5 Things to See and Do in Brisbane
Wedged in-between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, and a quick drive from Byron Bay, Brisbane’s enjoys an unparalleled location.
Listen to Good Music
Brisbane has produced some of Australia’s biggest names in music… Think Powderfinger, The Bee Gees, The Go-Betweens, Savage Garden, Keith Urban, Regurgitator and The Grates, just to name a few.
In 2007, global music authority. Billboard magazine recognised the Queensland state capital as one of the world’s top five live music hotspots, and ever since it has become a must-visit stop for touring acts. Local venues like the Tivoli and The Zoo are touted to be amongst the best gig venues in Australia, while annual events like Big Sound and Valley Fiesta attract the industry’s most prominent names.
Dine on Great Food
Despite what 80’s tourism campaigns may portray, the food scene in Brisbane isn’t all about meat pies, XXXX beer and barbecue prawns. The river city embraces its surrounds and locally-grown produce to showcase some of Australia's most impressive dining options.
The CBD’s Eagle Street Pier hosts a plethora of fine-dining establishments with expansive views of Brisbane River. South Bank fosters a laid-back vibe with a gamut of ethnic eateries amid a cultural setting. And James Street sparkles with fashionable bars and restaurants.
Get Swept Up in Sports Hysteria
Sport isn’t just a pastime in Brisbane: it’s identity, emotion and the ultimate form of entertainment. From the Reds to the Broncos, the Roar to the Lions, whenever a major sporting match is held, streets close, flags wave and voices raise.
Venues like Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba attract record crowds. Local sporting heroes are adored and immortalised in bronze. Over 40,000 runners line up for the Bridge to Brisbane charity run. While the world’s best tennis players converge on the city every summer for the Brisbane International.
Shop for World-class Fashion
Chanel, Alannah Hill, Ksubi and Tiffany and Co; Brisbane is home to the biggest names in local and international fashion.
Queen Street Mall showcases everything from high-end labels to sportswear giants. Edgy and chic hipster hangout, Fortitude Valley is home to countless on-trend retailers. James Street presents a lively hive of designer boutiques. Even the suburbs offer exciting shopping opportunities—in particular Paddington, which is thrift store Mecca.
To top it off Brisbane hosts its own annual fashion week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival, where designers like sass & bide, Camilla and Lisa Ho parade their garbs.
Day Trip to Nearby Beaches
Wedged in-between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, and a quick drive from Byron Bay, Brisbane’s enjoys an unparalleled location. World-class beaches, stunning hinterland, and the outer reaches of the outback all wait within a matter of hours away, offering locals and visitors the best of all worlds.
Plan Your Brisbane Holiday
- Flights to Brisbane: Virgin Australia operates flights to Brisbane daily, direct from all Australian capital cities and major Queensland ports.
- Brisbane Holiday Packages: Take the hassle out of planning your holiday, our partner Virgin Australia Holidays offers exceptional Brisbane holiday packages.
- Brisbane Hotels: Establish a great base from which to fall in love with Brisbane. Select from a wide choice of hotels and resorts with our hotel partner Agoda.
- Brisbane Car Hire: Take to the road and discover Brisbane, and nearby regions with a hire car from one of our partners.
