Brisbane attractions

A pocket of subtropical rainforest overlooking the misty peaks of the Glass House Mountains, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve proves that there’s more to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast than suntans, surfboards, and shoreline. A living museum of native flora and fauna, the reserve is ideal for walking, picnicking, and wildlife-watching.

Standing proud beside the Brisbane River, Brisbane’s Customs House is a landmark piece of neoclassical architecture, complete with colonnades, portico, and a grand copper dome. Today it serves mainly as an events venue, but you can soak up the atmosphere at the farm-to-table Patina Restaurant or seasonal pop-ups, or view the limited public areas as a walk-in.

The home turf of the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League, the Queensland Reds Rugby Union, and the Brisbane Roar Soccer Club, Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park is one of Queensland’s largest and most important sports stadiums. With a capacity of more than 50,000; it hosts national and international sporting events, as well as music concerts.

Nicknamed "the Gabba" after the suburb of Woolloongabba where it’s located, Brisbane’s 42,000-seat cricket ground serves as home turf for the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat, and Queensland Bulls. The stadium, known for having one of the best cricket wickets in the world, also hosts concerts, rugby, and other sporting events.

Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) reside in the heart of South Bank, overlooking the Brisbane River. Housed in two separate buildings, each with its own distinct character, the two galleries display an extensive collection focusing on contemporary art from Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

The Queensland Culture Centre on the South Bank comprises four main cultural attractions, the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and the State Library of Queensland. A host of cafés, shops, and grassy areas make this a hub of activity in Brisbane.

Surrounded by golden beaches, scenic waterways, and mountainous hinterlands, Mooloolaba enjoys a stunning setting along Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Perched at the mouth of Mooloolaba River, the town has a reputation as one of the coolest on the Sunny Coast, known for its great surf, lively markets, and buzzing nightlife.

The stretch of the Sunshine Coast that makes up Maroochydore is a surfer's heaven and a popular destination with those chasing waves. Over 15 miles (25 kilometers) of beach lends itself to surfing, swimming, jet-skiing, picnicking, or just relaxing. Surfing competitions are not uncommon, so be sure to keep your eye out for the pros.

Formerly home to Steve Irwin, also known as “the Crocodile Hunter,” the Australia Zoo is one of Australia’s largest and most popular wildlife conservation facilities. Managed by the Irwin family, whose personalities are a major part of its continued success, the zoo has a huge collection of native Aussie animals as well as creatures from around the world.

Just south of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, or Broadie as it’s known to locals, offers all the appeal of its more famous neighbor—a great stretch of beach, surf-worthy waves, and extensive dining, shopping, and entertainment options—but in a more manageable size and with fewer crowds.

Also known as the Tower Mill, the Old Windmill is Brisbane’s oldest building. Long deprived of its sails and topped with a radio mast, it’s been a site of public executions, a signal tower, a public observatory, and a broadcasting station. It was even briefly home to the Queensland Museum. While closed to visitors, it remains a local landmark.

Brisbane’s Parliament House is where the business of governing Queensland takes place. And it couldn’t take place in a much grander setting: The 1868 building boasts a beautifully restored interior, a sweeping staircase, and gold-leaf details. Take a guided tour or watch the parliament sitting from the public gallery.

From big brand international retailers to local fashion boutiques (plus three shopping malls, Queen Street Mall is the number one destination for shoppers in Brisbane. At the heart of downtown Brisbane, the pedestrianised shopping precinct is always buzzing with activity, with hundreds of shops and more than 26 million annual visitors.

Part of Australia’s Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamington National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Covering 77 square miles (200 square kilometers), it’s known for its rich biodiversity, ancient trees, over 500 waterfalls, and more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of hiking trails.

South Bank, as its name suggests, is located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River in Queensland’s capital city. Covering 42 acres (17 hectares), South Bank is home to lush parklands, restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as boardwalks and promenades along the riverside that are popular with joggers and cyclists.

Tamborine Mountain Distillery is an award-winning distillery that produces boutique liqueurs and spirits. They use local ingredients and native flora to give their drinks a unique taste, and implement traditional Russian and Ukrainian processes. Visitors come to taste the distillery’s products in the mock-Tudor tasting room.

With exhibitions focusing on natural history, anthropology, and cultural heritage; the Queensland Museum is a celebration of everything that makes Queensland unique. Fun and engaging for all ages, it’s crammed with interactive exhibitions, while the adjoining Sciencentre offers a hands-on approach to discovering science.

A lush, green, heritage-listed city square dominated by Queensland’s state war memorial, Anzac Square pays tribute to the men and women who have served their country since 1899. The circular, colonnaded, Greek-style Shrine of Remembrance houses an Eternal Flame, while three memorial galleries cover World War I, World War II, and conflicts after 1945.

Housed in the historic Treasury Building, where in 1901, the proclamation of the Australian Commonwealth was read from one of the balconies, Treasury Casino is the glitzy heart of Brisbane’s gambling and nightlife. As the only casino in Queensland’s capital, visitors looking to strike it rich all cluster together in the game room, where poker, roulette, craps, and slots help keep the excitement at a high. There’s much more than simply gambling, however, to the notorious Queensland hot spot, as visitors will also find five restaurants, seven bars, and a nightclub, in addition to the adjoining Treasury Hotel that houses Brisbane’s high rollers. Eventually, there are plans for Brisbane’s Treasury Casino to move to a modern venue, but until that time comes and dice are still rolling in the historic Treasury building, visitors will still flock to the glamorous hub as they’ve done since 1995.

Offering more than 50 rides and attractions, Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park and one of the most popular Gold Coast family attractions. With big-thrill rides, live shows, the adjoining WhiteWater World water park, and animal residents—including tigers, koalas, and crocodiles—there’s something to entertain all ages.

From movie-themed thrill rides and 4D movie experiences to spectacular stunt shows and star-studded parades featuring everyone from Shrek to Scooby-Doo, Warner Bros. Movie World is one of Australia’s coolest theme parks. Various seasonal events keep it exciting year-round, while the site lives up to its promise of bringing Hollywood to the Gold Coast.

As Australia’s biggest waterpark, WhiteWater World boasts more than 140 rides, slides, and attractions. Highlights include the Cave of Waves wave pool; the Pipeline Plunge splash zone; The Rip family raft ride; and The Wedgie, a 5-story power slide that runs along a translucent pipe and barrel.

Equal parts sexy, scary, and spectacular, Dracula’s Cabaret is one of the most unique nights out you’ll find along the Gold Coast. Australia’s longest-running theatrical dinner show, the live cabaret originated in Melbourne during the 1960s and has since evolved into a Dracula-themed show that mixes burlesque, comedy, and dramatic special effects.

Whether sightseeing in central Brisbane, strolling along the Southbank, or going out in the West End, the CityCat Ferry is the quickest and most convenient way to avoid traffic and get around Brisbane. The fleet of high-speed catamarans run along the Brisbane River and provide a scenic way to travel between Brisbane’s top attractions.

Built in 1846 for Scottish settlers Patrick and Catherine Leslie, Newstead House is Brisbane's oldest colonial residence and remains one of its most renowned heritage properties. Set on the banks of the Brisbane River, the historic home is now a house museum, beautifully recreated in late Victorian style. Visitors can step back in time as they explore Newstead House, admiring the vast collection of period furnishings and marvelling over unique artefacts like a signal cannon, Sir Thomas Brisbane’s pipe and a model of the HMS Beagle ship sailed by Royal Navy captain John Wickham, a former resident. The house also hosts a number of special events and educational programs including the chance to experience Victorian-style cooking, washing and games.

The oldest continuously occupied building in Brisbane and the second-oldest building in the state of Queensland, the Commissariat Store Museum dates back to 1829. Built by convicts in what was then the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, it’s now a museum devoted to Queensland’s convict and colonial history.

One of the country’s largest water parks, Wet’n’Wild is the ideal way to cool off from the blazing Australian sun. Colorful water slides rise around you, lazy rivers flow, and private cabanas offer a respite from the action. It’s the ideal destination for anything from a fun family vacation to a first date or a summer day with friends. Whether you crave the rush of a plunging water slide or just want to bob in the wave pool, the park caters to everyone.

The Museum of Brisbane is at the heart of the “Brissie-ism” cultural and social movement—a newly-coined descriptor that aims to highlight Brisbane’s rich past and exciting future. Housed in the city center, the museum hosts a collection that began in 1859 and extends across various mediums to reflect the city's vibrancy today.

Brisbane’s Tinchi Tamba Wetlands provides access to bird watching, kayaking, walking, and spotting wildlife, including dugongs, turtles, and kangaroos. The reserve spans more than 940 acres (380 hectares) of wetland on the fringes of Moreton Bay. Habitats run the gamut from mangrove-clad estuaries to salt marshes, intertidal flats, wetlands, grasslands, and forests.

As an island nation, Australia and its people have a long history with the ocean. At the Queensland Maritime Museum, the shining hull of Ella’s Pink Lady is a testament to the unstoppable willpower of the youngest-ever solo circumnavigator, the Australian Jessica Watson. Explore dozens of boats, exhibits, and incredibly detailed model ships as you delve into the stories of adventurous Australian sailors and seafarers.