The Ultimate Brisbane Family Bucket List

We might be biased, but we think Brisbane is one of the best places in the world to explore with your family. With a delightful ‘river city’ skyline, year-round sunshine, and hidden gems tucked around every corner, there’s always a new memory waiting to be made.

Whether you’re a local looking to break out of a weekend rut or a visitor exploring Brisbane for the first time, we’ve put together the ultimate Brisbane bucket list to kick off your adventures. From the thrill of climbing the iconic Story Bridge to the magic of walking to King Island at low tide, these 25 experiences are the essential moments every kid (and kid-at-heart) should experience at least once in their lifetime.

So, grab the hats, pack the sunscreen, and get a start on the ultimate Brisbane family bucket list.

25 Must-Do Brisbane Bucket List Adventures

Swim at Streets Beach

Did you know there is a beach in the middle of Brisbane City? Nestled on the banks of the Brisbane River in South Bank is Streets Beach, a man-made beach that is inviting at any time of the year.

Whether you want to fully immerse yourself in the sparkling water or just dip your toes in, experiencing this picturesque attraction in Brisbane should definitely be on your list. Oh, and the best bit – it’s free to use, open year-round (closed occasionally for maintenance) and is patrolled by lifeguards.

Not keen on swimming – grab an ice cream or snack from one of the nearby South Bank eateries and find a spot to sit and appreciate the stunning views and glistening water.

Explore BLUEY locations

There is no denying Bluey is a global phenomenon and what’s even better is it has its origins right here in Brisbane. Recreate your favourite scenes from this popular children’s show by exploring Brisbane and the Bluey locations which feature in the show. Stroll under the arbour at South Bank, get wet at Wynnum Whale Park, have a play at Hill End Terrace Park or hit a six at Wittonga Park.

You may even be lucky enough to see or ride on one of the CityDogs, Bluey and Bingo themed CityCats which cruise the Brisbane River. And if you’re left still wanting more Bluey, head along to the interactive Bluey’s World at Northshore.

Wander along the Brisbane Riverwalk

Exploring Brisbane the river city, can be done on so many levels, but perhaps one of the most scenic ways is to wander along the Brisbane Riverwalk. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely stroll, strapping on the jogging shoes or pedalling along the elevated walkway, experiencing this picturesque pathway is certainly a must do when in Brisbane.

The suspended walkway sits above the water of the Brisbane River and snakes its way from New Farm to Howard Smith Wharves, some 870 metres. To truly appreciate the beauty of the boardwalk, we recommend visiting at various times of the day (if you get the chance). Take a moment to bask in the warm glow of the morning sunshine, enjoy the hustle and bustle during the day or marvel at the glittering skyline during the evening.

Enjoy an Animal Experience

You can’t beat spending time in the great outdoors, especially when you’re surrounded by cute and cuddly animals. A visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary invites you to witness the free-flight raptor show, feed the kangaroos and spy many iconic koalas lazing about.

For other animal experiences a little further out of the city, try visiting Wildlife HQ, Australia Zoo or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where animals galore await visitors. Additional animal experiences can also be purchased at these venues and will guarantee many smiles and great pics too!

Watch the Sunrise/Sunset

The weather in Brisbane is pretty perfect all year round and the sunrise and sunsets are equally spectacular. To start the day right, or end the day on a high, we suggest taking in a magnificent Brisbane sunrise or sunset (or maybe even both). It’s the perfect way to appreciate the surrounding environment, ground yourself and even boost your mood and reduce stress.

While you can appreciate these times of the day from anywhere in Brisbane, some of our absolute faves include Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Wilsons Lookout, Story Bridge, Sky Deck or Mt Coot-tha Lookout. Of course, there are many more spots a little further out from the city, particular those near the water like Redcliffe, Woody Point, Manly, and Wellington Point. Just pick a spot, get your camera ready and relax.

Try Ice Skating

If you’ve always dreamt of being the next Torville and Dean but have never set foot on the ice, then now is the time to start practicing. Did you know Brisbane has not one, but two Olympic sized ice-skating rinks located in Boondall on the northside and Acacia Ridge on the south.

Guests are invited to come along to the public sessions, which last two hours, and skate their way around the ice, while listening to some tunes. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, public sessions are open to all skill levels and ages (above 3 years). And if you find you still need help sliding and gliding on the ice, you can sign up for some lessons. Just don’t forget to rug up – it’s cold in there!

