From the CBD skyline to inner-city riverside ‘burbs, Brisbane shines bright with sparkling views and an enviable outdoor lifestyle that flaunts its sunny year-round appeal for short stays and longer vacays. Compact and connected, make the most of your Brisbane stay in the CBD or inner-city area that suits your travel style.
Whether you’re jetting into Brisbane for leisure or business, flying solo or with a crew, you will find the ideal location to create your home base with inner-city areas catering for all travellers, including corporates, families, couples, friend groups and first-timers.
These include Brisbane City and neighbouring suburbs South Bank/South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley as well as upscale areas, such as New Farm and Kangaroo Point, and eclectic West End on the inner-city fringe.
Each area offers a range of accommodation options, catering for budget-conscious travellers and families through to luxury 5-star and premium boutique stays.
For an immersive experience, opt for the Brisbane area and accommodation that caters to your travel preferences and rest assured, everything in inner-city Brisbane is easily accessible – wherever you choose to stay.
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Book a stay in Brisbane’s buzzy CBD and inner-city areas to place you right in the action with top Brisbane attractions, year-round events and festivals, world-class hotels and a smorgasbord of dining, entertainment and activity options within easy reach. Discover your perfect accommodation match in Brisbane, according to your itinerary and interests, and then read on for more of a deeper dive into the different areas.
- Brisbane City: CBD location with easy access to the top things to do in Brisbane and proximity to popular attractions such as Queen Street Mall, Queen’s Wharf, Roma Street Parkland, City Botanic Gardens, Howard Smith Wharves, retail therapy, museums, dining and entertainment.
- South Bank: Home to South Bank Parklands, Queensland Cultural Centre, a vibrant hotel and dining offering and plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities.
- Fortitude Valley: Australia’s first designated entertainment precinct offers live music venues, a pumping bar and nightlife scene and multicultural restaurants alongside fine diners and designer boutiques on James Street.
- New Farm: Upscale New Farm is a mecca for stylish shopping, edgy theatre and cinema, iconic parks, weekend markets, boutique hotel stays and classic cafes.
- Kangaroo Point: With its lofty riverside location, inner-city Kangaroo Point features the Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs as its notable attributes.
- West End: Close to South Bank and the City, West End is a bohemian hub for vintage shopping, indie vibes, street art, characterful accommodation, live music venues and brewpubs and boasts a serious caffeine scene.
1. Brisbane City
Stay in Brisbane City to be close to the major sporting action and attractions. It’s the ideal base for sightseeing, dining, retail therapy, nightlife and public transport access. Centred around the Queen Street Mall, discover the City Laneways’ eclectic bars and cafes or head to Eagle Street Pier for riverside ambience. The free City Loop bus service will take you to all the top sites, while CityHopper ferries also provide complimentary transport, zigzagging across the river from North Quay to Riverside and Howard Smith Wharves. Travellers are also well-connected by Central and Roma Street train stations.
Where to stay in Brisbane City
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Roamer Brisbane’s bright, modern hostel rooms are within walking distance of Suncorp Stadium for game day or major concerts.
- Best accommodation for families: With one-, two- and three-bedroom self-contained apartments near Queen Street Mall, Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites has everything on site to accommodate the whole crew, including an outdoor pool and gym.
- Best luxury accommodation: W Brisbane brings 5-star sophistication to its riverside location with bold, creative interiors and the uber-popular WET Deck poolside bar.
- Best boutique accommodation: Crystalbrook Vincent offers an unforgettable stay at Howard Smith Wharves with eco-appeal and Vincent Fantauzzo photography on show.
2. South Bank
Located in South Brisbane, South Bank is just across the river from Brisbane City, offering a different perspective on the CBD experience in the heart of the lush South Bank Parklands. Well-serviced by buses, trains and ferries, it’s also a prime spot for cultural immersion with theatre, opera, musicals and other performances staged regularly and the state’s premier conference centre, galleries and museums in the same precinct. Fittingly, there are plenty of eating and imbibing options in South Brisbane, whether you’re after a pre-show bite, casual dining or a nightcap with a view.
Where to stay in South Bank
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: With hotel rooms and one-bedroom apartments, Riverside Hotel Southbank offers onsite dining and a pool close to QPAC.
- Best accommodation for families: Mantra South Bank apartment hotel overlooks the parklands and Streets Beach near playgrounds, museums and galleries for kiddos.
- Best luxury accommodation: Emporium Hotel South Bank is a 5-star boutique stay with designer interiors, an infinity pool and multiple dining options, including a French patisserie, rooftop terrace and well-appointed wine bar.
- Best boutique accommodation: Ivy & Eve Apartments by CLLIX – Spacious, resort-style one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with plenty of onsite amenities, including a beach house deck and outdoor pool.
3. Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley, or just ‘the Valley’ to locals, is Brisbane’s vibrant nightlife and LGBTQIA+ precinct, full of pumping clubs, live music venues, hidden bars and lively pubs. It’s also a must-visit culinary destination with fine diners and upmarket bistros snuggling up to Chinatown classics and Insta-famous cookie bakeries. Within walking distance of Brisbane City, Howard Smith Wharves, Kangaroo Point and New Farm and well-connected by train, bus and ferry, the Valley offers an inclusive mix of upmarket boutique shopping, art gallery trails, culinary finds and after-hours diversions.
Where to stay in Fortitude Valley
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Bright and breezy, LyLo Brisbane on Constance Street offers dorm-style pods and rooms plus co-working spaces.
- Best accommodation for families: Close to the Brunswick Street Mall and Chinatown, the towering FV Brisbane by Peppers is tops for kids with a U-shaped skyline pool and private cinema and convenient, self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments.
- Best luxury accommodation: Ovolo The Valley touts 5-star creative interiors and dog-friendly vibes with two Middle Eastern restaurants and a rooftop pool and sauna.
- Best boutique accommodation: The Calile Hotel – Located on upscale James Street, this 175-key property is one of the World’s 50 Best Hotels and oozes sophisticated style.
4. New Farm
Feel like a local in New Farm, a trendy riverside suburb neighbouring Fortitude Valley, with the iconic New Farm Park, Merthyr Street cafes, weekend farmers markets and the always-interesting Brisbane Powerhouse arts and festival program. Easily accessible by bus and ferry, New Farm boasts a laidback appeal with tree-lined streets, alfresco dining and heritage architecture. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy proximity to city sightseeing and major attractions while cocooned away from the urban bustle in boutique accommodation and picturesque surrounds.
Where to stay in New Farm
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Close to New Farm Park, heritage-style Edward Lodge has charm in abundance with just five rooms and a self-contained apartment plus free continental breakfast included.
- Best accommodation for families: Cirque Apartments has all the modern conveniences for the whole crew within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves and New Farm Park.
- Best luxury accommodation: Spicers Balfour Hotel offers a premium stay in a historic Queenslander tucked away on a suburban street. Features an award-winning Franco-Vietnamese restaurant, onsite library and secret rooftop bar.
- Best boutique accommodation: Sweet and petite with a hint of pink, the tiny, heritage-listed Miss Midgley’s occupies a former school and a piece of your heart. The five-suite hotel includes dog-friendly rooms, and the whole property can sleep up to 18.
For a stay with an enviable outlook, Kangaroo Point shines. The inner-south suburb is the gateway to the Story Bridge and across to Fortitude Valley, Howard Smith Wharves and Brisbane City with sparkling riverside and clifftop views. With Riverside Adventure Centre on your doorstep, Kangaroo Point is the perfect spot to launch outdoor adventures, whether that’s paddling on the river or abseiling and running up the sheer cliff face. Add in alfresco cafes, panoramic picnic spots and iconic pubs, and this inner-city area offers all the lifestyle attributes minus the busyness of the CBD.
Where to stay in Kangaroo Point
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Great for bleisure travellers, The Wellington Apartment Hotel has self-contained studios close to the Gabba for game day or Brisbane City and South Bank for conferences and work.
- Best accommodation for families: Bridgewater Apartments offers all the home comforts for families or longer stays within walking distance of the Gabba, Mowbray Park and the Story Bridge.
- Best luxury accommodation: The Point Brisbane Hotel brings 5-star resort style to Kangaroo Point, making the most of its waterfront views with spacious suites, an onsite restaurant and the popular Eagles Nest rooftop bar.
- Best boutique accommodation: With motel-style rooms through to self-contained apartments, Il Mondo Boutique Hotel caters for all with affordable luxury. offers all the home comforts for families or longer stays within walking distance of the Gabba, Mowbray Park and the Story Bridge.
6. West End
Edgy, arty and always intriguing, West End is only a short walk from South Brisbane and South Bank but touts a more bohemian vibe, thanks to a close-knit community of creatives, students and startups. West End exists on the inner-city fringes and draws locals and visitors to vintage shopping haunts, family-run delicatessens, multicultural eateries, independent bookstores, characterful pubs and breweries and markets galore. Via public transport, West End links to Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley by bus and The University of Queensland in St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton by ferry.
Where to stay in West End
- Best budget-friendly accommodation: Located on Melbourne Street, West End Central Apartments aparthotel has plenty of onsite amenities for a short or long stay.
- Best accommodation for families: Novotel Brisbane South Bank caters for families with kids with 17 connecting rooms sleeping up to five plus board games on demand and a heated pool.
- Best upmarket accommodation: Ideally situated between South Bank and West End, Arena Apartments by CLLIX has spacious resort-style studios up to three-bedroom units with an infinity pool and fully equipped gym, close to an array of restaurant options.
- Best boutique accommodation: Charming Hotel Franklin Villa is nestled near neighbouring Highgate Hill and moments from West End dining within a restored five-storey Victorian mansion of just five rooms plus a 20m heated lap pool and gym.
