Explore Brisbane for FREE!
Dismiss all stereotypical thoughts of Brisbane as a large, boring country town and you will discover the alluring charms of this underrated river city. Arguably the most tropical of all state capitals of Australia, you’ll be happy to know that this 3rd largest Australian city has a more tolerable winter as compared to say, its more famous siblings of Sydney and Melbourne.
Brisbane’s proximity to the two coasts (Sunshine and the Gold Coast) makes for a perfect city stopover as you explore the rest that Queensland has to offer. This guide of the Top 15 Free Things To Do in Brisbane will show you how to make the most of your time in Brisbane without any excessive spending.
1. Browse through artisanal craft at Davies Park Market
A community in itself, Davis Park Market is an epitome of the hippie West End. Obviously, this distinctive market also gets very crowded every Saturdays with the presence of buskers, organic produce, fresh groceries, ethnic breakfast and other bric-a-brac. If you only have time for one farmer’s market in Brisbane, Davies Park Market is the one to go for.
Address: Off Montague Road and end of Jane Street, West End, QLD 4101
Operating Hours: Saturdays 6am to 2pm
Website: here
2. Cruise along the Brisbane River on the free CityHopper ferry service
On the Brisbane River aboard the CityHopper
The free CityHopper ferry service is a convenient way of traversing the portion of the river that runs through the CBD and most importantly, it keeps you away from the frequently sighted bull sharks lurking in the murky-looking Brisbane River!
The CityHopper passes various tourist spots such as the fine dining spot of Eagle Street Pier, the rock climbing hotspot of the heritage-listed Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the Maritime Museum, South Bank Parklands and the shopping precinct of Queen Street Mall. Most importantly, it passes right under the awe-inspiring and iconic heritage-listed Story Bridge, which makes the ferry journey a good photo opportunity.
Note: The terminals of North Quay (Queen Street Mall), Maritime Museum and Sydney Street (New Farm) are closed for upgrade until mid-2015. QUT Gardens Point terminal (City Botanic Gardens) will replace North Quay terminal for the time being.
Operating Hours: The first and last ferries depart at 0600am and 1227am respectively from Sydney Street terminal.
3. Visit Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane
Brisbane City Hall on King George Street
Fronted by Brisbane’s premier public square King George Square, the Italian Renaissance style City Hall built in the 1930swas commissioned as and still partially is the seat for the government of Brisbane. It was also once the tallest building in the city but has since been eclipsed by the onslaught of modernity.
Museum of Brisbane housed on the 3rd level of Brisbane City Hall
Today, the City Hall is used primarily as a venue for concerts and public exhibitions and is also home to the Museum of Brisbane on the 3rd floor which was relocated to its present location after the end of extensive three-year renovations of the City Hall in 2013. The front desk of the museum also serves as a collection point for free tickets to ride the historical manual-operated lift up to the top of the iconic City Hall Clock Tower.
Address: 64 Adelaide St Brisbane QLD 4000
City Hall Operating Hours: Weekdays 8am to 5pm, Weekends and Public Holidays 9am to 5pm
Museum of Brisbane Operating Hours: 10am to 5pm
Museum of Brisbane Website: here
4. Frolic in South Bank Parklands
Streets Beach, South Bank Parklands
A remnant of 1988 when Brisbane played host to the World Expo 88, South Bank Parklands is the cherished soul of the city as Central Park is to New York. The South Bank Parklands is filled with buskers, artsy sculptures, pockets of greenery, restaurants, play areas for children and the charming Nepal pavilion, which is the only remaining world pavilion from the World Expo (now reinvented as the Nepal Peace Pagoda).
Nepal Peace Pagoda, South Bank Parklands
Erected within the Parklands is the big-ticket Ferris Wheel attraction – The Wheel of Brisbane, the city’s version of the likes of the London Eye and other numerous city-branded Ferris Wheels that have recently sprung up around the world.
View from South Bank Parklands
Undoubtedly the best part of the Parklands has to be Streets Beach, an artificial man-made freshwater lagoon beach, which is arguably the closest thing to a ‘real’ beach in Brisbane. Streets Beach also affords an excellent view over the Brisbane River and the skyline of the CBD.
