Where to stay · Brisbane · Australia
Where to stay in Brisbane
8 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Brisbane CBD. Queen Street Mall, sandstone heritage buildings and riverside gardens. Best alternatives — families: South Bank; budget: Fortitude Valley; nightlife: Fortitude Valley.
Key facts
- First visit
- Brisbane CBD
- Families
- South Bank
- Budget
- Fortitude Valley
- Nightlife
- Fortitude Valley
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Brisbane CBD | Queen Street Mall, sandstone heritage buildings and riverside gardens |
| Families | South Bank | Riverside parklands, Streets Beach lagoon and the Queensland Cultural Centre |
| Couples | South Bank | Riverside parklands, Streets Beach lagoon and the Queensland Cultural Centre |
| Budget | Fortitude Valley | Bars, live music, Chinatown and the James Street dining strip |
| Nightlife | Fortitude Valley | Bars, live music, Chinatown and the James Street dining strip |
| Food lovers | Fortitude Valley | Bars, live music, Chinatown and the James Street dining strip |
| Solo travellers | Brisbane CBD | Queen Street Mall, sandstone heritage buildings and riverside gardens |
| Shopping | Brisbane CBD | Queen Street Mall, sandstone heritage buildings and riverside gardens |
| Quiet stays | New Farm | Leafy riverside suburb of Queenslander houses, New Farm Park and the Powerhouse |
Brisbane neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and solo travellers
Brisbane CBD
The central business district fills the river bend between the City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street, with Queen Street Mall's shops, City Hall, the Treasury Building and Parliament House. Central station has the Airtrain, and the free CityHopper ferry and CityCats stop along the riverfront. It is the most convenient base for first-timers and business travellers, though it quietens in the evening.
- Good
- Central transport hub, including the Airtrain; Walk to South Bank across the river; Wide choice of hotels
- Watch out
- Quiet at night outside the main streets; Office-district feel on weekdays
- Nearby
- Queen Street Mall, City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Hall, Roma Street Parkland
$$$ · Best for families, first-timers, culture and couples
South Bank
Built on the site of World Expo 88, South Bank Parklands run along the river opposite the CBD, with the free Streets Beach lagoon, a bougainvillea-covered arbour, the Wheel of Brisbane and restaurants on Little Stanley Street. At its northern end, the Queensland Cultural Centre holds the art galleries, Queensland Museum, the State Library and the performing arts centre.
- Good
- Galleries, lagoon and parks on the doorstep; Riverside views of the city; Good for families
- Watch out
- Busy on weekends and school holidays; Hotels are mostly large chains
- Nearby
- Streets Beach, Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum, Wheel of Brisbane
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, budget and solo travellers
Fortitude Valley
The Valley, just north of the CBD, is Brisbane's main nightlife district, with clubs, live-music venues and bars around Brunswick Street Mall and Ann Street, and the city's Chinatown on Duncan Street. A few blocks east, James Street has polished boutiques and restaurants. It has budget hostels and design hotels and good train links.
- Good
- Liveliest nightlife in the city; Wide range of restaurants; Fortitude Valley station
- Watch out
- Rowdy and noisy late on Friday and Saturday nights; Some streets feel rough in the early hours
- Nearby
- James Street, Chinatown Mall, Brunswick Street Mall, New Farm
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, quiet stays and families
New Farm
New Farm curls into a river bend east of the Valley, with tree-lined streets, cafés on Brunswick and Merthyr streets, and New Farm Park, whose jacarandas flower purple in late spring. The Brisbane Powerhouse arts centre, in a former power station, hosts a Saturday farmers' market. Neighbouring Teneriffe's converted wool stores hold restaurants and apartments.
- Good
- Calm, attractive streets; Riverside park and CityCat stops; Excellent cafés
- Watch out
- Limited hotels; mostly apartments; Few major sights
- Nearby
- New Farm Park, Brisbane Powerhouse, Teneriffe, Howard Smith Wharves
$$ · Best for food lovers, budget, solo travellers and nightlife
West End
Across the river from the CBD and south of South Bank, West End is Brisbane's alternative quarter, with independent cafés, bookshops, live-music bars and a long-established Greek community. The Davies Park market draws crowds on Saturday mornings, and Musgrave Park hosts the Paniyiri Greek festival. Buses and a walk across the Kurilpa Bridge link it to the city.
- Good
- Independent cafés and bars; Walk to South Bank; Good-value food
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Can be loud along Boundary Street
- Nearby
- South Bank, Davies Park Market, Musgrave Park, Kurilpa Bridge
$$ · Best for couples, families and quiet stays
Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point juts into the river opposite the CBD, with cliffs that are floodlit at night and popular for climbing and abseiling. The riverside path below has some of the best skyline views, and the Story Bridge links it to the city and the Valley. Apartment hotels give good value for space.
- Good
- Skyline views; Apartment-style hotels; CityHopper ferry stops
- Watch out
- Few restaurants away from the river; Hilly in places
- Nearby
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves
$$$ · Best for shopping, couples and food lovers
Paddington
West of the CBD, Paddington follows Given Terrace and Latrobe Terrace along a ridge of timber Queenslander houses on stilts, now filled with boutiques, vintage shops, the Paddington Antique Centre and cafés. The pubs of Caxton Street and Suncorp Stadium sit at the bottom of the hill.
- Good
- Characterful streets and shops; Close to Mount Coot-tha; Good pubs
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Hilly walking; Crowded on stadium event days
- Nearby
- Caxton Street, Suncorp Stadium, Mount Coot-tha
$$ · Best for budget, quiet stays and first-timers
Spring Hill
Spring Hill rises just north of the CBD, with terrace houses, small parks and a cluster of good-value hotels. The Old Windmill on Wickham Terrace, built by convicts in 1828, is one of Queensland's oldest buildings. Central station and the Valley are each a short downhill walk.
- Good
- Quieter than the CBD or Valley; Walking distance to both; Good-value hotels
- Watch out
- Steep walk back uphill; Few restaurants
- Nearby
- The Old Windmill, Roma Street Parkland, Fortitude Valley
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane CBD | $$$ | Queen Street Mall, City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Hall, Roma Street Parkland |
| South Bank | $$$ | Streets Beach, Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum, Wheel of Brisbane |
| Fortitude Valley | $$ | James Street, Chinatown Mall, Brunswick Street Mall, New Farm |
| New Farm | $$$ | New Farm Park, Brisbane Powerhouse, Teneriffe, Howard Smith Wharves |
| West End | $$ | South Bank, Davies Park Market, Musgrave Park, Kurilpa Bridge |
| Kangaroo Point | $$ | Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves |
| Paddington | $$$ | Caxton Street, Suncorp Stadium, Mount Coot-tha |
| Spring Hill | $$ | The Old Windmill, Roma Street Parkland, Fortitude Valley |
Getting to your hotel
Brisbane Airport is about 15 km northeast of the city. The Airtrain runs from the domestic and international terminals to Central and Roma Street in about 20–25 minutes, and continues to the Gold Coast line. Taxis and ride-hails take about 20–30 minutes outside peak hours.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Brisbane for first-time visitors?
Brisbane CBD. The central business district fills the river bend between the City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street, with Queen Street Mall's shops, City Hall, the Treasury Building and Parliament House.
+Where should families stay in Brisbane?
South Bank: Galleries, lagoon and parks on the doorstep.
+Which area of Brisbane is best for a budget stay?
Fortitude Valley ($$): Bars, live music, Chinatown and the James Street dining strip.