It feels less like a polished metropolis and more like a sprawling garden party where locals greet you with easy smiles and an unshakeable belief that sunshine is a right, not a privilege. Today, it stands as a vibrant, walkable hub of riverside parks and craft breweries, offering travelers a relaxed pace to explore its unique blend of colonial heritage and modern Australian cool without the overwhelming rush of larger capitals.
Do Brisbane the way locals do: start slow at Daisy Hill Conservation Park, eat where the regulars do at Opa Bar & Mezze, let the evening run long at Riverland Brisbane.
Top things to do in Brisbane Ranked by rating and review volume. These earn their hype. Booking links may earn Roam a commission, at no cost to you.
1
Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
Scenic Spot · ★ 4.7 (15,049 reviews)
Scenic mountaintop viewpoint with expansive city views, plus a cafe & restaurant.
Check tours & tickets 2
City Botanic Gardens
Botanical Garden · ★ 4.7 (13,280 reviews)
Landmark botanical garden offering an array of plant life, ponds, picnic areas & a concert venue.
Check tours & tickets 3
Roma Street Parkland
Park · ★ 4.7 (10,915 reviews)
Expansive, acclaimed park featuring contemporary display gardens, waterways & an amphitheater.
Check tours & tickets 4
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Zoo · ★ 4.6 (13,238 reviews)
The world's largest koala sanctuary, with a zoo housing Australian native animal species.
Check tours & tickets 5
Queensland Museum Kurilpa
Museum · ★ 4.6 (10,190 reviews)
Museum featuring science, culture & natural history exhibits specific to the Queensland region.
Check tours & tickets 6
Gallery of Modern Art
Art Gallery · ★ 4.6 (9,666 reviews)
Contemporary art from Australia, Asia & the Pacific exhibited in a modern riverside building.
Check tours & tickets 7
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
Botanical Garden · ★ 4.7 (7,690 reviews)
56-hectare, subtropical botanic gardens featuring native & exotic plants, plus workshops & events.
Check tours & tickets 8
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
Park · ★ 4.7 (7,143 reviews)
Riverside park offering rock climbing, BBQ areas, public art & views of Brisbane's skyline.
Check tours & tickets 9
Warner Bros. Movie World
Amusement Center · ★ 4 (32,966 reviews)
Film-themed amusement park with thrill rides including rollercoasters & regular live stunt shows.
Check tours & tickets 10
Queensland Cultural Centre
Cultural Center · ★ 4.7 (6,663 reviews)
Large, multi-venue destination with a performing arts centre, several museums & the State Library.
Check tours & tickets Where to eat Local favorites, not tourist traps.
11
Opa Bar & Mezze
Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (4,074 reviews)
Posh, contemporary destination featuring river views, cocktails & refined Greek plates.
Website 12
Massimo Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (4,122 reviews)
Polished spot with contemporary decor offering classic Italian pasta, seafood & meat plates.
Website 13
Longwang Restaurant
Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (2,102 reviews)
Website 14
Chu The Phat
Asian Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (3,381 reviews)
Website 15
Pompette
French Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (1,711 reviews)
Website 16
Eagle Street Pier
Shopping Mall · ★ 4.5 (2,448 reviews)
Contemporary riverfront dining complex on a 19th-century wharf with more than 15 bars & restaurants.
17
Madame Wu
Asian Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (2,322 reviews)
Modern Asian cuisine served in a sprawling contemporary venue with a covered deck.
Website 18
sAme sAme Brisbane
Thai Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (1,861 reviews)
South-east Asian cuisine & beers in a hip restaurant with exposed-brick walls.
Website Hungry for more? Book a food tour or tasting in Brisbane
Tours worth booking ahead These sell out, so lock them in early.
19
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.9 (2,391 reviews)
Panoramic group walks in safety harnesses across the top of Brisbane's iconic cantilever bridge.
Check tours & tickets Get outside 25
Daisy Hill Conservation Park
Nature Preserve · ★ 4.7 (2,856 reviews)
Site featuring trails for nature walks & hikes, educational children's exhibits & a koala enclosure.
26
Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.7 (844 reviews)
Website 27
Bunyaville Conservation Park
Nature Preserve · ★ 4.6 (793 reviews)
Horseback riding, bushwalking & mountain biking on allotted trails in a forested, protected park.
Website 28
Toohey Forest Park
Park · ★ 4.6 (749 reviews)
University-owned bushland home to koalas, with BBQ & picnic areas, plus walking & cycling tracks.
Website 29
Nudgee Beach Reserve
Nature Preserve · ★ 4.5 (812 reviews)
Marshy shorefront picnic areas plus a playground, kayak ramp & boardwalk for birdwatching.
Website After dark 30
Riverland Brisbane
Bar · ★ 4.5 (2,723 reviews)
Cocktails & street food are served at this funky riverside venue in restored shipping containers.
Website 31
Death and Taxes Brisbane
Bar · ★ 4.7 (1,445 reviews)
Custom cocktails, wine & craft beer served in an old-world bar adorned with 1,000+ spirit bottles.
Website 32
LINA ROOFTOP
Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (2,153 reviews)
Website 33
The Gresham Bar
Cocktail Bar · ★ 4.6 (1,453 reviews)
Premium rum, whiskey & wines in a venerable bar that also serves progressive craft cocktails.
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