Discover Brisbane, the sunny, sophisticated capital city of Queensland.

By Ellie Schneider

Combine art and outdoor adventure in Brisbane, where creative spaces, music and hip new restaurants meet pretty riverside gardens and man-made beaches. Explore the sun-soaked capital over a couple of days or a few weeks with our tips on the best things to see and do.

Don't miss

• Delve into Brisbane's eclectic arts scene 
• Eat, drink and shop in Brisbane's hippest neighbourhoods
• Day trip to idyllic neighbouring islands

Top things to do in Brisbane

Climb Brisbane’s Story Bridge... and abseil down it

Climb Brisbane’s Story Bridge for panoramic views across the city, north to the Glasshouse Mountains and south to the World Heritage-listed Gold Coast hinterland. In a two hour journey you will ascend 80 metres (262 feet) above sea level as you learn about the bridge's history and construction. Keep the adrenaline going with an optional 30 metre (98 foot) abseil back down the anchor pier, facing the glistening river and cityscape.

Soak up the arts

Explore the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), housed in two riverside buildings at South Bank. QAGOMA's collection consists of more than 17,000 works of historical, modern and contemporary art, and the gallery presents a diverse program of Australian and international exhibitions. The Institute of Modern Art (IMA) in Fortitude Valley is also worth a visit; it concentrates on commissioning new works by Australian and international artists. Brisbane also boasts an exciting live music scene. Check out the line-up at The Triffid, which hosts some of music's hottest acts. For a rollicking good time, head to Lefty's Old Time Music Hall, an all-American saloon with live country music and southern bar snacks.

Drink and dine

Brisbane is home to a number of restaurants and cafés at which chefs emphasise local Queensland produce. In the city centre, multi-award-winning Esquire serves sophisticated and exciting food through its daily degustation menu. Urbane is another popular choice for its "omnivore" and "herbivore" set menus with matching wines. At breakfast, Gauge offers fresh, healthy food with many ingredients made in-house, while Gerard's Bistro draws inspiration from global flavours. Miel Container is the go-to for burgers, and is housed in a bright-red shipping container down Albert Street. Enjoy cocktails at rooftop bars Up on Constance and Eleven in Fortitude Valley, or choose from more than 400 whiskies at Cobbler in West End.

Shop the markets and designer boutiques

Fortitude Valley is brimming with independent stores and is regarded as Brisbane's best shopping precinct. Along James Street you’ll find more than 130 specialty stores, including high-end Australian designers Lee Mathews, Scanlan & Theodore and Zimmermann. Winn and Bakery lanes (off Ann Street) offer a handful of quirky boutiques such as The Outpost, Babushka Ballerina and Stock and Supply. Back in the city centre, The Collective Markets are held each Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday at Stanley Street Plaza and feature more than 100 local creatives selling handmade jewellery, art, antiques, photographs and vintage fashion.

Visit Brisbane's islands 

Brisbane's coastline is dotted with idyllic islands. Moreton Island, just a 70 minute ferry ride from Brisbane, is the third largest sand island in the world, yet fewer than 100 residents call the island home. Most of the island is national park, creating a blissful paradise of sandy beaches, bush and lagoons. Moreton Island is also home to the famous Tangalooma Wrecks, popular for diving and snorkelling. North Stradbroke Island (affectionately known as “Straddie” to the locals) is another fantastic holiday destination and is just a 40 minute ferry ride from the bayside town of Cleveland. There are three villages on the island – Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout – fringed by magnificent surf beaches, calm blue bays and tranquil lakes. Explore the island by bicycle, stopping at Point Lookout to spot migrating whales between June and October.

Sleep in a luxury wilderness camp

Spend a night under the stars at Nightfall Wilderness Camp, just 90 minutes south of Brisbane. The camp is limited to six adults at any one time, and visitors sleep in luxury safari tents kitted out with fireplaces and vintage baths. Dine on fire-cooked organic cuisine, or use your tent's camp kitchen and private barbecue. The camp is next to World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, giving guests access to lush rainforest, waterfalls and walking trails.

How to get there

International flights arrive at Brisbane Airport from many global hubs. From the airport, it's an easy 20 minute taxi or train ride to the city centre. The inner city has a free bus service that circles the city every 10 minutes, and a free CityHopper ferry service that travels along the river from North Quay to New Farm.