We reveal the best things to do during a family trip to Brisbane. Kayak the Brisbane River, discover your inner scientist & climb aboard a restored locomotive for Brisbane’s BEST kid-friendly activities.
21 family-friendly activities in Brisbane, QLD
1. South Bank Parklands - South Brisbane
On the southern banks of the Brisbane River, the appropriately named South Bank Parklands is a great place to start. It’s home to Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach, Streets Beach, which is ideal for children. There’s also a pool, which is also free, the Aquativity Water Park and the Riverside Garden Playground. The Wheel of Brisbane Ferris wheel also offers a great family experience in the area. Countless cafes and restaurants dot the tropical-inspired surrounds for when the hunger pangs hit.
2. Brisbane Botanic Gardens - Brisbane CBD & Mount Coot-tha
As well as the riverside City Botanic Gardens, which has some lovely walks and an all-abilities playground, you can drive around 15 minutes from the CBD to Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha at Toowong. The 56-hectare attraction includes a Japanese Garden, Tropical Dome, a playground and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, which has an observatory and hosts entertaining and informative shows.
3. Riverlife Adventure Centre - Kangaroo Point
Based in Kangaroo Point, Riverlife offers kayaking tours along the Brisbane River, as well as abseiling and rock-climbing lessons. While kids need to be at least eight years old to participate, no experience is necessary, with all equipment and instruction provided by their knowledgeable guides. Water bikes, rollerblades, bikes and electric URB-Es can also be rented for exploring the riverside trails.
4. New Farm Park
Known as one of the best spots in the city to see jacarandas in bloom in October and November, this leafy neighbourhood has a beautiful park with riverside barbecue spots, playgrounds and bike and walking paths. It’s also home to the Brisbane Powerhouse performing arts theatre, which is a base for the weekly Jan Powers Markets and hosts live music on weekends. Families love playing barefoot bowls at nearby Merthyr Park Bowls Club, and you can catch a flick at New Farm Cinemas.
5. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium - Mount Coot-tha
Forming part of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens/Mt Coot-tha, this iconic planetarium is the place to head for an Earth-based adventure into space. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is home to the Sundial Courtyard and Galaxy Gift Shop, as well as the Cosmic Skydome, where immersive shows are held. If you’re travelling with young kids, coincide your visit with a screening of Perfect Little Planet, Tycho to the Moon or The Little Star That Could.
6. Eat Street Northshore markets - Hamilton
A former container wharf in the riverside suburb of Hamilton has been transformed into one of Brisbane’s liveliest dining destinations — the Eat Street Northshore markets. Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can grab a bite to eat from one of the eateries that occupy the repurposed containers, and settle in on the fake turf to enjoy the live music and entertainment. With its colourful artwork and festive string lights, there’s a real buzz that you won’t experience anywhere else.
7. Queensland Museum - South Brisbane
In the heart of the South Brisbane Cultural Precinct, the flagship campus of the Queensland Museum explores the worlds of natural history, science and human achievement. Kids will particularly love the interactive Discovery Centre and the Lost Creatures gallery where they can learn about Queensland’s extinct dinosaurs and megafauna.
Older kids can discover their inner scientist at the SparkLab, which encourages them to question the world around them. Packed with 100% hands-on science activities, this permanent exhibit may be designed for six to 13-year-olds, but it’s great fun for the whole family – adults included!
8. Victoria Park - Herston
Around three kilometres north of the CBD, Herston’s biggest drawcard is the Victoria Park entertainment precinct. Play putt-putt at the 18-hole mini golf course, which has epic views of the city, and enjoy lunch at the family-friendly restaurant, The Bistro, which has a kids’ playground with slides, climbing ropes, a rock-climbing wall and several imaginative play areas, as well as a giant games area. There’s also a re-purposed farm tractor and giant wooden cubby house. Trivia nights are held every Wednesday night, with live music on Sunday afternoons.
9. Newstead Park & Teneriffe
This up-and-coming precinct, just three kilometres north-east of the CBD on the Brisbane River, features a couple of parks framed by Moreton Bay figs. Give the kids an insight into the past by booking a heritage tour of Brisbane’s oldest surviving residence, Newstead House, which was built in 1846.
Newstead is also the jump on/off point for Go Boat’s electric picnic boats and the Golden Gondola river cruise. Grab a bit at one of the cafes housed in old warehouses and factories or the heritage-listed Breakfast Creek Hotel. You can also stroll through Newstead Park to the Teneriffe ferry stop and journey along the river into the city from there.
Note: Newstead House is temporarily closed for conservation works. While tours inside the building are currently unavailable, you can still explore the park and grounds.
10. The Workshops Rail Museum - Ipswich
Housed in the old boiler shop of the North Ipswich Railway, the award-winning Queensland Museum Rail Workshops features beautifully restored locomotives and the largest model railway in Queensland. The Day Out with Thomas is a particular hit with families during the school holidays, with plenty of Thomas the Tank Engine-themed activities and an appearance by the Fat Controller.
