarian goodness.

Where to shop in Brisbane?

Brisbane offers a mine field of shopping bliss, from your basics, to local designers, high-end street fashion and vintage gems. The CBD, inner-city, and suburbs all offer an array of shopping options, from Queen Street Mall in the CBD, Westfield Shopping Centres, and legendary fashion streets like James Street in Fortitude Valley.

Some top picks are Aster + Lilou - a local label with a boutique in West End, Project, in Fortitude Valley – think vintage and cutting-edge streetwear, The Common Thread, tucked away in Bulimba – showcasing sustainable and ethical clothing labels, and The Elka Collective, on James Street Fortitude Valley – a breath of high-end luxurious simplicity. Watch out for Pop-Up stores too, everything from Sass and Bide to Valley Sunglasses.

For bargain hunters

There’s always a bargain to be found in Brisbane, from all the big brands at DFO Brisbane Airport, to the never-ending sales at flagship stores and fast fashion shops.

For fashionistas

No longer do you need to save your shopping extravaganza for Melbourne or Sydney, Brisbane has fast become the capital of high-end Australian and International brands, cutting-edge local designers, and relaxed street wear to match the Brisbane vibe. Little known is that little old Brisbane is home to some of the most unique designers in the country, from Sass and Bide, Dogstar, Maiocchi, and Alice Nightengale. Some areas of Brisbane lead the way with their high-streets such as James Street, however you’ll also find gems in West End, The Gabba, and Brisbane Arcade in the Brisbane CBD.

For the lovers of vintage

A treasure-chest of vintage goodness, Brisbane boasts some of the best antique shops in the country, scattered across the city. It’s almost a reason alone to book a ticket to Brisbane.

Explore New Farm Antique Centre, Southside Antiques in Annerley, Camp Hill Antique Centre (a homage to the old school cinema), Relove Oxley in the western suburbs, Bayside Antiques in Cleveland, and Empire Revival in Paddington. You’ll discover things were better way back when.

For everything in between

For all your other retail needs, shop in the many stores in the CBD, or shopping centres in the suburbs which house everything from the ever-so-addictive Kmart, fashionable Zara, to Myer and David Jones.

How to get around Brisbane?

It's easy to get around Brisbane using the city's public transport system. Use the Brisbane journey planner to find the best route to your destination and pick up a TransLink go card for easy travel across all bus, ferry and rail services in South East Queensland.

When exploring the CBD, take advantage of Brisbane's free transport options. The City Loop and Spring Hill Loop bus services depart from the CBD every 10 minutes during week days (7am-6pm). Alternatively, make like a local and explore central Brisbane by water with the free CityHopper ferry service.