This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.For many, Brisbane is a boring commercial precinct with nothing much to see and things to do.

 

“You can go feeding wild dolphins at Moreton Island or visiting the Australia Zoo”, said Chen, our local friend in Brisbane, worrying that we’ll get bored in the city.

 

Instead of heading to the popular day-trips outside of Brisbane, we decided to explore our way around the city.

 

It didn’t disappoint us!

 

Brisbane city has a unique blend of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. Stroll along the winding river, visit museums, have a picnic in one of the parks and gardens. There’s something for everyone in the Brisbane City CBD.

 

If you want to get the most out of the Brisbane without breaking the budget, here’s a list of things to do for free that we’ve done or are planning to do.

 

13 Best Free Things to do in Brisbane

 

1. Cruise along the Brisbane River on the CityHopper

Did you know you could actually cruise along the Brisbane River for free on the local CityHopper ferry?

 

Simply hop on this tiny red vessel for free! It’s the best way to travel along the Brisbane River and see the city skyline from water.

 

Running on the half hour from 6am till midnight, 7 days a week, the CityHopper free ferry service will bring you pass various tourist spots between North Quay in the CBD and Sydney Street terminal in New Farm Park.

 

The whole trip will take about 45 minutes. Sit back and enjoy the view.

 

This free ferry service constantly runs in a loop along the Brisbane River, you can hop on and off, as you like.

 

We catched the free CityHopper from Eagle Street Pier on our first night. Sitting at the upper open deck, feeling the gentle breeze, admiring the breathtaking city night view is just a simply amazing experience!

 

2. Soak up the city vibe at Queen Street Mall

(+Free Live Music Program)

Located at the heart of Brisbane city, the Queen Street Mall is not merely a pedestrian shopping mall. It’s the central shopping, entertainment and eating district.

 

Consisting of 11 shopping malls, 600+ shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas and casino, it’s the place everyone will head to for food, fun and leisure.

 

Along the Queen Street, there’s a live music featuring local and touring artists and bands at noon and during the weekends. You can find this live music organized by City Sounds at South Bank and Post Office Square too.

 

If you get tired from all the walking, find a place to sit down, relax, chill and soak in the city vibes.

 

3. Visit Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane

Take a short walk from the Queen Street Mall, you’ll reach to the King George Square.

This lively public square hosts many events and festivals especially during the weekends throughout the year.

 

While you’re at King George Square, pop into the Brisbane City Hall and take a ride up to the iconic Clock Tower for free.

To learn more about the history and events, join a free-guided tour here.

 

Located inside the City Hall building on level 3 with beautiful views of copper dome and clock tower, you can also visit the Museum of Brisbane for free of charge.

 

4. Visit the Brisbane Square Library

We visited the Brisbane Square Library, and I thought it was the State Library Of Victoria which is just across the river. It’s another great reason for me to visit Brisbane again.

 

Amazed by the facility and beautiful design, both locals and tourists are free to enter, borrow books and use the computers for free!

 

There are reading corners for children, group study rooms, meeting space, computer stations, and comfortable seats for readers. All are beautifully designed and well maintained.

 

During our visit, there’re quite a lot of people and all of the seats were taken. After circling the library for numerous times, we managed to find a cozy seat by a large glass window on the top floor, overlooking the Brisbane River and Victoria Bridge towards the South Bank.

 

It’s a wondrous place to just relax and get away from the bustling city streets.

 

Check out both the State Library of Victoria and Brisbane Square Library and let me know which is your favorite.

 

5. Meander through the Jan Power’s Farmers Markets

 

There’s so much fun wandering through markets in Brisbane. You can find all sorts of things here, including fresh produce, flowers, clothes and fashion, collectibles, sweet and savory treats, gourmet food stalls and much more.

 

Browsing is free of course. If you’re tempted, many of the food stalls and shops offer food samples to taste.

 

Almost by accident, we stumbled into the Jan Power’s Farmers Markets. Once we stepped out of the Brisbane Square Library, the flavorsome smell of food immediately tickled my nose to alertness, leading us to this bustling open-air market.

 

This is the place for all food lovers. Many different stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, bagels, fresh juices, meat, delicious hot foods and healthy snacks.

 

I have a German Bratwurst with bread. It’s absolutely tasty.

 

Location: Reddacliff Place Brisbane

Operation Hour: Every Wednesday 8am to 6pm

 

Here are some other unique Brisbane Markets to explore:

• Davis Park Market, West End on Saturdays
• South Bank Young Designer Markets

• Riverside at the Gardens Markets, at City Botanic Gardens every Sundays

 

6. Explore the Queensland Museum

 

Located along the South Bank riverside, the Queensland Museum features millions of specimens, artifacts and objects, including dinosaurs, the giant squid and other native animals.

 

It’s opened for all to visit for free of charge. Though you’ll need to purchase a ticket for the special exhibitions.

