Sights and landmarks in Brisbane

300 sights worth seeing in Brisbane: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 300.

Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

SeeLibrary
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
SeeAttraction
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
SeeArt gallery
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
SeeAttraction
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
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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.
SeePublic art
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
SeeMuseum
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
SeeMaritime museum
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
SeeMuseum
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
SeeMuseum
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
SeeArt gallery
Queensland Art Gallery
Housed in two buildings in the cultural precinct.
10AM to 5PM · Free, except for some special exhibitions · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseum
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
SeeMuseum
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
SeeMuseum
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
SeeArt museum
The University of Queensland
One of Australia's oldest and most prestigious institutions, situated on a bend of the Brisbane River. Its majestic sandstone buildings are surrounded by ornamental lakes, jacaranda-lined boulevards and some of the finest architecture. Visitor attractions include the Great Court, the UQ Art Museum at the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre, the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, and wildlife in the UQ lakes. It can be reached by CityCat, or bus route 66 from the CBD along Busway.
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Suncorp Piazza
Within South Bank, it often hosts free live events and movies.
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Cathedral of St. Stephen
Heritage-registered Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Brisbane with regular services and guided tours on weekday mornings. Nearby is St. Stephen's Chapel, which was built in the 19th century and lays significance as being the oldest surviving church building in Queensland.
Daily 8AM-6PM
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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
World's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and see other Aussie wildlife. Admission $32 adults, $21 children 3–13 years, with discounts for families and students. If you prefer not to drive, you can catch the hourly 445 or 430 buses from the city or the Mirimar boat cruise from South Bank at 10:20AM.
9AM to 5PM. Reduced hours 25 April · Adults $36, child $22, concession $24. Family rates available. Discounts if purchased online in advance
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Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Open Tu-Su with free admission to astronomy and space displays and a mini theatre. Admission fees apply to the Cosmic Skydome which features a wide variety of astronomy and space programs. All shows feature a "live" segment recreating the current Brisbane night sky. On weekdays (closed M and public holidays), the doors open at 10AM with school shows at 10:30AM and noon. Members of the public are welcome to attend the earlier school shows when space permits (children must be school age). The 1:30PM and 3PM sessions (Tu-F) are public programs, although the 1:30PM program may be booked for dedicated school programs (check with the Planetarium's Booking Office). During Queensland school holidays there are extra public shows on weekdays. On weekends, the Planetarium opens at 11AM and shows are also presented on Saturday night with "Saturday Night Live" at 6PM being a very popular show. There is a shop with a wide variety of astronomical/science merchandise and souvenirs. There is free parking, an adjacent bus stop and a separate cafe/restaurant.
Hours vary – from 10AM weekdays and 11AM weekends · Adult $16.10, child $9.80, concession $13.20
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The Cube, Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
The Cube is one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces dedicated to providing an inspiring, explorative and participatory experience of QUT's Science and Engineering research. Here you will find one of the world's largest digital interactive and learning environments in the Science and Engineering Centre at the QUT Gardens Point campus. You can view research-inspired projects across science, engineering, maths and technology displayed on more than 40 multi-touch screens and 14 high-definition projectors. The Cube is inspiring and engaging the next generation of thinkers and doers with its extensive outreach to schools, including their hands-on and interactive workshops and public programs for high school students and QUT undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Daily 10AM to 4PM · Free
SeeAttraction
Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower
A 92-metre clock tower with Australia's largest analogue clock face. Opened in 1930, it offers a tour through Brisbane's oldest operating cage lifts.
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Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Named as the world's best convention centre, this purpose-built convention centre and event venue plays its host to an average of 1,300 yearly events and contains four exhibition halls.
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Japanese Garden, Toowong
Designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Ogata with the theme of mountain-pond-stream with a combination of both Japanese and Australian plants.
See
Mount Coot-tha
Brisbane's tallest mountain. A popular make-out spot with a great view and good but overpriced cafe and restaurant. Large TV and radio antennas line some of its broad peak. You can take a scenic drive through the heavily forested Mount Coot-tha Reserve to the peak to see the almost-360° views of Brisbane and the surrounding region. The mountain is 287 m (941 ft) above sea level and forms the eastern extent of the Taylor Range. It is the most northern part of Australia to record snow. It is a prominent landmark approximately 6 km (4 mi) to the west of the Brisbane central business district and is visible from much of the city. Before the Moreton Bay penal settlement, Mount Coot-tha was the home of the Turrbal Aboriginal people. Early Brisbane people called it One Tree Hill when bush at the top of the mountain was cleared except for one large eucalypt tree. The Aboriginal people of the area used to come to the mountain to collect ‘ku-ta’ (honey) that was produced by the native stingless bee. Mount Coot-tha (Place of Honey), a derivative of the indigenous term, replaced the title ‘One Tree Hill' in 1880 when the area was declared a Public Recreation Reserve. Car is the most effective way to enjoy Mount Cootha at your own pace. There is ample parking at the peak. One can also hike the marked trail from the mountain's foot. See one of the best views of Brisbane. It is best to arrive just before dusk or dawn so you can enjoy the transition from day to night. Drive to the peak for a picnic dinner and admire the views. There are several walking tracks through the forests that surround the summit; some are difficult. It is a great place from which to watch the Riverfire fireworks in Sep.
