Honestly, if you're looking for what to do in Brisbane city, you’ve probably seen the usual list: hold a koala, walk the bridge, eat a steak. And look, those are great. But the "River City" has changed a lot lately. It’s not just a big country town anymore. It’s become this weirdly sophisticated, sub-tropical playground where you can eat world-class pasta in a pink-hued laneway and then go abseiling down a cliff twenty minutes later.
If you’re standing in the CBD right now wondering where to start, stop overthinking it. Just head toward the water. Everything in Brisbane revolves around that "Brown Snake" (that’s what we call the river, affectionately, of course).
South Bank and the Art Scene
You can’t talk about what to do in Brisbane city without mentioning South Bank. It’s the city's lungs. Most people just walk the Arbour—that long, curling steel structure covered in bright pink bougainvillea—and take a selfie. Do that, sure, but then keep moving.
If it's a Saturday, you’ll hit the markets. They’re a bit touristy, but the vibe is solid. If you’re actually looking for something world-class, though, duck into QAGOMA. This is the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Right now, in early 2026, the big draw is the Olafur Eliasson: Presence exhibition. It’s exclusive to Brisbane. It’s one of those "immersive" things—think rainbows and weird light installations—that actually lives up to the hype. If you have kids, the "cubic structural evolution project" is basically a massive room filled with white LEGOs that everyone builds together. It’s chaos, but the good kind.
For a bit of First Nations history, look for Archie Moore’s kith and kin. It won the Golden Lion at Venice and it’s hauntingly beautiful. It’s a massive family tree drawn in chalk that really puts the scale of Indigenous history into perspective.
The Beach in the City
Streets Beach is the man-made lagoon right in the middle of South Bank. It sounds cheesy. A beach in a city? But when it’s 32 degrees and the humidity is hitting 80%, you won’t care. It’s free, it’s patrolled, and you can look at the skyscrapers while you’re floating in chlorinated "ocean" water.
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The Best Way to Actually Move Around
Forget Uber for a second. Use the CityHopper. It’s the red ferry, and the best part is it’s free. It runs every 30 minutes or so and zig-zags between the CBD, South Bank, and Howard Smith Wharves.
Getting on at North Quay and riding it all the way to Sydney Street in New Farm is the best $0 tour you’ll ever get. You get to see the mansions at Kangaroo Point and the sheer scale of the Story Bridge from underneath. It’s breezy. It’s quiet. It’s basically the soul of the city.
Eating and Drinking (The Local Way)
If you ask a local what to do in Brisbane city for dinner, they’re going to point you toward Howard Smith Wharves. It’s tucked right under the Story Bridge.
- Felons Brewing Co.: This is the massive brewery right on the water. It’s loud and busy, but grabbing a pint and sitting on the grass while the sun goes down is peak Brisbane.
- Stanley: If you want to drop some cash on incredible Cantonese food (the Moreton Bay bug curry is legendary), go here.
- Greca: Incredible Greek food. Get the saganaki. Just do it.
But if you want the "hidden" stuff, head back into the CBD's laneways. Burnett Lane is a good start. Look for a tiny door that leads to Death & Taxes if you like moody, leather-booth cocktail bars. Or, if you’re into the 2026 food scene, Longwang is this three-level restaurant that’s literally built into one of the narrowest laneways in the city. It feels like something out of Tokyo.
Getting a Bit Higher Up
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is the obvious one for views. It’s one of only three bridge climbs in the world. If you do it at twilight, you see the city lights flicker on, which is pretty special.
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If you don't feel like wearing a grey jumpsuit and being tethered to a rail, go to The Star Brisbane’s Sky Deck. It’s about 100 metres up and gives you a 360-degree view of the whole sprawl. You can just grab a coffee or a drink at Babblers without having to do any actual climbing.
The "Brown Snake" Activities
If you're feeling active, Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point is the spot. You can:
- Kayak at Night: The river looks totally different when the skyscrapers are reflected in the water.
- Abseil the Cliffs: These are the big volcanic rock walls opposite the city. It looks intimidating, but it’s manageable for beginners.
- Hire a Bike: Brisbane has some of the best river-loop bike paths in Australia. You can ride from the CBD all the way to New Farm Park without ever really hitting a main road.
The Wildlife Fix
You can’t ignore Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It’s the oldest and largest in the world.
Pro tip: Don't take a bus there. Take the Miramar cruise from the Cultural Centre pontoon. It’s a 70-minute boat ride that gives you a running commentary on the river’s history, and then you get three hours at the sanctuary. You can feed kangaroos by hand, which honestly never gets old, even for people who live here.
Hidden Gems You Might Miss
If you have a bit of time, look for the Spring Hill Reservoirs. They’re these massive underground water tanks from the 1800s. Nowadays, they host opera and theatre because the acoustics are insane. It’s dark, cool, and feels like you’ve stepped into a Victorian basement.
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Also, check out Archives Fine Books on Charlotte Street. It’s a labyrinth. Thousands of used books stacked to the ceiling. It smells like old paper and quietness, which is a nice break from the Queen Street Mall chaos.
The 2026 Event Calendar
Brisbane is currently gearing up for some big stuff. If you're here in February, the BrisAsia Festival is huge—lots of street food and night markets. And the Brisbane Broncos season starts at Suncorp Stadium in March. Even if you don't like rugby league, the atmosphere at "The Cauldron" is something you have to experience at least once.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of your time in the city, follow this simple game plan:
- Download the TransLink app: You'll need it for the ferries and buses. Make sure you have a GoCard or just use your credit card (contactless works on almost everything now).
- Book QAGOMA tickets in advance: Especially for the Olafur Eliasson show. Timed entry is strict.
- Start early: Brisbane is a morning city. By 10:00 AM, the humidity starts to bite. Get your walk or your river cruise done before noon, then hide in the galleries or a shaded bar during the heat of the day.
- Check the tide: If you're doing the Riverwalk to New Farm, it's much prettier at high tide when the water is right up under the boardwalk.
Brisbane isn't a city where you need a strict 20-point itinerary. It's more about picking a direction—South Bank, the CBD, or the Wharves—and seeing where the river takes you. Just don't forget the sunscreen. The Queensland sun is no joke, even in the "winter."