Address: Stanley Street Plaza, Stanley Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Operating Hours: Daily 9am to 5pm
Parklands Website: here
5. Discover your artsy side at QAGOMA
Sitting prettily on the Northern edge of South Bank along the Brisbane River, Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art has managed to finally seal Brisbane’s rightful status as an arts-loving cultural city. This modern architectural wonder contains an array of temporary art exhibits with past exhibitions including famous works from artists like Andy Warhol, Picasso, Cai Guo-Qiang and so forth. Also within the angular glass complex is the gallery’s well-curated bookshop, an excellent cafe serving Aussie style brunch and the award-winning GOMA restaurant that focuses on contemporary dining.
If you have extra time to spare, the older adjoining wing of the similarly stunning modern architectural style Queensland Art Gallery boasts a fine and extensive collection of Australian art.
Address: Stanley Place, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Operating Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
Website: here
6. Broaden your knowledge of Queensland at the Queensland Museum
Whale Mall, Queensland. Source.
Queensland, the state that Brisbane is the capital of, is the 2nd largest and 3rd most populous Australian state. What better place to discover the history of the state than at the Queensland Museum?
The museum houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions, with the latter requiring paid admission. Permanent exhibitions range from the flora and fauna of Queenslands to the fragile ecosystems of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Past temporary exhibitions include endangered species of Queensland, railways of Australia, Australian swimwear fashion and so forth.
The Queensland Museum can get very crowded with families and tourists on weekends. If you want a quieter visit to the museum, time your visit on a weekday instead.
Address: Corner of Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Operating Hours: 0930-1700 daily, 0930-1330 ANZAC Day, closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Website: here
7. Explore the hippie West End
Greek-themed restaurant along Mollison St in West End
Mention West End to a Brisbanian and visions of West End as a hippy subcultural district immediately conjures up. Filled with hipster brunch places, Greek, Italian food etc., multicultural eateries prevail in West End.
Boundary Street Night Market. Source.
West End is also home to the arts-centric Boundary Street Markets, which features a night market on Fridays and Saturdays and a farmer’s market on Sundays.
Address: Corner of Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Operating Hours: Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday 10am to 10pm, Sunday 9am to 2pm
Boundary Street Website: here
8. See the Brisbane skyline from Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Brisbane CBD in the background. Source.
Upwards of 200 million years old, the cliffs of Kangaroo Point is a popular spot for rock climbing as well as a less touristy spot (when compared to the South Bank Parklands) for seeing the skyline of the city of Brisbane.
Also easily accessible via steep stairs to the top of Kangaroo Point Cliffs is Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge, which makes for another good alternative viewing spot of the city’s skyline.
Website: here
9. Ditch the touristy Queen St Mall for Brunswick St
One of the many eateries along Brunswick St – Pig ‘N’ Whistle. Source.
Himalayan-themed cafe along the New Farm stretch of Brunswick.
Located within the seedy nightclub district of Fortitude Valley is the gentrified Brunswick Street, which stretches from its bohemian side at Fortitude Valley to a more outdoorsy style at New Farm. Numerous bars and the city’s best but underrated restaurants line Brunswick Street.
Don’t miss the Fortitude Valley Markets, held every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm. This boutique-inspired market is a community for the thriving arts and fashion scene and budding designers.
Website: here
10. Spend a day in upmarket James Street
Boutiques lining James Street. Source.
James Street Market. Source.
This often understated chic shopping street manages to exude an old-fashioned atmosphere in this small city of approximately 2 million residents. Filled with upmarket boutiques, brunch spots, James St Market and even a cinema, James Street is undeniably charming and you don’t have to spend any money to bask in the everyday-is-like-Sunday atmosphere of James Street.
Located at the end of New Farm in the performing arts building of Brisbane Powerhouse is the Powerhouse Farmers Market, which operates every Saturday from 6am to 12pm and houses over 120 stalls that sell finger food, fresh produce, organic food stuff and the ubiquitous Australian coffee amongst many others. Also affiliated to the Powerhouse Farmers Market is its sister – The Brisbane City Markets on Queen Street, which makes for a more convenient (and of a more smaller-scale) visit.
James Street Market Opening Hours: Weekdays 8.30am to 7pm, Weekends 8am to 6pm, Public Holidays 9am to 5pm, produce section closed on Good Friday (except Fresh Fish Co), Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day
James Street Website: here
James Street Market Website: here
Powerhouse Farmers Market Website: here
11. Go antique hunting at Paddington
Paddington Antique Centre. Source.
