Holidays in Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and if you’re looking for a city break in Australia for the family, a Brisbane holiday is a great option!
Brisbane is one of my favorite capital cities in Australia as there are heaps of free and affordable things to do. There is a multitude of national parks and nature close by that can be visited as a day trip.
The combination of this and the Queensland weather made our Brisbane holiday a real winner!
Information and Inspiration for Your Brisbane Holiday
Great Places to Visit on Your Brisbane Holiday
Southbank
Southbank is the cultural heart of the city and if short on time for your Brisbane holiday, Southbank is the place to be!
Here you will find the Queensland Museum and Science Centre, Streets Beach, Playground, the Wheel of Brisbane, Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art among other attractions.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
The Brisbane Botanic Garden Mount Coot-tha is a must-see attraction for your Brisbane Holiday. However, don’t confuse it with the City Botanic Gardens!
Here you will see awesome panoramic views of Brisbane and can explore the beautiful gardens including a Japanese garden and the largest collection of Australian rainforest trees in the world. Kids will love the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail through the rain forest.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is only 12km from Brisbane City and is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary with 130 koalas.
Here you can enjoy a variety of Australian wildlife and even have the opportunity to hold a koala and hand-feed kangaroos.
National Parks
Brisbane is blessed with many State and National Parks including Moreton Island National Park, Fort Lytton National Park, Samford Regional Park and Bunyaville Regional Park.
The nearby Scenic Rim offers up the Lamington National Park and Tamborine National Park, both of which have beautiful walks.
The Moreton Bay area offers the DÁguilar National Park and Bribie Island National Park.
Neighboring Islands
Here you can escape to the islands of Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island, Bribie Island, Peel Island and St Helena Island.
Visit as a day-trip or spend a few nights!
Fortitude Valley
Although Fortitude Valley is known to be the night-club district, there is still a bit to do here for families during the day and early evening.
Here you can search for street art, enjoy brunch and shopping, see a performance at the Judith Wright Centre and explore China Town.
YouTube Clips of a Brisbane Holiday
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.
Looking for More Awesome Family Holiday Destinations?
For more inspiration, head on back to the home page for more destinations!
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