Phil’s guidebook
Sightseeing
South Bank is the Riverside real estate opposite Brisbane’s city centre. Here you can take in a band while watching the sunset, frolic at the cute (if crowded) Streets Beach, walk, cycle or scoot along the Riverwalk is great at any time of the day or night. There are several restaurants at the top end of Southbank (nearer to the apartment) and include Italian and French cuisine. I recommend the Stokehouse for a drink to watch the sunset- sensational. There are street markets in the heart of Southbank from Friday night through to Sundays and there are dozens of choices of restaurants at the bottom end of Southbank along Little Grey Street. Don't miss the Arbour, a bougainvillea-laden awning that snakes through the entire length of the parklands.
865 locals recommend
South Bank Parklands
Stanley Street Plaza
South Bank is the Riverside real estate opposite Brisbane’s city centre. Here you can take in a band while watching the sunset, frolic at the cute (if crowded) Streets Beach, walk, cycle or scoot along the Riverwalk is great at any time of the day or night. There are several restaurants at the top end of Southbank (nearer to the apartment) and include Italian and French cuisine. I recommend the Stokehouse for a drink to watch the sunset- sensational. There are street markets in the heart of Southbank from Friday night through to Sundays and there are dozens of choices of restaurants at the bottom end of Southbank along Little Grey Street. Don't miss the Arbour, a bougainvillea-laden awning that snakes through the entire length of the parklands.
Gallery of Modern Art
Stanley PlaceAlways great exhibitions of all things modern art
The sprawling Cultural Centre complex directly across the river from the city and adjacent to South Bank includes the Queensland Arts Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (or QAGOMA, as they’re known together), State Library, Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Art Centre and Queensland Theatre Company. The galleries and concert halls all feature ticketed events, but there are truckloads of gratis options— local exhibitions, film screenings, talks, and music performances — and the sheer scale of the complex means it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours simply soaking in the atmosphere.
10 locals recommend
Cultural Centre
The sprawling Cultural Centre complex directly across the river from the city and adjacent to South Bank includes the Queensland Arts Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (or QAGOMA, as they’re known together), State Library, Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Art Centre and Queensland Theatre Company. The galleries and concert halls all feature ticketed events, but there are truckloads of gratis options— local exhibitions, film screenings, talks, and music performances — and the sheer scale of the complex means it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours simply soaking in the atmosphere.
Destroyed in Brisbane’s 2011 floods, the New Farm Riverwalk reopened sturdier than ever but with the same wowser views. It sits on the river across from the eastern side of Kangaroo Point, zigzagging its way from the Story Bridge right around to New Farm Park, creating a unique circuit for the city’s fitness geeks. Wanderers are still welcome, though, with plenty of places to stop and take in the scenery opposite. There are walkways and cycle paths on both sides of the river and they go for miles.
24 locals recommend
Brisbane River Walk
Brisbane River WalkDestroyed in Brisbane’s 2011 floods, the New Farm Riverwalk reopened sturdier than ever but with the same wowser views. It sits on the river across from the eastern side of Kangaroo Point, zigzagging its way from the Story Bridge right around to New Farm Park, creating a unique circuit for the city’s fitness geeks. Wanderers are still welcome, though, with plenty of places to stop and take in the scenery opposite. There are walkways and cycle paths on both sides of the river and they go for miles.
Huge park on the river that is a great place to visit anytime of the year
231 locals recommend
New Farm Park
1042 Brunswick StHuge park on the river that is a great place to visit anytime of the year
A Unique cultural precinct in an old power station. Always stuff going on - including the home of the Brisbane film festival
259 locals recommend
Brisbane Powerhouse
A Unique cultural precinct in an old power station. Always stuff going on - including the home of the Brisbane film festival
Queen Street Mall
Queen StreetThe shopping heart of Brisbane
Rock climbing at night for the adventerous or simply take in the awesome view of Brisbane- These cliffs are visible from my balcony.
