Brisbane: Top Things To Do

A hive of dining, entertainment and relaxation opportunities, Brisbane offers a wealth of activities for travellers to enjoy, no matter how long your stay. Whether you want to explore the local nightlife, take in the city’s history or just get a breath of fresh air, check out some of Brisbane’s top things to do.

Explore South Bank

Located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, South Bank is Brisbane’s cultural and lifestyle hub, home to QPAC, GOMA and the Queensland Museum, as well as the city’s popular South Bank Markets.

Open to the public 365 days a year, South Bank offers a huge range of activities for visitors to enjoy while in the area, featuring 15 hectares of picnic-friendly lawns, dozens of restaurants and kilometres of riverside pathway to explore. Southbank is also home to the nation’s only inner-city, man-made beach, set right against the Brisbane River and surrounded by grass so you can spend the morning exploring the precinct and the afternoon lounging by the water.

Visit Eat Street Markets

Brisbane is home to dozens of incredible standalone restaurants and food precincts, but if you’re a fan of food and want to explore Brisbane’s nightlife, a trip to Eat Street Markets on Brisbane’s Northshore is a must. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, enter this Mammoth Riverside Hub and immerse yourself into a world of Food Stalls and Local Markets, with over 180 permanent stalls made up of dozens of different cuisines and offerings to try.

As the go-to place for locals on a weekend, we recommend getting there a little earlier to avoid the crowds and score a table, then relax and enjoy the buzz!

Wander the Botanical Gardens

Brisbane is home to a handful of beautiful parks and natural spaces dotted throughout the city, but if you’re wanting to take a break from the hustle and bustle and get back to nature, take a short walk down to the Botanical Gardens. Located just South of the CBD and set amongst 56 hectares of gardens, don your walking shoes and explore one of the many walking trails, leading you past Fountains, Statues, and through towering Bamboo walkways. If your walk gives you an appetite, there is also a cafe in the centre of the gardens, and it’s the perfect place to stop for a coffee or bite to eat before continuing to explore.

Brisbane: Top Places to Stay

Brisbane’s accommodation scene has transformed over the last decade, with a wide range of accommodation options popping up around the city, helping you escape the hustle and bustle and relax in your own private oasis. Whether you’re staying for business or leisure, a long stay or a short stay, check out our top accommodation recommendations below.

Emporium Hotels

Located in the popular Southbank directly in between the Train Station and South Bank Parklands, Emporium Hotel offers boutique accommodation and river views from the centre of the action. A short train ride away from Brisbane Airport and the CBD, spend your day exploring South Bank or shopping in the CBD, before returning back to the hotel to relax in your room or dine in one of the in-house restaurants. The Emporium also offers a Rooftop Bar, the perfect place to grab a drink at the end of the day and enjoy Brisbane’s skyline.

The Calile Hotel

Located in the shopping and dining hub of James Steet, Fortitude Valley, The Calile Hotel is one of Brisbane’s most modern and popular accommodation options – and it’s not hard to see why. Boasting a minimalist, tropical vibe that makes you feel like you’ve been transported straight to Europe, spend your days lounging on the pool deck or indulging in the shopping that the James Street precinct has to offer, before indulging in exceptional Greek food from the in-house restaurant Hellenika.

The Westin Brisbane

Most of Brisbane’s business district is confined to the Brisbane City area, so if you’re planning to stay in Brisbane for business purposes, The Westin Brisbane is the best place to stay. Located down Mary Street in the CBD just a short walk from the Botanical Gardens and Queen Street Mall, The Westin offers modern and comfortable accommodation just a short walk or Bus ride away from most office buildings. With a range of Meeting and Events spaces, restaurants and even wellness spaces, The Westin offers everything you’ll need for a comfortable business trip.

Brisbane: Best Restaurants to Visit

Brisbane’s restaurant scene has significantly improved over the last decade, with a huge number of creative and delicious dining opportunities popping up around the city. From Breweries to fine dining, here are just a few of our favourite’s.

Howard Smith Wharves

A whole dining precinct set on the edge of the Brisbane River, Howard Smith Wharves combines dining and entertainment into one diverse culinary adventure. Home to 13 restaurants, cafes, bars, events spaces and even a hotel, make your way over to Howard Smith Wharves after a day of work and watch the sun set over the Brisbane River as you drink beer and wine on their deck, or book yourself into their hotel, the Crystalbrook Vincent, and slowly sample your way through their wide range of Italian, Japanese, Cantonese and Australian cuisine.

Hellenika

Located within the ritzy and upmarket James Street area, Hellenika has been widely renowned as one of the region’s best Greek restaurants since its opening in 2018. Created around the idea of sharing and community, step into the whitewashed space and indulge in classic Greek dishes including Pastitsio, Moussaka, Spanakopita and more. They also offer an outdoor dining space, perfect for enjoying after work drinks and watching the sun set.

OTTO Ristorante

First opening its doors almost 10 years ago in 2016, OTTO Ristorante has been one of Brisbane’s go-to Italian venues ever since, perched right on the waterfront in the popular South Bank area and serving up fresh and delicious dishes with river views. Open for dinner daily and for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, spend the day exploring South Bank before popping in for a long lunch or a relaxed dinner of Pasta, Duck, Seafood and more. Just don’t forget to book in advance, otherwise you may not get in!

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