Top Things to do in Brisbane Region
The 10 Best Things to Do in Brisbane Region, Australia
Discover the best top things to do in Brisbane Region, Australia including North Gorge Walk, City Hopper, CityCat Ferry, Roma Street Parkland, Cylinder Beach, Boggo Road Gaol, New Farm River Walk, Rocks Riverside Park, Queens Park, Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
Restaurants in Brisbane Region
1. North Gorge Walk
Overall Ratings
5 based on 569 reviews
Reviewed By Seatouner - Wellington, New Zealand
This is a well constructed walk around the edge of North Gorge. It's not too long or strenuous. Mostly made up of wooden walkways and steps it is very safe an offers very good views out over the ocean. Good for spotting dolphins and at the right time of year, whales.
2. City Hopper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By bullwinkle2018 - Burleigh Waters, Australia
We took three trip over two days on the City Hopper. One trip was almost 90 minutes sitting on the upper deck of the ferry with views from the river. The views provided us with a couple of places to get off and explore later. Friendly staff and free. Loved it.
3. CityCat Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Jonathan W
The City Cat is such a good way to experience Brisbane.
The City Cats are clean and very quite. Great engineering as they seem to just glide down the river, hardly registering the movement in the river as they move.
You get stunning views of the river and a very different experience if travelling in the evening. I recommend both a day and a night trip.
Staff are very helpful and friendly.
The best way to pay is to get a GoCard which you can top up when boarding the boat. I am pretty sure that trips cost $5 irrespective of how far you travel. If you tap off you have an hour to get back on the boat without repaying. This is useful if travelling the length of the river before returning to the city.
4. Roma Street Parkland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Scenic park located right in the middle of the city features colorful subtropical Gardens and Celebration Lawn, a green oasis for picnicking, flying kites or just relaxing.
Reviewed By barbara s - Logan City, Australia
I’m ashamed to say this is the first time I’ve visited this icon. WOW! It’s just one huge horticultural mine field. The Gardens are split in various sections. The Spectacle Garden, the Children’s garden, the lake abounding with wildlife.. it all radiates fro the Hub where we found one very informed volunteer. We loved the water dragons and the different plants that made this place one to visit.. it’s wheel chair friendly, dog friendly on leads, and a great place to meet friends.we even found a great cafe.
5. Cylinder Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By emskyb0p - Sydney, Australia
We'd been advised by our friends in Brisbane to take the Straddy bus right to the end, to Point Lookout, for a good swimming beach and snorkelling locations, but unfortunately the day we were there, all the Beaches and coves at that end were closed due to high surf conditions and dangerous currents. By the time we'd grabbed a bite and begun to make our way back to find an open beach, we were into the dead zone between 12.20pm and 3.20pm when there are no buses, so we were facing down a 34oC -1.5km walk up the bluff. Luckily for us, the bus was running about 10 mins late so we nabbed a ride back to Cylinder Beach, but visitors should be aware of this so they don't get stranded.
Cylinder beach was exactly what we were looking for. The surf was calm (perfect for little kids but not big enough for adults to body surf very well) and the patrolled area wasn't too busy. The toilets off the beach were clean and serviceable, there are fresh water drinking taps and a shower in the park, and it looks to be a lovely place to camp, too. There were rocks with some shade that we used to plonk ourselves out of the sun, and the kids had a great time wallowing in the shallows as the tide went out. There wasn't really anything to see with the snorkeling gear past the breakers (except one small jellyfish) but it was a lovely temperature for swimming anyway.
We did see signs banning dogs from the beach as we walked down the road, but plenty of people were ignoring this sign as we saw many dogs on the beach and boardwalk. There were also signs recommending not swimming in the estuary as it can contain bacteria that is harmful to humans, but there were lots of kids in that, too.
Cylinder beach is a lovely place to have a picnic and a swim on North Straddy, we would definitely come back here on our next visit to this part of QLD.
