How to have a sustainable city break in Brisbane

With a CBD cradled by the Brisbane River and inner-city ‘burbs easily explored via walking and cycling paths, there are plenty of ways to be an eco-explorer in Brisbane.

There are 2100 parks across the city so it might be a bit ambitious to visit them all. Head straight to the top with a wander through the 56-hectare Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-Tha. Hike the Spotted Gum Trail, learn about sustainable gardening or join one of the free guided walks on offer.

For a snapshot of why sustainability is so important, head to the free Wild State exhibition within the Queensland Museum. The gallery takes you through five beautiful yet fragile environments found within the state and explores why we need to rally together to preserve them for future generations.  

Below the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Riverlife is your one-stop shop for sustainable tours that take in the best of the city from the water. Hire a kayak, stand-up paddleboard or water bike for a self-guided tour or go back to 1994 by strapping on a pair of rollerblades to skate your way along the river.

Brisbane has always been a hub for sustainable fashion that will outlast trends – it’s the home of slow fashion pioneers, Easton Pearson, and ethical labels like Outland Denim, after all. Swing by the Paddington Biome store to browse their slow fashion collection, shop Indigenous designs at Open House Collective and find curated preloved threads at SWOP, both in West End. Tucked into California Lane in Fortitude Valley, you’ll find ethically-made, limited run pieces at Bella Joan while lane neighbour Alice Veivers makes quirky womenswear with second hand and vintage fabrics.

Keen for a sustainable day trip? Join an Indigenous-owned Yalingbila (whale) Watching Tour with Quandamooka Coast to have an up-close encounter with humpbacks in the waters surrounding Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Mulgumpin (Moreton Island). Or visit the chemical-free flower farm, Pretty Petal, in Canungra for a hands-on edible flower masterclass.

Sustainable cafes and restaurants in Brisbane

Brisbane’s dining scene has seen such an influx of vegan restaurants and plant-based cafes in the past five years, it’s now more accepted to ask if the milk is dairy than what alt options are available.

Self-catering? Keep your food miles low and shop where the locals do at the Northey Street Organic Markets (on every Sunday morning) or one of the Jan Powers farmers markets.

When it comes to eating out, the team behind Three Blue Ducks at W Brisbane bring their Byron Bay roots and sustainable ethos into this inner-city restaurant with a menu that champions Queensland and Northern NSW produce with ethical farming practices. In West End, Plenty is a sustainable cafe with an ever-changing menu, depending on what produce they have on hand, including honey from their rooftop bees. At nearby Grown, the plant-based menu is built around produce sourced by FoodConnect, who support local, regenerative farmers. For paddock to plate on a grand scale, head out to Homage restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale where everything on your plate is either grown onsite or sourced from a farmer just down the road.

Conscious about the wine you drink? Take a drive out to the cellar door at Sirromet Winery to taste their range of organic, vegan-friendly wines (with grapes grown on their vineyards in Ballandean, in the Granite Belt). You’ll also find an ever-growing number of spots to sip natural, organic and biodynamic small batch wines from around Australia in the city. Start with Proud Henry or the New World-centric Mr Chester Wine Bar in Fortitude Valley.

Sustainable and eco accommodation in Brisbane

As Brisbane’s hotel scene continues to heat up, it’s heartening to see sustainability measures being introduced with the same gusto. With good looks and substance, The Calile in Fortitude Valley utilises passive solar design and has rooms set to eco mode so they ‘sleep’ when not occupied (switching off air con and lights, and closing the block-out blinds to cut energy waste).

As a group, Spicers are committed to achieving zero nett emissions and waste by 2030 and to be plastic-free by 2025. You’ll find large refillable Leif amenities and filtered drinking water in glass bottles in rooms at their urban property, Spicers Balfour.

Knowing sustainability goes beyond reusing towels and banning plastic straws, Za Za Ta at Ovolo The Valley now sings from a plant-based songsheet as part of the Ovolo group’s company-wide decision to go vegetarian for a year (from October 2020).

If you’re venturing beyond the city limits, go completely off-grid at Unyoked’s Remy tiny home in a secret spot 1.5 hours drive from the CBD or tread lightly by glamping on the banks of Lake Wivenhoe.

Sustainable transport options in Brisbane

Leave the car at home and ditch the hire car costs; this is a city made for walking and you also find the best surprises when you do. When your legs need a break, jump on a free CityHopper ferry, or hire a Lime Scooter.

Australia’s first 100% sustainably powered, full-size electric bus will soon be operating in the city, while Brisbane City Council has announced it will introduce a fleet of 60 all-electric Metro vehicles in 2023. In the meantime, instead of jumping straight into an Uber, why not consider a GreenCab pedicab who can take you as far as Suncorp Stadium, West End, and the Valley?