Brisbane travel blog — The fullest Brisbane travel guide for first-timers

Besides the famous Sydney, ancient Melbourne or vibrant Perth, Australia also has Brisbane – a city of interesting things, full of festivals that visitors should not miss when coming to the land of the Kangaroo. Brisbane is the capital city of the state of Queensland, about 900km to the North of Sydney. Right here in Brisbane, visitors can experience an unforgettable trip when experiencing life in mid-town villages, exploring offshore islands, a little further is the very famous coral reef of Great Barrier that also known as a world heritage site.

So, what to do and how to plan a perfect trip to Brisbane? – the beautiful coastal city of Australia for the first-time? Let’s check out our Brisbane travel blog (Brisbane blog, Brisbane trip blog) with the fullest Brisbane travel guide (Brisbane guide, Brisbane tourist guide) from how to get, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

Brisbane attracts any visitor because of its natural scenery, exciting festivals, attractive beaches and beautiful island bays. Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city, it is located in southeastern Queensland, close to the east coast of Australia about 900km from the north of Sydney. This place is a young, vibrant, modern city, but also extremely attractive with many interesting landscapes and attractions for tourists.

Brisbane travel blog: Overview of Brisbane

Brisbane bring a mixture of a modern city and traditional features. As the third largest city in Australia (after Sydney and Melbourne), Brisbane is young, full of features of Australia, and a livable place. Many travelers traveling to Brisbane prefer to visit scenic spots and bustling such as the Queensland Museum, Queen Street Mall and South Bank Parklands. The weather here is very pleasant, so outdoor dining services are also varied and popular: Dining under the trees and starry skies, or in elegant riverside restaurants. Of course, this place also has no shortage of trendy bars to choose from.

Brisbane has pleasant weather, life is quite comfortable and not too expensive. With easy and convenient public transport, it is not difficult to explore Brisbane’s beautiful sights and unique culture features. If you are looking for a peaceful place to relax yet still modern, Brisbane is the best choice for you.

Brisbane blog: When to visit?

Brisbane has a subtropical climate, with warm weather all year round. However, the temperature in each season will be different and this also has a great influence on your travel itinerary.

Spring (September to November)

Springtime in Brisbane is usually warm during the day and cool at night. Occasionally there will be gentle rains, creating a truly spring atmosphere. This is the ideal time for you to explore the natural beauty of this beautiful city.

Featured tourist places that you can visit such as: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Moreton Bay, Roma Park, … In addition, you can also visit other prominent places such as Queensland Cultural Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), New Farm, …

If you choose to travel to Brisbane in the spring, you will also have the opportunity to experience many outstanding events and festivals such as Brisbane Spring Festival, October Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival, Music Festival, … Ekka’s (Royal Queensland Show), fireworks and evening performances are usually held in August, the Brisbane Festival is held in September, and the Brisbane International Film Festival takes place in November which giving you the most interesting and memorable experiences.

Summer (December to February)

December to February in Brisbane temperatures range from 31 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsius. The weather is quite hot and high humidity, but not too harsh. This is the best time for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, city cycling, get fun at water parks, … Summer is considered to be Peak travel time in the city of Brisbane.

Some famous beaches for you to cool off summer days in Brisbane such as Streets Beach, Bongaree Beach, Pandanus Beach, … And yet, you can also make plans to climb mount Coot-tha, picnic at the park Rona Street, entertainment in Kalinga, and more.

For those who love to experience world culture, will surely enjoy being immersed in summer events such as Woodford Folk Festival, BrisAsia Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Seasonal Music Festival Summer, Street Food Festival, … This is an opportunity for you to experience with all your senses and bring yourself the most memorable feelings.

