A local's guide to the best of Brisbane in spring

The best way to describe spring in Brisbane? Vibrant.

Crisp mornings give way to sunshine, fresh air is marked by the sweet fragrance of new blooms, and energy is high as Brisbanites bask in warm but not-yet-humid weather.

If you’re a local looking for new things to discover in and around the city or planning to visit Brisbane in spring, this guide will help you find the newest watering hole, be moved by a world-class show or two, get outdoors on a road trip or camping adventure, and celebrate the city's ever-growing cultural scene.

Here are the best things to do in spring in Brisbane.

1. Catch a new show or exhibition 

If you love to keep your calendar full of exciting events and activities, just look at Brisbane’s. The city is pulsing with events this spring, and every day of the week you’re sure to find something that will entertain, inspire, make you laugh, or spark your curious side.

• Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses is QAGOMA’s must-see exhibition that blends fashion, art and science in captivating ways (now until 7 Oct).
• Brisbane Festival delivers three weeks of show-stopping performances (30 Aug – 21 Sept): nab a riverside vantage point for Riverfire’s brilliant fireworks and aerial displays, jump on board the Art Boat for a cruise like no other, wander through glittering Lightscape at City Botanic Gardens, and experience ground-breaking new dance, music and theatre performances across the city.
• Queensland Music Trails continues to deliver the goods in Brisbane with BIGSOUND (3 – 6 October), the best chance to discover the best up-and-coming musicians; while Kelis, The Presets, and Electric Fields bring Sweet Relief to Ballymore Stadium (7 Sept).
• Melt Festival celebrates queer arts and culture with cabaret, pool parties, a foxy Kath & Kim drag parody, the first-ever pride boat parade on Brisbane River, and more (23 Oct – 10 Nov).
• Meanwhile, cinephiles should save the date for Brisbane International Film Festival (24 Oct – 3 Nov).

With so many events in and around the Cultural Centre, be sure to saunter down nearby Fish Lane – you’ve probably had pizza at Julius and bao buns at Hello Please (if not, you should), but have you tasted the steak tartare cigars and martinis at Midtown? Or gorged on perfect pasta at Bar Rosa? Put it on your must-do list.

Pssst… parents no doubt already know Bluey’s World Brisbane – a one-of-a-kind immersive experience – will open on 7 November. Have you secured your tickets?

See here for a full list of events in Brisbane this spring.

The wait is over: the new waterfront precinct, Queens Wharf, officially opens on 29 August – just in time for spring in Brisbane, and even the locals want to check in here for a mini staycation.

Set to be the city’s ultimate entertainment hub, with The Star Brisbane at its heart, Queens Wharf boasts 7.5 hectares of public space, luxury accommodation, and a huge offering of bars and dining. 100 metres up, the Sky Deck will be the place to be – whether you’re craving casual dining and drinks at Babblers, refined steak and seafood at Aloria, or crafted cocktails at Cicada Blu – sure to become one of the best spots for a sunset drink in town.

This is just phase one of openings, so there’ll be plenty more reasons to return and discover more at Queens Wharf throughout the year.

3. Make a trip to the markets

Ditch your regular grocery store and shop local at a weekend farmers market to take advantage of Brisbane's food bowl - it's bursting with fresh produce in spring.

A few favourites to get you started: wake up to river views at West End Markets in Davies Park, make your way through the maze of stalls at Milton Markets, or try something different – Rivermakers Farmers and Artisan Market is new on the scene and breathing new life into Morningside each Sunday.

It’s a great excuse for breakfast or lunch while you’re there – and feel good inside and out as you support small businesses.

Craving a getaway that’s easy to plan and doesn’t need to dip into your savings account? Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) offers the perfect mix of nature, culture and beachside living – just 25 mins on the SeaLink passenger ferry from Cleveland or two hours scenic cruise if you board at Howard Smith Wharves on River to Bay’s shuttle.

Whether you spend your weekend whale watching on coastal walks (North Gorge Walk is a must), clocking up time on the sand (this is the second largest sand island in the world, so there’s lots of it), or delving into the island’s cultural offering with a Quandamooka Elder, it’ll be a getaway to remember, and repeat frequently given just how simple it is to experience the simple life here.

Prefer country to coastline? Here are 30 country escapes from Brisbane.

5. See the city from a new perspective

Spring in Brisbane calls for new memories to be made – and captured for the ‘gram too. Take advantage of the longer days from a new vantage point in the city. Highgate Hill Park is a true local’s gem, but for an unbeatable combo, grab takeaway from One Fish Two Fish – arguably one of Brisbane’s finest casual seafood joints – and walk it to a picnic spot along Kangaroo Point Cliffs for sweeping sunset views of the city and river. It’s enough to make you fall in love with Brisbane all over again.