159 locals recommend
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
29 River TerraceRock climbing at night for the adventerous or simply take in the awesome view of Brisbane- These cliffs are visible from my balcony.
For the beer lovers- the best location for a cleansing ale- located at Howard Smith wharves
26 locals recommend
Felons Brewing Co
5 Boundary StFor the beer lovers- the best location for a cleansing ale- located at Howard Smith wharves
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
170 Main StGo for the sunset climb
James Street
James StreetGreat shopping and eateries along this strip
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
708 Jesmond RdFor those who need to see our furry friends
The largest sand island in the world- worth a day trip or a day or two stay- grab a toboggan ride down the sand dunes
54 locals recommend
Fraser Island
The largest sand island in the world- worth a day trip or a day or two stay- grab a toboggan ride down the sand dunes
Worth a visit- if not a climb- half way between Brisbane and the Sunshine coast
166 locals recommend
Glass House Mountains
Worth a visit- if not a climb- half way between Brisbane and the Sunshine coast
A Great way to get to see Brisbane via the river
51 locals recommend
City Cat Terminal South Bank station
100A Edmondstone StA Great way to get to see Brisbane via the river
Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane
Get a birds-eye view of Brisbane
Mount Coot-Tha
Views of Brisbane and out to the bay- a short drive from the city
The largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere
58 locals recommend
Chermside Shopping Centre station
The largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere
Night and weekend street markets from Friday night through to Sunday- located in Southbank
Stanley Street Plaza
Stanley Street PlazaNight and weekend street markets from Friday night through to Sunday- located in Southbank
Brisbane City Hall
64 Adelaide StVisit the exhibition on the history of Brisbane
Underground Opera
226 Wickham TerraceAn amazing experience underground
Easy walking distance from here - huge outdoor space on the river
36 locals recommend
Botanical Gardens Alice St. station
Easy walking distance from here - huge outdoor space on the river
Yugambeh Museum Language & Heritage Research Centre
2 Plantation RdIndigenous musuem
Nightlife
Fortitude Valley
The heart of Brisbane nightlife
Soleil Pool Bar
9 Glenelg StGreat for pre or post show drinks
The Westin Brisbane
111 Mary St A cocktail in the pool bar is worth every cent
Part of the Howard Smith Wharves -very groovy bar an eatery on the river under the Story bridge
9 locals recommend
Mr Percival's
5 Boundary StPart of the Howard Smith Wharves -very groovy bar an eatery on the river under the Story bridge
New Farm — Five Star Cinemas
701 Brunswick StThe best place to watch a movie in a bean bag
Food scene
Stokehouse Q
Sidon StreetHigh end eatery but a bar with views to die for at sunset
Popolo Italian Kitchen and Bar
3 Sidon StGreat local italian
Sing Sing Chinese & Vietnamese Restaurant
93 Hardgrave RdTHE BEST Vietnamese outside Vietnam
Chinatown
33 Duncan StAll things chinese and great yum cha almost anywhere
Three Blue Ducks
81 N QuayA newly developed part of town with great menu, food and service
Junk South Bank
12 Little Stanley StThe best Asian fusion you will find
CHU THE PHAT
111 Melbourne StGreat location, food and service
Hellenika at The Calile
48 James StHigh-end greek- at the retro Caville in Fortitude valley
Located in Rydges Hotel at Southbank - enjoy fine dining in a TWO MICHELIN STAR masterpiece.
10 locals recommend
Bacchus
9 Glenelg StreetLocated in Rydges Hotel at Southbank - enjoy fine dining in a TWO MICHELIN STAR masterpiece.
Breakfast Creek Hotel
2 Kingsford Smith DrA Brisbane institution- not for vegetarians :)
Sing's Asian Kitchen Rosalie
5 Nash StOne of Brisbanes best value for money Asian eatery
Caravanserai
1 Dornoch TerraceTurkish food at its best