Tom There are simply so many things to do in Brisbane! Whether you’re doing a self-drive from Brisbane, visiting the Sunshine Coast or just chilling at one of the many beautiful beaches (think Noosa), this post will show you all the places to visit, things to do and where to eat in and around Brisbane!
Things to do in and around Brisbane
1. Brisbane River CityHopper – Free Ferry Ride
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Tourists may think that Brisbane is a really expensive city to travel in. But did you know that there is a form of transportation that is absolutely free in Brisbane? It is the Brisbane CityHopper! It operates daily from 6am to 12am (click here for the latest timetables) and covers stops along the Brisbane River such as North Quay, South Bank, Maritime Museum, Thornton Street, Eagle Street Pier, Holman Street, Dockside and Sydney Street. Simply hop on and hop off!
Address: Any of the CityHopper stations mentioned above
Hours: 6am to Midnight Daily
2. Queen Street Mall Brisbane – Shopping Galore
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The premier shopping district in Brisbane has got to be Queen Street Mall. During our visit, Kate snagged a great deal for a pair of shoes at $15. The deal was actually 2 for $30 but she noticed another fellow shopper with a pair of shoes in hand, prompting her to co-buy the shoes! Besides the great shopping experience, there are also many beautiful architectures along Queen Street Mall. Oh, remember to have carton of milk shake on our behalf while you’re there!
Address: Queen Street, Brisbane City, Queensland 4000
Hours: 9am to 5pm
3. Mount Coot-tha Lookout – Views over Brisbane City
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To get the best views of Brisbane CBD, Mount Coot-tha lookout is one of the best spots to head to. Besides the amazing views during the day and charming views at night, you can also have meals at Summit Restaurant or Kuta Cafe while taking in the sights. Due to the orientation of the lookout, Mount Coot-tha is perfect for views of the sunrise!
Address: 1012 Sir Samuel Griffith Dr, Toowong QLD 4066, Australia (Or Bus 471 from Brisbane City)
Hours: 24 hours
4. Noosa National Park Coastal Walk – Beautiful Scenes Await
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Probably one of the most enjoyable part of our 7 Day Brisbane Travels, the Noosa National Park Coastal Walk is recommended by locals and travel bloggers alike. Take in the coastal views, hopefully catch a glimpse of the koalas, hear the waves, catch surfers in action, smell the coastal tea trees and end the walk at Hell’s Gate. Head back to Noosa Main Beach and people watch along Hastings Street or just lather on some tan lotion and hit the beach!
Address: Park Rd, Noosa Heads QLD 4567, Australia
Hours: 9am to 4:45pm
5. Golden Beach Queensland – “Walking on Water”
At low tide, Golden Beach reveals a sand bar where you can literally walk from the shores all the way to the middle of the channel. A photo taken there may seem like you’re “walking on water”!
Address: 3 km (2 mi) SSW of Caloundra
Places to Visit in and around Brisbane
There are also some interesting places to visit in and around Brisbane. This section covers some quaint and unique spots that we visited during our travels in Brisbane.
1. Paddington Antique Centre – Treasure Hunting
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Paddington is a quaint little precinct where you can visit boutique stores and cafes. At the heart of Paddington is the Paddington Antique Centre (also known as Empire Revival). Here, you’ll be able to find some gems from Australia’s history. Visit Trammies Corner while you’re there to find out how the place got its name!
Address: 167 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064, Australia
Hours: 10am to 5pm (till 4pm on Sundays)
2. Flaxton Barn – Shop & Eat
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We visited Flaxton Barn on the morning before our departure from the Montville/Flaxton area. The cool thing about Flaxton Barn is that it combines the experience of browsing for antiques with gourmet food and cafe dining. Check out the Jeep Table while you’re there, the head lights still work!
Address: 445 Flaxton Drive, Flaxton QLD 4560, Australia
Hours: 9am to 5pm (closed on Wednesdays)
3. Eumundi Markets – Unique Shopping Experience with Live Music
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Eumundi Markets is the largest art and crafts market in Australia. Here, you’ll be able to browse through hundreds of boutique/unique shops and even be treated to live music while doing so. Many local musicians perform throughout the Eumundi Markets. Do note that it opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Check out Eumundi Brewery while you’re in the vicinity for pub grub and live performances.
Address: 80 Memorial Dr, Eumundi QLD 4562, Australia
Hours: 7am to 2pm (Saturdays) , 8am to 1:30pm (Saturdays)
What to eat in and around Brisbane
As a cosmopolitan city, Brisbane is also a melting pot for cuisines from all over the world. As its status as an education hub rises, so does its dining scene. Here are some recommendations during our visit to Brisbane…
1. Nodo Donut – Skip the Donuts Head Straight for the Brunch Menu
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We were recommended to try out Nodo Donuts by local friends in Brisbane. However, we realised that the donuts were really expensive! $6 for a donut. Though they looked really beautiful, we decided to share a brisket burger and it didn’t disappoint. Again the add-on for yuzu avocado at $5 was a little expensive but it complimented the burger pretty well. We also noticed several guests lounging with a book at the entrance of Nodo Donuts. Definitely a trendy albeit upscale cafe to try out while in Brisbane.
