Brisbane is a popular cruise port, as well as a fun city to visit. Loaded with interesting things to do, trying to see Brisbane in a day can be challenging. We hope we made it easier for you below.
We have been to Brisbane multiple times and spent an extended two-month holiday in a home exchange house on the nearby Sunshine Coast. Being visitors ourselves, we took advantage of every opportunity and got a good look around Brisbane.
Having already visited the animal highlights (Australia Zoo and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary) and most of the key museums more than one time, we opted for a city tour on our recent cruise circumnavigating Australia. In fact, it gave us a good feel for just how much we can see when attempting to enjoy Brisbane in a day.
Top things to do in Brisbane in a day
With only one day in Brisbane, you don’t have time to do it all. But you can get to the highlights with a few choices.
- Visit the Australia Zoo or Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Enjoy the outdoors at either of Brisbane’s botanic gardens
- See historical sites and interesting architecture
- Overlook the city for fabulous views
- Explore one of the many museums
- Admire public art
- Take a day cruise
Map of options for Brisbane in a day
Click the expand / collapse icon in the upper left corner of the map for the details and interactive options.
The suggested venues in this article are featured on the map either in red (in the city) or purple (requires extra driving to get there).
Have an animal encounter
With or without kids, if you are an animal lover, or if you haven’t seen some of the fascinating Australian animals, you probably will want to include either the Australia Zoo or Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on your plan for Brisbane in a day.
We had been to both in the past, the zoo more than once therefore, we didn’t choose either on our cruise port visit.
Australia Zoo
Nicknamed the Steve Irwin Zoo, it’s one of the most interesting zoos we have visited. Dedicated to conserving wildlife through education and research, the zoo is home to over 1200 animals from around the world. For us, the highlights were some of the interesting Australian animals like wombats, koalas, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, dingoes, and kangaroos.
Located in Caloundra, it’s a bit outside of Brisbane, so be sure to allow for transit time. Reserve your Australia Zoo ticket and roundtrip transfer from Brisbane here.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Founded in 1927, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary of its kind. Here, we got up close with some of the wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos. Plus, we enjoyed a free-flight raptor show and a sheepdog demonstration. It’s also a bit outside of town in Fig Tree Pocket but much closer than the zoo.
Note: Both venues offer koala holds (extra fee) and the chance to hand-feed kangaroos.
Enjoy the outdoors at either of Brisbane’s botanic gardens
There are two botanic gardens in the city. We went to the City Botanic Garden on our cruise port stop, as we were attempting Brisbane in a day on foot.
See historical sites and interesting architecture
With limited time, you’ll want to see the highlights on your one day in Brisbane. Featured in the images:
- Brisbane City Hall
City Hall offers free tours daily at 10.30 and 11.30am, plus a Friday to Sunday tour at 1.30pm. In addition, it is home to the free-to-enter Museum of Brisbane, featuring fascinating history and free 15-minute tours up the clock tower. According to our guide, the controversial sculpture above the building’s columns depicts, in part, the Europeans forcing native Aboriginal people to leave. - The Old Windmill
This heritage-listed tower mill in Observatory Park was originally built as a grain mill and also used as a prisoner punishment device from the 1800s. Today it is considered the most haunted area in Brisbane. Here, prisoners were forced to wear 9kg leg irons and walk a treadmill for up to 14 hours per day. It was also used as a gallows. - St. Stephen’s Cathedral
The oldest cathedral in Queensland offers free tours at 10.30am on weekdays following mass or on Sundays by appointment. Even if you don’t tour, take a few minutes to admire the interior. - The Shrine of Remembrance
This is one of many memorials in ANZAC Square.
Overlook the city for fabulous views
Two spots that offer a completely different perspective of the city are the City Hall clock tower and the lookout on Mount Coot-Tha.
Climb the City Hall clock tower
We took a free tour of the clock tower from the Museum of Brisbane located in the City Hall. It starts out with an operator-controlled ride up in the 1930s elevator to the top, which was about half of the fun, although the views from the top were pretty impressive.
Mount Coot-Tha lookout
A drive (or hike) to the lookout at the top of Mount Coot-Tha will reward you with impressive views of the Brisbane CBD skyline. There are coin-operated binoculars at the top.
