Brisbane's Iconic Landmarks: A Photo-Worthy Tour of the City

With nearly 300 days of sunlight a year and lengthy, warm summers, Brisbane offers a wide range of activities that make the most of our exceptional climate.

The city's subtropical climate creates more parks and gardens, miles of riverbank pathways, and dozens of outdoor pubs and restaurants than any other city in the world. There are numerous sand dunes, historic shipwrecks, and magnificent beaches on our neighboring islands. Brisbane is a great location for recreation, rest, and relaxation. In our opinion, the citizens of Brisbane don't take themselves too seriously.

Before we start listing everything that Brisbane has to offer, let’s start our journey with a unique tip. We assume that the average Joe (that’s you) is going to fly to Brisbane. Therefore, you’ll need an airport taxi to Brisbane airport. We suggest the good folks from AtoB. These Brisbane airport taxis will pick you up straight from the airport’s doors and drive you anywhere to the city with their door-to-door service. And they are very affordable too, so you can save some money on food and drinks!

Now, without further ado, let’s take a photo-worthy tour of Brisbane’s iconic landmarks.

Food Market

What a better way to start a journey and replenish your energy levels at the same time. If trying the newest culinary trends is your thing, Eat Street Markets is a Brisbane dining institution and one of the top things to do in Brisbane.

There are countless international street food sellers and little pubs that stay open far after dusk in this city made of hundreds of shipping containers. No craving is unfulfilled in this gourmet Mecca, from wood-fired pizzas to loaded doughnuts, freshly shucked oysters to rainbow-hued gelato.

Story Bridge

The Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers 74-meter views of Brisbane. Give yourself two hours to ascend the 1138 stairs to the summit of one of only three bridges in the world (and Australia's second-largest after the Sydney Harbour Bridge). Trust us, you'll want to take plenty of pictures when you get there.

The Glass House Mountains in the north, Moreton Bay in the east, and Scenic Rim in the south can all be seen from the top of the heritage-listed Story Bridge on a clear day.

Riverside Gallery Precinct

The largest collection of visual and performing arts in Queensland is found at South Bank, Brisbane's cultural hub. Here you'll find some of the top things to do in Brisbane, including the State Library of Queensland, Science Museum, Queensland Theatre Company, and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Lacking time? Discover Brisbane's QAGOMA, a modern art gallery with international recognition. You can joyfully get lost inside its walls with its constantly changing international shows, which include the gallery's Asia Pacific Triennial, which has over 400 Asian Pacific artists.

Even the building's outside is artistic; thanks to worldwide artist James Turrell, the entire structure is illuminated at night. Visit the gallery at one of its renowned "Up Late" events for a close-up look at the artwork at night.

Cruising the river

Taking the CityCat is one of the finest ways to experience Brisbane like a native. These gentle giants, which connect the entire city from the southernmost parts of St. Lucia to the northern banks of Hamilton, are part of a network of interconnected water taxis. Get the greatest seats to see the CBD, and “walk on, walk off” to some of the city’s top sights.

You may also rent an electric boat from Go Boat, which is the newest way to tour the sites while picnicking with up to 8 companions, or you can kayak the Brisbane River using your own power.

Queensland’s Cellar Doors

Think again if you believed that Australia's wine scene was further south. The acclaimed Sirromet Wines may be found at Mount Cotton, which is only 30 kilometers from the CBD. Here, you may get a taste of the Granite Belt without making the three-hour trek, since they have amassed over 900 accolades for their drops.

Want to stay in the city? Brisbane's sole city-based winery, City Winery, in the center of Fortitude Valley, provides a peek (and a taste) of their artisan wines. The location offers daily tours, tastings at the cellar door, and a Michelin-starred restaurant for when the tastings unavoidably lead to arrangements for dinner.

Hidden Laneways

With a self-guided tour of Brisbane's greatest lanes, uncover the city's cultural throbbing heart. Step off the beaten path to discover independent apparel businesses, up-and-coming artists, hole-in-the-wall eateries, and micro bars tucked along these vibrant backstreets, proving good things happen to those who are curious.

And there you have it! Charge your cameras or smartphones, wear your most comfortable shoes, and be ready to explore Brisbane! These are some places (and activities) that we enjoy doing every time we visit the city, so we hope that you’ll like them as well!