Brisbane Travel Guide | Top Attraction, Hotels, Foods, Location
Brisbane, Australia is the capital of the state of Queensland and is the third-largest city in Australia.
Founded in 1825, Brisbane is a kind of “business city,” so there’s not much to do here compared to cities like Sydney or Melbourne. It is the kind of place where people work from Monday to Friday and then go to the coast on weekends.
Most people visit Brisbane on the way to the Costa Dorada or while heading towards Cairns. The city is a great stop on Australia’s backpacker travel trail and here you will find many hostels, small children and budget travelers.
While it’s not my all-time favorite place in Australia, Brisbane has a lot to see and do. It is a really great city with a high quality of life. South Bank has some good restaurants, as well as some good pubs in the city.
This Brisbane travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, visit interesting exhibits and attractions and, in general, have the visit of your life!
Map:
Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Brisbane:
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:
Snuggling up with a koala is a quintessential Australian experience, and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is an ideal place to mark this from your wish list. This compact sanctuary on the banks of the Brisbane is home to other Australian animals such as kangaroo, wallabies, domes, dingoes, snakes and even crocodiles. Daily encounters and experiences include demonstrations of birds of prey flight, platypus feeding, shepherd dog shows and shearing, talks by Tasmanian devil breeders and encounters with stable animals. In addition to the best hug of a koala photograph, you can also take home a souvenir of you holding a snake or a baby crocodile. A popular way to travel here is the Koala and River cruise, which leaves the Pontoon of the Brisbane Cultural Center every morning.
The Cultural Precinct:
On the banks of the Brisbane River, the South Bank cultural site is a fantastic and familiar destination to spend a day, with lots of excellent museums, galleries and showrooms. The award-winning architecture adds to the beautiful surroundings of the enclosure on the river near the picturesque parks, and you will find many things to do here for the whole family. Explore the excellent collections at the Queensland State Library; keep children entertained with the Queensland Museum and interactive Sciencentre exhibits, or enjoy the avant-garde art that invites reflection in the popular Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). The Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC) here presents world-class performances from everything from opera and ballet to comedy shows and concerts to contemporary music.
Nearby is the South Bank Parklands, where you can relax on the riverbank amid the lush gardens and gardens or take a walk on the Brisbane Wheel.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha:
Offering panoramic views of Brisbane, the Brisbane Mount Coot-tha Botanical Garden is a favorite attraction among locals and visitors alike. Not to be confused with the Botanical Gardens of the City, another serene oasis and picnic spot, the Mount Coot-tha gardens are seven kilometers from the city, with various themed gardens that take visitors on a journey through 128 acres of horticulture. Highlights include the beautiful Japanese gardens and the largest collection of Australian rainforest trees in the world, as well as sections dedicated to fragrant plants, bamboo, cacti, indigenous plants and more. Budding botanists will love the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail through the rainforest, and you can take advantage of free guided walks and minibus tours. Best of all, the entrance to the gardens is also free.
While in the area, stop at Brisbane Lookout Mount Coot-tha, about a four-minute drive from the gardens, to enjoy an impressive panorama of the entire area, with the city’s skyscrapers sprouting in the distance. There are trails that run through the national park, and a restaurant serves delicious food with excellent views.
Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA):
The excellent, free, Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) occupies two adjacent but contrasting buildings along the coast of the South Bank Cultural Site. Together, they exhibit more than 1,700 works of art from around the world, with a special focus on Australia, the Pacific and Asia. This bold collection will surely provoke lively conversations between art lovers of all trends. Even the award-winning glass building of the Gallery of Modern Art makes a statement.
Permanent exhibitions at the Queensland Art Gallery include the International and Asian Collection, with classic and contemporary works; the Australian indigenous collection; and the dramatic sculptures that adorn the gardens. In the Gallery of Modern Art, the exhibits cover all media, including sculpture, painting, video, film and photography. Special exhibits mean there is always something new to see here. Do not miss the fascinating installations of contemporary art. Also within the complex, Australian Cinematheque screens stimulate films from around the world, and interactive exhibits at the Children’s Art Center keep small hands occupied.
South Bank:
The original World Expo site in 1988, South Bank is full of parks, plazas and walks, as well as a variety of restaurants and exciting special events. This paradise by the river is right in front of the CBD, with Streets Beach in the center. Swimming in the artificial lagoon is a popular option on a warm Brisbane day. Other popular things to do here include exercising in the free gym classes, visiting the Epicurious Garden and riding a bike or walking the trails. You can also subscribe to a large number of free programs and tours for children.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the state of Queensland, the Brisbane Wheel opened here in 2008. The giant Ferris wheel is one of South Bank’s main tourist attractions and offers an exciting 10 to 12 minute trip with a panoramic view. View over the river and the city during the day or night.
