The Best Things To Do In Brisbane – The River City

Once upon a time, Brisbane City was a sleepy country town compared to its southern cousins, but times have changed and The River City has expanded substantially.

Divided down the middle by the beautiful Brisbane River, Brisbane itself now boasts some of the country’s best food, coffee, shopping, art, festivals, attractions and nightlife. But being split by a river and covering a huge area of land, the best way to see everything Brisbane has to offer is to live in the heart of the action. Brisbane’s inner suburbs are a true hub, the streets lined with restaurants and cafes, the river itself hosting events and festivals on a regular basis, and living nearby is made easier with a large selection of apartments and highrise apartments to choose from.

Mount Coot-Tha Lookout

We said that Brisbane has grown into a proper city, and the best way to see that for yourself is to ascend Mount Coot-Tha. The lookout at the top rises some 300 metres above sea level, making it Brisbane’s highest point and giving spectators a view of Moreton Bay, Brisbane CBD and of the river that winds its way across the land.

The lookout is open during the day and the restaurant and cafe at the top are popular spots for lunch or dinner, but we think the best time to go is at night. Against the darkness of the mountain, the lights of Brisbane City stand out all the more.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

A staple in bushland around Australia, koalas aren’t always easy to spot when they’re hiding in the trees. At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket, you can see and meet more than 100 of the fuzzy little creatures.

The world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine was established in 1927 and has offered Australian wildlife experiences ever since. You can get up close and personal with the koalas, but the Sanctuary also hosts kangaroos, sheepdogs and a variety of Australian birds. The centre is a short drive from the city, or you could pair it with a Mirimar River Cruise to take in some of Brisbane’s history and sights from the best seats in the house.

Take a Walk Along Brisbane River

Attached to Brisbane CBD on the northern banks and to the South Bank precinct on the other side, the Brisbane River is the very centre of the city. No matter which side of the water you pick, walking along the river is one of the best ways to find new restaurants, bars and markets to capture your imagination and taste buds.

Our suggestion is to start at Howard Smith Wharves for fantastic fine-dining Greek, Italian or Japanese, and then take a walk along the river to Eagle Street Pier to find some of the city’s best bars and nightclubs. If dressing down is more your style, Eat Street Northshore in Hamilton is one of our must-see attractions. Set up like a food and night market, Eat Street has become a permanent fixture along the river, with vendors rotating frequently and supplying some of the city’s most delectable culinary creations.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens

Brisbane actually has two Botanic Gardens. The City Botanic Gardens live on the edge of the CBD along the river. It’s a great spot to see some local plants and wildlife, and at any time of the day you can find people walking the paths, or families stretched out on the grassy areas to catch some sun and share a picnic.

If you want to venture further afield, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens are tucked into the foothills of Mount Coot-Tha and they make up more than 52 hectares of plants from Australia and all over the world. Crisscrossed with rivers, lakes and walking paths, the Botanic Gardens show off a huge variety of wildlife, and the auditorium hosts events and art shows almost every weekend of the year.

Want to Live Among the Action? Get in Touch with the Amazing Apartments Team!

At Amazing Apartments, we’re huge fans of all the things Brisbane has to offer, and even as locals we’re always finding fantastic new spots to eat or visit. If that sounds like your kind of lifestyle, then apartment living offers it in abundance. We specialise in helping people sell their apartments and with buying their next ones, so we have all the experience you need to find a Brisbane apartment that comes with access to everything The River City has to offer. Once upon a time, Brisbane City was a sleepy country town compared to its southern cousins, but times have changed and The River City has expanded substantially.