 

7. Indulge In Arts and Culture at Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art

 

Under a 10-minute walk from the Queensland Museum, you’ll reach the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).

 

These two separate galleries showcase a diverse range of classical and contemporary arts. Reflecting the concept of yin yang and see how the historical and modern arts complement each other.

 

Visit these two buildings and take your time to soak up the arts for free.

 

8. Explore South Bank Parklands

Stretching alongside the Brisbane River from the Gallery of Modern Art to the Maritime Museum, the Southbank cultural and entertainment precinct is filled with some of Brisbane’s top restaurants, shops, gardens, public lawns, fountains, playgrounds and the Nepal Peace Pagoda.

 

Find a good spot by the riverbank, sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

 

If you want to spice thing up, take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane to get a 360-degree panoramic view of Brisbane city and the river.

 

9. Have a dip at Streets Beach, South Bank

While you’re in the South Bank Parklands, head to Streets Beach.

 

The Street Beach is actually a man-made beach-style lagoon surrounded by white sand and subtropical trees.

 

Take a swim at this lifeguard-patrolled beach or simply lie back and relax while enjoying a great view over the Brisbane River and the city skyline.

 

10. Find Tranquility at Brisbane Botanic Gardens

There are two Botanic Gardens in Brisbane, the City Botanic Gardens, which is more conveniently located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, which is located at the foot of Mt Coot-tha.

 

If you’re looking for a more lush experience, then visit the Mt-Coot-tha Boanic Gardens.

 

Spread across 56-hectare, the Mt-Coot-tha Boanic Gardens offers a great escape from the city buzz. As you amble slowly and dive deep into the nature, you’ll explore a wide range of native and exotic plants, different themed gardens including Japanese Garden, bamboo grove, tropical greenhouse and Australian native forest walk. There are great events and workshops for adults and kids too.

 

If you want to learn more about the plants, history and features of the garden, join the free-guided walk and free mini-bus tour here.

 

11. Get a scenic view at Mt Coot-Tha

To really get a panoramic birds-eye view of the city of Brisbane and its surrounding, I definitely recommend a little visit to the Mt Coot-tha.

Located just 15 minutes away from the CBD, you can get a brilliant view of the city skyline and far to the surrounding region of Moreton Bay from the observation deck.

Head up early in the morning before dawn to catch the sunrise. Or go in the evening for sunset and watch the sky changes it hue.

 

12. Wander through the University of Queensland

We’d have never thought of visiting the University of Queensland (UQ) campus if it wasn’t for our friend, Chen.

He just finished his PhD and currently works as a research assistant at UQ. So during our last day at Brisbane, we took a 15-minute bus ride from the CBD to UQ to catch up with him.

The whole of the University of Queensland compound is definitely well worth a visit.

Take a stroll along the path, pass by some old sandstone buildings, and you’ll reach the beautiful parklands filled with fountains and lakes. Here you can take a moment, look around, gaze over the lakes and appreciate the simple things in life. There’s ample space to relax and unwind.

Simply doing nothing and start wandering, wondering and pondering.

You can also visit the libraries, Anthropology Museum and Art Museum in the campus for free.

 

13. Visit the Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Located approximately 25km south of Brisbane, the Daisy Hill Koala Centre houses 3 female koalas namely Jannico, Molly and Kyra in a large outdoor enclosure. The entry is free!

 

You can view the koalas from two main viewing platforms at a different elevation. Though you can’t pat or cuddle the koalas, it’s just as fun by watching them from a distance.

 

The Daisy Hill Koala Centre also provides fun and educational displays and kiosks where you can learn everything about koala.

 

To get a koala’s eye view of the world, take a short climb up the observation tower. Standing high up on the deck, looking over the many gum trees, this is exactly what a koala sees from the tree atop.

 

After visiting the koala centre, find a great spot for a BBQ or a picnic in the park. Keep your eyes peeled and you might be lucky enough to spot some wild wallabies and koalas.

 

Conclusion

We spent 3 days in Brisbane and barely scratched the surface of adventures Brisbane has to offer. I hope this guide will help you in planning your trip and ticking off these free things to do in Brisbane.

 

What’s your favorite free thing to do in Brisbane?

Do you have any favorite place or thing to do in Brisbane that I didn’t mention in this post?

Feel free to share with us in the comment below.

 

Book domestic and international flights via Skyscanner for the best prices.

Learn How to find cheap hotel rooms here.

Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, offers the most up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. It is ideal for those who want to both explore the top sights and take the road less traveled.

 

I’ve handpicked a few travel guides for you to read next:

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• 14 Must-Stop Places on The Great Ocean Road-Don’t Miss These!
• My 14 Favorite Free Things To Do In Melbourne (On a Free Tram!)
• Tourist Refund Scheme: How to Claim TRS airport refund on Australia GST
• 7 Useful Tips That Will Help You Find Cheap Hotel Rooms Every Time 

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