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The Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Brisbane
Written by Nick Rudd
From cuddling koalas to splashing around in inner-city lagoons, Brisbane is Australia’s number one family playground.
From cycling along riverside paths to exploring interactive museums, Brisbane offers an irresistible mix of city thrills and outdoor adventures that will have everyone from toddlers to teenagers begging to stay longer. Read on to discover our pick of the best family activities in Brisbane.
Discover a beach paradise in the heart of the city
In what other city can you find a beach right next to the CBD? Streets Beach at South Bank is a lagoon-style swimming pool complete with white sands and lifeguard supervision. Let the kids cool off in the water as you enjoy views of the city skyline, before exploring the sprawling parklands and green spaces around Brisbane’s beloved Cultural Precinct, comprised of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum and more. With family-friendly cafes like Storytellers and cultural events like the Out of the Box festival for children, South Bank can easily fill a full day of family fun.
Get up close and personal with native wildlife
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary stands as a living monument to Australian wildlife conservation, located just a 20-minute drive from Brisbane’s city centre. As the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary, this natural haven invites you to hold sleepy koalas, hand-feed curious kangaroos and watch playful platypus glide through purpose-built pools, while engaging keeper talks and interactive daily shows turn conservation education into an exciting adventure.
Explore magical Moreton Island
Just a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane, Moreton Island is an easily accessible paradise that’s perfect for making memories. Kids of all ages will be amazed by their first glimpse of the Tangalooma Wrecks, where safe, shallow waters make snorkelling a perfect family activity – watch your little ones’ eyes light up as they spot colourful fish darting between the shipwrecks. For endless giggles, join a guided sand tobogganing experience down Tangalooma Desert’s gentle dunes, or keep things relaxed with family kayaking and paddleboarding in the lagoon’s calm waters.
Climb Mount Coot-tha and walk the Botanic Gardens
Towering above Brisbane, Mount Coot-tha offers the perfect mix of nature, science and adventure. Little explorers can enjoy the interactive displays and hidden treasures on the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail; the Tropical Dome transports families to a rainforest wonderland, while starry-eyed kids can explore the cosmos at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, where engaging shows bring space exploration to life for young astronomers. Make a day of it by following the easy walking trails, spotting native birds and butterflies as you wander, before enjoying a family picnic or lunch at The Summit Cafe.
Play in Brisbane’s backyard
Step into Brisbane’s enchanting inner-city playground, Roma Street Parkland. Hop aboard the park’s trackless train, the ‘Parkland Explorer,’ winding through 16 hectares of themed gardens and tropical landscapes. Discover play spaces among the parkland’s thoughtfully designed playgrounds, from toddler-friendly zones with gentle activities to exciting climbing structures for older kids. Pack a picnic to enjoy under shady trees, let the kids chase butterflies through colourful gardens or join a free guided walk where families can spot water dragons and learn about subtropical plants.
Visit Queensland Museum and ScienCentre
When Brisbane’s sunny skies turn grey, head to the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre in the South Bank’s Cultural Precinct. Kids can dig for dinosaur fossils, experiment through interactive displays and explore Queensland’s rich history. The museum’s regular school holiday programs add extra excitement with City Hall tours and badge-making classes, while ScienCentre’s three levels of hands-on exhibits can keep curious minds engaged for hours.
Navigate Brisbane like a local
Turn your family’s journey into part of the adventure with a day spent exploring Brisbane’s kid-friendly transport network. Little ones will love the CityCat ferries that zip across the river, offering prime spotting opportunities for bridges, boats and city landmarks. The free City Hopper’s distinctive red ferries add extra fun to river crossings, while Brisbane’s integrated go card system makes navigating buses, trains and ferries a breeze – plus children under five travel free.
Dine with kids
Brisbane’s family dining scene perfectly captures the city’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle. At Howard Smith Wharves, parents can savour craft beer and woodfired pizza while kids can run freely in the grassy spaces beneath Story Bridge. Eat Street Northshore markets (open Friday to Sunday) turn weekend dining into a family affair with fairy-lit shipping containers serving everything from loaded fries to bubble waffles, complete with live entertainment.
Discover Brisbane
Feature image: Brisbane skyline.
