Brisbane

Queensland Museum

A large museum featuring several exhibitions that generally focus on natural history and Queensland history.

9:30AM to 5PM · Free, except for some special exhibitions · Free entry · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

City Botanic Gardens

Walking and cycling tracks. Exhibits. Free tours are a mix of the history of the gardens and the city whereas the garden tours at Mt Coot-tha are more focused on the wide variety of plants.

24/7. Free 1-hr guided tours Mon–Sat 11AM and 1PM (no need to book) · Free

Gallery of Modern Art

Part of the Queensland Art Gallery and a short walk from the Main Gallery. Opened in 2006 the gallery regularly hosts exhibitions featuring internationally famous artists (such as Warhol and Picasso) as well as many local contemporary artists.

Mo-Su 10:00-17:00 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Wheel of Brisbane

A Ferris wheel that allows you to observe the city from 60 m with views across the Brisbane River. The trip is a 15-minute ride in an enclosed, climate-controlled gondola.

Daily 10AM to 10PM · Adult $22, student $18, child 4 to 11 years $14.50

New Farm Park

This historic park is famous for the long line of jacaranda trees, shady picnic areas and its large rose gardens that contain hundreds of varieties of roses, and over 40,000 plants.

Roma Street Parklands

The world's largest subtropical garden in a city centre and home to 1,800 unique species of plants. Experience the theme gardens such as the topiary maze, rain forest walk, lake, celebration law and amphitheatre with many public artworks to admire.

Free

Commissariat Store Museum

Occupying the oldest habitable building in Queensland, the museum highlights both the building and aspects of Brisbane and Queensland's convict, colonial and more recent history. Run by The Royal Historical Society of Queensland. Audio tour can be downloaded from website in advance.

Tue–Fri 10AM to 4PM · Adults $7, concession $5 · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible

Queensland Maritime Museum

Has a range of exhibitions and vessels. Step aboard HMAS Diamantina and experience life as a Navy sailor. Be sure to see Ella's Pink Lady, the yacht Queenslander Jessica Watson sailed solo unassisted during her record-breaking journey to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Daily 9:30AM to 4:30PM · Adult $16, concession $14, child $7

The Empire

Alternative dance club, nice long balcony overlooking busy Brunswick Street, a few levels, less pretentious but darker than other dance clubs in Brisbane although no less expensive.

Trang

Did someone say Pho? Head here for possibly the best Pho is Brisbane. Give the Chinese menu a miss.

Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 · Limited wheelchair access · Takeaway · Outdoor seating

Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying

Spotlights a historical collection of resources in exhibits relating to surveying techniques and maps.

Mo-Fr 09:30-16:00

Sciencentre

A hands-on, interactive science facility particularly popular with families and children.

Mo-Su 09:30-17:00 · Adult $15.50, concession $13.50, child $12.50 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Queensland Art Gallery

Housed in two buildings in the cultural precinct.

10AM to 5PM · Free, except for some special exhibitions · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

UQ Anthropology Museum

First opened in 1948, this museum houses a display of ethnographic objects, including modern Indigenous Australian and Pacific Island artwork.

Mo-Fr 11:00-15:00 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Ahmet's Turkish Restaurant

Turkish restaurant, features belly dancers on weekends. One of the most popular and busiest restaurants in the South Bank precinct, though the painstaking quality of the kitchen means a longer than usual wait for food. Do not expect to be in and out in less than an hour.

Sun–Thu 11:30AM–8PM; Fri Sat 11:30AM–9PM · Outdoor seating

Brew

Creative and relaxed café off the Albert St Mall. Great coffee, food and boutique beer and cider in an intimate location.

Mo-Fr 07:00+; Sa-Su 08:00+ · Outdoor seating

Le Bon Choix

Near the golden triangle. Great French bakery. Sells a good variety of sandwiches, cakes, tortes, macarons, fresh bread, croquettes, quiches and coffee.

Mo-Sa 06:30-18:00; Su 06:30-17:00 · M–F 7AM to 6PM, Sa Su 7AM to 5PM · Wheelchair accessible

Museum of Brisbane

Hosts a permanent display on the history of Brisbane and rotating exhibits by local artists that touch on Brisbane's lifestyle and culture. Daily tours into the clocktower and observation deck, bookings essential.

Daily 10AM to 5PM, Fri till 7PM · Free · Free entry

Pancake Manor

A Brisbane institution, open 24 hours. Tends to fill up with nightclub revellers on their way home after about 3AM on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

24/7 · Vegetarian options

Regatta

Expect a wait to get in on Th, F and Sa nights, but a must-go for the best sessions on W and Su nights when the venue is completely taken by students.

Mo-Su 10:00-02:00 · Wheelchair accessible

Stones Corner Hotel

The heritage charm of the Stones Corner Hotel is felt the moment you enter this beautifully renovated landmark. Busy, rustic-chic pub with a wide range of craft beers and extensive menu of classic Australian pub food. Features a beer garden, plus trivia and comedy.

Daily 6AM to 4AM · Outdoor seating

Alchemy

Located in a little hideaway on Eagle St, this restaurant has one of the most impressive views in Brisbane, looking across the river to the Story Bridge. Well known for its "liquid nitrogen nibbles", Alchemy lives up to its name.

Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00,18:00-22:00; Sa 18:00+

Criterion Tavern

A renovated bar, recommended for those who are looking for a quick beer and some country music.

Mo-Sa 10:00-15:00; Su 10:00-12:00

Kadoya

A casual Japanese eatery and takeaway dishing up rice bowls, noodle soups and bento boxes. Cooked fresh, tasty, cheap. Popular lunch spot for city-workers.

Mon–Thu 10:30AM to 8PM, Fri 10:30AM to 8:30PM, Sat 11AM to 9PM, Sun closed

MacArthur Museum

This museum occupies what was during the Second World War the Office of General Douglas MacArthur. Travel back in time to the early 1940s in this niche Brisbane museum.

Tue Thu Sun 10AM to 3PM · Adults $8, seniors $5, child $4

Rics

Live music most nights. The Valley's hipster institution. Venue also includes "Fatboys Cafe", which is a popular restaurant serving breakfast, steaks, pizza and pasta.

Mo-Tu 20:00-03:30, We 19:00-03:30, Th-Su 18:00-03:30

Royal George (RG) Hotel

Large beer garden in the Brunswick St Mall, great atmosphere, great food deals most nights.

Mo-Su 08:00-05:30

The Beat

Downstairs has three dance areas dedicated to hardcore/rave, electro and popular music, upstairs is gay (generally a younger crowd than the Wickham) and has two dance floors and a beer garden.

We-Su 20:00-03:00

The End

Calls itself a "boutique bar for everyone". Quite small inside, so if you're not there early you will probably miss out on a seat to 'hipper than thou' types. Decent selection of beers at the average price, ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu.

PH,Mo-Su 16:00-22:00+

The Gresham Bar

High end cocktail bar with an extensive list of drinks. Also serves food.

M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa 3PM-2AM