Cruise the Brisbane River

The iconic Brisbane River is the perfect backdrop to this city of lifestyle and leisure. Being on the water is one of the best ways to enjoy a Brisbane sightseeing adventure. Hop on board a River to Bay cruise and experience the city’s iconic cocktail, breweries and bars with picturesque river views.

If you’re more of an adrenaline seeker, experience a ride with Jet Ski Tours Brisbane. See the sights along the Brisbane River for an unforgettable experience on the water. If an afternoon of leisure is more your speed, jump on a GoBoat for a picnic like no other! With no licence or experience required, captain your own ship along the Brisbane River. Pack a picnic and a few drinks as you bask in the sun and sight-see from the river in one of the environmentally friendly electric boats. If want to have sole control of your water vessel, Riverlife Brisbane have a kayak on the Brisbane River experience, which lets you captain your kayak for 90 minutes during a day or night cruise.

Get ready to party up the Brisbane River on the iconic YOT Club, the superyacht that brings Brisbane’s best events to the water. Hop aboard Brisbane's newest cruising entertainment venue, OASIS, and party across three different themed levels including a vibrant rooftop with a dancefloor and sun lounges. Book into one of these epic parties and raise your glasses to the sights of Brisbane. 

To keep the little ones entertained, experience the relaxing and informative daily Koala and River cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, run by Mirimar Cruises, and get the the best of both worlds, wildlife and city.

Dining

Brisbane’s dining scene is a force to be reckoned with, from riverside to rooftop views, European to Asian cuisine and casual to fine dining, there is no shortage of options to choose from. For a warm summery afternoon, you may find yourself wanting to dine alfresco style to really soak up the weather, The City, Howard Smith Wharves, Queens Wharf and James Street are filled with great options to soak in the rays while enjoying a delicious meal.

Ever evolving, there are always new places to discover. So, whether you prefer to indulge at breakfast, lunch or dinner, to experience local eats or to venture out into the regions, you will be leaving full and satisfied.

Go brewery hopping

On a hot summers’ day, nothing tastes quite like a fresh crisp beer, but when locally brewed - even better!

Born in Scotland and booming in Brisbane is a local brewery and taproom, Brewdog, located in both Murarrie and Fortitude Valley, you can be guaranteed a fun time and a good pour. . The Byron Bay classic Stone & Wood, has opened an industrial-style micro-brewery in Fortitude Valley, serving up their all-time best as well as some limited-edition brews. Our tip - get a tasting paddle, you’ll want to try them all.

Take a lofty steel warehouse, add a microbrewery, pub and restaurant and you’ve got Newstead Brewing Co. Feeling peckish? The kitchen pumps out gastropub feasts fit for craft brews. Why not make a day of it and stroll on over to Green Beacon Brewing Co. and Range Brewing so the brews keep coming.

Give the planning and the driving to someone else and join a fun, unique and educational brewery tour with Hop on Brewery Tours.

South Bank

South Bank is home to a whole precinct of activities and attractions perfect for you, the family or a date night out. Located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, the area is made up of 17 hectares of lush parklands and Australia's only inner-city, man-made beach. This makes South Bank Parklands the perfect place for a summer dip in the pool, stroll in the park or a barbecue with friends. Streets Beach is monitored all day by lifeguards and feels just like real beach – without the waves.

For breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views at 60-metres high, the Wheel of Brisbane is an uplifting way to see the city. Perfect for snapshots and a change of pace, you can experience the city sights from a comfortable air-conditioned gondola or book a VIP gondola for special occasions. 

For a romantic night out, head straight for River Quay at the southern end of South Bank. Beautiful dining and drinks, plus a lush riverside lawn make for a perfect date night. For more dining choices, a parade of restaurants and bars line Little Stanley Street and Grey Street with the South Bank Cineplex central to dining hotspots.

At the top of South Bank is the Cultural Centre, home to Queensland’s largest galleries, library and Brisbane’s most popular museum. Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA),is home to both traditional art and historic pieces and modern exhibitions, abstract works and so much more.

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), is home to over 1200 performances a year, boasting a catalogue of emerging, local, new and world-renowned productions.

The State Library of Queensland is a knowledge bank in the heart of the Cultural Centre, positioning itself as a community hub for sharing, learning, collaborating and creating.

Queensland Museum is a museum of natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement that also tells the changing story of Queensland. Permanent and rotating exhibitions provide refreshing education experiences for kids and grown-ups while the Sciencentre gets you up close and personal with the latest in research and discovery

Shopping in Brisbane

If you’re in the mood to shop, try out one of Brisbane’s open air shopping precincts that allow you to catch some sun while shopping luxury brands. Queen Street Mall is a unique shopping experience in the heart of The City, home to some of your favourite retailers, big international chains and luxury brands. while James Street in Fortitude Valley offers a leafy boutique and upscale experience.

Or pick up some fresh fruit and veg, artisan homewares and a bunch of fresh flowers, as you shop your way through one of the many markets that pop up all week long. From bayside to city centre, Brisbane is home to a plethora of farmers markets.

Island adventures

Brisbane’s coastline is home to a multitude of idyllic islands, perfect for day trips or longer holidays to be immersed in nature and adventure. North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah is just an hour from Brisbane City and is known for some of the most spectacular scenery of headlands, freshwater lakes, white sandy beaches and thriving wildlife. Or, jump on a ferry to Tangalooma Island Resort and experience a nature lover's paradise. Discover unique wildlife and marine life, shipwreck snorkelling, sand boarding, a range of water-based activities and ATV quad bike tours.

Breathtaking views

If you have seen enough on the islands, Brisbane has plenty of sights to marvel at. It’s hard to beat the bird’s eye view of the The City The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a thrilling way to get breathtaking views over Brisbane. Or keep your feet on the ground and enjoy stunning city views perched on the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. A quick drive up to Mt Coot-Tha offers more wonderful sunrise and sunset views of Brisbane from a distance, or stay after the sun goes down and watch the city lights and star-lit skies sparkle to life.

For truly spectacular views of the regions you can shoot to the sky with one of Brisbane's hot air ballooning opportunities. Hot Air Balloon Brisbane can collect you from within Brisbane City well before the sunrise to take you down to O'Reillys in the Scenic Rim for a vineyard and coastal view. Thirty minutes west of the city, Floating Images promises the most beautiful countryside and cityside views across the Lockyer Valley and the city of Ipswich.