Streets Beach – Brisbane

10 Free Things to do in Brisbane, Australia

Australia’s third largest city, sunny Brisbane, is located about midway along Australia’s extensive eastern coast. With flash Gold Coast just to the south and the stunning Sunshine Coast just to the north, Brisbane lies squarely in the heart of Australia’s famed stretch of gorgeous, sun-drenched beaches. The region’s weather is referred to as “beautiful one day, fabulous the next.”

It’s no surprise, then, that Brisbane is a supremely outdoors-oriented city. City planners, developers and residents have taken advantage of the stunning climate by installing abundant parks, landscaped gardens, open plazas, outdoor cafes & restaurants, and even a white-sand beach in the heart of the city. Residents and visitors are never lacking in outdoor activities and attractions.

Brisbane is equally well-endowed with arts and culture, boasting several excellent museums, art galleries, performances and a plethora of cultural festivals and events throughout the year.

While Australia has become extremely expensive in recent years, including Brisbane, visitors can at least offset the high costs of accommodation and food by enjoying Brisbane’s many amazing free activities & attractions. And since it’s a small, compact city, getting around on foot to all the major beauty spots, art & cultural attractions and frequent events is a breeze.

Without further ado, here are 10 great free things to do in Brisbane:

Visit Brisbane screenshot

1. Stock up on a city map and activities information

The first place to head when you start exploring Brisbane is the Visitor Information Center on Queen Street Mall, smack in the middle of CBD. The helpful staff will give you a free city map, answer all your questions about what to see & do, and sign you up for the free guided city tour if you’re interested (details below).

Don’t forget to ask about free music concerts, festivals and events, museums, parks, guided tours, historic buildings. And get a schedule for the free river ferry, the red City Hopper.

Alternately, you can check out their website here.

one of 10 free things to do in Brisbane includes a free guided tour

free guided tour of Brisbane

2. Learn about Brisbane history & architecture on a guided city tour

The Visitor Information Center on Queen Street conducts daily free guided city tours that delve into the city’s interesting history, statistics, architecture, important statues and other points of interest in the CBD.

Tours last 1 – 2 ½ hours, depending on the guide and visitors’ stamina. Originating at the information Center at 10 am, Mon-Friday, the tour’s only stipulation is that you sign up ahead of time. Only a limited number of people are allowed on each tour.

red City Hopper

3. Cruise along Brisbane River

Several tour boats and passenger ferries continually ply the winding Brisbane River.

One of those, the red City Hopper, takes passengers up & down the river and across the river between South Bank and CBD, entirely for free! Not only are the ferries a great way to get from one distant point to another within the city, they’re a fantastic way to view the city skyline and get your bearings on the city’s many attractions, museums and parks.

City Hoppers run daily every 30 minutes from 6 am to midnight.

Pick up a ferry schedule from the Information Center or just show up at one of the piers and await the next boat.

free outdoor music in Brisbane

4. Enjoy outdoor music concerts

Throughout the year various bands, orchestras and singers present free outdoor concerts at popular spots around Brisbane. South Bank offers a series of Sunday Afternoon Concerts on the Green. Other bands are scheduled to perform at lunch time and in evenings at George Square, Post Office Square and other spots.

Find out what’s happening while you’re in Brisbane at the Queen Street Mall Information Center.

Brisbane city beach on South Bank

5. Suntan on the city’s lovely beach!

The world is full of once-beautiful au naturale beaches that have been been developed to the point of becoming cities along a beach. But Brisbane is the only city I know of that has built a beach inside its CBD, after the fact.

Located right beside the scenic Brisbane River, ‘Streets Beach’ boasts sqeaky-clean, white powdery sand and an au naturale pool for swimming. It’s an extremely popular hang out for university students, families and visitors.

If you want to work on your tan or just relax on powdery sand, head to South Bank and plunge into the beach.

6. Get your museum fix

What’s your preference in museums? Modern Art? Period Paintings? History? Natural History? Science? Boats? Culture? Take your pick in Brisbane, where nearly every museum offers free entry!

Choose from the Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Art Gallery, Museum of Brisbane, Queensland Museum & Science Centre, and Queensland Maritime Museum.

Several of these museums are located beside each other, just across Victoria Bridge on South Bank. Maritime Museum is also located on South Bank, but towards the eastern end of the parklands.

On the other hand, the Museum of Brisbane is located on King George Square, near Queen Street Mall and the visitor info center.

Get a brochure about the museums at the info center or check out each museum’s website for details on opening hours and exhibitions. Generally speaking, they are open daily 10 am – 4 pm.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs along Brisbane River

7. Stroll through Brisbane’s many parks

Brisbane is dotted with a huge range of parks, from petite leafy squares to large rambling botanical gardens. They include parks along Brisbane River, within the CBD, and in nearby suburbs.

Visitors can stroll through tropical forests, across open lawns, under deciduous forests, through vibrant landscaped gardens, under a 1.2 km bougainvillea trellis, beside rivers and ponds and fountains, in the shade of tall rock cliffs, under steel bridges or through arid-climate gardens.

Included in this plethora of parks are two spacious botanical gardens and colorful landscaped gardens in Rome St. Parklands.

Whatever type of park you favor, and no matter where you’re situated in Brisbane, you can enjoy a lush natural retreat within an easy walking distance.

Spectacle Garden in Rome St Parklands

8. Join Rome Street Parkland botanical garden tour

Rome Street Parkland boasts one of Australia’s most highly-acclaimed landscaped gardens, The Spectacle Garden, which is continually changing its flower displays and garden designs.

Park volunteers conduct free guided tours daily at 10 am and 2 pm, starting at The Hub, which is located right outside the entrance to Spectacle Gardens, in the middle of Roma St Parklands.

Each tour is slightly different, depending on the guide. Topics include the park’s interesting history & development, plant & flower facts, garden designs and other park features.

Brisbane night scene- Australia

9. Take in city views from South Bank

Brisbane’s cluster of skyscrapers is situated in the CBD, along the north side of Brisbane River. As a result, sweeping views of the city are best appreciated from South Bank, across the river.

Daytime views can be pretty, especially in late afternoon and sunset. But night views are really spectacular, with a mass of colorful lights and soaring illuminated buildings. Take a stroll along South Bank after dark to appreciate the beautiful views.

weekend market at South Bank

10. Attend weekend markets

Every Saturday and Sunday the Valley Markets present dozens of stalls selling handmade crafts, fashion, jewelry, art, gourmet cuisines, fresh produce, second-hand clothing and other goods. The markets also feature local musicians entertaining the crowds and livening up Brisbane’s already sunny skies.

Strolling the markets, browsing the many stalls, listening to music and watching people wandering about is a relaxing and stimulating start to any weekend in Brisbane.

Valley Markets are located in a section of Brisbane known as Fortitude Valley, to the east of CBD. It’s a 20-30 minute walk from Queen Street Mall/King George Square. Alternately, catch a bus or train.

Besides the weekly Valley Markets, other markets regularly set up on at various points around the city, including South Bank, King George Square and in the city’s suburbs.

Find out which special markets might be on during your stay in Brisbane at the Information Center on Queen Street Mall or at their website.

QUESTIONS:

Have you been to Brisbane? If so, did you enjoy any of these freebies?

Do you have any other free events, destinations or activities to add?

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You might also enjoy:

10 Free Things to do in Sydney

My Visit to Brisbane

My Gold Coast Cycle Trip

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