Autumn (March to May)

Autumn is the perfect time for tourist activities in Brisbane. The temperature is now from 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius. From March to April, you will enjoy a fresh, gentle atmosphere with beautiful natural scenery. If spring is a brilliant season with flowers bloom everywhere, in autumn you will admire a romantic Brisbane in beautiful multicolored leaves. You can walk on the streets, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Fortitude Valley, Roma Street Park, …

For young people who love to live virtual, this is the ideal time for you to “hunt” dozens of beautiful photos. Not only that, the autumn of Brisbane also has many outstanding events and festivals such as: Brisbane World Science Festival, Redcliffe Festival, Bicycle Week, Brisbane Comedy Festival, CMC Rocks QLD, …

Winter (June to August)

Winter in Brisbane is not too cold, the temperature is only from 11 to 18 degrees C, quite cool and pleasant. At this time you can comfortably to explore tourist attractions, enjoy outdoor activities and make picnic plans with your family. At night, the weather is a bit cold, so you need to wear warm clothes.

Winter is also considered a festive season in Brisbane, you will experience cult events such as Out Of The Box Festival, Queensland Music Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Royal Queensland Exhibition , and many other interesting and interesting activities.

Brisbane travel guide: How to get there?

Currently, plane is the most convenient way to get to Brisbane. Some airlines operating flight routes to Brisbane can be mentioned as Bangkok Airways, Malindo Air, Jetstar, Vietnam Airlines, … Depending on each specific route, the price of air tickets to Brisbane fluctuates differently. For Hanoi – Brisbane route, the round trip ticket is priced at $258 or more. Air ticket from Saigon to Brisbane is priced at $195 to $315. As for the Da Nang – Brisbane route, the round-trip fare is in the range of $360 – $510.

Brisbane Airport is located 20 km to the northeast of the city center in Eagle Farm. There are also many direct flights from Canberra or some other regions inside and outside Australia to Brisbane. Some domestic airlines that operate routes to Brisbane include: Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas.

Private Brisbane Airport (BNE) Transfers for Brisbane CBD

Getting from the airport to the city

Airtrain

Every 15 minutes with a trip, stopping at the central area, South Bank, Fortitude valley and Roma Street train station. If you go to the last station in the city, price: $16 / ticket / adult, round-trip ticket: $30 / ticket / adult. Time running for full route: 30 minutes; Operation time: 5:00 am – 10:00 pm. See more here.

Coachtrans (a type of coach) & Con-X-ion bus

You can go to Brisbane city or go to Gold Coast by this vehicle. Ticket price to the city center: $20 / ticket / adult, ticket to Gold Coast: $44 / ticket / adult. Vehicle travel time depends on traffic conditions, about 20 – 60 minutes.

The Con-X-ion bus, 40-minute with a trip. One way: AU$ 20, round-trip AU$ 36. Discount for two or more passengers traveling together. Travel time: 30 minutes.

Shared Brisbane Airport Transfers (BNE) for Brisbane

Bus

The most economical way to travel is to take the T-bus to DFO/Number 1 Airport Village, then catch bus 369 to Eagle Junction station, from there you will catch the train into the city center. You should buy a Go Card at the Airtrain stations for convenience of traveling ($30/card with $5 deposit that can be get refund and $25 for traveling) and save, fares are only $3 – $5 / ticket / one-way.

Visitors are advised to use the “Go Card” card to take bus, airtrain, ferry and train. This card is sold at most newspaper stalls and Translink offices at the tourist information booths at Queen Street Mall (Address: Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia).

Visitors can also tour the city with the fast, convenient and free Loop bus service. This type of bus operates from Monday to Saturday, from 7am to 6pm, there is a trip every 10 minutes.

Taxi

From the airport to the center, it costs about $35 – $45. You can ask taxi driver for the package price.

Brisbane guide: Getting around Brisbane

Bicycle

You can rent a bike at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens or CityCycle area, for about $2 / day. Note that cycling a bike in Brisbane requires a helmet, otherwise it can result in a fine of up to $120.

Green Cabs

An environmentally friendly taxi, carrying up to 2 adults and 2 children. It can be found in the West End, South Bank, the CBD (administrative center), the Fortitude valley and along the riverside. The starting price is $5 / km and also takes passengers on tour.

Taxi

Many but the fare is quite expensive.

Self-drive

Many roads in Brisbane are only one way, if you drive yourself you should look at the city map and select the route first. In the city center there is a parking lot, costs $40 / day and $15 if park before 9am and leaving after 4pm. Some suburban roads or underground tunnels collect fees (eg Clem 7 tunnel), only prepayment is accepted via website. You can rent a car at the airport or downtown.