Climb the Story Bridge

Brisbane is home to many bridges crossing the Brisbane River, which you can drive, ride or walk across. But if you want to take your bridge expeditions to new heights, arrange a Story Bridge Adventure Climb at this heritage-listed bridge in the heart of the city.

Dawn, day, twilight and night climbs are available, and if you want to elevate your climb further try the walk the plank or lean out experience.

In a world’s first, you can even enjoy a wheelchair-accessible bridge climb. How cool is that!?

Witness the Whales

Every year between June and October the waters off Brisbane (and the Gold and Sunshine Coast’s) are blessed with the presence of migrating humpback whales. Journeying from the Antarctic to the East Coast of Australia, these amazing creatures can be viewed safely from a number of cruises leaving from Redcliffe, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Mooloolaba.

If you’re not keen to get out on the water, try your luck spying these beauties from the shore (though you may have to journey outside Brisbane to do so). Some of our favourite places to view the whales from land include Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, the Coolum boardwalk and Point Danger at Tweed Heads.

Enjoy a Perfect Picnic

It might seem like a simple activity, but not everyone takes the time to enjoy a picnic in nature. This time, go the whole way, think blankets, pillows, picnic basket, fancy drinking cups/glasses, and maybe even a mini foldable picnic table. Self-cater, or lash out and order a pre-prepared picnic box or hamper from a local store.

The hardest part may be settling on a location, of which there are many in and around Brisbane. Will it be on the banks of a river or lake, high on a hill overlooking Brisbane, nestled in the forest, or in a fun, family-friendly park. No matter where you chose, enjoy the moment, relax and eat.

Cruise the Brisbane River

You can’t come to Brisbane without setting sail on the Brisbane River. Options are plentiful, including a variety of private cruises, but our favourite way to experience Brisbane from the water is to hop on one of the iconic CityCats.

CityCat’s are a fleet of high-speed catamarans which act as ferries, servicing the Brisbane River daily. Each with an individual name, these popular ferries run from early morning to late evening, and are an ideal, and cheap way to explore the Brisbane River. Check out how to catch a Brisbane River CityCat for some tips on using our favourite mode of river transport.

Gaze at the Stars

Brisbane is blessed with gorgeous weather year-round, so when you’re presented with a clear night look to the skies for a spot of star gazing. Of course you can take in the night sky from anywhere, especially the areas free from light pollution, but one of our favourite spots is the Mt Coot-tha precinct. If you have your own star gazing equipment or a good set of eyes and an app, then perhaps you may just like to head to the Mt Coot-tha lookout to marvel at the stars and lights of the Brisbane skyline.

For a more formal star gazing opportunity head along to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, which is located at The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. Visiting the Planetarium is for free, though if you want to view one of the shows in the Cosmic Skydome (and we strongly suggest you do), then a small fee will apply, and you must book in advance (it’s quite popular).

The local Astronomical society’s, of which there are a few, also hold regular public stargazing nights, so check out their socials for the most up-to-date news on such events.

Walk to King Island

It’s not every day you can say you’ve walked to an Island but lucky for you, you can do just that in Brisbane.

At low tide, visitors can enjoy a unique walk (about 1km each way) from Wellington Point to King Island, where nature is at its finest.

The journey, along a natural sand walkway to the uninhabited, conservation park of King Island, is all part of the fun. Take a moment to explore, spying shells, colourful rocks, small sea creatures and the hundreds of tiny soldier crab holes. Just remember to keep an eye on tide times, so you can make it back safely.

While Wellington Point is not in the heart of the city (it is less than 30km away), it can be reached by public transport or car, and is well worth the trip.

Devour a High Tea

Put on your Sunday best and brush up on your table manners to indulge in a scrumptious high tea at any of these wonderful Brisbane venues. Whether you’re after a simple offering, a tiered high tea coupled with a glass of bubbles, or an allergen friendly spread, you can be guaranteed to find the perfect high tea in Brisbane.

If you are wanting to introduce the kiddos to this formal affair, you will be pleased to hear there are even menus catering specifically for the younger members of the family. Venues like the Stamford Plaza often offer themed high teas in the school holidays and on special occasions, so be sure to check their website for current offerings.

Relax at Tangalooma

Slip on some sunscreen and slap on a hat while relaxing at Tangalooma,  Brisbane’s beachside oasis on Moreton Island. Just 75 minutes by ferry from Brisbane, this stunning area is popular for hand feeding wild dolphins at sunset, snorkelling at the Tangalooma shipwrecks and enjoying other adventures such as kayaking, swimming, sand tobogganing, whale watching, ATV/quad biking and more.

