About Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland and the third-most populous city in Australia, with a population of about 2.8 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of South East Queensland, a bio-geographical and urban region with an estimated population of 4.1 million as of 2024. The central business district is situated within a peninsula of the Brisbane River approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi) from its mouth at Moreton Bay. Greater Brisbane sprawls across the hilly floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley between the Pacific Ocean and the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges, encompassing several local government areas (LGAs). The City of Brisbane LGA forms the inner area of Greater Brisbane, and is the most populous local government area in Australia. The demonym of Brisbane is Brisbanite.
Places to visit in Brisbane
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South Bank Parklands
ParkA riverside park with gardens, restaurants and Streets Beach, a free man-made lagoon with lifeguards. Spend an afternoon there, then walk across to the museums and galleries of the nearby cultural precinct.
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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Zoo · 6 mi from centreThe world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, also home to kangaroos and other native animals. Take the river cruise from the city for a scenic way to arrive.
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Story Bridge
LandmarkA heritage-listed steel cantilever bridge spanning the Brisbane River between Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point. Walk across it for free for great city views, or book a guided bridge climb, ideally at sunset.
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Queensland Art Gallery
MuseumA major gallery with Australian and international art, alongside the Gallery of Modern Art. Both are free and sit in the South Bank cultural precinct.
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Mount Coot-tha
Viewpoint · 5 mi from centreA mountain with a lookout over the city and hiking trails. Visit the botanic gardens at its base, and come at sunset for the best views.
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Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
ParkA heritage garden on the river bend next to the central business district. Walk through it on your way to the Kangaroo Point cliffs ferry stop.
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Kangaroo Point Cliffs
ViewpointRiverside cliffs across from the city center, popular for rock climbing, picnics and skyline views. Watch the city lights come on at dusk, or try abseiling with one of the local operators.
Things to do in Brisbane by type
35 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 8 experiences Brisbane Story Bridge Climb - Twilight Tour -
City tours 7 experiences Brisbane & Mt Coot-Tha Tour with Hotel Transfers -
Cruise & Water Tours 7 experiences Brisbane River Morning Sightseeing Cruise -
Gastronomy & nightlife 5 experiences Brisbane Historic Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting Delete Commercials Names -
Travel Services 2 experiences Plaza Premium Lounge (International Departures) Brisbane Airport -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences North Stradbroke Island and Sunset - Full-Day Small Group Tour -
Tour & activities 2 experiences Full Day Mount Tamborine Wine Tour from Brisbane -
Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours 2 experiences Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights - Flight, Breakfast and Self Drive
- 1-3 hours 11
- 3-6 hours 3
- Flexible 2
- Over 6 hours 2
- Small group 11
- Private 1
- Wheelchair accessible 1
Top experiences in Brisbane
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 35 available.
Moreton Island Get Wrecked 1-Day Tour from Gold Coast
From $167 per adult
Moreton Island Get Wrecked - Full-Day Tour
From $145 per adult
Brisbane Private Custom Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems
From $54 per adult
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and One Way River Cruise - Ticket
From $77 per adult
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with Return Scenic Cruise - Ticket
From $97 per adult
Brisbane Historic Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting Delete Commercials Names
From $50 per adult
Brisbane & Mt Coot-Tha Tour with Hotel Transfers
From $122 per adult
Haunted Brisbane City Walking Tour: Spirits & Dark History
From $46 per adult
Eataly Discovery Winery Tour & Sommelier Wine Tasting
From $141 per adult
Ultimate Brisbane - Small Group Walking Tour
From $57 per adult
Small Bars and Street Art - Small Group Tour
From $50 per adult
Story Bridge Adventure Daytime Climb
From $103 per adult
Where to stay in Brisbane
Popular hotels in Brisbane, out of 395 properties you can book.
Oaks Brisbane Festival Suites
From $193 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane
From $183 per night
Crystalbrook Vincent
From $281 per night
Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites
From $148 per night
The Milton Brisbane
From $240 per night
Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane
From $133 per night
Point Hotel Brisbane
From $181 per night
Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites
From $218 per night
Punthill Spring Hill
From $233 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square
From $164 per night
Oaks Brisbane Mews Suites
From $137 per night
Oaks Brisbane Casino Tower Suites
From $164 per night
Best time to visit Brisbane
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Brisbane is June and September, when average daytime highs are around 69–78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Brisbane weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 73° 63° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 69° 63° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 74° 66° 92%
- Sat 24 Oct 77° 64° 94%
- Sun 25 Oct 82° 68° 100%
- Mon 26 Oct 88° 66° 80%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.43
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Australia/BrisbaneUTC+10
- Capital
- Canberra
Upcoming public holidays in Australia
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Brisbane
These are the airports closest to central Brisbane. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BNE Brisbane Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Getting around Brisbane
Translink is responsible for all trains, buses, ferries and trams in South East Queensland and regional urban buses. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.
Fares
A 50-cent flat fare applies to any journey, regardless of mode or distance, with a limit of 3 transfers. The only exception is an Airtrain journey to or from Brisbane Airport which costs $22.30 (June 2025), with a 15% discount for booking online. Refer to the website for other discounted fares. You can be fined $261 for travelling without a valid fare.
Trains
Brisbane has a sizeable rail network. Most services are through running, travelling from one side of the city to the other. All trains stop at Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Central and Roma Street, regardless of their origin or destination. Interurban services run between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with connecting tram services at Helensvale. Interurban services also run between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, with connecting bus services at Landsborough.
Buses
Brisbane has a large, interconnected network of bus routes that serve the whole city. The bus fleet is the most modern in Australia and can be identified by the vibrant blue and yellow colouring within the Transport for Brisbane service area. All buses have a digital display of their route number and a brief description of the terminus and/or areas served. Most routes run frequent services from 6AM to 11PM at a minimum.
Brisbane travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Brisbane?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Brisbane is June and September, when average daytime highs are around 69–78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Brisbane?
January is usually the warmest month in Brisbane, with average highs of 85°F (30°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 49°F (10°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 357 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Brisbane?
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Brisbane.
What currency is used in Brisbane?
Brisbane uses the Australian dollar (AUD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.43.
What time zone is Brisbane in?
Brisbane uses the Australia/Brisbane time zone (currently UTC+10). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Brisbane?
Translink is responsible for all trains, buses, ferries and trams in South East Queensland and regional urban buses. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.
What are the best places to visit in Brisbane?
Top sights in Brisbane include South Bank Parklands, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Story Bridge and Queensland Art Gallery. A riverside park with gardens, restaurants and Streets Beach, a free man-made lagoon with lifeguards. Spend an afternoon there, then walk across to the museums and galleries of the nearby cultural precinct.
What are the top things to do in Brisbane?
Popular experiences you can book in Brisbane include Moreton Island Get Wrecked 1-Day Tour from Gold Coast, Moreton Island Get Wrecked - Full-Day Tour and Brisbane Private Custom Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems. Destina Holidays offers 35 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Brisbane?
The most popular types of experiences in Brisbane are outdoor activities & adventure (8), city tours (7), cruise & water tours (7) and gastronomy & nightlife (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Brisbane?
Popular areas for hotels in Brisbane include Brisbane CBD. Well-reviewed options include Oaks Brisbane Festival Suites and Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane.
How many hotels can I book in Brisbane?
Destina Holidays currently lists 395 properties in and around Brisbane, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
