Brisbane's best photography spots
You haven't been somewhere if you didn't get a photo, right? So don't miss the opportunity to visit some of Brisbane's most photogenic locations to capture a picture-perfect shot.
We've done the hard work for you so you can spend more time snapping and posting your shots to Instagram and sharing them with the world. Most dreamy locations are easy to get to while others may require a scenic road trip through our stunning Brisbane region. The journey's half the fun!
Check out our guide to the best places around Brisbane to take eye-popping photos.
Kangaroo Point
Inner-city
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Easily one of the best views of Brisbane City is found at the top of Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Head here at sunset for a double whammy of panoramic views with spectacular sunset colours.
Fortitude Valley Laneways
Whether you’re looking for craft beer, American burgers, locally designed threads or just that classic laneway shot, California, Bakery and Winn Lanes are must-snap destinations.
Wilson Outlook Reserve
From this little park on the cliff’s edge above Howard Smith Wharves, it’s easy to frame an epic Story Bridge shot. Set up your tripod and wait for the sunset to turn the skies above Brisbane a spectacular shade.
Howard Smith Wharves
Located directly beneath the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves is a vibrant dining and lifestyle precinct with no shortage of subject matter. Discover the art of balance as you line up your next Instagram shot with a cold beer in one hand, a camera in the other.
Fairy light trees at QUT, Captain Burke Park and Brisbane City
Dotted around Brisbane’s inner-city neighbourhoods, you’ll find pockets of enchanting fairy-lit fig trees to add a touch of magic to any snap.
Rooftop bars
With almost 300 days of sunshine every year, it’s easy to see why rooftop bars are a popular hangout. Head to MAYA Mexican, Soko Brisbane, Cielo Rooftop or Iris Rooftop in Fortitude Valley for a drink with one of Brisbane’s most iconic views or the Terrace at the Emporium Hotel South Bank to find yourself with panoramic views of the city, 21 levels high.
River Quay Green, South Bank
South Bank
One of Brisbane's favourite spots to unwind, head to South Bank for a photo on the white sandy beach, by the iconic BRISBANE sign, under the blooming pink bougainvillea or down by the river at River Quay Green.
Fish Lane
Filled with local eateries and street art, inject a colourful splash to your feed with a trip to South Brisbane’s Fish Lane. Follow the train tracks for street art favourite, The Pillars Project.
Northern Suburbs
Eat Street
One of Brisbane’s most colourful hot spots, Eat Street is a foodie’s paradise complete with extravagant and photogenic dishes such as ice cream waffle tacos and fairy floss servings the size of your head.
Enoggera Reservoir
This popular inner-city oasis is perfect for anyone wanting to swim or paddle through calm waters. Lucky for you, it's also decidedly picturesque, offering an ideal backdrop for excellent nature photography.
Shorncliffe Pier
The iconic Shorncliffe Pier is Brisbane’s largest (and most picturesque) timber pier. We suggest visiting at sunrise when you'll capture the sun rising over the water and meet like-minded photographers trying for the same thing.
Eastern Suburbs
Cleveland Lighthouse
At just 12m tall, this hexagonal wooden shiplap lighthouse is utterly adorable. You'll find us here at sunset capturing pastel hues over the water.
Tropical Dome, Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Western Suburbs
Mt Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
If you’re aiming for the classic Brisbane city shot, hike or drive up to Brisbane’s leafy Mt Coot-Tha and capture a full skyline view. Extra points for sunrise shots.
Mt Coot-Tha Tropical Dome
This horticultural hot house is always a great spot for a snap or two. The geodesic dome is a marvellous sight outside while inside, it’s been designed to retain Brisbane’s heat – perfect for plants of the tropics who want it hot all year round.
Lone Pine
What a koala-ity place to spend a day snapping photos of our unique, Australian wildlife. Get up close and personal with kangaroos and koalas and see who can spot a sleeping wombat first.
Headland at Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah
Further afield
Moreton Island/Mulgumpin wrecks
One of Brisbane's true gems boasts crystal clear waters, white beaches and a shipwreck that more than 200 species of fish and marine life call home. Bring a camera and a GoPro to capture this from all angles.
Point Lookout and North Gorge Walk, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah
Take a stroll along the North Gorge Walk and take in ocean views over Point Lookout. Look out across the turquoise sea and you’ll often spot dolphins, manta rays, turtles, fish and even the occasional shark.
Morans Falls
A postcard-perfect view awaits at Morans Falls in Lamington National Park. It's a 4.6km return walk, so keep the equipment light – you don't need much to capture this beauty.
Mountains
If you're willing to hike to the summit, you'll be treated to expansive views that are definitely worthy of a snap. Mt Barney, Mt Cordeaux, Mt Mitchell and Mt Maroon in the Scenic Rim and Flinders Peak in Ipswich are our picks if you want uninterrupted views of the scenic landscape.
Kooroomba Vineyard & Lavender Farm
Nestled in the Fassifern Valley at Mt Alford, Kooroomba Vineyard & Lavender Farm coats the countryside in a lavender purple blanket and has magnificent views of the Scenic Rim mountains.
Daisy Hill Conservation Park
Daisy Hill Conservation Park is a forested oasis surrounded by urban development and home to one of south-east Queensland’s most important koala habitats. Walk, mountain bike or even horse ride through the park’s network of trails to snap truly stunning nature shots.
Floating above Ipswich
Explore South East Queensland's countryside from the air on a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon. Breathtaking views over the Scenic Rim and Ipswich at dawn make this ride unique and picturesque.
Happy snapping!