6. Boggo Road Gaol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Boggo Road was one of the most notorious prisons of the Twentieth century. The former prison has reopened as a cultural-heritage tourist attraction which offer tours and events. Through Historical Tours, Historical Re-enactments, Educational Experiences, Functions & Events – the drama and stories of human beings, their failings and their achievements, within the walls of Boggo Road Gaol, are brought to life.Enter. Escape the 21st century…
Reviewed By NiftyNorm - Cincinnati, Ohio
We got Jack as our guide and he was amazing .. excellent knowledge of the gaol and great interaction with our group
7. New Farm River Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelandAnne - Bribie Island, Australia
Just the spot for a lovely walk. You don't have to go to far. I said it had Coffee and toilets - but you have to look for these - they are not really "on" the river walk. Be wary of bikes too - you can get the odd cyclist who feels the "walk" belongs to them. Take the hound and take your time. Cooling breezes in the late afternoon and mornings. Beautiful views of the river and river craft. Costs nothing.
Maybe park at Teneriffe/Newstead/New Farm - and walk along - then return to your car.
A lovely way to idle away a few hours.
8. Rocks Riverside Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Behrang A - Brisbane, Australia
This is a nice park, especially for families with young children. The park has nice Playgrounds and shallow pools/water canals for small kids. It has multiple bbq facilities, nice cycling tracks and a small cafe. It's sometimes very crowded though, especially around the Playgrounds. It has a very interesting history and you can find the traces of this history in the park.
9. Queens Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
One of the oldest parks in Queensland, Queens Park boasts enormous, shady trees dotted around the picturesque green expanse on the hill at the eastern entrance to the city. A perfect place to spread out the picnic rug, fire up the barbie and spend a pleasant few hours. If you're not such a BYO person, the indoor-outdoor Queens Park Café offers everything for the hungry park-goer, including a special Kids' Menu. Next door to the Café, is the Environmental Education Centre with some fun interactive displays. Queens Park's playground was inspired by Ipswich's coal mining history, with an impressive design incorporating a flying fox, fixed model train, Liberty Swing for people in wheelchairs to enjoy a ride, and water pumps. And if that's not enough, there are two more amazing, free attractions - the Japanese-themed Nerima Gardens, and the Ipswich Nature Centre which has been delighting visitors since 1936. Enter the Ipswich Nature Centre through the historical Rotunda and be charmed by wallabies contentedly nibbling or dozing, and other native animals such as wombats, emus, bilbies and water birds in their authentic habitats. Then there's the barn where the younger ones won't be able to resist farm animals such as pigs, calves, Guinea pigs and lambs. Nerima Gardens was designed in consultation with Ipswich's sister city in Japan. A model traditional Japanese tea house, constant sound of flowing water, winding paths and charming Gardens make this a tranquil and calming space. A unique factor is that Australian native plants have been used, with some being indigenous to Ipswich.
Reviewed By natthetraveller770 - Ipswich, Australia
Beautiful historic Queens Park. Great for kids - animal park, play areas. Great for all ages - Japanese Garden, And don't forget to have coffee and something to eat at the
cafe - the food is delicious and the customer service is Exceptional - very pleasing to see the service staff being friendly and courteous. Such a bonus in this day and age.
Wear a hat, Ipswich gets hot. Great for picnics. Free parking.
10. Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Reviewed By Paul M - Richmond, Australia
Of course any suggestion of the Story Bridge climb will immediately draw comparisons with it's older and more grander Sydney cousin to the south, but resist the temptation to compare. Brisbane stands very much on its own two feet.
Story Bridge Climb is a far more relaxed affair. You're just exploring the bridge, without necessarily having talking commentary in your ear or guides trying to rev you up and make you all excited (well she did at the start..)
Its certainly the best way to take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane. Because of the smaller bridge and wider walkways, this bridge climb experience is for all ages and abilities.
The photos look great and are cheap to buy (unlike Sydney).
All in all, a great way to spend a few hours in Brisbane. Catch the free city hopper ferry to Thornton St Ferry Terminal, walk up turn left and walk two blocks and you're there.
