The third largest Australian city and also called the “Sunshine City“, Brisbane offers sophisticated city attractions and is taken full advantage of by locals and tourists from all over the world.
Great coffee shops, restaurants, bars, lush parklands, galleries, zoos, cultural events, adjacent islands, the Brisbane river, and pristine beaches, makes Brisbane a very attractive and go-to tourist destination.
1. Major Tourist Attractions in Brisbane
Brisbane certainly has a long list when it comes to all the amazing tourist attractions. The tourist attractions in Brisbane include an array of outdoor activities that are innovative and creative.
The weather of Brisbane is undoubtedly an additional plus point when it comes to tourism. The warm climate throughout the year makes this beautiful old Australian city more lively and fun.
If you are wondering what are best things to do and what the top tourist attractions in Brisbane are, you are on the right page.
1.1. South Bank Parklands
One of the very popular tourist attractions in Brisbane is the South Bank parklands located just opposite the city of Brisbane and on the southern coast of the Brisbane river.
This place is the hub of entertainment and culture with several good restaurants, pubs, and shopping stores.
Taking a stroll through the Brisbane river on a warm sunny day is a great way to immerse in the spirit of Brisbane.
In addition, you can take a swim at Streets Beach, an artificial human-made lagoon on a warm day, or just enjoy the fun Brisbane screenings and events hosted at the south bank parklands.
If you are a shopaholic, take a look at the Collective Markets on Little Stanley Street which boasts handmade crystals and crafts including vintage clothes and pieces of jewelry every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; surely one of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane to explore.
1.2. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Who does not love some cute little koalas? You could stare at them for the entire day and never get bored.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of the very entertaining tourist attractions in Brisbane with not only adorable koalas but holding more than 100 species of other Australian animals.
You can hand feed the kangaroos, take a photo with a koala or just watch the flocks of rainbow lorikeets; every view in this sanctuary is super exciting and fun.
It’s one of the largest and oldest koala sanctuaries on earth and the zoo keepers keep all the animals very engaged; thus making the sanctuary experience fun.
Some of the common encounters include feeding the platypus, barn animals, and sheepdog shearing shows. Also, you can encounter other animals like snakes, wombats, dingoes, crocodiles, and wallabies.
1.3. Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art
The amazing Queensland Art Gallery is one of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane if you are an art fanatic.
The gallery does not cost you an entry fee and features artworks from all around the world including Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. Just adjacent to the Queensland Art Gallery is the Gallery of Modern Art boasting award-winning modern contemporary artworks.
Significant artworks by Pablo Picasso and Richard Godfrey Rivers and the Indigenous Aussie arts collection are all displayed at the Queensland Art Gallery along with pretty interiors including gigantic chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Gallery of Modern Art displays something new including various videos, films, sculptures, photography, and paintings, and makes it one the finest tourist attractions in Brisbane.
1.4. Brisbane Botanic Gardens
The city of Brisbane is spoiled with beautiful lush gardens and Brisbane City Botanic Garden is the most popular.
This garden is located at Mount Coot-tha road, which is located almost 8 km from the main city and boasts picturesque panoramic views of Brisbane city, making it one of the best tourist attractions in Brisbane.
The botanic garden is home to various subtropical plants covering a horticulture area of 130 acres. This amazing botanic garden has a collection of bamboo trees, indigenous plants, fragrant plants, cacti, and Japanese gardens.
The garden is surrounded by picnic spots, fountains, rivers, fig trees, and lily-topped ponds; an ideal place for some serenity from the city’s hustle and bustle.
1.5. Moreton Island
Moreton Island is one of the perfect tourist attractions in Brisbane for an island escape. It is one of the third largest sand islands on earth surrounded by palm trees and filled with exciting outdoor adventures.
The island is a national park and is home to a lot of wildlife and marine life both on the land and the sea respectively.
To explore this beautiful Moreton island, jump en route on a day cruise to Tangalooma Island Resort, which includes whale spotting, snorkeling, feeding dolphins and pelicans, sand tobogganing, Segway beach rides, wildlife viewing, helicopter tours, and an ATV Quad bike tour.Â
1.6. Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland is one of the ideal go-to tourist attractions in Brisbane, especially if you are traveling with kids.
The parkland is situated on the slopes of Spring Hill and the children will fall in love with the big 40-acre parkland which allows them to run and play freely.
The parkland is equipped with swings and slides and also serves as a great picnic spot.
The botanical beauty of the parkland is serene with fig, palm, and bamboo trees along with vegetable patches and colorful flower beds.
The lush green surroundings of the park, sunny picnic areas, and the leafy walking trails are eye-catching sights and a must place to visit and explore.
1.7. Eat Street Northshore
It’s time for some good food. Any trip is incomplete without good dining and Eat Street Northshore is one of the best tourist attractions in Brisbane when it comes to food.
This hotspot is not only about good food but is famous for its great ambiance with rocking live music and novelty acts. More than hundreds of food vendors sell delicacies from all around the world from Mexican to Peruvian cuisines.
Japanese pizza and deep-fried camembert cheese are some of the unique dishes to dry at this food paradise along with international cuisines from all over the globe.
The plethora of food is a bit overwhelming but worth the try. Kids will love the gigantic and colorful cotton candies, and all the foods are made sustainably and freshly.
1.8. Wheel of Brisbane
The wheel of Brisbane cannot be missed by any chance and is one of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane. The Brisbane wheel was inaugurated in 2008 and hopping on this wheel will give you a picturesque view of the Brisbane river and the city for a good 12 minutes.
Each gondola is enclosed with air conditioners and accommodates up to eight people.
The best time to hop on this wheel is during sunset when the city’s skyline is painted with beautiful fiery colours or during the night when the city lights reflect on the Brisbane river; surely making it one of the best tourist attractions in Brisbane.
The ride also includes an audio tour for describing all the iconic landmarks of the city. You can either pre-book the ticket online or buy the ticket on spot.
1.9. Queen Street Mall
Time for some shopping and Queen Steet Mall is the epicenter of shopping thus making it one of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane. The mall has plenty of options with more than 700 retailers boasting national, international as well as local designs.
Brands including Lorna Jane, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, R.W Williams, H&M, and Tiffany & Co.; this mall has got you all covered.
The mall buzzes with amazing cafes and a pyramid of arcades that are heritage listed. It is complete fun to explore the mall and on Wednesdays, the area at the end of the mall turns into a city market selling local products and flowers.
If you are a fan of designer home decor, do visit the Fortitude Valley and if you love thrift stores, head to the popular breakfast spot of Paddington.
1.10. Museum of Brisbane
The fascinating museum of Brisbane inhabits the top level of City Hall and displays a lot of Brisbane’s history and its people.
The museum exhibits a series of art exhibitions including the histories of the city and indigenous people, the present and the future of Brisbane as well as the Brisbane floods.
The museum always boasts something new with its temporary exhibitions; thus keeping the tourists engaged. In addition, the stunning views of the city of Brisbane from the clock tower should not be missed.
The best part is that the entry as well as the maximum tours of the museum are free. Housing more than 5000 artworks and sculptures, the museum of Brisbane makes the top 10 tourist attractions in Brisbane.
2. Takeaway
This is not the end; Brisbane has more to offer to its tourists including taking a tour at the Customs House, enjoying a show at the Suncorp Stadium, climbing the Story Bridge, or just enjoying the 90 minutes Brisbane river cruise tour.Â
A good combination of natural beauty, culture, and modernization has made Brisbane a top tourist destination in Australia.