If all that activity is a bit much, then simply lay on the beach and watch the sunset, take a stroll and soak in the sea air or enjoy a beachside picnic.

Discover a New Playground

You might visit playgrounds all the time with the kids, but maybe it’s time to broaden your playground horizons and discover a new playground. The Brisbane Kids website is jam packed full of playground suggestions, complete with detailed reviews, so you can be sure to find some new, exciting and adventurous playgrounds to experience.

Have the kids tried the hamster wheel at Riverside Green Playground, the cliff rider at Owens Park, or a park with a super slide? Scour the Brisbane Kids website or check our socials to uncover your next playground adventure.

Ride a Camel

The experience of riding a camel is truly unique. These large, hooved creatures might be peculiar to look at (think long tongues, big teeth and huge lips) and kind of look awkward as they amble around the paddocks but riding a camel can be a fun experience. When you visit Summer Land Camels in Harrisville (65km from Brisbane CBD) you can choose to snap a selfie with these charming creatures, hand feed them or climb on their back and explore the grounds of Summer Land Camels.

When you have finished sit back on the verandah of the homestead and sample some of their delicious food (yes, there are some camel products included) and stop by the well-stocked shop to pick up some camel merchandise. 

Ride the Wheel of Brisbane

Harness your inner child and conquer your fear of heights as you embark on a 10–15-minute ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. Perfectly situated in South Bank, and towering 60m above the ground, the Wheel of Brisbane has graced the banks of the Brisbane River since 2008 and is a popular activity among locals and visitors. Sitting in an enclosed gondola you can kick back and listen to the informative commentary while you soak up the views of the Brisbane River, South Bank and beyond. To make the experience even more comfortable the gondolas are air-conditioned (you will be grateful in Summer) and there are two wheelchair accessible gondolas.

Attend a Festival

Brisbane is home to many weird, wonderful and fantastic festivals. These festivals are often held annually and are very popular on the Brisbane calendar. Perhaps one of the biggest events is the Royal Queensland Show, affectionately known as the Ekka. Held annually at the Brisbane Showgrounds over nine days in August, the Ekka features animals, showbags, rides, competitions, fireworks and more. Don’t leave without trying the iconic Ekka Strawberry Sundae – mmmmm.

Other festivals which are worth attending include the epic Brisbane Festival, Paniyiri, World Science Festival and the Woodford Fold Festival. But this is just the tip of the iceberg – there are plenty of other festivals, fetes and shows to discover around Brisbane throughout the year.

Witness the Jacarandas in Bloom

If you happen to find yourself in Brisbane during October then chances are you will see the streets come to life with a large splash of purple. As Winter fades and Spring evolves, the iconic jacarandas blossom with vibrant purple flowers and turn Brisbane into an eye-catching landscape.

While jacarandas can be found anywhere and everywhere some of the most picturesque places to view these beauties and snap a stunning photograph include New Farm Park, the Kangaroo Point cliffs and the University of Queensland in St Lucia.

Discover BIG Things

Many cities around Australia lay claim to big things, and Brisbane is no different. Unique, and each with their own story, you can find various oversized icons in and around Brisbane. Our faves are the massive garden hose outside QAGOMA, the large Brisbane sign on the banks of the river, the big bin chickens dotted around the city, and the huge tennis racquet at Frew Park.

Of course there are many more, and some a little further afield, but these big icons of Brisbane are well and truly worthy of a selfie.

Spot a Koala in the Wild

Any visitor to Australia, and many locals for that matter, are always keen to spot a koala in the wild. While zoos and sanctuaries often house koalas, there is something extra special about spying these iconic Aussie animals lazing about in the treetops in the wild.

To give yourself the best chance of spotting a koala (or two) you need to know where to look, helpful viewing tips and of course locations where koalas are known to frequent. We’re not saying it will be easy, and while there is no guarantee, if you look hard enough, you may just be rewarded with a sighting.

Indulge in a Foodie Adventure

Brisbane is fast rising in the foodie scene and while it prides itself as multi-cultural, it’s the local produce, predominantly seafood, that make it worthy of any foodie adventure. High on your must try list has to be the delicious Moreton Bay Bug. Known for its sweet and tender meat, which can only be found in its tail, this crustacean is best served barbecued, roasted or boiled, and is guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling.