River Cruises:
The most picturesque and exciting way to travel around Brisbane is with CityCat. Sliding the twists and turns of the Brisbane River seven days a week, the CityCats and City Ferries fleet with 24 terminals with free stops offers a variety of different cruises, many with informative narratives about the history and views of the city. From the magnificent University of Queensland to the North Shore, the route covers rebuilt industrial sites, riverside mansions, bridges and parks. This is a great way to get a new perspective on Brisbane landmarks, such as the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point cliffs and even some wildlife, such as fruit bats that gather along the mangroves On the river bank. You can also board a Miramar cruise to the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary. The CityHopper ferry service offers free cruises, with stops at attractions such as South Bank 3 and the Maritime Museum.
Queen Street Mall:
The vibrant Queen Street Mall houses more than 700 retailers displaying local, national and international designs and labels. In addition to the facade of a central and pedestrian-friendly street, a maze of arcades with historical heritage makes it gratifying to explore the complex. On most Wednesdays, the area at the end of the shopping center bridge is transformed into a bustling farmers market that sells local products, flowers and handicrafts.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb:
Built during the Great Depression of Australia in the 1930s, the fascinating Steel Story Bridge is a much-loved one in Brisbane. As one of the three bridge climbs in the world (after Sydney and Auckland), it also offers something totally unique: the option to make a descent in descent. Serving people of all fitness levels and those 10 years of age or older, the two-hour experience takes you 80 meters above the Brisbane River to get uninterrupted views of the city.
Moreton Island Day Trip:
Easily approachable for a 75-minute ferry ride from downtown Brisbane, The perfect day trip Moreton Island. As the third-largest sand island in the world and with more than 98 percent of the island designated as a national park, Moreton Island is one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets.
The lush vegetation frames the blue waters that bathe the beaches of pure white sand. The most popular activities to do here include snorkeling and diving in the many shallow-water wrecks; feeding wild dolphins at the Tangalooma Island Resort; quads and water sports, such as whale watching cruises, fishing and sea kayaking. Sandboarding and 4×4 adventures are also popular. While here, try visiting the Cape Moreton lighthouse to enjoy beautiful views of the ocean.
Museum of Brisbane:
Located in one of Brisbane’s main heritage buildings, this intriguing museum was rebuilt and reopened in 2013. This museum of “small size, great stories” occupies the highest level of the City Hall and brings the history of Brisbane and its people to life. Through a series of avant-garde exhibits that cover everything from the history of the convicts to the Brisbane floods. To the experience are added the panoramic views of the city from the magnificent clock tower.
Brisbane Travel Costs:
Hostel prices: there are many hostels in the city. A bed in a larger bedroom (10-20 beds) will cost around $ 15-20 AUD ($ 10-15 USD). A bed in a smaller bedroom (6 beds) averages around $ 26 AUD ($ 19 USD). Private rooms for 2 people with shared bathroom costs around $ 65 AUD ($ 47 USD).
Cheap hotel prices: you can find a room for 2 people in a 3-star hotel for as low as $ 160 AUD ($ 115 USD), but most exceed $ 190 AUD ($ 136 USD). Most of these hotels have private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. If you are willing to stay a little further from the city center, you can find even cheaper deals closer to $ 100 AUD ($ 72 USD) per night! A better alternative to hotels is Airbnb. On Airbnb, a shared room in a house has an average of around $ 18 AUD ($ 13 USD). You can find a complete apartment for around $ 90 AUD ($ 65 USD). In addition, some of Airbnb’s options have a pool or views of the Brisbane River (which is a great advantage).
Average meal cost: cheap takeaway meals and ethnic food like India or China can be found for less than $ 13 AUD ($ 9 USD), but most restaurant meals with a drink and tip will cost between $ 28 -40 AUD ($ 20-29 USD) A national beer in a bar will cost around $ 7 AUD ($ 5 USD). Naturally, if you have a limited budget, you will want to limit eating out. If you cook your own food, you can spend around $ 70 AUD ($ 50 USD) per week on staple foods such as pasta, vegetables, chicken and other staple foods. In the grocery store, a bottle of mid-range wine will cost you around $ 15 AUD ($ 11 USD), and a can of beer will cost around $ 5 AUD ($ 4 USD), both prices are much cheaper than If you were to go to a bar or restaurant and ask for one.
Backpacking Brisbane Suggested Budgets:
How much does it cost to visit Brisbane?
With a budget for backpackers, you can do it for $ 65-90 AUD ($ 45-65 USD) per day. It is a suggested budget, assuming you are staying in a cheap hostel or camp, cooking most of your meals (sometimes eating fast food) and using local transportation. With this budget, you could stick to mostly free activities or admission fees for museums/sites.
With a mid-range budget of around $ 225-240 AUD ($ 160-170 USD), you can stay in a private hostel room, eat fast food or take away ethnic food for your meals, enjoy some intercity trips in the region with the SeeQ card and see some more places (like the Koala Shrine).
With a “luxury” budget of $ 455 + AUD ($ 325 + USD), you can book a room in a beautiful 4-star hotel, enjoy restaurants for every meal, take day trips and rent a rental car for travel.
Brisbane Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips:
Brisbane can be a very, very expensive city to visit. Here are ways to save money when visiting Brisbane:
- Get a phone plan: if you are here for a while, the Telstra phone company has really improved its service and offers excellent phone packages that have great coverage across the country. Your call/text message rates are not that high either, so the credit will last for a while. Vodafone is another option. They also have incredible offers (sometimes better than Telstra), but they have more limited coverage across the country.
