Your ultimate guide to Brisbane

You don't need to spend a cent to have tonne of fun in the River City.

When the mercury rises this summer, leave the city behind and head for the hills. Nothing completes a hike through the rainforest like a relaxing swim in a cool, clear swimming hole surrounded by nature. Round up some friends, pack some snacks and hit the road. If hiking isn’t your scene, fear not. There are also beautiful, historic dams just outside the city where you can skip the hike and take a dip in the calm waters and just laze around on the grass in the sunshine.  

Parents understand that a free day can be a terrifying thing if you have no plans and no idea what to do with your little darlings. Never fear: our local writers are here to recommend the best activities for filling in those dreaded hours between sun up and bath time.  Whether you've got little nature lovers who could spend hours swinging through Brisbane's best playgrounds like Tarzan or budding historians who prefer exercising their minds at the city's top museums, here's a bunch of fun things to do with kids in Brisbane. 🌳 More great things to do in Brisbane🥐 The best cafés to take kids☀️ Brisbane's best parks  

Brisbane has finally thrown off the shackles of its ‘big country town’ image, a place best thought of as a gateway to the coast, and stepped into its role as an interesting destination in its own right. Increasing numbers of clued-in visitors have brought about a flurry of new high-end hotels, which, pleasingly for massage mavens and facial fanatics, also means a flurry of new hotel day spas. Whether you’re lucky enough to call the River City home or you’re in town for a GOMA exhibition (hopefully followed by reservations at one of our city's top restaurants), here are Brisbane’s best day spas you’ll want to put at the very top of your to-do list – all tried, tested and approved by Time Out's local writers. ⭐️ The best hotels in Brisbane🧖🏻 Australia's most luxe day spas🥾 The best things to do in Brisbane

Need to reconnect with nature but don’t want to drive for hours? Discover these great easy bushwalks all within Brisbane.

You’ll have plenty of reasons to rise and shine in Brisbane. With an array of the Sunshine State’s finest cafés and some of Australia’s highest calibre coffee roasters, choosing where to go first is an unexpected (but fun) challenge.  To help you navigate the city, our local food writers have collated this guide to Brisbane’s best cafés. From hidden laneway gems and suburban corner stores to a quirky Vietnamese spot and a completely gluten-free doughnut shop, we've got you covered. All that’s left for you to do is eat your way through it. 🍽 Best restaurants in Brisbane🥐 Brisbane's best bakeries☕️ Brisbane's top coffee spots

When it comes to good coffee, Brisbanites don't have to look far. We’ve got it all: cool inner-city haunts, highly awarded local roasters, chic espresso bars, coffee-tasting experiences, plus enough espresso and cold brew to power the city. From a not-so-secret bunker to a 24/7 joint serving up killer coffee and tunes, these are the best places to get your cup of joe. 🥐 Brisbane's best bakeries☕️ Brisbane's best cafés🍕 Brisbane's best pizza joints

Dining out? In this economy? Miraculously, Brisbane still has spots where you can eat exceptionally well without having to sell a kidney. If you’re in the mood for a bougie sandwich that feels like a payday treat, a sushi fix that won’t disappoint or late-night pancakes that taste like redemption, we’ve rounded up Brisbane’s best cheap eats. No sad desk lunches. No reheated regret. Just really good food that won’t require an existential crisis at the cash register. ☕️ The best cafés in Brisbane🏝️ All the best free things to do in Brisbane🥘 Brisbane's top Indian restaurants

Calling all sweet tooths and savoury fans alike. Brisbane is bursting with innovative, tastebud-popping pastry sensations to make your heart go boom. From the sea breezy streets of Cleveland to the buzzy charm of New Farm, the zeitgeist of Zillmere to the greenery of Ashgrove, the pulsing Brisbane City to the sunbeams of Sunnybank, you are absolutely covered. All across this beating city are artisan bakers, pastry chefs and traditional treat makers ready to serve up fresh flavours that will leave you wanting more. Moreish is the word to describe what’s on offer in our metropolis and you, my friend, have been warned – you won’t be able to stop at just one serving. Here are the best bakeries in Brisbane. 🍽 Brisbane's best restaurants 🥐 Australia's best bakeries

Brisbane’s Italian food has been some of the best in Australia for quite some time now, and it’s only getting better with each new opening. Drawing inspiration from regions all over Italy and working in top local produce, these restaurants show why Australia has some of the best Italian food outside the motherland.  Whether a hearty ragu in a cosy dining room is what you’re after, or linguine with prawns enjoyed al fresco is more your speed, Brisbane’s Italian restaurants offer it all. We’ve rounded up the very best spots for your next feast.  🍽️ Brisbane's very best restaurants🍕 The best pizza spots in Brisbane🥩 Where to find Brisbane's best steak

Nothing cures your ails quite like a big, juicy burger. Lucky for us, Brisbane’s burger scene is absolutely stacked (pun fully intended). Whether you’re after a greasy hangover hero, an artisanal take on Americana, or the classic beef-cheese-bun trifecta, Brisbane’s got the goods.  We’ve taken one for the team, sampling every last burger in sight, so you can focus on the real question: where to eat first? Here’s our rundown of Brisbane’s best burgers, including tried and true crowd favourites, plus a few hidden gems ready for their close-up. So, loosen that belt, grab a napkin (or five), and dig in. 🍕 Brisbane's best pizza slices🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🥘 Where to find the best Indian food in Brisbane

