Brisbane Travel Tips - What To Know Before Visiting Brisbane With Kids

If you haven’t been to Brisbane before and are planning a trip here in the near future, there are a number of things that may be helpful to know before you arrive. From money-saving tips to working out the best places to visit and ways to get around, we have put together some Brisbane Travel Tips below to help you make the most of your time while visiting our beautiful city with your family.

Brisbane Travel Tips – Picking the best time to visit

Depending on what your family like to do and what attractions you may want to visit, there are certain times of year that may provide a better travel experience for your family. Below are some things to consider when picking the best time to visit:

Summer in Brisbane (Dec – Jan) can get very warm, muggy, and wet (thanks to our summer storms). If you are visiting with kids at this time of year make sure you pack in rash vests for swimming and plenty of sun safe gear as our temps at this time can often hit 40 degrees. Its also our peak period, so attractions are usually busy, which can result in long lines and waits for little people.
For slightly milder temperatures but still plenty of sunshine, the autumn and spring months of March – May and Sept – Nov are ideal for visitors. Whilst not quite as hot as summer, the weather is still perfect for swimming and enjoying our outdoor lifestyle. It is also when we have our annual Brisbane Exhibition (Ekka).
If you want to avoid the heat but still want clear, dry days, then winter may be the best time for your family. Although you may find the water a little chilly at this time, Brisbane at this time of year is still beautiful and sunny, with off-peak prices too.
Although visiting over public holidays may mean less time taken off work, it is a good idea to check that the attractions you may want to visit (and transport options) are not affected or closed during this time too.
There are many fantastic festivals and events for kids that run throughout the year in Brisbane. It is a good idea to check out our events calendar before you book your trip as it would be a shame to miss something you would have loved to have seen by only a few days.
Check out our full article on The Best Time to Visit Brisbane here.

Brisbane Travel Trips – Getting Around

Before you arrive in Brisbane, below are a few transport travel tips that are good to know.

At the time of writing this post (October 2024) Brisbane has 50c fares on all public transport. This does not include Airtrain which is 50% off its fare.
Airtrain – When you first arrive in Brisbane, the easiest way to get to the city is via the Airtrain. From Brisbane Airport, city-bound Airtrain services depart every 15 to 30 minutes. You can save some money by booking your ticket online in advance.
Public Transport – We have a great public transport network of buses, trains and ferries in Brisbane that will get you to all the city highlights. Make sure you look into getting a Go Card as you can save up to 20% on fare costs. It’s also paperless and just easier to use if you are hopping on and off throughout the day. There are even passes for tourists that you may want to look into if you are also planning to visit the Gold or Sunshine Coast while here. If you are visiting during school holidays, kids ride public transport for free.
Ferries – Kids will love travelling up and down the river and to the suburbs that reside along it can be done via a CityCat ferry. You can use your Go Card transport card on this and hop on and off along the route. Even better, the Kitty Cat and City Hopper services are free, operating on designated routes and at particular times of the day. It would be good to look into these when planning out your trip.
Bikes – Brisbane is a fantastic place to travel around on bike. There are numerous bike paths that can you discover and if you don’t have your own bike you can hire one of the city’s e-bikes or e-scooters. You can download the Neuron or Beam app on your smartphone and register your details before you arrive, then pick up an e-bike or e-scooter (and compulsory helmet) from an e-mobility hub or virtual parking zone when here. Don’t forget to brush up on our cycling safety rules too!
You can read our full article on public transport in Brisbane with kids here.

Brisbane Travel Tips – Things to See and Do

Brisbane is literally overflowing with amazing family-friendly things to do. Here are some things we think are good to know about our attractions before you visit Brisbane.

There are numerous theatres and venues in Brisbane that have live shows playing throughout the year. Due to their popularity they can sell out quickly. If you want to see a show while here, check out our list of Children’s Shows and book tickets in advance if possible.
Brisbane is the home of Bluey and a visit here with any kids that love the show will be even more exciting when you can check out the actual real life locations that feature in the series. Getting to them all could take up valuable time, but if you know you may be at an attraction nearby to one – making a small detour could be fun. Booking in to see Bluey’s World, which opens in Brisbane in November 2024, might be a good idea too.
Brisbane has over 200 green spaces and if you have a family of active kids in tow, these are some of the best places to escape to during your stay. With many of their own attractions and playgrounds on site, planning to break up your day by visiting attractions nearby could be a lifesaver for weary kids (and parents).
Our 300 days of sunshine average does mean our blue skies also come with some warmer days too. Planning some time on or in the water while in Brisbane is always a great idea. From huge parks, free community playgrounds with water parks, local islands or swimming pools and water holes, looking into which ones you might want to visit before you arrive could save you time if a stinking hot day makes you want to make some last minute changes to your plan.
Plan a side trip to an island. If you are going to be in Brisbane for a week or more, allowing time and planning out a visit to one of our many neighbouring islands (Moreton, Bribie and North Stradbroke just to mention a few) is something you won’t regret. Planning and booking accommodation and ferries beforehand could make the trip cheaper for you too.

Money Saving Tips

Brisbane Greeters is a fantastic service that sees local volunteers provide a free walking tour of Brisbane city’s main attractions to visitors. Passionate and knowledgeable about the city, this is a great (and personable) way to start your trip.
Get a Go Card if you are planning to stay mostly in and around the city. It will save you money on public transport fares.
You don’t need to book a fancy cruise to enjoy a day on the Brisbane River. Check out the schedules and times for the City Hopper ferry. It is a wonderful way to ride along our famous river for free.
Bring a water bottle with you. Our drinking water is safe and it will save you time and money to fill up at the many public bubblers found around Brisbane.
Get accommodation that has a kitchen so that you can cook majority of your meals in before venturing out. Whilst we have some amazing restaurants and cafes you may want to check out, it will save you a lot if you aren’t having to eat out three times a day.
If you want to eat out, there are many wonderful venues around Brisbane that cater well for children, with kids menus, play areas, and even free items for the little ones. To find the best places with the best deals, you can check out our list of places where kids eat free in Brisbane.
Enjoy the great outdoors. Brisbane is full of green spaces brimming with wildlife and natural attractions. Head to one of our main parks, climb Mt Coot-tha for stunning views over the city and suburbs, visit an environmental education centre, or head to one of the beaches in Brisbane.
Thanks to Brisbane City Council, free Wi-Fi is available in public places throughout the city. Find out more here.
There are actually so many incredible experiences, events and activities you can do in Brisbane that don’t cost you a cent. A visit to our beautiful city doesn’t have to break the bank and you can create so many incredible memories without emptying your wallet too. Check out our list of the free things you can do in Brisbane with kids.
On a hot day, head to one of the many free swimming pools located in and around Brisbane.
You don’t need to go to a zoo to see some of our amazing wildlife. Places like the Ipswich Nature Centre and Daisy Hill Koala Centre allow you to get up close and personal with many of our native animals for free (or a small gold coin donation).
Our local libraries and museums are all free and offer many fun kids activities and workshops. Simply head to their website or call beforehand to see what they may have running over the time you are here.

Tips for Staying Safe in Brisbane with Kids

Brisbane is a relatively safe tourist destination and is currently ranked highly as one of the safer places to visit in the world. Even so, we have put together an article that details everything you need to know about safety in Brisbane, including emergency contact details and helpful tips for staying safe in the city.