Day one 

Morning: River Cruise 

Enjoying the river is a must in Brisbane and what better way than on a leisurely cruise? Hop aboard with Koala and River Cruises or River City Cruises to discover the city by water.

Afternoon: Riverlife Adventure Centre 

Soak up Brisbane’s inner-city outdoor green spaces with Riverlife Adventure Centre, nestled at the base of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Hire some bikes scooters or rollerblades and cruise along one of the city’s scenic riverside paths, or the bigger kids and thrill seekers will love gliding on the river with a kayak. For even more adventure, try your hand at rock climbing or abseiling down the iconic Kangaroo Point Cliffs to take in Brisbane from a whole new perspective.

Evening: Howard Smith Wharves 

Head to Howard Smith Wharves to catch a sunset over the Brisbane River and enjoy a delicious woodfired pizza or fresh fish and chips on the Felons Lawn with a sparkling cityscape as your backdrop. 

When it’s time to turn in for the night, Brisbane offers plenty of spacious, self-contained apartments that are perfect for families.  Stay in the heart of the action at Emporium Hotel South Bank, Rydges South Bank or Novotel Brisbane South Bank,  located just steps from the South Bank Parklands and cultural precinct. For extra space and convenience, opt for family friendly central options like W Brisbane, Sofitel Brisbane Central, Hyatt Regency Brisbane or Marriott Brisbane. With so many great stays to choose from, you’ll find the perfect Brisbane base for the whole family to enjoy.

Day two

Morning: South Bank 

Wander through South Bank’s cultural centre and make tracks to Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) for kid friendly exhibitions, discover the story sessions and creative play spaces at the State Library, explore the hands-on discovery centre at the Queensland Museum, or the always fascinating Sparklab. Make your way to the state-of-the-art playground in South Bank Parklands, perfect for all ages. 
 
Take a dip in Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city beach, or join a free Brisbane Greeters tour of South Bank to uncover hidden stories of South Bank in a fun family-friendly way - departing from the South Bank Visitor Information & Booking Centre.

When hunger strikes, the South Bank precinct has you covered. Choose from the many cafes and restaurants within the South Bank precinct or nearby Little Grey Street for an array of worldly cuisines. With everything from burgers to brewpubs, sushi and even a dessert lounge, there’s a venue to tempt everyone’s tastebuds.

Afternoon: Wheel of Brisbane 

You’ve seen Brisbane City from the river, now it’s time to get sky-high with a bird’s-eye view from the Wheel of Brisbane. Located near the Cultural Forecourt in South Bank Parklands, the Wheel of Brisbane is open from morning until late so you can enjoy a panoramic view of The City and surrounds at different times of the day. 

Evening: fine dining 

Book a babysitter (ask your concierge) and experience Brisbane’s fine dining establishments on a date night out. The inner-city areas of Fortitude Valley and New Farm or Teneriffe have a plethora of buzzworthy new restaurants to dine for. Book ahead for popular eateries such as the Italian-flavoured Etna, Agnes’ woodfired cuisine and the elegant Sushi Room, to name a few. Or venture to Eagle Street in The City to savour fine dining with exceptional waterfront views.

Day three 

Full Day: Scenic Rim adventure 

Make a day of it in South-East Queensland’s Scenic Rim region, just one hour’s drive from Brisbane. Spanning World Heritage-listed rainforests, soaring mountains, gourmet produce and charming country towns, it’s a rural escape right on Brisbane’s doorstep. Littlies will love visiting the farms, such as Summer Land Camels and Tommerup’s Dairy Farm, while big kids will relish the more adventurous activities on offer. Get them out and enjoying the fresh air at Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, TreeTop Challenge, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra Lodge. 

Day four 

Full Day: Moreton Bay region

In the Moreton Bay region, families are spoiled for choice with fun activities and experiences. Stroll through Bee Gees Way in Redcliffe, an open-air tribute to the legendary band complete with nightly light shows, before cooling off at the Redcliffe Lagoon, a free kid-friendly swimming spot with shaded areas, playgrounds and BBQs. During strawberry season (June to October), head to the local farms in Elimbah or Caboolture to pick your own berries and indulge in fresh strawberry ice cream. For a day in nature, explore Bribie Island National Park, where calm waters, sandy 4WD tracks and picnic spots make for a perfect family outing. And from June to November, don’t miss the chance to hop aboard a Brisbane Whale Watching cruise from Redcliffe to see humpback whales up close—an unforgettable adventure for kids and adults alike. cruise from Redcliffe to see humpback whales up close—an unforgettable adventure for kids and adults alike. 

Other family-friendly things to do in Brisbane

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Get up close with Australia’s most iconic wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest and a must-visit for families. Kids will love seeing kangaroos, koalas, wombats, dingoes, and platypus in beautiful natural surrounds. With daily wildlife shows, sheepdog demonstrations, and opportunities to learn about native animals, it’s both fun and educational. Pack a picnic or relax at the café while the little ones enjoy the riverside setting. For a unique way to arrive, hop on a scenic Koala and River Cruise from the South Bank and enjoy the journey along the Brisbane River before your day of wildlife adventures.

Australian Sunset Safari

Hop on board with Australian Sunset Safari’s Moreton Island/Mulgumpin Get Wrecked Tour for an exciting full day eco adventure on Moreton Island/Mulgumpin, including sand tobogganing, snorkelling, swimming, beach 4WDing and paddling over shipwrecks in transparent kayaks.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is one of Brisbane’s most iconic experiences and perfect for families with older kids or teens. Harness up and scale the heritage-listed bridge with a guide leading the way, while learning fascinating stories about Brisbane’s history and landmarks. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views. Whether you choose a day, twilight, or night climb, it’s an unforgettable way to see the city as you feel on top of the world.

Thunderbird Park

Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain in the Scenic Rim is an adventure playground for the whole family, set among lush rainforest. Kids can dig for ancient treasures at the world’s largest open-air gem fossicking site or take on the TreeTop Challenge with rope courses and ziplines weaving through the treetops. For something more relaxed, enjoy a bushwalk, spot native wildlife, or play a round of mini golf. With camping, cabins, and on-site dining available, it’s the perfect spot for a family day trip or an action-packed weekend getaway.

Escape Rooms 

Escape Hunt Brisbane in West End is an adventure like no other. Choose from six original themed rooms for an immersive activity that gets everyone involved. In The City, put your collective brains to the test at Fox in a Box Brisbane, Strike Wintergarden and Escape Manor for a puzzling experience. Become a real-life detective and crack the clues to escape before time runs out.

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Turn your gaze to the stars at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, where the wonders of space come to life. Step into the cosmic Skydome to experience recreations of Brisbane’s night sky, explore asteroid fragments and spacecraft models in the Display Zone, catch fascinating feature shows on astronomy and space missions in the Mini Theatre or stargaze alongside an astronomer in the observatory.

Go Karting

Satisfy young speed demons with a trip to the track. Eagle Farm is home to the indoor Slideways Go Karting Brisbane, which features 425m of all-weather adrenaline-pumping action. Kingston Park Raceway at Brisbane’s southside region of Logan, also delivers the fun and thrill of go kart racing that’s suitable for all. Daredevils can take it up a notch on the 1.1km Le Mans international standard circuit track for the ultimate go karting experience.

Markets around Brisbane

Pick up a bargain at one of Brisbane’s markets. Whether you’re after fresh produce, tasty eats, international flavours or the latest crafty pieces, there’s plenty on offer. Take a leisurely wander while listening to local performers and live music. Check out the Brisbane City Markets on Wednesdays in The City, The Collective Markets at South Bank, Eat Street Northshore or the Riverside at the Gardens Market on Sundays.

Nyanda Cultural Tours

Discover First Nations culture and traditions with Nyanda Cultural Tours on a two-hour guided journey through Brisbane’s Nudgee Waterholes, Bora Ring and the Bush Food Gardens. This immersive family-friendly experience includes a Welcome to Country smoke ceremony, hands-on craft demonstrations, bush food tastings and the chance to hear the powerful sounds of a bull-roarer at the sacred Bora Ring.

Check out our top places in The City for a family feed, with fun dining experiences, dedicated kids’ menus and affordable bites.