List
By Danielle Reckless
Whether it’s food, thrills or quality time in the great outdoors that brings your family together, bring them together in Brisbane. The River City is the perfect place to reconnect with your loved ones, with so much on our doorstep to entertain visitors or even locals looking for new ideas close to home.
There’s plenty of fun things to do in Brisbane for the whole family; here are a few of our favourite activities that’ll win fans of the young and those who prefer to call themselves young-at-heart.
Wander through the rainforest, past twisting vines, giant fig trees and waterfalls in D’Aguilar National Park. Beginning just 10km from Brisbane’s CBD, it’s a no-fuss family outing with plenty of easy and moderate walks for little and longer legs.
Summit Mt Nebo for some of the park’s best views, explore the walking trails around Walkabout Creek and take a dip at Enoggera Reservoir, or stretch your legs on the Greenes Falls track. Either way, take the scenic drive home with a stop at charming Samford village for a bite to eat at converted church Flying Nun Café, discover your powers at the official Harry Potter Store of Requirement, or delve into the town’s history at the local museum.
Have an adventurous family? Check out more of these national parks near Brisbane that are well worth a day trip.
Photo by QAGOMA via FB
You’ll find a lot of fun for the whole family in Brisbane’s cultural heart, South Bank.
There’s inspiration and creative outlets at QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art), with ever-changing exhibitions, some of the country’s finest indigenous art on show, and a world-class Children’s Art Centre with hands-on multimedia activities, supervised by experience artists. Everyone can get involved, from creating dance videos to making origami animals and shadow puppets.
Finish with lunch and a stroll through South Bank Parklands. Bring snacks and make use of the free barbeque facilities at Picnic Island Green, while the kids burn off some extra energy on the playground. Streets Beach, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda and rainforest walking trails should be explored by all. And before you leave, take a spin on the Brisbane Wheel to see the city glisten from 60 metres above.
Get your heart pumping and get out on the river together as a family. Riverlife Adventure Centre makes being active look easy; and it’s great for keeping the older kids entertained. Take in Brisbane’s skyline from a new perspective while abseiling Kangaroo Point Cliffs, or challenge each other to rock climbing and see who gets the closest to the top. Or hit the water on a guided kayak tour. You can also rent scooters, rollerblades and bikes for a scenic ride on the inner city bikeway.
A short drive from home, but a million miles away. Bribie Island is the untouched beachside town you’d remember from your childhood: quiet, calm, and not a high-rise in sight. The only time you’ll find a crowd here is lunchtime at the fish and chip shop, when the swimmer-clad hoardes make their way here from the surf beaches and swimming coves dotted across the island.
Home to protected marine park Pumicestone Passage, Bribie is the place to spot dugongs, dolphins, and turtles. Out of the water you’re likely to see kangaroos, emus, kookaburras and native birds that migrate here from Kakadu.
Families with younger children love Bongaree’s foreshore thanks to its calm waters, picnic areas and playground at Brennan Park. But there’s adventures for everyone: 4WD along the eastern beaches, hit the surf at Woorim Beach, go fishing, hire a boat, or kayak and paddleboard through the passage. Want to explore on foot? Wander through sandy forest of banksia, palm grove and melaleuca along the Bribie Island Bicentennial Trail.
Perfect for when you need to escape to a slower pace; Bribie is close enough for a half day or full day adventure (you could even spend the weekend). Easy drive access means you don’t have to worry about coordinating ferry times, either.
Looking for more places to dive in? Check out these waterfalls and swimming holes near Brisbane for the whole family.
Want the thrill of free falling from 10,000ft, without the plane ride? Indoor skydiving centre, iFly Chermside, will take your breath away as you step inside the glass tunnel and feel the sensation of the real deal. A fun day out in Brisbane for the whole family, everyone from kids to teens to adults can have a go - and best yet, you can watch each other fly. There’s even options for those with accessible needs.
Photo by @meeganharvey
Brisbane’s northern neighbour Redcliffe might fly a little under the radar, but it’s well worth a weekend day trip if you’re a local or looking to entertain visiting family. Come here for sun, san, sea and spectacular views of Moreton Bay.
Suttons Beach Park is the perfect spot for picnic and play, while Settlement Cove Lagoon offers swimming pools and wading areas to cool off. Stroll along Redcliffe Jetty and the esplanade, grab fish and chips, and if you’re here on a Saturday, shop at the Redcliffe Markets that line Redcliffe Parade.
Here’s a few other Brisbane day trip ideas.
Ever tried a camel-cino? For an animal encounter of a different kind (and a little more delicious at that) jump in the car and travel the 45 minutes from Brisbane to Summer Land Camels in the Scenic Rim. Not only can you meet, feed and get photos with these gentle camels, but you can watch camel products being made – and buy straight from the farm.
Tuck in at the café and sample camel milk, coffee, gelato and cheese, and check out the camel milk skincare range too.
Step into fairy-lit alleyways lined with shipping containers serving street-food from around the world. Brisbane’s bustling night market, Eat Street, will fill happy bellies from the youngest family member to grandparents. There’s a little bit of everything, from dumplings and Malaysian curries to pizza, okonomiyaki and American BBQ – plus an entire street dedicated to decadent desserts. Add live music, entertainment, craft market stands and bars, and this will be a hit with your whole crew: even the dog.
Nestled into Hamilton Wharf, feast your way around Eat Street from 4-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Sundays from 11am-7pm, with this handy guide.
For a great day out, jump on the CityCat ferry to get here. The journey is a feast for the eyes, taking in the best of the city’s skyline, parks and riverfront.
You’re never too old to cuddle a koala. And the best spot to do so is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to around 130 koalas – many who have been rescued or brought back from injury and illness in the onsite hospital. There’s plenty more native animals to meet too, so make a morning of it and you can hand-feed kangaroos and wild lorikeets, and watch platypus at play.
Fig Tree Pocket is an easy drive, or you can take a scenic cruise from South Bank to Lone Pine with Mirimar Cruises.
Photo by @thefam4adventure
From sunrise summit walks and mountain biking trails, to picnics at the lookout, Mount Coot-tha is the playground for Brisbane locals. And it’ll keep your whole family entertained.
Reward yourself after a walk to the top with an ice cream from Kuta Café; it tastes a little sweeter with panoramic views of the city and Moreton Bay. Then make your way to the Botanic Gardens where you can explore 128acres of gardens and parklands. Discover the bonsai house and Japanese gardens, snap a reflective photo inside the humid Tropical Dome, or take the kids on a treasure hunt along the Hide n Seek Children’s Trail. Budding astronomers and star-gazers should check out The Planetarium too.
This quaint country mountain town has an adventurous spirit, making it a winner for things to do in Brisbane for the whole family.
If a competitive streak runs in your crowd, take the TreeTop Challenge. It’s a nature fix with a big adrenalin hit, as you undertake over 100 challenges spanning through 10acres of natural bushland, including ropes, wires and ziplines.
Afterwards, get your country fill in the village: there’s shops selling handmade fudge and ice cream, or you can taste locally made wine and spirits. Cool off with a walk to Curtis Falls, and you’ve got a great afternoon in the hinterland.
For more things to do in Brisbane for the whole family, hunt for local street art, check out these favourite ideas, or try these pet-friendly activities.