Things to do in Brisbane
Sort
Brisbane River Cruise & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary EntryYou board at Southbank, cruise downriver for an hour, then have three unscheduled hours at Lone Pine to see koalas, kangaroos, sheepdog and bird of prey shows, and wild lorikeets. The return cruise leaves at 1:30pm and gets you back to the city by 2:45pm. Entry to the sanctuary and both boat trips are included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Australian wildlife without arranging separate transport and entry — the fixed schedule and included boat ride mean you show up at one place and the day unfolds on its own. It works well for families with young children and anyone who'd rather not navigate getting to Lone Pine by car.
Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise Moreton Bay & LunchYou board a catamaran in Moreton Bay and spend hours watching humpback whales breach and play within meters of the boat. You get a gourmet lunch, live commentary from a professional guide, and a guaranteed sighting—if whales don't appear, you return free. Optional pickup from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast means you don't arrange transport yourself. The whole day runs June through November, when humpbacks migrate through the bay.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see humpback whales without arranging your own transport or worrying whether you'll actually spot them—the guarantee and optional pickup mean you show up and the logistics are handled.
Brisbane River Cruise: Story Bridge & Kangaroo Point 90minYou board at the dock, settle in with morning tea, and spend 90 minutes gliding past the Story Bridge, Customs House, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and Southbank while a live guide explains the history. The boat includes a licensed bar, restrooms, and a souvenir map. Morning departure only includes tea and scones; afternoon departure is the same route without the food.Is it for me?Book this if you're in Brisbane for a morning or afternoon and want to see the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and the city center from the water without arranging your own boat or timing the stops yourself — the fixed 90-minute window and included commentary handle both.
Story Bridge Climb Brisbane: 360-degree city views from 80 metresThe Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a guided 90-minute climb up Brisbane's iconic bridge to 80 metres, led by local guides who share the city's history and culture while you take in 360-degree views. Children from age 6 are welcome with an adult, and the climb operates in most weather conditions including rain. A minimum height of 110cm and maximum weight of 130kg apply; the experience is fully wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Day and night climbs run at multiple times throughout the day and evening, so you can slot the experience into a free afternoon or plan an evening out around it. The climb is fully accessible and welcomes families, solo travellers, couples and groups, making it flexible for almost any visitor to Brisbane.
Brisbane: Segway City Tour with River, Cliffs & LandmarksYou’ll glide through Brisbane’s riverside paths and gardens by Segway, cross Story Bridge with city views all around, and pause at Kangaroo Point Cliffs as climbers scale the rocks below. Expect small group energy, local stories from your guide, and maybe even a Water Dragon sighting if you’re lucky—it’s more fun than you’d think.
Brisbane: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day Pass & Wildlife ShowsYou get full-day access to over 100 koalas, 75 native Australian species, daily keeper talks, free-range kangaroo feeding, and the new saltwater crocodile 360-degree viewing dome. The sanctuary is minutes from Brisbane CBD, wheelchair accessible on main paths, and operates in all weather. One pass covers all shows and presentations—no separate fees for each animal or experience.Is it for me?Right for families, solo travellers, and anyone who wants to see Australian wildlife without arranging transport or buying separate tickets for each animal—the day pass covers everything, and the mix of structured shows and self-paced exploration means you can move at your own speed.
Brisbane River Cruise & Lunch at Breakfast Creek HotelYou’ll float down Brisbane River with locals sharing stories, enjoy morning tea with scones on board, then taste fresh beer and classic pub lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel. Expect laughter, riverside views, and small moments that linger long after you’ve returned to Southbank.
North Stradbroke Island: Wildlife Day Tour & Koala WalkYou’ll cross by ferry from Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island for a day full of wildlife moments—swimming in Brown Lake, walking coastal cliffs on the Gorge Walk, searching for wild koalas with your guide, and relaxing at Amity Point Beach. Expect small group energy and space to linger in each place—plus that sunset ride back across Moreton Bay stays with you.
Brisbane: Australia Zoo Day Trip with Hotel Pickup & EntryYou're picked up from your Brisbane hotel and driven to Australia Zoo in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, with entry and a driver included. You spend at least six hours exploring at your own pace, catching the live shows in the Crocoseum and visiting the Wildlife Hospital. The driver brings you back to your hotel in the late afternoon, so you don't arrange transport or tickets separately.Is it for me?Book this if you want to visit Australia Zoo from Brisbane without arranging your own transport or buying tickets separately — the pickup from your hotel and included admission are what make a full day possible without the logistics.
Gold Coast: Hot Air Balloon Ride & Winery Breakfast with PickupYou’ll float over Gold Coast’s lush hinterland at sunrise in a hot air balloon, watch the world wake up below you, then tuck into a vineyard breakfast with fresh pastries and bubbly. Expect gentle landings, warm local hosts, wine tasting at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead—and maybe an alpaca encounter or two.
Jet Ski Safari Brisbane: 2.5 hours on your own skiYou ride your own jetski for 2 to 2.5 hours through Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, guided by certified staff, with no license or experience needed. The tour includes a 30-minute safety briefing, a 2025 Seadoo, life vest, bottled water, and a maximum group of ten. You'll see the city skyline, bridges, and waterfront mansions, with a chance of dolphins or turtles. Book at least 15 minutes before your departure time at City Botanic Gardens River Hub.Is it for me?Right for anyone 16 or older who wants to control their own watercraft and see Brisbane from the river and bay without needing a license or prior experience—the guided format and small group size mean you get instruction and safety without the learning curve.