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Brisbane City Hall and King George Square
The City Hall is Brisbane's most significant historical landmark and was restored in 2010–2013. The area has free public Wi-Fi.
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Fort Lytton National Park
Preserves a historic fort built in the late 19th century which operated until just after the Second World War which was an important site for Brisbane's defence, and a historic quarantine station used to quarantine visitors coming from ships who had some sort of disease.
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Manly Boat Harbour
This is the nearest access point to Moreton Bay Marine Park with its pristine waterways and fascinating islands. Next to the harbour is Manly Harbour Village, with a great range of dining and shopping options overlooking the marina.
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South Bank and Cultural Precinct
South Bank is a relatively recent development across the Brisbane River from the heart of the city on the site of World Expo '88, and features an artificial beach surrounded by extensive parklands. Also in South Bank are the shops, cafés, restaurants and cinemas of the Grey Street precinct. A great place to hang out on a hot day and swim for free. Adjacent to South Bank, the Cultural Precinct includes the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) and State Library of Queensland. Griffith University's South Bank Campus incorporating The Queensland Conservatorium and the Queensland College of Art are also located on Grey St.
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State Law Building
The office and headquarters of the Attorney-General of Queensland. The structure of the skyscraper, an iconic landmark since 1995, is dubbed the Batman Building, modelled after the Gotham City skyline in the Batman comic book series.
See Not mapped
Rainforest Walk
Ecological park of South Bank. Set along the banks of the Brisbane River, it's a cool spot to stroll along the boardwalk with plenty of shady subtropical trees. There are also small benches to soak in the tranquility.
SeeHistoric site
HMAS Diamantina
HMAS Diamantina, named after the Diamantina River in Queensland, is a River-class frigate that served the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Constructed in the mid-1940s, Diamantina was active from 1945 until 1946, was placed in reserve, then was recommissioned as a survey ship from 1959 until 1980. Following her second decommissioning, the frigate was preserved at the Queensland Maritime Museum as a museum ship.
Built 1944
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Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
Beautiful subtropical gardens with many walks.
8AM to 5:30PM (Sep to Mar); 8AM to 5PM (Apr to Aug) · Free
SeeAttraction
South Bank Parklands
The South Bank Parklands are located at South Bank within the suburb of South Brisbane in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The parkland, on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, was officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992. The South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, at South Bank, directly opposite the City.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric building
Newstead House
Newstead House is Brisbane's oldest surviving residence and is located on the Breakfast Creek bank of the Brisbane River, in the northern Brisbane suburb of Newstead, in Queensland, Australia. Built as a small cottage in the Colonial-Georgian style in 1846, the cottage was extended and today is painted and furnished in a late Victorian style. Newstead House is the oldest surviving home in Brisbane, but not the oldest surviving building, built in 1846, for Patrick Leslie and his wife Catherine (née McArthur).
SeeMemorial
Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is located in ANZAC Square, between Ann Street and Adelaide Street, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. With its 'Eternal Flame', the Shrine is a war memorial dedicated to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzacs). The Shrine of Remembrance is a major Brisbane landmark of cultural, architectural and historic importance and is a key component of the Queensland Heritage listed square and annually hosts ceremonies for ANZAC Day and Armistice Day (now referred to as Remembrance Day).
Wheelchair accessible
SeeLibrary
Kurilpa Library
Kurilpa Library is a heritage-listed library at 178 Boundary Street, West End, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1929 and added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 5 February 2007. Despite being purpose-built as a municipal library, it was also sometimes referred to as the West End School of Arts.
We 10:00-17:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:00; Mo 09:00-13:00; Tu 13:00-17:00 · Wheelchair accessible · Wi-Fi
SeeHistoric building
Brisbane City Council Tramway Substation No 9
Brisbane City Council Tramways Substation No. 9 is a heritage-listed electrical substation at 97 Wynnum Road, Norman Park, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1935.
Heritage listed
SeeAttraction
Streets Beach
The South Bank Parklands are located at South Bank within the suburb of South Brisbane in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The parkland, on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, was officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992. The South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, at South Bank, directly opposite the City.
Limited wheelchair access
SeeAttraction
Gas Stripping Tower
The Gas Stripping Tower is a heritage-listed tower at 277 Montague Road, West End, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Robert Dempster & Sons Ltd and built in 1912. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Limited wheelchair access
SeeMemorial
James Mooney Memorial
Mooney Memorial Fountain is a heritage-listed memorial at 118 Eagle Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by William Holloway Chambers and built from 1878 to 1880 by William Webster. It is also known as Eagle Street Fountain.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Brisbane (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).