Recent Forbes article on how Cool Brisbane is: Brisbane Was Once A Backwater Town. Now, It’s Australia’s Coolest City

Update, a great page from Visit Brisbane: Tick off all 93 things to do on Brisbane’s bucket list

Be Prepared

  • Always carry some water, easy to get dehydrated.
  • In the wet season it can rain suddenly and heavily
  • Always check the weather.
  • If doing outdoor activities let someone know what you are doing.

Wild Places

  • So many amazing bush walks of all distances and difficulties within 2 hours drive
  • Many local mountains with villages on top
  • Mount Tambourine is very interesting
  • Most of the mountains have bush walks, waterfalls, food, accomodation
  • Natural Bridge is very special
  • Springbrook is unique
  • Lamington National Park
  • Mount Coot-tha
  • Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
  • The Islands! Moreton and Stradbroke islands are off the coast of Brisbane, Bribie and Fraser are North (a full day or overnight trip required)
  • Tangalooma Resort on Moreton has a dolphin experience.

Active Places

  • Within 1-2 hours drive, the best beaches in the world.
  • Inner city beach at Southbank.
  • Brisbane has a bike hire system
  • Great cycle/walks/runs, there are many bridges over the river so you can do circuits of just about any distance you like.

Culture, Arts and Science

  • GOMA – Gallery of Modern Art, Southbank, 1-4 hours (frequently changing exhibitions)
  • Queensland Art Gallery, Southbank, 1-4 hours
  • Queensland Muesum, Southbank, 1-4 hours
  • Frequently big concerts are in Brisbane, tickets at the last minute might be a problem.
  • At Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC), there is always something on, Chicago, A Christmas Carol, The Wiz, Qld Symphony Orchestra that weekend.
  • Queensland Theatre Company is excellent, almost always something on.

General and Shopping

  • Southbank is cool to walk around, especially in the evenings
  • Westend is the alternate hub of Brisbane, so many cafes and completely different businesses
  • Morning and evening markets in many spots on the weekends, local artists, craft, produce.
  • So much shopping, just about every big brand/label had a shop in the area.
  • Great options for surf wear and summer wear (almost always summer in Brisbane)
  • Excellent outdoor shopping, eg mountain climbing gear, bush walking, everything.