How to nail a fun-filled long weekend in Brisbane with teenagers in tow

Keeping teenagers occupied and away from screens while on holidays can be a tough task – but this guide to a family-friendly long weekend in bustling Brisbane makes it easy (and fun!). There’s so much to do and discover in the river city that the teens will love, from island hopping and cliffside abseiling to mind-boggling galleries, neon-lit foodie markets and heart-racing bridge climbs. Guarantee ear-to-ear grins day and night with this handy itinerary for a teenager-friendly long weekend in Brisbane.

Day one

Morning

Time to check in! While you’re spoilt for accommodation options across Brisbane, a stay at lively South Bank will tick plenty of family and teenager-friendly boxes. The Novotel South Bank and Brisbane Marriott Hotel are equipped with family suites for more space, or if a swimming pool is high on the list of the teens’ priorities, The Westin’s inner-city sparkler will ensure magic moments for the whole family. Drop the bags off, then grab a coffee and a laid-back bite nearby to kick-start your getaway the right way. Popular Brisbane cafe Nodo is a great starting point – be sure to grab some of their famously ‘healthy’ doughnuts to-go.  

Afternoon

Swap screen time for an afternoon of adventure at Riverlife – a hub for fun, safe and challenging activities that’ll have the entire family buzzing. Explore the Brown Snake (Brisbane River) on a kayak tour, abseil with a view down the Kangaroo Point cliffs, or strap in for some scurrying with a two-hour cliffside rock-climbing adventure. Grab lunch at Joey’s café atop Kangaroo Point, then cruise around with Kangaroo Segway Tours – the team takes all-abilities guided sessions throughout Brisbane attractions, landmarks and lush parklands, which run daily and nightly all year … no experience or balance required! If the teens are itching to cut loose even more, squeeze in an exhilarating kid-friendly session at Spec Ops Paintball (there are gel ball sessions for younger players). Conveniently, the adults can scoot up the road to 130-year-old sipping spot The Normanby Hotel while the kids gear up for some tactical fun.

Evening

Satisfy those rumbling tummies at Eat Street Northshore – a market-style foodie haven brimming with delicious eats, neon lights and eye-popping treats. The popular riverside night spot, which was created from 180 recycled shipping containers, has more than 70 micro-restaurants slinging mouth-watering plates every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, so you’re guaranteed to get a thumbs up from even the fussiest of eaters. With five bars and nightly live entertainment, it’s certainly not all about the kids here. Tasty tip – seek out the doughnut fries along Kombi Alley for dessert.

Day two

Morning

Up and at ‘em! Lather on the 50+, weave in a morning bakery pitstop (local gems Agnes Bakery, Jocelyn’s Provisions, Lune Croissantery and Sprout are all winners) and enjoy a morning on the water. Explore Brisbane’s bayside beaches on a River to the Bay tour or take the teens on a half-day island-hop to Tangalooma Island Resort for crystal-clear snorkelling circuits, adrenaline-packed ATV rides and eye-watering sandboarding races. Remarkably, the slice of paradise that is Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) is only a 90-minute ferry ride from Brisbane. Prefer to stay close? The family can get sandy without leaving the city at Street’s Beach – Brisbane’s own (and Australia’s only) purpose-built inner-city beach. Meander through the lush 17-hectare South Bank Parklands to discover the sandy lagoon and soak up the sunshine.

Afternoon

Make tracks to South Bank, Brisbane’s beating cultural heart and a hub for fun-for-all-ages activities. The precinct is easily accessible by car, public transport, aboard beloved river chariot the City Cat or on foot from the CBD via the Goodwill Bridge or the Kurilpa Bridge. If you’ve got some time up the sleeve, take in the surrounding sights on a River City Cruise, which depart from South Bank year-round.

Hungry? Make a beeline for South Bank’s dining precinct (Little Stanley and Grey Streets) where you’ll find a crowd-pleasing line-up of lunch spots. Then, arm yourselves with double scoops from Gelato Messina and take a stroll up to Fish Lane to fill the camera rolls with its artwork-soaked walls.

To really capture the culture like locals, set foot on a guided walking tour of South Bank’s cultural precinct with BlackCard Cultural Tours. With friendly guides at your side, you’ll see everything from the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and its latest exhibitions to hidden outdoor artwork gems, while learning about Brisbane’s ancient culture and art practices. Don’t forget to snap an obligatory family selfie in front of the BRISBANE sign – you can’t miss it on the southern end outside QPAC.

Evening

Catch the sunset down at Howard Smith Wharves and soak up the views across the Brisbane River ­­– the kids will be in awe as they gaze up at the mighty Story Bridge. Parents can enjoy a few well-earned sundowners at waterside brewery Felons, while the kids tuck into the gastropub’s famed crispy fish and chips for dinner. Or, make your way a little further around the restaurant-lined wharf to Ciao Papi for a family-pleasing feast of Italian pizzas as the city skyline lights up the night. If the teen’s taste buds are a little simpler, there’s a Betty’s Burgers in the precinct too – either way, you’ll all want to save room for a stop at Good Times Gelateria before heading back to base.

Day three

Morning

Brisbane does breakfast very well, so you’ll have no trouble finding delicious day starters to satisfy the whole brood. Take your pick along the bustling James Street in Fortitude Valley, or venture a little further to the neighbouring Newstead for eye-popping eats at the hip Industry Beans or a round of breakfast rolls, hash browns and OJs from the bright and sunny, Yolk.

Once the family is fuelled, stretch the legs with a morning exploring Brisbane’s vibrant market scene. The long-running West End Markets pop-up beneath the towering fig trees at Davies Park every Saturday, while the lush Brisbane City Botanic Gardens provides the backdrop for the Riverside Markets on Sundays (the family will love the fluffy Japanese pancakes!). If you’re visiting Brisbane mid-week, the iconic Brisbane City Markets are a must-do. Just follow your noses to Reddacliff Place on George Street on Wednesdays or Cathedral Square on Thursdays to find 80-plus stalls of fresh food, tasty treats and gifts, while local musicians set the vibe.

Afternoon

Go out on a high, literally! If you’ve packed your sense of adventure, strap yourselves in to scale the Story Bridge and score the best views across Brisbane as well as breathtaking vistas to the peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, out to Moreton Bay and down to the Scenic Rim. If the team isn’t keen on going that high, make your way to the Wheel of Brisbane to be treated to a birds-eye view over the spectacular city skyline. Prefer to keep all sets of feet firmly on the ground? Take the scenic route up Mount Coot-tha for lunch with a side serve of city views at The Summit Café. Cap it off with a family stroll through the Japanese gardens and the iconic Tropical Dome at the Botanic Gardens down at Mount Coot-tha’s base, then ignite the kids’ minds with some stargazing at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.