Brisbane: XXXX Brewery Tour & Beer TastingYou get a 90-minute guided walk through XXXX's production floor with safety gear, close-up views of the packaging line (weekdays only), instruction on pouring technique, and three fresh beer tastings in the bar. The tour includes a local guide and wraps by early afternoon, leaving time to explore Brisbane afterward or stay for another drink.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see how a major brewery actually operates without arranging your own transport or timing — the fixed 90-minute slot and included guide handle both, and weekday visits let you watch the full packaging line in action.
Moreton Island: Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel & Dolphin Cruise with LunchYou’ll start your day with fresh coffee and pastries as you leave Brisbane behind for Moreton Island’s white beaches. Snorkel among the Tangalooma Wrecks with a local guide, then refuel with a tropical buffet lunch—think king prawns and roast chicken—before relaxing or paddle boarding in crystal-clear water. End your trip spotting dolphins and turtles from the boat, with salt still on your skin.
Springbrook & Tamborine Rainforest Tour: Glow WormsThis full-day guided tour from Brisbane explores Springbrook and Tamborine National Parks, two sections of the World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests. You walk to Natural Bridge waterfall at Springbrook, tour the Cedar Creek Glow Worm Caves (specially lit for daytime viewing), and hike Curtis Falls at Tamborine, with stops at Hinze Dam wildlife area and free time at Gallery Walk. The group stays under 21, and a professional guide leads all walks and points out the local wildlife — kangaroos, koalas, rainbow lorikeets and other birds common to the area.Is it for me?This tour works best if you're staying in Brisbane without a car, since the minivan picks you up and handles the full route to both parks — no driving the mountain roads yourself, no deciding which walk to skip, and no navigating between the two national parks. The guide leads every stop and points out the wildlife as it appears, so you're not searching the trees alone.
Brisbane Airport to Sunshine Coast: Shared Shuttle ServiceYou check in at the airport terminal, board a shared minivan, and get dropped at your Sunshine Coast accommodation without arranging a rental, waiting for a bus, or navigating unfamiliar roads. Departures run hourly from early morning to late evening, so you're rarely waiting more than an hour after landing.Is it for me?Worth booking if you're arriving at Brisbane without a rental car and want to reach the Sunshine Coast without arranging transport yourself — the fixed hourly schedule and door-to-door drop-off mean you skip the car rental queue and the guesswork of timing a bus connection.
Brisbane Walking Tour: City History & Story Bridge ViewsThis small-group walking tour of Brisbane covers the city's main attractions over three hours with a live English guide, starting at Queen Street and ending with views of the Story Bridge and the Brisbane River. The tour traces Brisbane's history from British colonisation and its impact on First Nations people through to its recent transformation ahead of the 2032 Olympics. Inclusions are a local craft beer or soft drink, a sweet treat, and group photos; the group stays small so you can hear the guide and move freely through the streets.Is it for me?Three hours is long enough to cover Brisbane's main attractions and history without eating your whole day—you'll have the afternoon free for South Bank, a longer lunch, or exploring the neighbourhoods the guide recommends. The small-group size keeps the pace steady and the experience intimate, so you're not herded through the streets or competing to hear.
North Stradbroke Island Day Tour Brisbane: Dolphins & BeachesYou cruise Moreton Bay on a luxury catamaran watching for dolphins, then spend a full day on North Stradbroke Island visiting Point Lookout, walking the North Gorge boardwalk, exploring Myora Springs and Amity Point, and swimming at Cylinder Beach. A local guide leads the small group, park entry and water are included, and the pace lets you actually absorb each stop instead of racing through them.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to see North Stradbroke Island's main landmarks and wildlife in one day without arranging your own transport, park tickets, or timing — the small-group format and local guide handle the logistics so you can focus on the dolphins, kangaroos, and ocean views.
Brisbane: Springbrook & Mt Tamborine Glow Worms & SkywalkYou spend a full day moving between two mountain regions — Springbrook's rainforest and Natural Bridge in the morning, then Mt Tamborine's lookouts, Gallery Walk, and the glow worm caves and Skywalk in the afternoon. Hotel pickup from Brisbane, all entry fees, and lunch are included, and the group stays under a dozen people, so the pace stays relaxed and the minibus can actually stop when something's worth seeing.Is it for me?Book this if you're visiting Brisbane for a short time and want to see the main hinterland highlights without arranging your own transport and timing — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you get two mountain regions, rainforest, glow worms, and a cantilevered walk all in one day without the logistics.
Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Walking TourYou walk Brisbane's streets with a guide who knows the city's criminal past—the fraudsters, brawlers, and crimes of passion that shaped the place. You'll see the actual locations where it happened, hear the stories the city tried to forget, and understand why the bright lights matter so much. Ninety minutes, no car needed, all areas accessible.Is it for me?Right for anyone curious about the real history beneath Brisbane's polished surface, especially if you prefer walking tours over bus rides and want stories most visitors never hear. The ninety minutes fit easily into an afternoon, and the flat, accessible route means you can move at a comfortable pace without strain.
Byron Bay & Gold Coast Day Trip from Brisbane: Lighthouse & BeachesYou spend the day in a small group traveling north from Brisbane to Byron Bay's lighthouse, with stops at a working farm for morning tea, free time in Byron Bay town for lunch and the beach, a detour to Bangalow's local shops, and a scenic lookout on the Gold Coast on the return. Transport, water, and entry fees are included; you arrange your own meals in town.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Byron Bay's lighthouse and beaches without arranging your own transport or worrying about driving—the small group and fixed itinerary mean you show up and the day unfolds, with enough free time in town to do what matters to you.
