Brisbane CBD Travel Guide
Brisbane CBD nestles inside a sweeping curve of the Brisbane River, with a big chunk of the centre being walkable. You can pretty much cover the bulk of it on foot, without breaking a sweat. Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City Hall, the City Botanic Gardens, and Roma Street Parkland are the big hitters; they anchor the city centre grid and make it feel like a proper place.
- Full Day
- 8 Hours (approx.)
- $ 320 AUD
- $ 299 AUD
- Full Day
- 6 Hours (approx.)
- $ 110 AUD
- $ 99 AUD
- Full day
- 8 hours (approx.)
- $ 210.00 AUD
- $ 199,00 AUD
- Full Day
- 10 hours
- $ 149,00 AUD
- $ 129,00 AUD
- Full Day
- 7 Hours (approx.)
- $ 130 AUD
- $ 119 AUD
- Full Day
- 8 Hours (approx.)
- $ 540 AUD
- $ 499 AUD
Urban River Hub
The Brisbane River waterfront is largely why the CBD looks the way it does; it runs along the eastern and southern edges of the city, providing ferry terminals and waterfront areas just a short walk from the main commercial hub. Then there are bridges and riverside paths that take you on over to South Bank and Kangaroo Point.
At the southern end, you’ve got the City Botanic Gardens, taking up 18 hectares, and the river runs for about 1.2 km, so you can take a stroll along the water. And as you head north, the skyline changes when you see the Story Bridge, and you’ve got Howard Smith Wharves tucked away beneath the bridge.
To be honest, distances are so short — you can easily walk from Brisbane City Hall, the mall, the gardens and the river all in the same trip.
FAQ
Is Brisbane CBD worth visiting?
Absolutely. The city centre packs riverfront scenery, shopping, City Hall, the gardens, the beautiful parkland, heaps of great places to eat and major Brisbane transport links right into a tiny but fantastic central area.
How much time do you need in Brisbane CBD?
You could easily spend a full day exploring Brisbane CBD, checking out the main shopping area, City Hall, taking a stroll along the river, hanging out in the gardens and taking a ride on the ferry. And with two days in central Brisbane, you’ve got plenty of time to linger over meals and pop over to South Bank on the other side of the river.
Can you get around Brisbane CBD without a car?
Yes, you can; it’s super easy. Most of the top sights are within walking distance, and if you need to travel further, there are trains, buses and ferries to help you out. And with contactless public transport payment, you can just hop on and off without worrying about any of the details.
What can you see along the Brisbane River from the CBD?
You’ll get some cracking views of South Bank and Kangaroo Point, the Story Bridge and riverside wharves as you wander along the river paths — and the best part is that you can mix it up by taking a river ferry ride and getting a completely different perspective. Rather than choosing just one or the other.
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Experience The Best Of Brisbane
The river is the natural place to start. Ferries and bridges connect the two banks, while riverside walking paths lead between gardens, restaurants and city views.
South Bank Parklands sits directly opposite the Brisbane CBD, bringing together around 15 hectares of parkland, Streets Beach and the Queensland Cultural Centre. Across the river, Queen Street Mall and the 18-hectare City Botanic Gardens offer a mix of busy city streets and quieter waterfront spaces.
Kangaroo Point has some of the best views of the Brisbane skyline and Story Bridge. Nearby, Howard Smith Wharves brings dining and riverside spaces beneath the bridge. New Farm, Fortitude Valley and West End add another mix of parkland, nightlife, leafy streets and charming cafés.
