Free things to do · Brisbane · Australia
11 free things to do in Brisbane
Brisbane without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fairfieldstation, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Brisbane without paying an entry fee: South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach, Story Bridge, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and Queensland Art Gallery are all free. QAG, GOMA, the Queensland Museum, the Museum of Brisbane and Streets Beach are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–June, August and October–November
Free sights and experiences
Park · South Bank
1.South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach
Swim in the lagoon on a weekday morning; on hot weekends it is crowded by mid-morning.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Couples
Landmark · Kangaroo Point
2.Story Bridge
Walk across at dusk from Kangaroo Point towards the Valley for skyline views, then descend to Howard Smith Wharves for dinner.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes; 2.5 hours to climb
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Iconic
- After dark
- Architecture
Gallery · South Bank
3.Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Check the programme for the Children's Art Centre and the cinémathèque, both included in or alongside the free collection displays.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Gallery · South Bank
4.Queensland Art Gallery
Start here, cross to GOMA, then have lunch at the riverside café between the two buildings.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Museum · South Bank
5.Queensland Museum Kurilpa
SparkLab charges separately; the main galleries are free and suit a hot or rainy afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
Viewpoint · Kangaroo Point
6.Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Book a guided climbing or abseiling session for a first try, or come after dark to see the city lights reflected in the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Active
- Photo spot
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Viewpoint · Mount Coot-tha
7.Mount Coot-tha Lookout and Botanic Gardens
Visit the lookout at sunset, then walk the short trails in the gardens earlier in the day when it is cooler.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
Garden · Brisbane CBD
8.City Botanic Gardens
Follow the riverside boardwalk from the gardens to Eagle Street Pier and the Riverwalk at New Farm.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Architecture · Brisbane CBD
9.Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane
Book the free clock-tower tour on arrival at the museum desk; places are limited.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Garden · Brisbane CBD
10.Roma Street Parkland
Bring lunch; the barbecues and lawns by the lake are rarely crowded on weekdays.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Park · New Farm
11.New Farm Park and Brisbane Powerhouse
Time a visit to the Saturday market and stay for a picnic under the jacarandas in spring.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Food
- Outdoors
- Couples
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| South Bank | South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Art Gallery and Queensland Museum Kurilpa | Half a day + 2 hours + 1.5 hours + 2 hours |
| Kangaroo Point | Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point Cliffs | 30 minutes; 2.5 hours to climb + 1 hour |
| Mount Coot-tha | Mount Coot-tha Lookout and Botanic Gardens | Half a day |
| Brisbane CBD | City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane and Roma Street Parkland | 1 hour + 1–1.5 hours + 1 hour |
| New Farm | New Farm Park and Brisbane Powerhouse | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Brisbane River
CityCat river ferry
Ride the whole route once, sitting on the outside deck at the front, and stop off at New Farm Park or Howard Smith Wharves.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
Waterfront · Fortitude Valley
Howard Smith Wharves
Book a riverside table for sunset, when the Story Bridge lights come on overhead.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
- Views
Market · Hamilton
Eat Street Northshore
Take the CityCat to the Northshore Hamilton terminus and arrive early before the queues build.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Kids
Museum · South Bank
Queensland Maritime Museum
Combine it with the Goodwill Bridge walk back to the City Botanic Gardens.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- QAG, GOMA, the Queensland Museum, the Museum of Brisbane and Streets Beach are free.
- Use the free CityHopper ferry for inner-river trips.
- Many parks have free electric barbecues — a classic, cheap Brisbane meal.
- Pub bistros run weekday meal specials that are much cheaper than restaurant dinners.
- Hotel rates rise during the Ekka, Brisbane Festival and big sporting events; check dates before booking.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Brisbane expensive to visit?
Brisbane is expensive for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Brisbane?
South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach: Swim in the lagoon on a weekday morning; on hot weekends it is crowded by mid-morning.