11. The Jungle Adventure Play - Tingalpa
The largest indoor play centre in Queensland, The Jungle Adventure Play is a great option for a rainy day. It’s divided into several zones that are suitable for different ages, including Cub’s Junior Play, Jungle Time and the Jungle Jump. There are climbing walls and a high ropes course to challenge older kids, as well as a chill-out creative zone known as the Rainforest Retreat. Parents are welcome to join in the fun or relax at the fully licensed Base Camp café.
12. Moreton Island day trip
This stunning sand island, located just off the coast of Brisbane, is a place where you can enjoy blissful days on the beach or burn down the dunes on a toboggan. Adventure-loving families can don a mask and snorkel to explore the shallow shipwrecks that dot the coast, or come face-to-face with wild bottlenose dolphins during feeding sessions at Tangalooma Island Resort.
Book your Moreton Island Day Trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast
13. Wynnum Foreshore - Wynnum
For a day at the coast, head to the Wynnum Foreshore, which centres around a family-friendly park that’s been entertaining kids since 1932. Kids will love fishing from Wynnum Jetty and splashing about in Wynnum Wading Pool, which fills with seawater at high tide. There are steps down into the pool, and a small slippery slide at one end.
Enjoy a stroll along the jetty or rent bicycles and pedal north to the Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk. You can also explore the Bayside Parklands, which consists of more than 500 hectares of bushland, waterways and wetlands lined with boardwalks and bushwalking tracks.
14. Pancake Manor - Brisbane CBD
The Pancake Manor, which is in a former cathedral built in 1904, has everything from burgers, steak and Greek salad to caterpillar and funny face-themed pancakes for kids. This Brisbane icon is open 24 hours a day, 364 days per year – so it’s always a good time to drop in and get your pancake fix. The menu includes vegan and gluten free options and there’s a licensed bar for the grown-ups.
15. Hercules Street Park - Hamilton
Another riverside suburb worth checking out is Hamilton. It’s home to the impressive Hercules Street Park, which boasts a state-of-the-art playground with an aquativity play area, a multi-court area and barbecue facilities. Another major drawcard is Portside Wharf, which has a range of eateries, shops and a Dendy Cinema.
16. Kangaroo Point rock climbing or abseiling
You can’t get a much more accessible city crag than Kangaroo Point, where volcanic cliffs rise 20m from the banks of the Brisbane River. Pinnacle Sports offers three-hour climbing tasters for kids aged eight and over – a fabulous way to experience the thrills of outdoor rock climbing, while Riverlife Brisbane’s abseiling experience is offered every Friday and Saturday (suitable for kids eight years and up).
17. Bribie Island day trip
Conveniently connected to the mainland via a bridge, Bribie Island is the most northerly of Moreton Bay’s sand islands. Not only does it boast beautiful beaches with safe swimming waters, but also tranquil lagoons that can be accessed on 4WD tours. Bribie Island provides important habitat for a variety of native wildlife species, as well as featuring a much-loved Butterfly House.
18. Summer Land Camels - Scenic Rim
Everything from camel milk to skincare products and even vodka is produced at this innovative camel farm, just 45 minutes’ drive from Brisbane. Its guided farm tours are the perfect way to learn about Australia’s centuries-old relationship with camels, and you can also climb on a camel for a ride. Summer Land Camels regularly hosts family-friendly events that range from country markets to Little Humpty Children’s Days.
19. Climb the Story Bridge - Kangaroo Point
If you want to expand the adventure, stroll across the Story Bridge to Howard Smith Wharves for lunch, before tackling the Story Bridge Adventure Climb itself. This is the only place in the world you can combine a bridge climb with an abseil: the three-hour trip takes in views and history on the way up, before a 30m abseil into the park below. The activity is suitable for kids from six years of age.
20. Boondall Wetlands - Boondall
Pack a picnic and head up to the Boondall Wetlands – a massive expanse of mangroves, salt marsh and open forest perched on the edge of Moreton Bay, 15km north of the CBD. The 2km pram-friendly boardwalk is an easy introduction, with a bird hide for wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes peeled: this area is internationally renowned for its birdlife.
There’s also a longer, bike-friendly track leading 4km to Nudgee Beach – ice-cream optional – before you return the same way. The Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre provides information and exploration ideas (including the perennial favourite – maps!) and there’s a lovely picnic area.
21. Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Somerset Region
Winding for 160km through forests, farms and towns between Ipswich and Yarraman, this is the longest rail trail in Australia. Don’t let the distance put you off: the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a well-maintained track. It’s flat, free from cars and broken up into sections for picturesque day trips on foot, bike or horseback.
The 8.5km trail from Fernvale to Lowood is a family favourite, with playgrounds, water and the all-important ice-creams at either end. The entire track can be done in stages – a great goal for older kids – piecing together the area’s landscape and history.
More information
Opening image: A family playing Connect 4 at Victoria Park in Brisbane. Image – Stephanie Adams Photography
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Angela Saurine
