Whether it’s a shopping trip, an outing to the City Botanic Gardens, beach fun at South Bank or visiting a gallery or museum, it’s always fun to head into Brisbane City. However, the price of parking often puts families off.
The good news is, there is actually some very reasonable parking options available, if you know where to look! These cheap Brisbane parking options make it easier than ever to visit the Brisbane CBD – with or without the kids.
Search for the Best Brisbane Parking Rates
Developed by Brisbane City Council, the Parking in Brisbane Guide is an online guide featuring all the relevant details about parking in Brisbane.
On the site, you can find a wealth of parking information including:
- Passenger loading zones
- Council car parks
- Regulated parking areas
- Parking permits
- Tips for parking in Brisbane
Brisbane City Council Car Parks
Brisbane City Council has two car parks in the Brisbane CBD – King George Square and Wickham Terrace. Both are multi-level car parks open seven days a week and most public holidays. The Wickham Terrace carpark is open 24/7.
Paying for parking at these Council run facilities is easy, either using cash, card, automated payments or the convenient CellOPark app.
These car parks often have amazing special offers (subject to availability) including weeknight and weekend deals and 15 minute free parking.
You can find out more about these Council car parking special offers here.
Wilson Parking
Wilson Parking has several car parks throughout Brisbane CBD including the Riverside Centre, Adelaide Street, Brisbane Quarter and Charlotte Street, among many others. Offers include flexi saver parking, monthly subscriptions, weekend parking deals and more. You can search for locations and deals at Wilson Parking.
Secure Parking in Brisbane CBD
Parking in the CBD, Fortitude Valley, Milton and Spring Hill has never been easier when you book online with Secure-a-Spot. They offer great discounts and have locations all around Brisbane. Also check your RACQ membership as they sometimes offer discount codes. Visit Secure Parking for further details.
Uptown Parking
Formerly the Myer Centre, Uptown offers parking 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This convenient city centre parking is easy to book online, with number plate recognition making parking a breeze. Direct pedestrian access to the Queen Street Mall is also available. For great rates and special promotions book online at Uptown.
Other Brisbane Car Parks
Paid car parks almost seem to be on every street corner, but also with the amount of construction going on in Brisbane they can also disappear as quick as they come. Here are some other car parks in around the City you may like to explore for cheap parking deals.
Park ’n’ Ride
For a great option to save money on parking in Brisbane, make use of the extensive Park ’n’ Ride system. This allows you to drive to a TransLink car park next to a public transport stop, park your car, then take public transport to your final destination. This is not only a cheaper option but it also convenient, better for the environment and fun for kids! With 50 cent fares this is now even a more affordable option.
You can find Park ’n’ Ride locations at Translink and search for one closest to you, as well as use Journey Planner to plan your travel route and times.
Free Parking in Brisbane CBD
Unfortunately, there is no free parking in the Brisbane CBD as it is part of the Brisbane Central Traffic Area. There are some parking hacks used by locals to get into the CBD quickly and cost free.
- Park around Kangaroo Point and jump onto a CityCat for an easy and picturesque ride across the river to the city
- Park around Sydney Street in New Farm and take a ferry to the city
- Park in the side streets in West End and take a CityGlider bus into the city
Street Parking in Brisbane
Street parking can often work out cheaper than using a car park, but spots can be a challenge to find in the city. Parking in the Brisbane Central Traffic Area is permitted for a maximum of two hours in unsigned streets, unless there are signs or parking meters stating otherwise.
Where there are meters, prices are usually per hour according to zones. There is also a fee capping system whereby there are maximum charges for spots that allow more than four hours of parking.
Perhaps the easiest way to navigate parking meters is by downloading and utilising the CellOPark app. The best park about this app is you can stop the meter when you return to the car, so you are not paying for unused time (how wonderful is that!)
For full details of parking meters and rates in Brisbane, visit Brisbane City Council’s website.
Additional Resources
You can download a Parking in Brisbane Guide here. Here you will also find other useful links and resources, including parking permits, parking rules and more.
You can also find great information here on Where Can Families Park in South Bank Brisbane, and Things to Do in Brisbane City with Kids.
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