1. Visit Southbank Parklands

Featuring a stunning inner-city beach, miles of tree-lined walks, fabulous shopping and restaurants, Southbank is the one place you have to see in Brisbane. Located a short hop over the river from the CBD, it's easy to get to and easy to spend a full day amongst the many attractions. Don't forget to jump on the Wheel of Brisbane to get a birds-eye view of the city.

 
Southbank Parklands

2. Cruise the River

There are a number of cruises you can take on the Brisbane River, from simply using the public transport system to catch a CityCat; to enjoying a seafood buffet at sunset aboard the paddlewheeler Kookaburra Queen; to cozying up to someone special in a unique gondola. There's also general sightseeing tours as well as lunch cruises - definitely a great way to see the city. You can also cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and combine two must-do's in the one trip!

Kookaburra Queen paddlewheeler and CityCat

3. Cuddle a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The world's first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has over 130 koalas for you to spy. If cuddling a national icon isn't your thing, you can feed the rainbow lorrikeets and kangaroos, or even hold a snake! See beautiful Australian fauna like wombats, echidnas, tasmanian devils, dingoes and much more.

4. Enjoy the view from Mt Coot-tha

Mt Coot-tha (pronounced Mount Cootha) has breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane city with views out to Moreton Bay by day. A favourite for locals and visitors alike, enjoy a meal or just a coffee looking out over the city and its surrounds. Catch the local 471 bus from the city or buy a pass for the hop-on, hop-off CitySights bus.

5. Expand your horizons in the Cultural Precinct

The best cultural spaces are grouped together near Southbank in an area called the Cultural Precinct. Just across the river from the CBD, this area features the largest gallery of modern art in Australia ( Gallery of Modern Art), the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland College of Art, Queensland Conservatorium, Queensland Museum (incorporating the kids' favourite - Sciencentre), Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the State Library of Queensland. There's always something new and exciting to see and many of the exhibitions are completely free.


Queensland Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and State Library

6. Taste the local seafood

You've heard of Moreton Bay bugs before, so head to one of Brisbane's fine seafood restaurants to taste the real thing amongst the other delicious local delicacies. Wilson's Boathouse, Gambaro's, Brett's Wharf and Jellyfish are just a few of the award-winning dining establishments around Brisbane.

7. Revisit Brisbane's History

Even though Brisbane is young by world standards, it still has a lot of history bound up in its streets. Start by visiting City Hall (a view from the Clock Tower observation deck is a must) and the Museum of Brisbane before heading out on your own self guided walking tour. Don't miss the Commissariat Store or the Old Windmill (both built by convict labour), or revisit Brisbane's history in style at Newstead House - Brisbane's oldest residence. Want something out of the ordinary? Consider a Ghost Tour of Brisbane's streets. Guaranteed spookiness.

8. Go native in the Gardens

Brisbane has an abundance of parklands and gardens to enjoy - whether you want to study the flora, have a family BBQ or simply to relax and enjoy your surroundings. The City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parkland are both within walking distance of the city centre. The Roma Street Parkland is the world's largest subtropical garden in a city centre. Don't miss the wonderful Wollemi Pine Grove - one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species.The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha cover 52 hectares and features an extraordinary tropical dome and beautiful Japanese garden. A must-see for the botanically inclined!

9. Get sporty and active

Whether you want to get in the action and be sporty yourself, or just observe from a safe distance, Brisbane has you covered. The local sporting teams are: the Lions (AFL), Broncos (rugby league), Reds (rugby union), Bulls (cricket), Firebirds (netball) and the Roar (soccer). Matches are played all year round.

Adventurous types can try abseiing or climbing the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, climbing the Story Bridge, kayaking, hot air ballooning over the city, rollerblading, biking and so much more.

For another great adventure including abseiling and kayaking you can't go past  the Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point.

10. Go further afield

With so many natural wonders on Brisbane's door step, the only real problem is fitting everything in!  Here are just a few of the amazing attractions to enjoy:

• North Stradbroke Island

  See some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and one of Australia's most famous pubs. There are 3 townships to stay at, with most visitors choosing the eastern township of Point Lookout where dolphins and other marine life are regularly seen. The north facing patrolled beach of Cylinder is usually calm and family friendly with several cafes and eateries within walking distance.
  
  'Straddie' is only a 50 minutes ride from Cleveland on the car ferry or a 20 minute ride by water taxi/ferry
  
  
  Deadmans Beach, Cylinder Beach, Brown Lake

• Moreton Island

  So much to see and do - hand feeding dolphins, sand tobagganing, fresh water lakes, amazing surf beaches, whale watching, swimming, snorkelling the wrecks at Tangalooma and  fishing - and only a short boat trip from Brisbane ex Eagle Farm, or vehicle ferry ex the Port of Brisbane.   Remember there are no bitumen roads, so you'll need a 4WD vehicle.  Organised tours are available from Tangalooma.
• Tangalooma Island Resort is a good place to visit and stay for hand feeding the dolphins and many other activities.  They are accessed from their boat terminal at Eagle Farm.

• Southern Moreton Bay Islands

• Russell, Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay Islands are worth a trip if you like birdwatching, kayakaing, boating, and fishing.  The islands are a quiet escape to see the beauty of the bay which include sea turtles, dugongs and dolphins playing.

• Karrragarra is the smallest of the islands with no shops, but has a beautiful white sandy beach which is safe for children to swim and has a good picnic area on the water.  Macleay Island has two main beaches Dalpurra Bay and Potts Point both with picnic and BBQ facilities.  This island also has a 9 hole golf course and club house with meals.  The popular Bowls Club is set right on the water with views up to the Port of Brisbane and North Stradbroke Island.   Russell Island has some facilities, including RSL and Bowls Clubs, and a public swimming pool.  Lamb Island is small, very quiet and good for biking/hiking around.

• Good boat ramps are located at Dalpurra Bay Macleay Island, and at Russell Island.  Both Macleay and Russell have shops and restaurants.

• The islands are serviced from Weinam Creek Marina, Redland Bay, on the mainland by half hourly passenger ferry and avehicle barge.

• Mt Mee National Park

  A picturesque one hour drive north of the city centre this is one of Australia's best kept secrets. Beautiful rainforest, gorgeous waterfalls and wateringholes and some great camping and picnic grounds. The nearby rural villages of Dayboro and Samford are also steeped in history and worth a visit along the way.
  
  

• Theme Parks - Dreamworld, MovieWorld, Wet n Wild Water World, SeaWorld

  A perfect family day out which ever park you choose to visit, only an hour south of Brisbane.

• Australia Zoo

  Consistently ranked among the top things to do in Australia, Steve Irwin's legacy lives on in this amazing zoo.
  

• Fraser Island

  The world's largest sand island and a stunning sight to behold. An absolute must on the backpacker circuit or anyone looking for natural beauty.

• Alma Park Zoo

  A wide range of animals including red pandas, lemurs and all of the usual Australian crowd.