Address: 1 Ella St, Newstead QLD 4006, Australia
Hours: 7am to 3pm
2. The Charming Squire – Fresh Beers with a Quirky Concept
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The Charming Squire is definitely the most highly recommended microbrewery in Brisbane. Beers were rich, flavourful, bold and smooth on taste. You won’t go wrong with popular choices such as One Fifty Lashes, Swindler and Jack of Spades. The dining areas of the Charming Squire were spacious with high ceilings and you could see the boilers where your fresh beers came from. Food was not expensive as well. The 400g Giant Rump Steak at $36 was good for 2 to share. Lastly, we love the story behind the Charming Squire. It was said that James Squire was trying to steal ingredients to brew the colony’s (Australia) first batch of beers. However, he was caught and given 150 lashes – that’s where the name for the craft beer of the same name came from. Googled and found some elements of truth in the story. Let us know more in the comments sections below if you have more information!
Address: 3/133 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia
Hours: 7am to 12am (closes at 2am from Thursdays to Saturdays)
3. Madtongsan Korean Restaurant – Cheap Huge Portion Lunch Deals
During our visit to Sunnybank, we visited Madtongsan Korean Restaurant for its lunch deals. For only $12, we had the beef rib stew. Do not be mistaken by the name of the dish. The portion of meat were so huge and chunky that Tom almost had problems (usually he does not have issues even with buffets) finishing the meal! Probably good for 2 ladies to share. Try the spicy version – Loooove it!
Address: 9 Lewina St, Sunnybank QLD 4109, Australia
Hours: 11am to 11pm
4. Brisbane Brewing Company – Chilling at West End
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Second to the Charming Squire would be the Brisbane Brewing Company. Although we’re seated inside the brewery itself, the access to outdoor spaces and “veranda-like” interior design creates a relaxing atmosphere to chill and catch up with friends. We also found the sofa seats to be comfortable as well. The Brisbane Pale Ale (BPA) was a favourite for us here.
Address: 124 Boundary St, West End QLD 4101, Australia
Hours: 11am to 12am (Fridays to Sundays), 4pm to 12am (Mondays to Thursdays)
5. Montville Cafe Bar & Grill – DO NOT MISS the King Henry Ribs
If you’re visiting Montville/Flaxton for the amazing views, remember to dine at Montville Cafe Bar & Grill and (only) order the King Henry Ribs. For $39, the portion was HUGE! We were not able to finish it. While in Montville, check out the free liqueur/wine tastings at Castle Glen.
6. Eumundi Brewery – Delish Beers and Lively Atmosphere
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Located inside the Imperial Hotel Eumundi, Eumundi Brewery serves up great tasting pub grub along with freshly brewed beers. For instance, Wappa is named after a local waterfall, from which the water source was extracted. Don’t miss the Seared Tuna Tacos while you’re here. Fresh and delicious with the refreshing salsa condiment.
Address: 1 Etheridge St, Eumundi QLD 4562, Australia
Hours: 11:30am to 9pm
7. Moffat Beach Brewing Co. – Great Pub Grub
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Besides its excellent location next to Moffat Beach, offering views of the ocean, the freshly brewed beers at Moffat Beach Brewing Co. were perfect accompaniment for dishes such as the chicken schnitzel and broccolini. Particularly for the broccolini, we found it unique in its presentation and the labne (yogurt cheese) dip was interesting as well. Great place to chill out with friends, with live music in the evenings.
Address: 12 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach QLD 4551, Australia
Opening Hours: 6:30am to 11pm (except Sunday till 8pm and Monday/Tuesday till 4pm)
Where to stay in and around Brisbane
If you’re visiting Brisbane, Montville or Noosa, we have some recommendations of where you can stay during your travels…
Brisbane Marriott Hotel
Besides its excellent location, Brisbane Marriott Hotel, the pool area offers panoramic views while being sheltered from the elements – a huge favourite with guests of the hotel.
Noosa
Located on Hastings Beach, just across from Noosa Main Beach, Sofitel Noosa Pacific Hotel offers the most luxurious accomodation in Noosa. Check out the spa services offered here and be treated to a delightful time of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Montville
For amazing views from the mounts of Montville, check out Montville Mountain Inn Resort. If a real getaway is what you need, retreat at Montville Mountain Inn Resort will do just that!
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You have just finished a post from our Brisbane Travels in 2018. Check out details from our entire trip from the following posts:
Brisbane Travels Day 1: Brisbane City Tour!
Brisbane Travels Day 2: Visiting Brisbane Suburbs of Paddington, Sunnybank, West End and Chermside!
Brisbane Travels Day 3: Tried Discovering the Beauty of Montville (Sunshine Coast)
Brisbane Travels Day 4: Travelling from Montville to Noosa
Brisbane Travels Day 5: Noosa National Park Hike & Trek
Brisbane Travels Day 6: Eumundi Markets & Brewery!
Brisbane: Things to do , Where to Eat, Places to Visit and Where to Stay in and around Brisbane!
