Things to do in Brisbane With Kids
Visiting Brisbane with kids is a no brainer. After all, Brisbane and family fun go hand-in-hand. From natural and cultural attractions to wildlife encounters and city lights, Brisbane has a range of experiences for all sized wallets.
I have listed these activities with a price guide to give you an idea of whether the activity fits your family’s budget!
Brisbane With Kids – What to do?
Explore the Museum and Science Centre
Cost: Free to under $50 for a family of two adults + two children
!! TOP VALUE for things to do in Brisbane with kids !!
The Queensland Museum is not stuffy and boring. The kids will love it just as much as the adults! This museum is home to both permanent and changing exhibitions of natural history collections, cultural heritage, and science and human achievement.
The Spark Lab Science Centre also has a home within the Queensland Museum where visitors can join in interactive displays and experiments. Although their website says it’s ideal for ages 6 – 13 years, my four-year-old also loved it and so did the adults! It’s a whole lot of fun that manages to pull off being both educational and entertaining at the same time.
The museum and science centre are located in South Bank and open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. General admission to the museum is free however some exhibitions charge a fee. There is a fee to enter the Spark Lab Science Centre (ranging from $10 – $15.50 per ticket) that’s worth every cent. It has a timed entry to avoid overcrowding.
The Spark Lab Science Centre was one of our favourite experiences in Brisbane with kids!
Photo: Jessica Palmer
Beat the Heat on Streets Beach
Cost: Free
!! BEST FREE thing to do in Brisbane with kids !!
Streets Beach is Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach and its fantastic! It features white sand, a sparkling blue lagoon, sub-tropical plants and is THE best oasis in the middle of Brisbane City.
Nearby are two other fun water spaces, the Boat Pool and Aquativity, an interactive water park for kids. Young kids will particularly love Aquativity!
Streets Beach is located in South Bank and is open daily with lifeguards on duty in peak times.
This is a MUST SEE in Brisbane with kids!
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
Cuddle a Koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Cost: $100 – $150 for a family of two adults + two children
!! WORTH THE SPLURGE if wanting to experience wildlife in Brisbane with kids !!
Ever dreamed of cuddling a koala? Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the place to do it! Home to over 130 koalas, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the word’s first and largest koala sanctuary.
You can also hand-feed kangaroos and experience a large variety of Australian wildlife such as platypus, dingo, wombat, southern cassowary, echidna, crocodiles, turtles, emus, bats and a variety of wonderful reptiles and birds.
- Get your Lone Pine standard entry tickets here.
- Get your combined river cruise and Lone Pine Koala tickets here.
The Koala Sanctuary is just 12 km (15 minutes drive) from Brisbane City. Check out my post on Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for more information on what to expect.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of my top picks in Brisbane with kids for the opportunity to cuddle a koala!
Photo: Jessica Palmer
The Workshops Rail Museum
Cost: Under $50 for a family of two adults + up to four children
!! GREAT VALUE for larger families in particular!!
The Workshops Rail Museum was once the workplace of over 3000 railway workers and is housed in the old boiler shop. It features beautifully restored carriages, locomotives and Queensland’s largest model railway.
There is an interactive Nippers’Railway for younger kids where they can collect tickets and drive a train. Older kids and adults will enjoy the diesel locomotive simulator.
During April, you may even come across your favourite train, Thomas!
The Workshops Rail Museum can be found in Ipswich, around 40km from the Brisbane CBD. It’s open from 9:30 am to 4 pm daily and tickets are $44.50 for families.
Out of all the activities in Brisbane with kids, I just LOVE how the Workshop Rail Museum acknowledges families with more than two children in their ticket pricing.
Cruise the Brisbane River
Cost: Under $90 for two adults + two children
!! IDEAL if visiting Brisbane with kids for the first time !!
The Brisbane River flows directly through the city and is the longest river in South Queensland. Take the kids on a fuss-free cruise passing by iconic sights such as the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs and Brisbane City Centre.
At 1.5 hours, it’s a good length of time for families and gives you an idea of how the river connects the city. Morning tea is included if you head out on the 10:30 am morning cruise.
Book your Brisbane River Cruise here! (Cruises depart from South Bank).
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
Zipline in Nature on the Tree Top Challenge
Cost: Begins at $30 per child for the Junior Challenge or $200 for a family for the Tree Top Adventure
!! IDEAL for families looking for adventure in Brisbane with kids!!
The Tree Top Challenge is Australia’s largest Zipline attraction and is suitable for ages 3 years up.
For Ages 3 – 7 Years …
The Tree Top Challenge Juniors is suitable for younger kids, beginning with two low to the ground courses to build confidence on. The next two courses are a little more adventurous, giving them the opportunity to glide through the treetops. Each sessions last 2 hours and no experience is necessary.
The Juniors Park is open weekends and QLD school holidays.
For Ages 7 Years to Adult …
The Tree Top Challenge Adventure Park has over 100 challenges including 11 flying foxes and Tarzan swings. No experience is necessary and the courses range from easy to extreme.
The Tree Top Challenge Adventure Park is open 7 days.
Located inside Thunderbird Park at Tamborine Mtn, just under 70km from the Brisbane CBD, there is plenty more to do here. Check out the Thunderbird Park website for more information.
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
Enjoy a Show at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Cost: Free to $45 for a family of two adults + two children
Brisbane’s Planetarium is pretty cool for anyone even slightly interested in our night sky. It includes an observatory, galaxy gift shop, a display zone, sundial courtyard and the Cosmic Skydome, a 12.5-metre diameter projection dome.