Explore one of the many museums
- Museum of Brisbane
Located inside Brisbane’s City Hall, it is discussed above. - QAGOMA – Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art
These two galleries exhibit historical Australian and international art as well as contemporary and modern art from Australia, Asia and the Pacific. The collection includes more than 19,000 pieces of art, with exhibits changing regularly. In addition, there is a cinema airing rare films and a Children’s Art Centre featuring activities and exhibits for 12 and under. - Queensland Maritime Museum
The maritime museum has collections of heritage ships, maritime objects, and displays that show how Queensland has been influenced by activities on the water. Exhibits range from ship models to lighthouses to a dry dock where you can step aboard historic ships (the old ships were the highlight for our girls when they were younger). - Queensland Museum
This natural history, cultural heritage, and science museum has both permanent and changing exhibitions. SparkLab is a special STEM space oriented for 6-13 year-olds to discover and explore science.
Admire public art
I am a huge public and street art fan, and limiting myself to sharing only two images here was a challenge. The tourism board has a guide on where to find street art in the city. The two above are:
- Speaker’s Square, the former soapbox location, is now home to statues of Arthur Hoey Davis, Emma Miller, and Sir Charles Lilley.
- Two of the four welded metal kangaroos on George Street. (Side note: They are quite close to Merlo, the best coffee we have had so far on these travels.) We also saw similar kangaroo statues in Perth.
Take a day cruise on the Brisbane River
Eagle Street Pier is one of many ferry stops along the river. There is also a beautiful riverwalk path. (The Red ferries are free). The Story Bridge in the background is one of 10 bridges in Brisbane.
A few random Brisbane facts
Brisbane is Australia’s coolest city, according to Forbes. I am unsure how any city that holds the world record for going to bed and waking up earliest can call itself “cool.” Either way, it is a city with quite a lot to offer.
- Smaller cruise ships dock closer to town, but the larger ships, like the Radiance of the Seas (the ship we were on), need to dock at Fisherman Island. It is about a 45-minute drive to the city. Royal Caribbean provided a low-cost shuttle bus option.
- The streets in the city centre take their names from royalty. Interestingly, the names of the men run in one direction (NE to SW), and the women run perpendicular.
- Brisbane was founded (1823) as a harsh penal colony with gallows in the streets. The worst criminals from Sydney were sent here to try and restore order in Australia.
- The first free settlers came to Brisbane in the 1840s.
- Brisbane was part of the state of New South Wales until 1859 when it became part of Queensland.
Save on your Australia trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans: Our readers prefer Jucy when in Australia, and we get consistently great feedback.
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to hire a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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How will you see Brisbane in a day?
Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
Chloe
Love this!! I didn’t know Royal Caribbean sailed into Brisbane!! I’ve been dying to go to Aus and a cruise sounds like a fun way to see it!! Thank you for sharing on FlyAwayFriday!!
Rhonda Albom
To be honest, I didn’t know Royal Caribbean was here either, until we found them 🙂
James
Superb! Brisbane is so beautiful, and it is more enjoyable when traveling with a yacht. I’ll also plan for a yacht trip and this place to the right to spend holidays. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Rhonda Albom
A yacht would be awesome in Brisbane. You would be able to get close to the city.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
Brisbane is a cool city, but then again I also go to sleep and wake up early. The “wind”mill is a scary place! #wkendtravelinspiration
Rhonda Albom
I am the opposite. I go to bed late and get up around 7.30. 🙂
eileen g
you always hear a lot about Sydney but Brisbane looks like a charming and fun city. i love the whimsical street art.
Rhonda Albom
Brisbane was pretty cool, but I really do love Sydney 🙂
Debz
I spent a few days in Brisbane a long time ago, but didnt see any of these sights. Haunted windmill looks interesting.
Rhonda Albom
Our tour guide was really good.
Ruth
Rhonda, the city looks cool indeed. I discovered the free tour operation on my last trip to Europe. I can say I am hooked now! I can’t believe how much I learned with the guides who took us around different cities. I am checking more about the cruise around Australia. That sounds very nice! #wkendtravelinspiration
Rhonda Albom
Australia is uniquely suited for cruising as the cities are so far apart, and there is often so much nothing in between.
Kathy Marris
It was so interesting getting a tourist’s point of view of Brisbane. I live on the Gold Coast, about 1 hour drive south of Brisbane and visit this river city occasionally for events and functions. I think it is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors, so I am very glad you enjoyed your tour. My highlights would be the river views and the South Bank precinct. Australia Zoo is amazing, but an hour of more drive from Brisbane, depending on traffic. Hopefully the remainder of your cruise will be equally as enjoyable. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Ah, the Gold Coast beaches was one of the options offered by the ship. I was glad to visit the city, and I am glad that I enjoyed it.
Anda
Your pictures are so beautiful, Rhonda! The idea to visit Australia with a cruise seems great. I’d love to be able to visit more cities during one trip. Brisbane looks really beautiful.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Anda. Cruising seems a good way to see the cities in Australia, but we will be missing a lot in between. We also love to cruise.
