Just arrived in the Sunshine State and looking to explore Brisbane?
Luckily for you, there are so many things to do in Brisbane, whatever your budget! Whether you’re on a budget or are keen to splurge, there are plenty of things to do and places to explore. We’ve put together a handy list of activities you can do while you’re in Brisbane.
Cheap and cheerful
Museum-hop around St Lucia
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The University of Queensland‘s (UQ) iconic St Lucia campus is home to no less than five unique museums! Free and open to the public, you can spend your day discovering them all.
The Art Museum is packed with contemporary exhibitions, the Anthropology Museum houses a range of art and artifacts, RD Milns Antiquities Museum is perfect for those who love classical relics, the Physics Museum is an insight into UQ’s 100+ year history, and check out the weird and wonderful objects at the Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History.
Get cultured at QAGOMA
Take a trip to South Bank and spend an afternoon wandering around the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). There’s an abundance of thought-provoking art pieces to admire, and you can also check out the paid exhibitions showcasing artists from all over the world. Make sure you bring your student card so that you can access discounted concession tickets.
Exploring QAGOMA is a great way to spend an afternoon, and it’s easily accessible via South Bank’s bus and train transportation hubs.
Laze around Streets Beach
Since you’re already in South Bank, why not catch some sun on Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach? Streets Beach is an iconic destination in the heart of Brisbane, with tons of cafés, restaurants and bars to keep you hydrated while you sunbathe.
Even if you don’t feel like going for a swim, it’s a really beautiful place to just walk around and soak up Brisbane’s laid-back vibe.
Take in the views at Mount Coot-tha
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A stay in Brisbane really isn’t complete without a trip to one of its most iconic destinations: the Mount Coot-tha lookout. The panoramic views of Brisbane are absolutely breathtaking, and it’s a special place if you’re looking to wow your significant other or enjoy a picnic with a couple of friends.
Stretch your budget
Become a sports fan
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Australians are fanatical about sport, and if you love playing or watching sport, Brisbane is the place to be!
Head to Suncorp Stadium for an NRL or NRLW game, or if you’re lucky to get tickets, the State of Origin showdowns between Queensland and New South Wales. You’ll be cheering for the Maroons, as a Queensland local!
Want to learn the rules of AFL, or interested in the Twenty20 cricket season? The Gabba hosts both Brisbane Lions AFL games and Brisbane Heat Twenty20 matches.
Game the night away at B.Lucky and Sons
Feel like proving to your friends that you’re the superior gamer? B. Lucky and Sons is Brisbane’s most famous arcade for adults, where you can team up with a group of friends or enjoy your own company and spend a few hours playing a range of games.
Passes start from $30 (with bonuses added depending on how much you buy), which would get you at least a solid hour of entertainment. There are racing games, shoot ‘em ups, basketball games, and so much more.
Enjoy Brisbane’s music scene
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Music fans rejoice! Brisbane is home to various venues that host local and international artists all throughout the year. For big‑ticket events, you’ve got Riverstage, an outdoor amphitheatre in the Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, a 13,500 capacity indoor arena that regularly welcomes superstars like Tyler the Creator, Lewis Capaldi and Rüfüs Du Sol.
Prefer a smaller venue? The Fortitude Music Hall plays host to musicians, comedians and DJs among many more. Into classical? The UQ School of Music is home to a concert series featuring everything from solo student recitals to full symphony orchestra performances.
Unleash your inner diva at karaoke
Feel like a sing-along? To get the best karaoke experience, you can’t go past Brisbane institution Music City, located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. There are many rooms of differing sizes, so you can bring a group of friends or enjoy your moment of stardom solo.
Prices range from $30 per hour for up to 3 people, $40 per hour for 4–5 people, and then $50 per hour for 6–8 people. There are numerous other karaoke venues around Brisbane – like Blute’s Bar, Cloud 8 and The Palace Lounge – but Music City is undeniably the best place for karaoke in Brisbane.
Go big or go home
Take a trip to Stradbroke Island
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Just a short ferry ride away from Brisbane, you’ll find North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). It’s an incredible place where you can stroll down the beach, take in local wildlife and even ride quadbikes! And that’s just the start…
For those that enjoy the water, you can snorkel, swim, surf, kayak, go whale watching or fish. On land, try out sandboarding, enjoy a picnic on the shore or go souvenir shopping at the Point Lookout Markets.
As a popular tourist destination, some activities and accommodation options can be a little pricey on Stradbroke Island. But, if you plan in advance and stay in a hostel (or even camp!), you can still make it a cheap weekend away.
Dine at Brisbane’s best restaurants
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From street food to fine dining, you’ll find a meal for every tastebud in Brisbane. Share a set menu with friends at Patina on UQ’s St Lucia campus, or enjoy breakfast at any time of the day at Pancha.
If you’d rather go all out on an award-winning meal, try Rogue Bistro for a modern Australian degustation, head to Exhibition for their mysterious, ever changing menu, or sample dishes cooked on an open fire at Agnes.
Feature image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
