Brisbane

Queensland's capital on a looping river: the free-to-swim lagoon at South Bank, the CityCat ferries, the galleries of the Cultural Centre, and koalas at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. A warm, easy base between the Gold Coast an hour south and the Sunshine Coast an hour and a half north, with direct flights to the whole country. Queensland's public transport (trains, buses, ferries) has had a flat 50-cent fare since 2024.

Highlights

• South Bank lagoon and parklands
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
• CityCat ferry along the river
• GOMA and the Queensland Museum
• Mount Coot-tha lookout
• Story Bridge climb
• Moreton Island day trip

Things to do

• Lone Pine Koala SanctuaryMorning · 3h
• South Bank, the lagoon and the Cultural CentreAfternoon · 3h
• CityCat ferry ride at sunsetEvening · 1h 30m
• Mount Coot-tha lookout and botanic gardensMorning · 2h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: April – October

• Brisbane Festival and Riverfire — Three weeks of arts across the city in September, ending with Riverfire, fireworks over the Brisbane River watched from South Bank and the city reach.