Brisbane City | Self-guided tours + activities and fun things to do
Self-guided tours
- City Botanic Gardens Riverwalk and River Hub
- Victoria Park / Barrambin
- Outdoor Gallery
- Public art trails
- Aboriginal culture trails
- Toohey Forest Park and Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve
- Jellurgal Walkabout
- Aboriginal Cultural Tours and Bush Food Experience
- Coorparoo Junction Village Precinct Project
- Paddington Terraces Village Precinct Project
For more activities and fun things to do, download the Brisbane app and start exploring today!
Activities and fun things to do
With more to see and do in Brisbane than ever before, the city is a must-see destination for all! Relax and unwind at one of our many sprawling gardens and parklands on a warm sunny day before immersing yourself in the city’s thriving arts and culture scene.
We’ve looked around and compiled a list of activities and fun things to see and do in Brisbane City, so you don’t have to.
Victoria Park
Venture into the heart of the park to discover rolling hills, woodlands and views across the city while basking in the sunshine or take a dip at the heritage-listed Centenary Pool. There’s so much to see and do it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the park. Have a hit of tennis before reconnecting with nature in a meaningful way along our Nature Wellness Trail.
Birrunga Gallery and Dining
Sitting just minutes from the Brisbane River, Birrunga Gallery and Dining is a must-see destination. With Indigenous art exhibitions, tours, classes, and sales, a visit to Birrunga is completely unique. While visiting, enjoy a coffee and something to eat from the First Nations-inspired menu at their licensed café.
Museum of Brisbane
Step back in time with a visit to the Museum of Brisbane at City Hall and learn about our city’s history. Boasting extensive collections of historic archives and exciting exhibitions, the museum has something everyone can enjoy. While at City Hall, go to new heights with a clock tower tour, and see the city from a new angle.
Kooka! Trail
A playful nod to an Australian icon and Paddington neighbourhood local, discover all 23 Kooka! at 16 locations along Given and Latrobe Terraces. The Kooka! are made from recycled waste concrete and painted by 13 local artists to celebrate Paddington’s unique character and heritage.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
Recognised as Queensland’s premier subtropical gardens, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is a living museum of breathtaking native and exotic plant collections. Immerse yourself in the sensory delights of the Floral Garden before unwinding in the tranquil Japanese Garden. Mark your calendars for the much-anticipated Bonsai House upgrade set for completion later this year, housing one of the largest publicly owned bonsai displays in the country.
Village Precincts
Shop local at one of our newly revitalised neighbourhood village precincts and browse the wonderful local businesses at the heart of our communities. Take a seat at the newly completed Ashgrove West Village Precinct Project or come along to a local laneway festival at Tarlina Lane, Coorparoo on 16 October 2022, from 4:30pm to 7:30pm to celebrate the completion of the Coorparoo Village Precinct Project. See artist, Chantal Fraser’s vibrant and transformational laneway surface mural.
Brisbane Street Games
Did you dream of being a wizard, spy, or police detective growing up? If yes, then Brisbane Street Games has the opportunity for you to bring your childhood dreams to life with their immersive adventures throughout the city. Whether you’re a detective hot on the trail of the Brisbane burglar, a spy saving the city from an evil organisation, or trying to find out who the wizard is, Brisbane Street Games will take you on a unique adventure through the heart of the city.
Roma Street Parkland
Stop to the smell the flowers on a walk through Roma Street Parkland. There’s so much to see and do it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the park. Visit the Spectacle Garden and take in the colourful display of flowers, herbs, water features, and art works. Take a journey across the lakeside stepping stones before enjoying a picnic at Frangipani Court.
Brisbane Square Library
Dive into the history of Brisbane and delve into your favourite topics with a trip to the Brisbane Square Library. Covering multiple floors Brisbane Square Library has a development lounge, city zoo, and an internet lounge, as well as a collection of books, magazines and newspapers, and so much more.
Brisbane in Bloom
Come spring in Brisbane, the city erupts into a cacophony of colour — think carpets of purple jacaranda flowers, twisty pink bougainvillea vines and riots of poinciana trees.
While Brisbane is pretty all year round with more than 2180 parks to enjoy, it’s spring when Brisbane’s subtropical beauty really blooms. We’ve picked some top spots where you can, quite literally, smell the roses and several other floral favourites
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
Check out the Sensory Garden which focuses on scent, while the Temperate Region Plant Garden is all about plants from cooler regions that flower in spring. Be inspired by stunning Australian springtime blooms in the Native Plants for Brisbane Gardens display. If you time your visit right, you can picnic amongst the purple at the gardens and enjoy a jolt of jacarandas around the main ring road. Find out more about Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha attractions.
New Farm Park
Home to 146 jacaranda trees, this iconic park is a springtime sensation. While there, smell the roses courtesy of Council's rose gardener, who has been working at New Farm Park for over two decades.
South Bank Parklands
Bougainvilleas love Brisbane's climate as much as we love their white, pink, purple, red, orange and apricot blooms. The most prolific bougainvillea blooms are along the iconic Brisbane Grand Arbour at South Bank Parklands. Arching over a weaving one-kilometre long walkway are 443 galvanised floral-covered steel posts, primed with bougainvillea flowers all year round.
Fig Tree Light Ups
For beautiful buds of a different kind, Brisbane's giant fig trees are hard to beat at night when wrapped in twinkling fairy lights. Check out the “Trees that light up at night” guide on the Brisbane App for a full list of light up locations across the city.
For more to see and do in Brisbane, download the Brisbane app and start exploring today!