Brisbane Travel Guide

This is part of a series on the different towns and cities I spend a lot of time in or love to travel to. In this series I’ll be sharing my favourite things to do or see, starting with Brisbane!

Since I’m currently living here in Kangaroo Point and have traveled here frequently over the years due to personal and business reasons, there are many interesting activities I’ve encountered. Especially when the weather is warm and the sun is out! Preferred over the cold, that’s for sure.

Southbank Parklands

What I love about the Southbank Parklands is it’s such a beautiful spot to go for an afternoon walk, take some lunch, sit at one of the picnic tables and enjoy a bite to eat in the surroundings. In the summertime, I love to go for a swim at Streets Beach, the perfect spot for a dip on a hot sunny day.

There are so many great restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area to enjoy good food and refreshing drinks. My 2 favorites have to be on Little Stanley Street, including Bourbon Street and Gnocci Gnocci Brothers.

For the intellectuals, incredible museums and cultural experiences are all around the Southbank Parklands. The Queensland Museum always has fascinating exhibits, providing many things to learn about the world around us.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens

As the Brisbane Botanic Gardens are so stunning, I’ve even had a photoshoot here! I love walking through, past the water on a nice and warm day, especially with good friends.

It’s such a peaceful place right in the middle of the city to go and explore. Some of the things to check out while you’re there are the Bamboo Grove, Weeping Fig Avenue, Riverstage, ornamental ponds, and more.

If you have the kids along, there are great playgrounds while you enjoy a cup of coffee or picnic lunch, keeping them very entertained.

Farmers Markets

As someone who likes to be environmentally friendly where possible and support local producers, going to the farmer’s markets is a great way to meet those around Brisbane. Some of my favourites include Jan Powers Farmers Markets, and others in Manly, Mitchelton, and Newfarm. There’s also the Nundah Markets and Brisbane City Markets.

I love the idea of fresh locally sourced and produced food, bringing out the community-minded spirit. There is usually a great variety of stalls ranging from Food to Lifestyle options. Which are your favourite farmer’s markets?

Old Petrie Town

Have you checked out Old Petrie Town? Not only is there some great history here, interesting shopping and a great community feel, they also have markets and interesting things to learn. There are museums to see such as the Steam Museum, Fire Museum, the Murrumba District Scout Museum, and Pine Rivers Heritage Museum. Check out the Old Petrie Town Website to see the range of things you can explore and experience!

Explore the amazing collection of historic buildings in this pre-1930s town and the eclectic assortment of vendors that operate within them. Discover the history with a tour through one of the 4 museums onsite. Take a moment to stop and Experience the atmosphere of this special place, and the vast array of creatures that inhabit the natural environment.

Brisbane Festival

I haven’t previously attended the Brisbane Festival, but it’s definitely on my list to attend this year there, with many amazing-looking events. A festival should be lively and celebrate the personality of its city and this looks like it!

With plenty of things to see, I’ll be getting a group together of like-minded people to take it in with me. Old and new friends alike, come along if you’re interested in checking it out.

This is Brisbane’s most anticipated event of the year, bringing people together as they awake from their winter slumber for an explosion of arts performances and experiences. They claim to redefine what an International Arts Festival looks and feels like, staying ahead of the game and bringing the next generation along for the ride.

The river and iconic city landmarks are the stages as they create the art that enlivens, delights, and disrupts. The curated multi-arts program presents a bold international program transporting the audience beyond every day through captivating performances and installations from across the world. Brisbane is a city with boundless ambition, and the program celebrates this through collaborations, commissions, and presentations. Brisbane Festival is an important time of the year when our artists are pushed beyond the horizon to make the work of their dreams come to life.

Let’s explore this beautiful city together! If you’ve ever been to Brisbane before, which places touched your heart and where would you love to go again?