Whether you're a seasoned cyclist clocking up some serious kilometers on the streets, a casual rider who dusts off the bike for weekend adventures, or just a lover of the sport, the annual Brisbane Cycling Festival has something for everybody. And here's the best part: you don't need to own carbon fiber or know your cadence from your chainring to get involved. Even if you've never clipped into pedals in your life, there's a whole festival to experience, both on and off the course!

Accommodation

One of the unique things about the Brisbane Cycling Festival? The events are spread across the inner city, suburbs and surrounding regions, which means you've got plenty of options when it comes to choosing your home base. Whether you're racing at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Chandler, tackling the MTB Cross Country at Mount Cotton or catching the BMX Freestyle events in Coopers Plains, here's how to find accommodation that works for your schedule and budget:

If you want to be in the heart of the action with easy access to city-based criteriums and Brisbane's best dining, The City offers everything from luxury to budget-friendly stays. Premium options like The Westin Brisbane, W Brisbane, The Inchcolm and InterContinental Brisbane deliver high-end comfort with features like signature beds for recovery sleep, rooftop pools and interconnecting rooms perfect for families. Pullman Brisbane King George Square, Amora Hotel Brisbane and Ibis Styles Brisbane offer central City locations, and Hyatt Regency Brisbane sits above Queen Street Mall with a rooftop pool ideal for cooling off after hot race days.

Beyond The City, Crystalbrook Vincent at Howard Smith Wharves offers a truly unique riverside setting beneath the Story Bridge, while The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley’s James Street brings green, leafy luxury to one of Brisbane's most vibrant neighbourhoods and Sage Hotel brings the same incredible location for all your James Street's shopping and dining endeavours. Rambla Berwick House, also found in Fortitude Valley offers a laid-back retreat that’s convenient to access.

South Bank accommodation like Rydges South Bank Brisbane and Novotel Brisbane South Bank offer reliable  stays close to cultural attractions, parklands and delicious dining  perfect for families needing activities on rest days.

Things to do

The cycling might be what brings you to Brisbane, but the city's diversity is what makes the trip memorable. If you've already got your Brisbane Cycling Festival tickets sorted, make sure to check what else is happening during your visit. Everything you need from active recovery between events and family-friendly activities to multi-day adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences can all be found in Brisbane.

Start with  Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in South Bank, where world-class exhibitions rotate regularly and entry is free for most exhibits. The galleries deliver cultural experiences that awe and inspire, and you can easily combine art appreciation with checking out South Bank Parklands, where 17 hectares of green space, riverside walks, and  Streets Beach are waiting to be explored. While you're in the cultural precinct,  Queensland Museum Kurilpa and  The State Library of Queensland offer fascinating exhibitions for those needing a little quite time. Check what's on at  Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) or the  Brisbane Powerhouse in New farm too. Who knows, theatre, ballet, comedy and live music could perfectly bookend your race days.

For outdoor experiences right in the city, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens offer peaceful walking paths, heritage-listed trees and riverside views ideal for recovery strolls or morning stretches. Further out,  Mount Coot-tha delivers sweeping city views from the lookout as well as the  Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha for more extensive botanical exploration, and bushwalking trails if you want gentle climbs without the race pressure.

Adventure seekers have plenty of options beyond cycling. The  Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers 360-degree views you won't get anywhere else, while Kangaroo Point Cliffs deliver incredible sunset views and you’ll also find abseiling and kayaking with  Riverlife Adventure Centre.

For more water adventures, you can hire a  GoBoat to captain your own electric picnic boat along the river, or experience the thrill of  Jet Ski Tours Brisbane on their guided safari along the Brisbane River..

No Brisbane trip is complete without meeting the locals - the furry kind.  Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary lets you see koalas, kangaroos and other native wildlife up-close, creating create memories beyond race results. The  Nocturnal Night Tour brings the sanctuary to life after dark when many animals are most active.

Shop

Left your spare tubes at home or running low on gels before race day? No stress. Brisbane is home to plenty of specialist bike shops and retailers stocking everything from last-minute essentials to high-performance upgrades.

99 Bikes has multiple locations across The City, Newstead and Milton, making it easy to grab gear wherever you’re staying. For more personalised service, Planet Cycles and Epic Cycles offer expert advice from passionate cyclists who know exactly what riders need. Nutrition is covered too, with health food stores and pharmacies across Brisbane stocking energy gels, electrolytes and recovery supplements.

If you’ve got time between events, Brisbane’s shopping scene is worth exploring. Queen Street Mall offers major brands and easy dining in the heart of the city, while James Street in Fortitude Valley is perfect for a relaxed post-ride wander among boutiques and cafés.

And here's the insider tip: if you're in town during the festival, don't miss the Active Lifestyle Expo, happening from 11-12 April in the City Botanic Gardens. It's the perfect opportunity to browse the latest gear, compare products side-by-side, speak directly with brand representatives, and often snag festival-exclusive deals you won't find in regular retail.

Eat and drink

After racing at your absolute best, you're going to need proper fuel, and Brisbane's food scene delivers everything from athlete-friendly nutrition to well-earned indulgence. Whether you're after pre-race breakfast, family-friendly dining, or post-event celebrations, there’s no shortage of option available.

Brisbane takes its coffee seriously, and cyclists will appreciate cyclist friendly spots like The Woolshed in Teneriffe Billykart Kitchen in Annerley, Dovetail Social in Highgate Hill and Mulga Bill’s in the heart of The City, each offering a wide range of food and beverage options for a morning pick-me-up. For substantial breakfasts that'll set you up for race day,  The Green on James Street serves their famous shakshuka alongside quality brews, while  Hunter & Scout in West End brings crowd-pleasing classics with creative twists.  One in a Million Coffee - just five minutes from the Anna Meares Velodrome - delivers hearty feeds locals swear by, and  New Farm Deli lets you grab picnic supplies to enjoy at New Farm Park's riverside location once you’ve finished on race day.

If you’re looking to carb-load during lunch, South Bank's Little Stanley Street provides everything from woodfired pizza to fresh Vietnamese or the neighbouring Fish Lane and West End precincts have a wide variety of eateries to choose from. If you’re nearby Paddington, Sunny Side Sandwiches delivers succulent sandwiches on house-baked Shokupan bread.

For family-friendly dining,  Eat Street Northshore transforms evening meals into entertainment with neon lights, street performers, and more than 180 food stalls serving everything from loaded fries to international cuisines.  Howard Smith Wharves beneath the Story Bridge serves riverside dining with and culinary joy from Yoko Dining’s fresh seafood to Felons Brewing Co.'s pub-style meals, and the waterfront setting to keep the kids entertained.

Brisbane's brewery scene is also family-friendly. From Felons Brewing Co. and Sea Legs to Newstead Brewing and countless other breweries across the city all welcome families during the day with outdoor spaces for kids to run around while parents enjoy quality craft beer.

After successful race days, Brisbane's dining scene delivers celebration-worthy meals.  Agnes Restaurant in Fortitude Valley brings open-flamed perfection,  Rich and Rare serves perfectly cooked steaks in West End, and The City’s fine-dining locations are plentiful from Naldham House to Tillerman’s Seafood Restaurant and Bar.  Paddington's dining scene rewards the short trip with spots like  Naim,  Paddington Social,  Remy's,  Sassafras and  Ngon all within walking distance of each other.