If you’re looking for next-level dumplings, noodles with actual stretch or Peking duck so crisp it could shatter on impact, well, congratulations – you’ve come to the right city. Thanks to a vibrant Asian-Australian community and a collective obsession with wok-fried everything, Brisbane punches well above its weight when it comes to Chinese cuisine. And while Sydney and Melbourne may hog the culinary spotlight, Brisbane quietly plays its hand, offering up dishes that rival anything found south of the border.  From Cantonese institutions still spinning lazy Susans to new-gen spots that wouldn’t look out of place in Shanghai, the choices here are plentiful and, frankly, overwhelming. To make life easier, our local writers (and chopstick pros) have put together the ultimate list of the best Chinese restaurants in Brisbane right now. Gather your people, order with abandon and prepare for a food coma of your own making. 🥘 The best Indian restaurants in Brisbane🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🍣 The best Japanese restaurants 

Brisbane is spoilt for choice when it comes to the flavours of India. Whether you crave the smoky flavours of the tandoor, the fiery heat of a North Indian curry, a South Indian delicacy or some lip-smackingly good street food, we’ve got the place for you.   Round up your curry-craving pals and start working your way through this list of the best Indian restaurants in Brisbane.  🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🍣 The best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane 🍽 The best restaurants in Brisbane right now

Ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, gyoza. Japan's food culture is a phenomenon, and Brisbane is blessed with an abundance of great Japanese dining options. From bustling little yakitori and izakaya bars to splurge-worthy multi-course meals, there are plenty of places to make your dreams of moving to Tokyo come true. We've rounded up the best Japanese restaurants Brisbane has on offer, and we suggest you start eating your way through it. 🥘 The best Indian eats in town🥩 Brisbane's best steaks🍽 The best restaurants in Brisbane

Whether you’re craving a gourmet wood-fired slice, a New York-style slab or just a footy and Milton Mango accompaniment, our fair city of Brisbane has a pizza option for every occasion. Brisbane’s pizza satiates both the traditional purists whose lips would never be sullied by crusts baked in ovens that weren’t hand-built in Naples just as easily as those who bask in the creative culinary enjoyment of experimental pizzas options such as the ‘cigar pizza’ or Nutella dessert pizzas. Here are the tastiest pizzas in Brisbane for dine-in and takeaway. 🍽️ Brisbane's very best restaurants🍝 The best Italian restaurants in Brisbane🥩 Where to find Brisbane's best steak

At many of the best hotels in Brisbane, you'll find evidence that the city's hotel scene is changing. The boutique revolution has well and truly hit town, with new operators looking to activate long-forgotten neighbourhoods, and the big chains inspired to produce tailored offerings for a more sophisticated clientele. The best hotels in Brisbane offer high-end experiences, laidback Aussie vibes and all the sun-kissed goodness of feeling like it’s summer all year round. The ultimate luxury stays are gushing with designer décor, bespoke art and unmatched city, river and mountain views. Can you see yourself emerging from an infinity pool overlooking Brisbane? Or how about rising from a relaxation pod, sipping a cocktail from an elevated piano bar, viewing bespoke author-inspired art or zip around in a Maserati? You can take part in these five-star experiences and more in Brisbane’s best hotels. Check out our picks of the best hotels in Brisbane below. ✨ The best things to do in Brisbane🔥 Brisbane's cosiest Airbnbs⭐️ All the best hotels in Australia

Ok, so we’ve all been there. Your job is annoying you, the traffic is annoying you, even the mere sounds of Brisvegas are getting on your last nerve. There’s only one thing that can remedy it, and that, without a doubt, is a little staycay. Taking time offline to reset works wonders for honestly your whole life. Without having to hack into the interstate flight sales and the stress of attempting to navigate an unknown place, here are the best Airbnbs in (or close enough to drive to them from) Brisbane.  RECOMMENDED: Here are the best things to do in Brisbane.

You work hard for your money, so you deserve to enjoy it when vacay time rolls around. If you’re looking to spoil yourself silly and go full-out baller on your next holiday, save on the flights and spend those extra dollars on a stay at these ridiculously luxurious resorts where you can live the high life without ever leaving the Sunshine State. Pimp your getaway at one of the best luxury hotels on the Gold Coast.

Brisbane and its amazing nearby caravan parks offer more than just a place to park your rig – they’re your ticket to serene riverside and beachfront views, lush parklands and cozy campfire vibes, all within arm's reach of the city’s top attractions.  From family-friendly spots to luxe stays with all the mod cons, pack the marshmallows and hit the road with our ultimate guide to the best caravan parks in and around Brisbane. ✨ The best hotels in Brisbane🏞 The best caravan parks in Australia⛺️ Where to go camping in Australia

Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes, and if the tiny-house phenomenon has taught us anything, it’s that you don’t need acres of floorspace for somewhere to feel surprisingly luxe. The popularity of these pint-sized holiday lets has soared in recent years, with cabins and tiny homes available to hire popping up all over the Sunshine State. Not only do they pack a whole heap of creature comforts into a compact space, but they also offer the chance to go off-grid, unplug from the urban hustle, and relax in unspoiled nature (yet not too far from the mod cons you know and love). Here are some of our favourite tiny homes near Brisbane, that you can book right now. Prefer a more old-school approach to going off-grid? Check out these top campsites near Brisbane.

Feel the urge to leave the concrete jungle behind for a few days and reconnect with nature? We hear you. Recharge the batteries with some quality time at these stand-out camping spots within a few hours’ drive of Queensland’s capital.  Whether you’re after a remote bush site where you can truly go wild or a spot that just happens to have a pub a short stroll away, we’ve canvassed a range of options for Brisbane’s city slickers who find themselves pining for serious campground time – all without spending forever on the road to reach nirvana. So what are you waiting for? Throw that tent in the boot and become some very happy campers.  Need more getaway inspo? Find the best weekend getaways from Brisbane. Looking for a more plush getaway? Check into one of the best luxury hotels on the Gold Coast.