Prefer table service? Make your way to a rooftop bar instead. A sure favourite is Iris, at the top of funky Hotel X in Fortitude Valley. The views are superb, the tapas is top-notch, and a cocktail here is one of the best ways to begin a night out.  

6. Road trip north to witness whale migration

Hit the road from Brisbane to Hervey Bay and you’ll have a whale of a time. Literally.

The annual migration of humpback whales along Australia’s east coast continues through to November, which makes spring a great opportunity for adventure of mega proportions.

This road trip itinerary makes planning a cinch, and in just a long weekend you can hit the beach, find hidden historic gems in Maryborough, and get to know the world’s first World Whale Heritage Site, Hervey Bay – where countless whale watching cruises will give you a whale encounter to remember.  

7. Play by the bay

Has it been a while since you day-tripped to the bay? Only a short drive from Brisbane City, there’s so much to discover and love about Moreton Bay. And in one easy day-long ramble you can experience the best of coast and countryside.

Kick off with coffee, snacks and shopping at Redcliffe Markets, held each Sunday, before stretching your legs along the Esplanade to historic Redcliffe Jetty. If you’ve got kids, be warned: they’ll want to beeline to Settlement Cove Lagoon for a splash.

After a healthy dose of salty air, take the scenic drive into Moreton Bay’s hinterland. Roll into picturesque Mount Mee for lunch among the vines at Ocean View Estates – the award-winning restaurant uses home-grown produce and overlooks the lakeside and estate vines of viognier, chardonnay, shiraz and ruby cabernet. Be sure to do a wine tasting and grab a few souvenir bottles before the journey home.

For a more low-key Moreton Bay outing, take the dog to Sandgate for beach fun at low tide, followed by fish and chips from Doug’s Seafood Cafe and a walk along the waterfront to Shorncliffe Pier.

8. Taste your way through Brisbane’s newest flavour-makers

Step into the spring sunshine and savour the newest restaurants and bars to open in Brisbane City.

• Tailor-made for spring sessions is bistro and brewery, Little Miss Sunshine. Forgoing that typical moody, industrial chic beer-lovers know too well, this drinking hole is a vibrant, creative and sunny space in the heart of the CBD. And the Sunshine State features heavily on the menu, from beer-battered barramundi and Moreton Bay bug spaghetti to the locally-brewed small batch beers on tap.
• Acclaimed Melbourne institution, Supernormal, is serving tantalising Asian-inspired dishes from fresh new digs on Queen Street. It’s part of culinary legend Andrew McConnell’s highly-anticipated interstate expansion – which also includes sibling venue, Bar Miette, a Euro-inspired terrace café and wine bar offering relaxed yet refined all-day dining from 7am til late. Curious foodies can find it upstairs from Supernormal.
• Inspired by the grand hotel lobbies of the world, the newly opened Naldham House has revamped a stunning 140-year-old heritage building near the City Botanic Gardens into a dining hotspot with a European brasserie, terrace bar, and late night supper club – with one more venue still to come.
• Up late? Slip into Nok Nok, an oasis of bespoke cocktails and tapas hidden behind a green door on Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley.

Those tempted by new flavours should keep an eye on this Brisbane dining guide for more.

9. Set up camp somewhere really special

Springtime is perfect for nature seekers, and you’ll discover oodles of popular and under-the-radar camping spots within an easy drive of Brisbane. One such gem is the Charlie Moreland camping area at Imbil State Forest.

Nab a campsite among open eucalypt forest by the banks of serene Little Yabba Creek and you can swim in the creek when the sun’s shining, and swap stories by the glow of a campfire by night, thanks to provided fire rings. This family-friendly campground is accessible with 2WD, and if you’re seeking true solace and the chirp of native birds, it’s best to travel outside the spring school holiday period for more quiet surroundings.

10. Snap Brisbane in bloom

One of the prettiest things about spring in Brisbane? The vibrant purple rain blankets the city during the annual jacaranda tree bloom. From mid-September to November, a wander around the city and residential streets can quickly turn into a photo walk with purple petals left, right and centre.

Some of the best jacaranda viewing can be done at Brisbane’s New Farm Park, the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, and Kangaroo Point.

When is spring in Brisbane?

For our international visitors, spring in Brisbane officially falls from September – November. Expect plenty of warm sunny days, with average highs of 24°C in September, rising to 28°C in November.

Looking for more ways to immerse yourself in adventure or culture this season? Discover the best places to visit in Queensland during spring.