Motorbike

The administrative center is quite crowded and lacks car parking, so traveling by motorbike is more convenient and does not have to pay roadside parking fees. However, scooters (small displacement motorcycles, under 50cc) are not allowed to travel on some highways and have a speed limit of just under 55km / h.

Public transport

Passenger ferries (cityferry and citycat), trams, and buses all sell tickets at the Translink system. Visitors can buy with a Go Card as mentioned above.

Brisbane travel blog: What to do and where to go?

Art

Brisbane regularly hosts world-class art activities at locations such as the Queensland Art Gallery and The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), which located on the south bank of the Brisbane River. is as beautiful as a glittering crown emerging in the bustling cultural scene. It is the largest modern art museum in the southern hemisphere and is famous for its unique domestic and international exhibition events. Visitors to Brisbane should take the time to visit the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) (Address: Cnr Grey and, Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia) – A venue for value ballet, opera or symphony performances. The Queensland Museum and the State Library of Queensland. And Queensland Cultural Centre in South Bank: Admiring the famous works of Australian artists at the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queesland Museum (Address: Stanley Pl, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia/Hours: 10AM–5PM)

Natural wonders

Moreton island

The world’s third largest sand island is located right next to Brisbane. Moreton Island with crystal clear lakes and lagoons, not to mention many wild flowers, pristine beaches and towering sand dunes. The main activities here are diving to see shipwrecks and coral reefs, hand-feeding dolphins in the sunset. Four wheel drive (ATV) and sand slide are also fun activities.

The beautiful Moreton Island National Park is 75 minutes by ferry from Brisbane. The beautiful group of islands with North Stradboke, Scarborough (where the famous Great Barrier coral reef is located), Bribi Island or Moreton Island … Visitors can take a boat tour to visit the entire bay, scuba diving to watch coral or participate in other interesting sea sports, hiking, fishing or camping.

Follow the trail up to the observatory on Mount Tempest – a breathtaking viewing spot. This is the highest coastal sand dune in the world, with an altitude of 280m. See birds and crabs on Desert Track. Or head inland to enjoy the clear blue waters of the Blue Lagoon full of fish and frogs.

Note that there are only a few cafes and shops on the island. So please remember to bring food reserves.

Kangaroo Point

Climb the Kangaroo Point Cliff early in the morning or evening when the city is lit up by lights.

Redcliffe Peninsula

Just 30 minutes away from Brisbane’s north: Where you can see whales at firsthand and relax in the pure ocean space.

Fortitude Valley

Brisbane’s cultural hub: Listen to live music, shopping along the bustling outdoor shops and host a party in Chinatown.

New Farm

Right next to the Fortitude valley is New Farm, where visitors can sit in stylish cafes to watch passersby, buy your favorite foods at famous food shops and picnic at the parks by riverside.

Experience life

To avoid the bustling city center, the bars, shops, restaurants and cultural venues in South Bank Parklands are perfectly interwoven with the lush green canopy, public beaches, lagoons and picnic areas would be good choices.

Story Bridge

This bridge attracts tourists not only because of its special historical value, but also a famous bridge-climbing site. When night falls, the bridge is brilliantly colored with light. To see the bridge from its best angle, take a cruise or take a ferry along the Brisbane River.

The most distinctive features of the bridge are the system of torsion beams and pedestals. Those who love adventure can try swinging on the bridge. Watching the sparkling skyscrapers when swing by the side of the bridge is an enjoyable experience. You can rest assured that you will be carefully monitored for the safety of visitors.

If you are lucky enough to come to the city during the Brisbane Festival in September or New Year’s Eve, you can watch the bridge glow in the wonderful fireworks.

• Address: State Route 15, New Farm QLD 4169, Australia
• Construction started: May 24, 1935
• Clearance below: 30 m
• Opened: July 6, 1940

Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha

With green space, close to nature, this garden gives us a feeling of great relaxation. Just 7km from the city we will reach here.

