We only have one day in Brisbane, what should we do?

Question

As I said, we only have one full day in Brisbane, what are the MUST see places? We don't drink, and we don't want to spend the whole day at the beach, any other suggestions?

Answer 1

Here are a few suggestions you could consider:
-- Visit the Lone Pine Sanctuary (to mix it with the koalas, kangaroos and lorikeets)
-- Visit the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens (not your traditonal botanical gardens, e.g. displays of plants used by Aborigines, of plants with commercial uses, etc.)
-- Walk along the boardwalk through the mangroves along the banks of the winding Brisbane River
-- Visit historical architectural gems such as the Treasury Building and the Parliament House, the latter being an example of French Renaissance style)
-- View the Melanesian section of the Queensland Museum.

Answer 2

When people visit Brisbane, where are the "must-see" places? Where are the places that give tourists a memorable view, an insight into our city, our history and our people?

Our top picks in no particular order are:

Mt Coot-tha Lookout
South Bank
Cultural Centre
Lone Pine
A trip on the river
Moreton Bay
City Botanic Gardens
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Roma Street Parklands
If time is your enemy when visiting Brisbane, try one or two or more of our top picks. Perhaps next time you’re here, you can explore the many other delights our city has to offer on a day trip around the Brisbane regions.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout
Even if you only have an hour or so to spare, take the drive up to the top of Mt Coot-tha to get a view of the whole of Brisbane city. You’ll see the curves of the river, the lines of the freeway, the skyline of the CBD. Plus, on a clear day you can see south-west to the distant ranges, east towards Moreton Bay and miles in every other direction. Enjoy the facilities of a cafe, restaurant and lookout at the top.

South Bank
Where did people gather in Brisbane before South Bank was created? It’s hard to imagine our city without this destination. Every visitor to Brisbane will enjoy South Bank’s sandy beach, the open grassy picnic spots, the shops and dozens of eating places. There’s the cinemas, regular free live entertainment and many festivals and fireworks throughout the year.

The Cultural Centre
Enjoy Queensland’s arts and theatre at the Cultural Centre, South Bank. Spend time at the Queensland Art Gallery and new Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland Museum Sciencentre is especially popular with the kids and be sure to visit the new State Library of Queensland. See a play, opera, ballet or dozens of other performances at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre [QPAC].

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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Visitors from overseas will just love the abundant and easily seen Australian wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Hold a koala, feed a kangaroo, hear a talk about our reptiles – it all makes for a great day out. There’s no need to leave the city to experience our amazing animals.

A trip on the river
Even locals love to get out on the Brisbane River and it’s so easy and cheap to do with a journey on the CityCat. Take a cruise up and down the river, stopping where ever you like along the way – South Bank, University of Queensland, New Farm... The CityCats glide over the water and you’ll see million dollar houses. Travel under the Story Bridge and get a whole new perspective. Our ferry guide gives you more information.

Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay is huge! Take a trip to Stradbroke Island (affectionately known as ‘Straddie’ to locals). On Moreton Island you can feed wild dolphins at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. If you don’t have much time, sit beside the bay when you visit the bayside areas of Sandgate, Wynnum or Cleveland.

City Botanic Gardens
Visitors will see the exotic and gorgeous plants that flourish in our sub-tropical climate.

The City Botanic Gardens are in a fabulous spot beside the river (and an easy walk from the busy CBD). Make sure you don't miss a walk through the mangroves on the boardwalk.

Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
The Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens are only 7 kilometres from the CBD and feature a magnificent tropical display dome, a lagoon, Japanese gardens, themed gardens on 52 hectares and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Roma Street Parklands
Take the train to Roma Street Parklands to experience the theme gardens such as the topiary maze, rainforest walk, lake, celebration lawn and amphitheatre. There are many public artworks to admire and a good cafe too.

Answer 3

Depends on what you are interested in.

You could go to Southbank which is right on the river so quite pretty for just strolling around. It also has heaps on cafes for a nice lunch, plus the Gallery of Modern Art and Museum are there also.

From Southbank you could get a city cat up or down the river to see more of the city and maybe get off at some of the stops.

If you are interested in shopping the Queen St Mall is the best shopping in the Brisbane (biggest concentration of shops in one area plus best variety). If you are interested in cafe culture try New Farm, Bulimba or Racecourse Rd at Ascot.

Mt Cootha is another option - there is botanical gardens at its base and restuarant and walking trails at the top of the mountain. Also there are loads of other parklands in Brisbane if you are interested in that - eg. New Farm Park, Roma St Parklands, City Botanical Gardens.

The themeparks are actually on the Gold Coast not Brisbane and are about a 40 min drive away and will take up the whole day. There isn't any decent reef off Brisbane so I would save reef trips for another Queensland location if you are travelling anywhere else. (i.e Cairns). Also the beaches off Brisbane aren't that great and you would need to go the the Gold Coast (40 mins south) or Sunshine Coast (40 min north) to see any worthwhile beaches.

Answer 4

I would suggest an hour or two wandering around some of the older Brisbane suburbs and looking at the beautiful old Queenslander style of houses (elevated wooden houses built on high stumps of timber, surrounded by shady verandahs and with lots of windows to let in the cooling breezes, very airy and cool even in days before airconditioning).

The "Queenslander" is not on most commercial tourist itineraries for Brisbane, but for me it is really a unique "must see"!

Answer 5

Given that your "handle" is lovekoalas, then Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary seems to be the logical first choice (see the koala link) If you'd prefer seeing more animals than just koalas, then Australia Zoo, where Steve Irwin gained fame, would be my second recommendation. Australia Zoo is a bit farther out of town than Lone Pine. There are bus and rail connections available from Brisbane (see the website) if you are from a country that drives on the right and don't fancy driving on the left in Australia. Bon Voyage!

Answer 6

There is heaps you can do in Brisbane!!!!
First of all...I suggest that you at least go to one theme park. Brisbane is destined to have the best theme parks in Australia(Maybe not where you come from...but in Australia, they are by far the best)... I also suggest that you explore the Great Barrier Reef! It is an equisite site. However to hire a charter for scuba diving etc. is rather pricey.

It is unfortunate that you only have one day to spend...There is loads more you can do in Brisbane...

I hope this is some useful information to you.

Enjoy your holiday!

Answer 7

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Answer 8

if you like a bit of shopping, then i suggest indropilly, toombul or chermside or DFO (direct fcatory outlet near the airport. Lots of bargains :) but another thing you could do is ocme out to the North Pine Country markets-cute little place for spending an hour or two

Answer 9

you have south-bank, ferry up the brisbane river, tours to bogga road, a climb on storybridge, day tours to brisbane heritage areas, and watch parliament in session yeah why not? I hear that could be very exciting...lol.

Answer 10

Wet 'n' wild or Dreamworld.
Dreamworld is really good for teenagers.