Other tasty morsels which can be readily available in Brisbane and should be tried at least once include mangoes, avocados, pineapples, prawns, macadamia nuts and strawberries. Of course, these foods are seasonal, so keep this in mind when searching for your next delicacy to sample. You might even consider popping along to one of the local markets to see what’s in season.

View Brisbane from Above

Brisbane is a pretty attractive city, with its tropical vibe, unique features and growing skyline, but viewing Brisbane and surrounds from above adds another dimension to this already multi-faceted city.

In the CBD there are several places to gain sky high views, with our faves being City Hall Clock Tower (book a free tour) and Sky Deck. Both venues can easily be reached by public transport or on foot and affords visitors with almost 360 degrees views of the city.

Sky Deck at Queens Wharf opened to the public in 2024 and aside from spectacular views of the mountains, Brisbane River and South Bank, it also boasts a glass floored viewing deck! Will you be brave enough to stand on it?!

A little bit further out from the CBD, but reachable by public transport (or car) is Mt Coot-tha Lookout, where you are treated with stunning views of the Brisbane skyline, especially at sunset. A café and restaurant is available to visitors capping off a magical day out.

Hit the Road for a Day Trip

While we love Brisbane, we equally adore the area surrounding the river city. Enjoying day trips from Brisbane is very doable – from the mountains to the creeks, beaches and beyond, something new and exciting is at the end of every road.

Journeying just over an hour down the motorway, you can visit the glittering Gold Coast, full to the brim of beaches, playgrounds, places to eat and fun activities. Alternatively, heading up the mountain, you will discover Tamborine Mountain, a peaceful country town, where bushwalks, eateries, great views and a touch of shopping await.

Heading north to the Sunshine Coast will also offer beaches, mountains and plenty of fun. From Hinterland playgrounds, river cruises, national parks and more, there is no shortage of family-friendly fun on the coast.

Another wonderful day trip from Brisbane includes hitting the road to the town of Toowoomba, where informative museums, stunning gardens and country charm are delivered in spades.

Attend a Sporting Event

Australians love their sport and in Brisbane, many codes are supported. World class venues for a variety of sports can be found around Brisbane and if you get the chance, you should definitely bust out the supporter gear and warm up your vocal cords and attend a game.

The GABBA hosts AFL and cricket, Suncorp Stadium sees Rugby and soccer teams clash, while golf, tennis, netball, basketball and more can be found at other sporting venues around Brisbane.

Sports are seasonal, so if you are visiting the area, be sure to check the calendar to see which teams are playing.

Using this Bucket List

Creating a bucket list and ticking off the items on it, brings a sense of achievement, and is a wonderful way to explore new and exciting experiences. While we have created this list, of course you can just use this as a guide, a starting point or even build on it to create an even bigger list.

While this is called a ‘bucket list’, we encourage you to commence your list at any stage of your life. And who says you can only have one list! Why not have a local one, an international one, a well-being one, or personal goals one. The options are endless, as are the number of items you can have on a list.

This Brisbane bucket list is local, family-friendly and affordable, so most items should be well within reach for locals and visitors to accomplish. Don’t keep all the fun to yourself either, why not ask family members, a friend or colleague to join you on your quest to achieve The Ultimate Brisbane Family Bucket List – think of the joy you will have being able to share all of these experiences with someone else.

Ways to Commemorate your Bucket List

It’s only natural you will want to commemorate achieving the above items on your bucket list. I mean, who doesn’t want a permanent reminder of the amazing activities, experiences and memories made while exploring Brisbane.

If you are looking for some inspiration on unique and fun ways to honour these feats, then consider the following:

• Make a photo book. Photo books are affordable and can easily be done online, with templates making the task pretty straight forward.
• Print out a photo from each occasion and create a collage. You could even frame it.
• Document your experiences in written form by having a bucket list journal. There are even books designed for this purpose.
• Collect a memento from each place you visit. Think magnets, hats, t-shirts, or postcards.
• Record your experiences in video format – it doesn’t have to be long, just a few snippets of how you were feeling and what you did.
• Create a scrapbook, including ticket stubs, photos, and other paraphernalia from each bucket list experience.

Brisbane is made for adventure, and the best memories are often found in the simple moments shared together. Whether you tick off one experience a month or complete the whole list in a year, each activity is an opportunity to explore, laugh and create lasting family memories.

So, start planning, get exploring, and most importantly – have fun along the way.