Most families who visit also enjoy a show, which includes a tour of Brisbane’s night sky. There are a number of shows on offer but some shows are specifically for kids under the age of six, so check out the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium website first to see what’s playing.
The Planetarium is only five km’s from Brisbane’s city centre within the grounds of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-Tha. General admission is free but a Cosmic Skydome shows will set you back $45 for a family of 2 adults + 2 children.
Join a Day Tour to Feed the Dolphins at Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island
Cost: Just under $800 for a family of 2 adults + 2 children
Some things are worth splurging on and this is one of those experiences. Just a short ferry ride from Brisbane lies Moreton Island, the third-largest sand island in the world.
Book a tour to Tangalooma Resort and spend the entire day having fun and relaxing. You can lounge by the pool, try sand tobogganing and even feed the dolphins at sunset. The tour includes hotel pick-up, 75-minute cruise to and from the island and lunch at the resort.
Moreton Island’s most famous feature is the Tangalooma Wrecks, 17 vessels deliberately sunk to both create a break wall for small boats and a great snorkelling and diving site.
This is one of those experiences the kids will talk about for ages!
Book your Moreton Island Tangalooma Dolphin Adventure here! (includes transfers)
Visiting Tangalooma on Moreton Island is my top pick for ‘things to splurge on’ in Brisbane with kids!
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
Have a Picnic on Picnic Island Green
Cost: Free
Picnic Island Green is exactly what its name suggests, the perfect destination for a chill family picnic. A green space with open grassy areas, lush gardens, tall trees, a pond and a pretty cool playground for kids of all ages.
There are free undercover BBQs and the area is licensed between the hours of 10 am – 8 pm daily except on particular public event days when no alcohol is permitted.
Picnic Island Green is located in Southbank, not too far from many other great attractions.
This is a great spot for catching up with family and friends in Brisbane with kids!
Explore the Children’s Hide ‘n’ Seek Trail at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha
Cost: Free
Spread over 56 hectares, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha (not to be confused with the City Botanic Gardens) are a key attraction in Brisbane.
The gardens feature a Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail through a shady exotic rainforest. Kids can collect a map at the start of the trail and spot surprises and plant facts along the way.
Other featured areas include Australian natives, arid area plants, a bonsai and fern house, a fragrant garden, the National Freedom Wall, a Japanese garden, a tropical display dome, rainforests, and a lagoon and bamboo grove.
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha is only 7.5 km from Brisbane CBD.
Pssst. Older kids might like this awesome escape room in Brisbane!
Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland – Matthew Taylor
Looking for More Awesome Family Holiday Destinations?
For more information on visiting Brisbane with kids, head on over to my Brisbane page. Head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide.
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Photo: Jessica Palmer
Essential Information for Your Brisbane Family Holiday
Best time to visit Brisbane
April and May is often touted as the best time to visit as the weather is mild and you can avoid school holiday crowds. However, it’s not hot enough to swim during these months which is a real downer for me.
Timing your Brisbane holiday with the Brisbane festival in September is a great idea. Although more crowded, there is HEAPS going on in and around the city, including the Riverfire fireworks.
Where to stay in Brisbane
We loved the Brisbane City YHA for its location and value for money. If you wish to cook for yourself, the communal kitchen is massive, and it also features a games room and a rooftop pool and bar. There are some decent options for families here.
If five-star luxury with all the works is more your style, find a great deal on bookings.com here!
Getting to Brisbane
Getting to Brisbane is pretty straightforward. You can fly into the international or domestic airport, embark on an epic road trip through Queensland, or travel via train or bus.
- Search for a great deal on flights on JetRadar.
- Search car hire across major brands here.
- Book your bus here.
Getting around Brisbane
There are a number of options for getting around Brisbane but first things first – let’s get from the airport to your hotel!
- Book your private airport transfer here.
Public transport
Brisbane Visitors can purchase a cashless ticket called the Go Card which can be used on the city’s buses, trains, CityCats and ferry services. Get your card from the Brisbane Visitor Information Centre or at most local news agencies.
The Translink Journey Planner or Google Maps can be used to plan your route.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus
The Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a tourist bus that stops at 15 major locations throughout Brisbane. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours from first use and you basically just hop on and off when you feel like it. Family passes are available.
- Book your Hop-on Hop-off bus tickets here.
City loop bus
The City Loop Bus is free and runs every 10 minutes, stopping at popular spots throughout its loop. More information on the City Loop Bus can be found here.
Bicycle hire
If the kids are old enough to peddle on their own, visit one of the 150 CityCycle hire stations to get around. This is a fun option for older kids!
Car hire
Compare car rental prices across major brands here. Be aware that unless your hotel offers parking, you will pay a small fortune to house the vehicle overnight.
Taxi
Taxi ranks can be found at the Brisbane international and domestic airports, as well as throughout Brisbane City.
Black & White Cabs: 13 32 22.
Attractions and tours
There is plenty of things to do and see around Brisbane. Highlights with kids include the Museum and Science Centre, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Streets Beach and the surrounding National Parks.
- Book your tickets to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary here.
- Book your Brisbane River cruise here.
- Book your Moreton Island Tangalooma Dolphin Adventure here.
WiFi
Most hotels in the city will offer free Wifi. However, if you wish to take control of your own connection, a Portable WiFi for Australia can be delivered directly to your hotel in Brisbane.
Book your portable WiFi here.
Brisbane holiday travel guides
Check out the official Visit Brisbane Page here.
