Free Things to Do in Brisbane

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Brisbane Montage Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Map of Brisbane Photo Credit: Google Maps

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Vacationing in Australia can be quite costly. However, you can offset some of the expenses and do more by adding in some free things to do. Each city has free things to do; today we have a list of free things to do in Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland.

Our first money saving tip is to hire a car through Budget Australia, having your own vehicle not only can save you money on taxis and tour buses, but it also gives you the freedom to see and do what you want when you want. Here are some great things to do in Brisbane that are completely free of charge.

  1. Tour Brisbane on the City Hopper Boat

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The City Hopper Boat Service Photo Credit: Brisbane.qld.gov.au

The City Hopper is a free boat service that runs every 30 minutes from 6am until midnight seven days a week along the Brisbane River. It makes stops at North Quay, South Bank 3, Maritime Museum, Thornton Street, Eagle Street Pier, Holman Street, Dockside, and Sydney Street. You can tour the entire city all day long for free. It is especially fun to be out on the water of the Brisbane River.

  1. Tour one of Brisbane’s Museums

Just about every major city in the world has museums that are free and Brisbane is no exception. There are actually many different museums and galleries in Brisbane’s Cultural Centre which is located in the Cultural Precinct and right next to The South Bank. There are a number of free exhibits available at each of the following places: The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, the State Library, Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and the Queensland Theatre Company. All of them offer something free in addition to paid tours or ticketed events. Then, you can also visit The South Bank (number 5 on our list – see below).

  1. Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens

Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens are free to get into and you can take a free guided walk from Monday to Saturday starting at 11am. You can bring your lunch for a beautiful picnic in the park. Many of the plants here are rare species and this is Brisbane’s oldest public gardens. Attractions in the gardens include Bamboo Grove, Weeping Fig Avenue, Mangrove Boardwalk and ornamental ponds. Other areas to explore within the City Botanic Gardens include rainforest glades, ancient trees, lily ponds, the mangrove boardwalk and the avenue of bunya pines.

  1. Road Trip to Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

If you want even more gardens, you can take a road trip about 15 minutes north of Brisbane to the Mt Coot-tha Reserve Botanic Gardens for free. There are also free guided walks there as well. If you are adventurous, you can also climb Mt Coot-tha, it is 287 metres high. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Moreton Bay islands. The short drive to Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens takes you through beautiful mountain scenery including Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious. If you continue north for about an hour, you will reach Somerset Dam where you can experience the Queensland countryside with water sports, fishing, and picnics.

  1. The Southbank

 

Located at the south end of the Brisbane River is the precinct called South Bank. It is definitely an entertainment hub of the city and is easily identified by the big Ferris wheel. You will find a hub of entertainment, restaurants, bars, etc. as well as 17 hectares of lush parklands. Of course, all of those can cost money, but the “people watching” is free (and fun!).

  1. Brisbane’s Beaches

When you are on holiday in Australia, the beaches are probably one of the top things on your vacation “to do” list. Luckily for your budget, visiting the beaches is free. There are no shortage of beaches in Brisbane and the outlying islands in Moreton Bay. There are beaches good for surfing, tranquil beaches, wading beaches, or beaches just relaxing and playing in the sand. Here are some of the beaches you might visit while in Brisbane:

  • Ocean Beach
  • Cylinder Beach
  • Main Beach
  • Frenchmans Beach
  • Surfside
  • Honeymoon Bay
  • Sylvan Beach
  • Bongaree Beach
  • Bulwer
  • Cowan Beach
  • Tangalooma Beach
  • Adams Beach
  • Amity Enclosure
  • Lower Moora Park
  • Suttons Beach
  • Nudgee Beach
  • Red Beach
  • Flinders Beach
  • Streets Beach
  • Orion Lagoon
  • Settlement Cove