Must-Visit Attractions in Brisbane Australia

Brisbane might not have the wow factor of Sydney or the edginess of Melbourne, but Australia’s third largest city still has plenty going for it. From the nation’s only man-made inner-city beach to some of the nation’s best cultural institutions, with thriving food and craft beer scenes to boot, Brisbane is packed with enough attractions to keep visitors on their toes.

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One of the best things about visiting Brisbane is the density of attractions in the city’s heart, which makes sightseeing a cinch, particularly if you’re short on time, and love to explore new cities on foot. Here are six standouts within walking distance from the city centre.

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CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

South Bank Parklands Cultural Precinct

Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

South Bank Parklands, Downtown Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Hugging the southern bank of the Brisbane River, South Bank is Brisbane’s favourite urban playground, with lush green spaces, Australia’s only man-made inner-city beach (Streets Beach), oodles of eateries and river views galore. There are also several walks and cycleways in the Parklands, including the lush Rainforest Walk located in its heart, and the riverside Clem Jones Promenade spanning the length of the Parklands.

Queensland Cultural Centre

Museum

Just north of South Bank, the Queensland Cultural Centre encompasses a cluster of the city’s top cultural institutions including the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), the Queensland Museum and the State Library of Brisbane. Spend a morning exploring the museum and galleries before catching an afternoon performance at QPAC, with South Bank’s restaurants offering plenty of lunch options.

Museum of Brisbane and City Hall

Building, Museum

Brisbane City Hall on King George Square, Brisbane City, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Located inside Australia’s largest city hall, which is an attraction in itself, the progressive Museum of Brisbane is dedicated to supporting the city’s many creatives, with exhibitions ranging from contemporary Brisbane fashion to an exploration of the city’s food culture. Free tours of the building’s 85m-high (280ft) clock tower, which has been in operation since the opening of City Hall in 1930, run every 15 minutes from 10.15am until 4.45pm Saturday to Thursday, and until 6.45pm on Fridays.

Story Bridge and Howard Smith Wharves

Bridge

It might not be as dramatic at Sydney Harbour Bridge, but the heritage-listed bridge connecting Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point is a Brisbane landmark, best admired at night when the bridge is lit up for special occasions. You can also opt to climb the southern half of the structure, 80m (262ft) above the Brisbane River. Tucked beneath the northern end of the bridge, Howard Smith Wharves is Brisbane’s newest lifestyle and entertainment precinct, with nearly a dozen eateries and bars to choose from within its revived wharf buildings. It’s also the jumping-off point for the Riverwalk, an 870m-long (1/2mi) elevated boardwalk connecting the wharves to the suburb of New Farm.

City Botanic Gardens and Government House

Park

Australia, Queensland, Brisbane, Central business, District, CBD, City Botanic Gardens, skyline, skyscrapers, buildings, trees, student students educa

Take a stroll through Brisbane’s original riverside botanic gardens with its bamboo grove and ornamental ponds to Old Government House on Gardens Point Road. Built in 1862 as a residence for Sir George Bowen, Queensland’s first governor, Brisbane’s most important heritage building was restored in 2009, and offers free podcast tours led by the ghost of Governor Musgrave, who died in the house in 1888.

Brisbane Powerhouse

Building, Art Gallery, Market, Park, Theater

Housed in a formerly derelict New Farm power station dating from the 1920s, Brisbane Powerhouse is an edgy arts and cultural hub that hosts a range of events including art exhibitions, theatre, live music and comedy. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn more about the history of the building, the innards of which are plastered in graffiti art created when underground artists and homeless inhabited the building from the 1970s until the turn of the 21st century.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

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