Due to its proximity to Brisbane CBD, Paddington thrives on its specialty shopping scene, especially with regards to antiques. However, even if you are not an antiques lover, Paddington charms by its presence of numerous art galleries and its status as a hubbub of music and coffee cultures. Paddington’s main street – Latrobe Terrace, is lined with speciality boutiques, cafes and bars to while the afternoon away.
Also on Latrobe Terrace is Paddington Antique Centre, arguably Brisbane’s largest market for antiques. Paddington Antique Centre seemingly throws one back to the past by its atmospheric stalls that barter an array of retro items. However, don’t let the namesake ‘antique’ fool you here, the centre is also home to knick knacks, clothing, jewellery, books and ornaments that make for a good vintage hunt for the discerning customer. Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, Paddington is still a good place to browse items from the past.
Paddington Antique Centre Website: here
12. Find inner peace at Brisbane Botanic Gardens
Its sister – the City Botanic Gardens, may be more conveniently located. But Brisbane Botanic Gardens, located at the base of Mt Coot-tha, is world’s away in its atmosphere. Brisbane Botanic Gardens hosts a plethora of differently-themed gardens the Japanese Garden stands out in particular. Partially conceived as a remnant from the Japanese Pavilion at Brisbane’s World Expo in 1988, the Japanese Garden is an authentic representation of the design concepts of a traditional Japanese garden even though it utilises native Australian fauna.
Address: Mount Coot-Tha Rd Toowong QLD 4066
Operating Hours: September to March 8am to 5.30pm, April to August 8am to 5pm
Website: here
13. See Brisbane from Mt Coot-tha Lookout
Located on the hillside of Mt Coot-tha and a stone’s throw away from Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Lookout is arguably Brisbane’s best spot to see the skyline of the city. In addition to the city’s skyline, you would also be able to see the Moreton Bay islands on clear days.
On the Lookout itself are typical fanfares for the tourist, which includes a gift shop, the Summit Restaurant and Kuta Cafe. In the vicinity of the Lookout are a couple of bushwalks for tracking enthusiasts, namely the 1.5km Aboriginal Art Trail which leads to the JC Slaughter Falls.
Address: 1012 Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Brisbane Lookout, Mt Coot-tha QLD 4066
Website: here
14. Skip Chinatown and head to Sunnybank for a more authentic experience
Brisbane’s de facto 2nd Chinatown Sunnybank is bounded by Sunnybank Plaza, Sunny Park Shopping Centre and Market Square. The authenticity of Sunnybank as compared to Brisbane’s Chinatown in the CBD is entrenched by the fact that Sunnybank is more representative of a traditional suburban living and work life.
Sunnybank breathes with life through its hawker-style Asian food stalls, the hustle and bustle of its fresh food markets and boutiques filled with the latest styles imported from Korea and whatnot. Frankly, the only thing that reminds visitors that you are still in Australia are the bilingual signs littered among the shops.
Address: Junction of Mains Road and McCullough Street, Sunnybank QLD 4109
15. Experience Asia’s night bazaars at Eat Street Markets
Who knew some towering blocks of shipping containers could be transformed into such a successful night market? Located next to Brisbane’s international cruise terminal of Portside Wharf (which itself is a worthwhile pit stop as an upscale retail and fine dining precinct), Eat Street Markets conjures images of the typical Asian night bazaar, albeit infused with a uniquely Australian flavour.
Food stalls ranges from the popular Thai, Greek, Italian to the more obscure Hungarian, Latin American and so forth. In addition, Eat Street Markets is also filled with stalls that barter organic food produce, retro clothing and bric-a-brac. Occasionally, live entertainment also bestow to the thriving atmosphere of the night market.
Address: MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton QLD 4007
Operating Hours: Fridays and Saturdays 4pm to 10pm, Sundays (Winter only) 10am to 3pm
Admission Price: $2 per entry
Website: here
Explore Brisbane today!
Our list of the Top 15 Free Things To Do in the city of Brisbane is by no means an exhaustive one. Nevertheless, this list debunks the stereotypical impressions of Brisbane as a boring large country town. So, what are you still waiting for? Get out and about to tick those activities off the list. It won’t break your wallet, we promise!