AU
Brisbane
Queensland’s sunny river capital, with a city beach, riverside walks, ferries and a koala sanctuary
Queensland’s sunny river capital, with a city beach, riverside walks, ferries and a koala sanctuary
The former Expo 88 site is now a riverside park with Streets Beach, a free man-made lagoon, plus the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opened in 1940, this steel cantilever bridge links the CBD with Kangaroo Point. Guided climbs to the top give views over the city and river.
Watch the bridge lit up from the Kangaroo Point cliffs.
Photo: Lachlan Fearnley, CC BY-SA 3.0
Fast catamaran ferries run along the river from the University of Queensland to Northshore Hamilton. A ride is one of the best ways to see the city.
Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Founded in 1927, Lone Pine is home to many koalas plus kangaroos you can feed. Since 2024 visitors can no longer hold koalas here, but there are close-up talks.
Reach it by bus, or by a river cruise from the city.
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try Moreton Bay bugs (a local shellfish), fresh prawns, mud crab and tropical fruit. Fortitude Valley, West End and Howard Smith Wharves have many restaurants and bars.
Weekend markets at South Bank and the Jan Powers farmers markets are good for local produce.
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is linked to the city by the Airtrain (about 20 minutes). Trains also run south to the Gold Coast (about 75 minutes).
Use a go card or contactless bank card on buses, trains and ferries. Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or travel authority. Most European passport holders can apply online for a free eVisitor; citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and some other countries can use the ETA, applied for through the official AustralianETA app (A$20 service charge). Both allow stays of up to three months per visit. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, so declare any food, plant or animal products on arrival. Check current rules before you travel.
Australia uses the Australian dollar (A$). It is an expensive country for accommodation and eating out, though free beaches, parks, museums and walks help keep costs down. Tipping is not expected. Brisbane is generally a little cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne.
Prices are approximate.
River, koalas and galleries.
Walk through the CBD, cross to South Bank for GOMA and a swim at Streets Beach, and see the Story Bridge at night.
Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, then the Mount Coot-tha lookout for sunset.
Ride the CityCat to New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse, and eat at Howard Smith Wharves.
🛂 Entry rules: every visitor needs a visa or ETA
Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or electronic authority before travelling to Australia. Passport holders from the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Singapore and several other countries can use an ETA (subclass 601): apply in the official Australian ETA app, which charges an AUD 20 service fee. It allows stays of up to three months at a time for 12 months.
EU and some other European passport holders can instead get a free eVisitor (subclass 651) online. Other nationalities need a Visitor visa.
Official information: Australian Department of Home Affairs: ETA · Reviewed September 2026
The subtropical sun is strong; use sunscreen.
Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms.
CityCats are a scenic, cheap way to travel.
For surf beaches, head to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
Quick answers for planning time in Brisbane.
Not at Lone Pine, which stopped koala holding in 2024; you can still see koalas up close and feed kangaroos.
Yes, Streets Beach at South Bank is a free man-made lagoon with lifeguards. Ocean beaches are about an hour away.
By Airtrain in about 20 minutes, or by taxi or rideshare.
A fast catamaran ferry service along the Brisbane River, part of the public transport network.
April to September, when the weather is warm, dry and sunny.
Offline maps are useful outside the cities, where mobile coverage can drop out.
Free
Australians mostly use SMS and iMessage, but many tour operators also use WhatsApp.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Australia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.