- Drink goon (box wine): Goon is an infamous staple food in the way of Australian backpackers. This cheap wine box is the best way to drink, have fun and save a lot of money at the same time. Usually, 4 liters costs $ 13 AUD ($ 9 USD) (compared to a pack of six beers for the same price). Drink this before leaving and save money at the bar.
- Cook often: eating in Brisbane is not cheap. The best way to reduce the cost of food is to cook as many meals as possible in your shelter.
- Book tours as a package: Australia has many fun activities and exciting tours that fit any budget. If you plan to do a tour while you are here, booking activities together through a hostel or travel agency will give you a discount and save you tons of money.
- Work for your room: if you have a tight budget and are looking to save some money, many hostels offer travelers the opportunity to work for their accommodation. In exchange for a few hours a day cleaning, you get a free bed to sleep. Commitments vary, but most hostels ask you to stay at least a week.
- WWOOF it! – WWOOFing is a program that allows you to work on organic farms in exchange for free accommodation and food. If you plan on staying in the area for a while and have a tight budget, see if there are farms or gardens looking for help in exchange for free accommodation and food.
- Couchsurf – Accommodation in Brisbane can be quite expensive. If you plan ahead, you can usually find a really fun Couchsurfing to receive during your visit. This way, you not only have a free place to stay, but you will also have a local host who can tell you the best places to visit and things to see.
- Fill your water bottle: tap water is clean and safe to drink in Brisbane. Reducing the $ 2-3 AUD ($ 1.45- $ 2.15 USD) for each bottle of water will reduce your daily spending. Not buying water bottles also has a good environmental impact!
Where To Stay in Brisbane:
I have been a backpacker here for years. These are my favorite places to stay in Brisbane:
How to Get Around Brisbane:
Buses: Most of the bus routes in Brisbane have their own lanes, which makes traveling by bus an easy and efficient way to get around the city.
Brisbane also offers free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop buses in the city center. They operate clockwise and counterclockwise every 10 minutes from 7 am to 6 pm, and will take you to some of the city’s key attractions (such as the botanical gardens and King George Square).
You can also take the CityGlider bus service that will take you a little further from the city, such as the West End or The Gabba (especially useful for sporting events). You can also use the Go Card for these buses!
Trains: Brisbane’s rail network is excellent and will take you to the attractions of the entire city and surrounding suburbs. The central station and the Roma Street station are two of the largest stations in the city.
Ferries: Ferries are a popular way to get around because the Brisbane River runs through the city center. Cityhopper Ferry is free and runs between the terminals of Sydney Street and North Quay. For other routes, you can take the CityCat and use your Go Card (or buy tickets on board).
Bicycle: With the CityCycle bicycle rental program in Brisbane, you can access 2,000 bicycles at 150 stations in the city. The CityCycle casual pass allows you to use bicycles for unlimited 30-minute trips per 24-hour period. It is also the cheapest way to get around: the first 30 minutes are free, then it costs $ 2 AUD ($ 1.45 USD) for 31-60 minutes, and $ 5 for every 30 minutes thereafter ($ 60 3.60).
Note: You must also deposit a deposit of $ 48 AUD ($ 34 USD) for the pass to ensure you comply with the terms and conditions.
Note: You must also deposit a deposit of $ 48 AUD ($ 34 USD) for the pass to ensure you comply with the terms and conditions.
Taxi: Taxis are expensive here and should be avoided.
When to Go to Brisbane:
Autumn (March to May) is the best time to visit Brisbane. The average daily temperature during this time is between 50 ° F (around 15 ° C) and 80 ° F (around 30 ° C), and there is very little rain. This is not high season, so you will find good discounts on accommodation and activities. However, you still want to pack sunscreen for this time of year!
Winter (June to August) and spring (September to November) are also ideal times to visit, as temperatures are still hot and dry. The average minimum during this time is only 50 ° F (10 ° C), but 72 ° F (22 ° C) is the average maximum. However, Brisbane can be very busy during this time (especially in September, when the artistic Brisbane Festival takes place, which lasts a month), so book well in advance.
You will get the best accommodation deals during the wettest and wettest time of the year in Brisbane, from December to early March. If you plan to do many outdoor adventures, this is not the best time to visit it.
How to Stay Safe in Brisbane:
Brisbane is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel, even if you are traveling alone, and even as a solo traveler. People are quite friendly and helpful, and you are unlikely to get into trouble.
When in doubt, always trust your instincts. If a taxi driver seems bleak, just stop the taxi and get out. If your hotel or accommodation is more sleazy than you thought, go out and go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and identification, before traveling in an emergency. Also, send your travel itinerary to friends or family so they know where you are to be safe.
As a general rule, if you don’t do something at home, don’t do it when you’re in Brisbane. Follow that rule and you’ll be fine.
The most important safety advice I can offer is to buy good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It is comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I never go on a trip without him, since I have had to use it many times in the past.
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