What is the best part of Brisbane to stay in?
Figuring out where to stay in Brisbane really depends on your itinerary and interests in the Queensland capital. For seamless access to all the top attractions and activities on offer, Brisbane City offers the best central location to experience it all.
Brisbane’s CBD area is quite compact and walkable; however, the variety of accommodation options on offer allows visitors to opt for a riverside location, garden outlook or a city view or select a location based on your itinerary or travel budget.
Brisbane City features the widest range of hotel and apartment accommodations, from budget options and hostels through to mid-range chains and self-contained apartments and several heritage, boutique and luxury properties at the upper end.
Staying in the CBD means Brisbane’s popular attractions, major venues, parklands and dining, entertainment, cultural and lifestyle precincts are all within reach, whether you’re visiting for business or leisure.
Brisbane City is also well-connected by all public transport, taxi and rideshare options, making it easy to travel to popular inner-city areas, such as Fortitude Valley, South Bank, New Farm, West End and Kangaroo Point, as well as further afield.
Where is it best to stay in Brisbane for a weekend?
If you’re only in town for a weekend, book two or three nights in South Bank to feel like you’re immersed in a subtropical stay in the city. South Brisbane has many hotels and apartments catering for all budgets with South Bank Parklands right on your doorstep.
The sprawling 17ha parklands feature many facilities, from a manmade beach, cafes and herb gardens to verdant lawns, landscaped gardens and riverside walks.
Within easy walking distance to Brisbane City and West End, South Bank makes the perfect base for a weekend escape. You can see a show or musical at QPAC, dive into the delicious array of restaurants on Little Stanley Street and Melbourne Street or further afield in West End and soak up the alfresco ambience at rooftop bars.
If you have the kids in tow, South Bank offers many opportunities for energetic youngsters, such as museums and art galleries, playgrounds and cycling paths.
What is the best area to stay in Brisbane for first-timers?
If it’s your first time in Brisbane, the City is the best place to base yourself for proximity to brand-new and classic tourist attractions, historic landmarks, retail therapy and landscaped public gardens to tick off your itinerary.
It’s also a top spot for eating and drinking with numerous cafe, bar and restaurant offerings, including the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, Howard Smith Wharves and Eagle Street Pier riverside dining precincts, plus several supermarkets and late-night convenience stores on hand.
Brisbane City is laid out in a grid and extremely walkable, so staying in the CBD provides the opportunity to explore freely on foot as well as take advantage of the free City Loop bus service and CityHopper ferries.
The compact CBD size also means Fortitude Valley and South Bank are within close walking distance, making it easy to explore other inner-city areas by day and night without needing to shell out exorbitant fees to get back to your hotel or apartment.
What is the best area to stay in Brisbane with family?
South Bank is a top location to stay in Brisbane when travelling with family. There are so many family-friendly attractions and activities in the area, some with dedicated spots for kids, including The Wheel of Brisbane, Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Queensland Art Gallery – Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Maritime Museum, State Library of Queensland and cinemas.
The 17ha South Bank Parklands itself offers many outdoor diversions, such as Streets Beach, two playgrounds, free barbecue and picnic facilities, riverside paths and rolling lawns, plus an array of onsite cafes and eateries for all appetites.
Along with proximity to Brisbane City, there are also options for adults to enjoy as well, such as the year-round Queensland Cultural Centre program plus pool, spa and fitness centre facilities within your South Bank hotel or apartment.
Brisbane City is another highly recommended destination for families with welcoming accommodations for both kids and furry children. Some properties also feature onsite amenities and activities that will appeal to all ages.
As well as several green spaces for outdoor exploration, the City also offers many indoor activities for rainy-day play, including interactive museums and exhibitions, escape rooms, bowling alleys, laser tag arenas, cinemas, karaoke bars and food courts.
What is the best area to stay in Brisbane for couples?
Couples keen to reconnect on an indulgent weekend away should seek out New Farm and Fortitude Valley for a Brisbane stay for two. New Farm offers suburban seclusion within an intimate village atmosphere for deep relaxation and romantic rendezvous without forgoing city style and culture.
With select boutique accommodations and day spa retreats in the area, New Farm also has plentiful dining and imbibing options on its doorstep for an unforgettable escape.
For a different kind of decadent stay, Fortitude Valley (or just ‘the Valley’ to locals) provides a hedonistic adult playground in Australia’s first dedicated entertainment precinct.
Bond over a shared love of live music and street art, stumble upon hidden laneway lounges and cool rooftop bars and soak up the bon vivant ambience among the feted dining establishments along James Street and Howard Smith Wharves.
Full of edgy, design-led hotels and apartments inspired by Fortitude Valley, your stay will be just as memorable in your well-appointed guestroom and suite as on the streets.
Flights to Brisbane
Virgin Australia offers direct flights to Brisbane from major Australian cities, including:
