If it’s your first time in Brisbane, South Bank is where you should begin. Sitting right on the river, it’s packed with walking paths, cafés, bars, markets and one of the most iconic spots in the city — Streets Beach. Yep, Brisbane has a man-made beach right in the middle of the city and you can actually swim there.
Spend the afternoon wandering the riverfront, grabbing an iced coffee, checking out the galleries or just laying in the sun with other travellers. It’s one of the best places in Australia to slow down for a few hours and soak up the atmosphere.
One of the best ways to see Brisbane is from the water. Jump on a CityCat ferry and cruise along the river past the city skyline, Story Bridge and riverside suburbs. It’s cheap, easy and honestly feels more like a sightseeing tour than public transport.
Grab a seat outside around sunset and watch the city light up as you cruise through the middle of Brisbane.
Underneath the Story Bridge you’ll find Howard Smith Wharves — one of Brisbane’s best hangout spots. It’s all riverside bars, open-air dining, live music and good energy.
A must-do is grabbing a drink at Felons Brewing. Sit by the river with a cold beer as the sun drops behind the city skyline. It’s the kind of place backpackers accidentally stay at for six hours. Joey travellers rate it as one of the best sunset spots in Brisbane.
If you’re chasing nightlife, live music and late-night food, Fortitude Valley is the move. The Valley is Brisbane’s nightlife hub and always has something happening — rooftop bars, cheap eats, live gigs and backpacker bars packed with travellers.
It’s also one of the best places to stay if you want to meet people and be close to the action.
For one of the best views in Brisbane, head to Kangaroo Point. The cliffs overlook the river and city skyline, especially good around sunset or at night when the city lights come on.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also go kayaking on the river or try rock climbing and abseiling off the cliffs. Otherwise, just grab fish and chips and hang out with friends on the grass.
Brisbane has markets happening almost every weekend, and they’re perfect if you’re travelling on a budget. You’ll find vintage clothes, cheap food, local art and live music all over the city.
The South Bank Collective Markets and Eat Street Northshore are favourites for travellers wanting good food and good vibes without spending a fortune.
One of the best things about Brisbane is how easy it is to escape into nature. Within a couple of hours, you can be snorkelling shipwrecks, sandboarding massive dunes or spotting wild dolphins.
Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island are both unreal day trip options if you want a break from the city and a proper Queensland adventure.
Brisbane is one of the easiest cities in Australia to meet other travellers. The hostel scene is social, relaxed and full of people heading up and down the East Coast.
Bunk is perfect if you want nightlife and a social atmosphere, while Roamer is ideal for travellers wanting a mix of coworking, good WiFi and chill communal spaces.
A lot of travellers think Brisbane is just somewhere to pass through on the way to Byron Bay or Noosa — but it’s way more than that. It’s easy to get around, packed with great food and nightlife, and has that relaxed Queensland energy that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
Whether you’re spending your days by the river, heading out for sunset beers, exploring nearby islands or just recovering from the last stop on your East Coast trip, Brisbane is one of those cities that’s easy to fall into.
And with Joey Travel running daily routes through Brisbane, it’s the perfect place to jump on, head out, and keep coasting up the East Coast.
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