Brisbane hosts a large hub of attractions and offers a diverse range of free activities for all age groups. It’s a fast developing city, especially with the Olympics coming in 2032! To help work your way around this energetic city within a budget, we have put together a list of free things to do in Brisbane for you. Whether Brisbane is a familiar city or the next holiday destination for the family, everything on this list is a must. If you’re thinking about exploring Brisbane to the max, check out our holiday loans. Either with a strict budget or unlimited budget, Swoosh has you covered!
Overview:
- Free things to do in Brisbane
- Free things to do in Brisbane with family
- Free things to do in Brisbane this weekend
- Things to do in Brisbane at night for free
Free things to do in Brisbane
Picnic in the park
The Brisbane weather is gorgeous! Most days, all you need to do is grab a picnic blanket, food and drink to spend the day relaxing in one of the many parks and gardens around. A picnic in the park is a classic free thing to do in Brisbane. . A lot of these areas are quiet pockets that allow you to reconnect with the outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Check out:
QAGOMA
The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) offers free entry for everyone to view some of the finest artworks in QLD. This gorgeous gallery showcases beautiful creations from a diverse range of artists and invites you into a world of creativity, freedom and colour. QAGOMA has hundreds of exhibitions and events throughout the year and the majority of exhibitions are free to enjoy.
City Hopper
Did you know that there is a free boat ride that takes you along the inner city area of the Brisbane River? The City Hopper is a two-storey ferry that runs every 36 minutes from 6am to midnight everyday! It stops at eight different stops and you can either use it as free public transport or take a round trip for a couple hours to enjoy the city views from the water.
In addition to the City Hopper, all public transport is 50c, whether that’s train, bus or ferry, creating a cheap option to easily get around Brisbane.
State Library of Queensland
There are still a lot of free things to do in Brisbane on a rainy day. Whether you’re a bookworm, want to research a topic, trying to find an indoor activity or simply looking for a quiet place away from the city noise, the State Library of Queensland has something for everyone. While this place is filled with books, the library is only part of this significant community hub. The library is a local architectural marvel that holds free tours, workshops for all age groups, and showcases different exhibitions throughout the year.
Free things to do in Brisbane with family
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
It’s time to learn more about one of Australia’s unique, and most adorable icons—the koala. Located at the Daisy Hill Conservation Park, this free interactive koala centre is fun for the whole family with educational facts, wildlife talks, woodland trails and koala spotting in the eucalyptus trees. Make a day of it, have a barbecue at the park and maybe even catch sight of a wallaby.
Streets Beach
If you’re craving a beach day but don’t want to go far, look no further than Streets Beach located on South Bank. This man-made beach paradise is open to the public and gives you all the benefits of an Aussie day at the beach without having to worry about the jellyfish. There are also plenty of picnic and BBQ spots to plant your towels and enjoy the crystal clear waters.
If you’d rather hit up a real beach, there are plenty of free things to do in the Gold Coast too.
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
When thinking about things to do in Brisbane for free, you think of the sun —picnics, parks and beach days… But what about the stars? Visiting the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a fulfilling, informational day out to explore the solar system and beyond. The planetarium has free admission with exception to the Cosmic Skydome shows. The planetarium is an out of this world experience.
Museum of Brisbane
History fan? Visit the Museum of Brisbane! The Museum is located in the heart of the city, offering an interactive experience of Brisbane’s social history and art. Check out Museum of Brisbane’s events, fun children’s activities and sensory experiences for all visitors. With different events and exhibitions on year-round, it’s a hub for school holiday activity ideas.
QLD Museum
Caught the history bug? Just walk across the bridge from the Museum of Brisbane to the QLD Museum, where you can learn about the science, geography and history of humans, animals, culture, countries and so much more. . The Museum is free to explore, as you learn about the dinosaurs, Australian animals, sea life, Aboriginal and Torres Strait history and more.
The museum always has events, workshops and new exhibitions that are the perfect free thing to do in Brisbane with kids. . Go a step further and check out the ticketed exhibitions scattered throughout the year or the SparkLab Sciencentre.
Free things to do in Brisbane this weekend
South Bank Parklands
Enjoy South Banks’ vibrant parklands with picnics, BBQs, beautiful natural features, for a breath of fresh air right in the heart of Brisbane. South Bank Parklands has recurring weekend markets with handmade goods, art, clothing and more. Many of the free things to do in Brisbane can be found in and around this 17 hectare parkland precinct, including Streets Beach, QAGOMA, QLD Museum and the State Library.
Brisbane Riverwalk
Opposite to South Bank Parklands is the Brisbane Riverwalk. For those who love to take things at a slower pace, you can enjoy the views of the city, from New Farm to the Howard Smith Wharves to the Brisbane CBD. You’ll find many others exercising along the Riverwalk, cycling, running or walking. This walk is even more stunning at night when the bridge and trees are lit up with lights along both sides of the river.
Queen Street Mall and Uptown
When someone says Queen Street Mall you immediately think of shopping and spending money, but it can be a free trip if you want it to be! The Queen Street Mall is home to more than just shops and food places, it’s a lively place to visit and window shop for hours on end. There are often musicians or street performers that are free for the public to enjoy.
Moreton Island
While you do have to pay a ferry fare, you can’t miss Moreton Island. As one of the best holiday destinations in Australia, it is a stunning area with lots of free things to do, like the Tangalooma Wrecks and the Cape Moreton Lighthouse.
Things to do in Brisbane at night for free
Queen’s Wharf Skydeck
Just opened in 2024, the Queens Wharf is a new entertainment and leisure precinct with a stunning Skydeck you can access for free. Part of the Skydeck features a glass floor that you can test your fear of heights on. On select nights, there are fireworks and lightshows.
Of course, the Queens Wharf bars, entertainment and restaurants and the Star Casino will be more costly. If you want to enjoy these fancier parts of Brisbane, you might consider saving up extra budget or applying for a personal loan for a holiday.
Lookouts
Brisbane doesn’t have a whole lot of lookouts, but the ones we do have are absolutely gorgeous and peaceful. If you want to see the city from above, these are Brisbane’s best viewpoints:
- Mt Coo-tha Lookout
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs
- Mt Gravatt Lookout
Want to explore more of Brisbane without burning a hole in your pocket? Swoosh has you covered!
Excited to experience more of this vibrant city but not keen on spending all your money? Check out our holiday loans. Our loans can get you the cash you need to explore Brisbane the way you want to. Apply now with our quick and easy form.