Nancie
Hi, Rhonda! Brisbane looks like a lovely city to roam around in for a few days. I always try to take advantage of free walking tours wherever I go, too. I find that most of the guides are quite knowledgeable.
Rhonda Albom
I agree. Free tours are so often best because the guide is working for tips.
beatravelling
Didn’t do Brisbane on my AU trip. Kinda looks like Melbourne… Am I totally off…??
Rhonda Albom
I haven’t spent enough time in either to be an expert. However from my limited experience, Melbourne is more relaxed than Brisbane.
Kat @anaussieinsf
You’re putting me to shame. I don’t know why we (or at least) didn’t travel my own country more before travelling overseas. I’ve never been to Brisbane I don’t think – just to the Gold Coast.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I think that makes you normal. Most people don’t spend enough time touring their own country.
Comedy Plus
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday Dear Rhonda,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you.♪♪
Rhonda Albom
thanks Sandee 🙂
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
I don’t know about being haunted, but the Jacaranda trees in the background of your windmill photo are gorgeous. I hope you stopped to admire them.
Rhonda Albom
I sure did, and I admired them near the Rocks in Sydney.
Kreete
Thank you for telling me more about Brisbane! I have been there, but reading your experience, it might as well been a different city! Couldn’t find parking, just drove around. When we finally did found parking, we just visited the Mount Coot-tha Lookout and the inner-city oasis, walked along the river and visited the Kangaroo cliffs and had drinks at a rooftop bar to end the night. Never went to the zoo as I try not to support them. The only one I’ve been is in Dubbo and it’s the largest in Southern Hemisphere, open range with plenty of room.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – yes, reading your description, I would agree, it sounds like a different city.
Bill Kasman
We have friends near Brisbane. A cruise holiday to see them sound just great!
Rhonda Albom
Remember, you only get a day with your friends if you visit from a cruise.
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti
Hi Rhonda!
I’ve visited Sydney, Autralia once while my husband had a business trip there. I visited Taronga Zoo there which was phenomenal. I would love to visit Autralia again someday and taking a cruise sounds like a wonderful way to see many coastal cities. Brisbane looks so interesting.
Vicki Green
I enjoy walking tours, too and I will definitely take one if I ever go to Brisbane. The botanical garden was lovely!
Rhonda Albom
This was a super informative tour. The guide could answer all the questions, and our group sure had a lot. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
We have never been to that zoo, as we have enjoyed both Zoos in Brisbane. A cruise is a great way to see a city.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Beautiful photos Rhonda. Continue having a great time on your cruise. My cruise on the Carnival Vista is coming soon and I can’t wait. See ya my friend.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
This is our first cruise with Royal Caribbean, and we are loving heading over the top of Australia. Where are you headed?
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
I love how the Cathedral against the new buildings. The buildings just works perfectly together =)
Rhonda Albom
The city is a real mix of old and new.
David @ Travelsewhere
I’ve visited friends in Brisbane a few times and think it’s such a fun, laid-back place. Never thought of it as a cruise destination before. I think it gives a great contrast to Melbourne and Sydney. Great rundown on the city and its history.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks David. We had visited before, but spent most of our time either north in the Sunshine Coast or south in the Gold Coast.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – I love that kangaroo …. but how interesting having that walk round and finding out more about the city. Fun photos … thanks – Hilary
Rhonda Albom
There were four of those kangaroos. The strange part is we had coffee practically right there and didn’t notice them on our own. We were glad Jonny showed them to us.
Paula McInerney
It’s been a while since we have been to Brisbane, but we have a lot of friends there, so might have to go up for a weekend.
Rhonda Albom
Auckland would also be a good spot for you to visit for a weekend 🙂
Lexa Cain
Brisbane is lovely. It’s like the perfect blend of old and new. I love the look of the windmill. Too bad it has such a frightening history! :O
Rhonda Albom
Our tour guide was so knowledgeable on the history, it really made sites like the windmill so much more exciting.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
Beautiful photos! We visited Brisbane a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. We hung out a lot at South Bank Parklands and Queen Street and did the river cruise. This makes me wish we did this walking tour too. I just learned quite a bit.
Rhonda Albom
We didn’t get to South Bank. Maybe next time.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
The Shrine is beautiful.
Some great sights to see. Dig the kangaroos.
Rhonda Albom
The entire ANZAC park was filled with interesting memorials.
Comedy Plus
Great shots of some great places to explore.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Rhonda Albom
Brisbane is an interesting port.