city skyline near body of water during night time

Brisbane

Brisbane is Queensland's capital, a subtropical city on a river bend with South Bank galleries, ferries to Moreton Bay islands and bushwalks in the nearby mountains.

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Brisbane is Queensland's capital and its biggest city, home to about 2.8 million people. The city centre sits on a peninsula in a loop of the Brisbane River, roughly 15 km from where the river reaches Moreton Bay. The Yagara, Turrbal and Quandamooka peoples have lived in the region for more than 22,000 years, and the city's Indigenous name is Meanjin. Brisbane became the Queensland capital in 1859, when the colony separated from New South Wales.

South Bank Parklands, opened in 1992 on the former Expo 88 riverfront, draws an estimated 16 million visitors a year and sits beside the Queensland Cultural Centre, with its art gallery, museum and state library. Fortitude Valley is the place for live music and nightlife. The Story Bridge, opened in 1940, offers a bridge climb, and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs are popular for rock climbing. Summers are hot and wet, with thunderstorms common from November to March. Winters are mild and sunny, and June to August is the most comfortable time, with an average July day around 22 °C. Plan two or three days for the city, then add a day trip to Moreton Island or the Glass House Mountains.

Brisbane in five

Use a go card for trains, ferries and busesTranslink's go card works on buses, trains including Airtrain, ferries and trams across greater Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. You tap on and tap off, and the fare is worked out for you.Brisbane in 3 days
Spend a morning at QAGOMA, which is freeThe Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art stand 150 meters apart beside South Bank. Entry is free, including most exhibitions, with daily hours of 10:00 to 17:00 and closures on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Choose a base before you bookThe river splits the city into distinct areas, and the walk from a hotel to the ferry or the train sets the pace of every day. South Bank suits culture and families; the Valley and New Farm suit evenings out.Where to stay in Brisbane
Plan beach days on the coast, not in the cityBrisbane has a river, not a surf beach, so ocean swimming means the Gold Coast or the bay islands. Queensland advises swimming between the red-and-yellow flags at patrolled beaches.Brisbane or the Gold Coast
Treat Moreton Island as a planned dayMoreton Island is a sand island across the bay, reached by ferry or tour. Check the operator's schedule and the park rules before you go, and keep a weather margin for the return crossing.

Things to do in Brisbane

See all attractions in Brisbane

Park · BrisbaneKangaroo Point Cliffs ParkSunset and evening bring city lights and reflections across the river.

Restaurant · BrisbaneGolden AvenueBook ahead, especially for busy days or peak dining times.

an aerial view of a park with trees and grass

Sight · BrisbaneNew Farm ParkFor jacaranda colour, visit in October; spring is also a good time for the flowers.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BrisbanePut the places you like in Brisbane on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Brisbane (BNE); Airtrain links the airport to the rail network
Getting there: Domestic flights from Sydney and Melbourne; road and rail south to the Gold Coast
Getting around: Go card on trains, buses, ferries and trams; the river ferries are scenic transport Read more
Best base: City, South Bank, Fortitude Valley or New Farm
Time needed: 3 days; 4 or 5 with the Gold Coast or Moreton Bay

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Hot, humid
FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Storms, humid
MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Warm, humid
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Mild, drier
MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, clear
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Cool, dry
JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Coolest, dry
AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Dry, sunny
SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Warm, dry
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, sunny
NovemberRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low19°Hot, storms
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Hot, humid

Average daily high and low in Brisbane, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Brisbane

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 27°
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Brisbane

10:51 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+10

Today26°19°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°19°47%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 31°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 47%.
Thu31°18°0%Thursday: Clear. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri28°17°23%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 23%.
Sat30°18°57%Saturday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 57%.
Sun24°15°24%Sunday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 24%.

Updated 10:45 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD

Amount

Converted to

AUD · Australian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Brisbane

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Day trips by train

Gold Coastabout 1 hour by train or carSurf beaches, theme parks and the G:link tram, covered in the Gold Coast guide.Read the guide
Byron Bayabout 2 hours by carCape Byron lighthouse walk and beach towns, best as an overnight.Read the guide
Moreton Islandferry or tour across Moreton BayA sand island for dunes and wreck snorkeling; confirm the operator and park rules first.

Before you go to Brisbane

Hotels by the riverSouth Bank to the Valley by ferryCheck availability

Moreton Bay and city toursIsland days without a carCompare day trips

eSIM for BrisbaneFerry timetables and maps on landingRead the guide

Insurance for BrisbaneStorm delays and flight changesRead the guide

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Rules for Brisbane, checked

QAGOMA entry is free, daily 10:00 to 17:00; closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Some exhibitions and events are ticketed.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Go card is accepted on Translink buses, trains including Airtrain, ferries and trams across South East Queensland.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

All Brisbane guides

high-rise buildings near body of water during daytime

ItineraryBrisbane in 3 days: river, galleries and a day on the waterChecked Oct 2, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Brisbane: four bases, from the city to New FarmChecked Oct 2, 2026

Head to headBrisbane or the Gold Coast: which base fits your Queensland trip?Checked Oct 2, 2026

Plan around Brisbane

Noosa

Beach and headland walks 1.5 hours north

Read the guide Queensland

Where Brisbane fits on a coast trip

Read the guide All of Australia

ETA, regions, flights and money basics

Read the guide ETA and eVisitor explained

Who needs which and where to apply

Read the guide

Brisbane FAQ

How many days do you need in Brisbane?

Three days cover South Bank, the city's galleries and gardens, a river ferry and one neighborhood evening. Add a day for Moreton Island or a Gold Coast trip.

Is Brisbane worth visiting?

Yes if you want a warm, walkable city with free galleries and river ferries rather than headline sights. It works best as a base for the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and the bay islands.

Is Brisbane or the Gold Coast better for a first visit?

Brisbane suits culture, food and river life; the Gold Coast suits surf, theme parks and beach days. A few nights in each is easy because the two are linked by road and rail.

Are the Brisbane galleries really free?

Entry to QAGOMA is free, including most exhibitions, screenings and programs. Some special exhibitions and events charge a fee, so check the gallery's site for the dates you plan.

What is the best time to visit Brisbane?

April, May and August to October give warm, dry days without the summer storms and humidity. Summer is hot, with stormy afternoons, and winter nights are cool but sunny.