The Brisbane CBD faces out over the scenic Brisbane River, mingling riverside restaurants and bars with late-night clubs and cosmopolitan shopping. The skyline is filled with skyscrapers interspersed with green parks, historic facades and culturally-rich museums.

Things to do

A paradise for food lovers, the Brisbane CBD provides curbside burger bars, award-winning seafood restaurants, lively Irish pubs and exotic Asian eateries. The city is peppered with hidden gems, such as BYO Thai and Malaysian restaurants, underground American-style joints and rooftop oases. The wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafes ensures all your tastes are satisfied.

Take a stroll down Queen Street Mall to browse designer and niche stores, along with souvenir shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. The mall is bordered by heritage buildings converted into first-class hotels, shopping centres and bars. Be sure to duck into the Treasury Brisbane, a historic jewel on the riverfront with exciting table games.

Scenic views are never hard to find when you’re in the Brisbane CBD. Brisbane’s rooftop bars, such as Eleven, Elixir and Sixteen Antlers, take advantage of the subtropical climate to deliver delicious cocktails with panoramic river and city vistas. Wander down to the Eagle Street Pier entertainment district to get closer to the river, or take a ride on the traditional showboat, Kookaburra Queen.

When you’ve had enough of the urban scene, retreat into the City Botanic Gardens down on Alice Street. This heritage-listed site offers tranquil gardens and ponds, weekend markets and live concerts at the open-air amphitheatre, River Stage.

Getting around

The Brisbane CBD is easily accessible thanks to multiple train lines, bus routes and ferries from the outer and inner suburbs. Bike and walking trails give you more scenic routes to and around the CBD, while taxis provide metred transport after hours. There are multiple bridges for cars and pedestrians, connecting the CBD to Brisbane’s southern side.