The diverse themed gardens take visitors on a journey through 128 acres of gardens. The highlights include beautiful Japanese gardens and the largest collection of Australian rainforest in the world. You can take advantage of the free guided walking and small walking tours. Best of all, the entrance fee to the garden is also free.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine is the largest Koala sanctuary in Australia. It is home to more than 130 species of extremely cute animals. Visitors can feed and pet many animals. According to the law, a tourist can only hug Koala once. Make sure that each Koala is only hug for no more than 30 minutes a day. Visitors will see that these animals besides smooth and gentle as shown in the photos, they are surprisingly heavy.

If you do not want to cuddle Koala, you can still visit the barn on the tree to see them lying limply on the branches or sitting leisurely gnawing the eucalyptus leaves. Lone Pine is open year round, except for major holidays. Parking is free.

Address: 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket QLD 4069, Australia
Hours: 9AM–5PM

Unique bars

The typical Queensland-style houses with tin roofs and long front porches lie proudly side by side on the corner of Alfred and Constance streets in the Fortitude Valley suburb. There are 6 old-style eateries and bars, open from 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. on weekends until late at night.

Chinatown

Brisbane’s Chinatown located on Duncan Street (Fortitude Valley) opened in 1987. It is a commercial, social and cultural hub of Brisbane’s Asian community and you will notice that the streets names are written in both English and Chinese with lots of authenticity.

This Chinatown area is centered around the pedestrian mall on Duncan Street, but many shops and restaurants also open up so Chinatown now stretches from Alfred Street to McLachlan Street and Gipps Street to Constance Street.

Brisbane travel guide: What to eat?

Brisbane is famous for its delicious and interesting dishes that you can freely explore when you come here, typically grilled kangaroos, beetroot hamburgers, BBQ, grilled Australian crocodile, and cakes made from wheat flour, or dishes made from Australian beef… are extremely delicious and attractive.

Dinner and wine for connoisseurs

Foodies should pay attention: Esquire is the most popular dining venue when visiting the Queensland capital. Manager chef Ryan Squires and lead chef Ben Devlin are talented in blending a variety of flavors and unique layouts to create impressive, delicious dishes.

Guests can also choose the Esq restaurant right next to it with an rich order menu. These two restaurants share a varied wine menu and diners can choose to try many different dishes combining Argentine wine, or enjoy special dishes such as ribs or chicken wings. This place is highly rated for its beautiful riverside location, unique décor and good service. Remember, don’t leave here without trying the famous Parfait popcorn.

Brisbane travel blog: Shopping

Queen Street Mall: Traveling is a must to shop, right? Queen Street is a paradise for you. Here, there are rows of long street shops with six impressive indoor shopping areas. Here, you can freely shop from books to fashion, dine in a restaurant or bar and watch great street performances. You should enjoy a delicious meal or a beer at Burnett Lane. It is located parallel to the shopping mall.

Brisbane blog: Where to stay?

One of the quality and cheap places to stay that is the Brisbane Backpackers Resort (Agoda.com or Booking.com). This place has a variety of facilities and services. Which includes free service on bus routes. In addition, visitors can also refer to other names such as: Some Rooms Backpacker (Agoda.com), Brisbane Manor Hotel (Agoda.com or Booking.com),…

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Next Hotel Brisbane, a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $120/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
• Stamford Plaza Brisbane, a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $114/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
• Meriton Suites Herschel Street, Brisbane, a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $77/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
• Royal On The Park Hotel & Suites, a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $93/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

You can find more hotels in this city on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Brisbane you can refer to

• Brisbane’s Best Sightseeing Day Tour
• Gold Coast City Sights with Transfers from Brisbane
• Outdoor Rock Climbing Experience in Brisbane
• Grand Brisbane Tour
• Brisbane by Bicycle Tour
• Greyhound Australia Whimit Coach Pass from Brisbane (Consecutive 3, 5, 7 Days)
• Brisbane City Tour with Cruise from Gold Coast
• Grand Brisbane Tour from Gold Coast
• Morning Brisbane City Tour with Cruise
• Brisbane Segway Tour
• Dreamworld Tickets with Transfers from Brisbane
• {Unp by Op} Gold Coast Water Park Admission Tickets with Transfers from Brisbane
• Guided Kayaking Tour in Brisbane

Are you looking for more top things to do in Brisbane: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.