Best Free Things To Do In Brisbane
Updated: Jan 06, 2026
Looking for some top free things to do in Brisbane? Then check out these 20+ great things for locals and visitors to Brisbane that won't cost a cent!
Brisbane's iconic art galleries face off across Stanley Place and as well as their permanent collections of Australian and international art there are always some world class free exhibitions to see.
There are few places in the world where you can lie on white sand and catch some warm sunrays while looking across at the city skyline and then take a dip in a salt water lagoon...more
Visitors of all ages will find something of interest at the Queensland Museum Kurilpa, with multiple floors of free exhibits such as prehistoric Lost Creatures, the Discovery Centre and Wild State...more
Brisbane has an an incredible range of scenic and accessible walking trails, the perfect way to spend time in nature and get some fresh air - here are 10 of the best... more
The largest subtropical gardens in the southern hemisphere, Roma Street Parklands are a joy to stroll through any time of year, with highlights including the Spectacle Garden and the rainforest zone...more
State Library of Queensland always has fascinating free exhibitions, as well as self-guided Gallery Walks.
This lush green heritage-filled oasis on the cusp of the CBD has been a popular place for a stroll since the 1860s when it was designed by Brisbane's first botanic curator Walter Hill...more
Dotted around Brisbane's suburbs are miniature community libraries, created by local residents and made out of repurposed sheds, fridges and letter boxes and filled with books that are free to read...more
You could easily spend a few hours at this fascinating free museum dedicated to the history and culture of Brisbane in the City Hall with regularly changing exhibitions as well as permanent displays...more
Get to know your local history by following one of the heritage trails in Brisbane's oldest suburbs including Rosalie, Milton, Bulimba (these 3 have plaques along the way) and South Brisbane...more
Visit historic ANZAC Square and discover the Anzac Square Memorial Galleries curated by the State Library of Queensland, where visitors can embark on an interactive journey from World War One to today...more
Get a whole new perspective of Brisbane when you take this river walk (or cycle) from the Howard Smith Wharf redevelopment all the way along to New Farm's Sydney Street terminal...more
Head to River Quay, South Bank on Sundays and chill out with some cool tunes from local musicians against the backdrop of the Brissie skyline... more
This 5km river walk is one of the most varied in Brisbane, taking in old quarries, boardwalks, mangroves, bridges, parks, city riverfront eateries, a crossing of the Story Bridge and glass elevator ride to Howard Smith Wharves...more
Tucked away behind the Judith Wright Centre is this cutting edge modern art gallery that regularly hosts fascinating and quirky free boundary-pushing exhibitions and events, worth a visit...more
Learn about the history of policing in Brisbane and some of the most famous unsolved crimes in the state, and try your hand at playing detective to solve a murder mystery at this little CBD museum...more
Get fit for free in the great outdoors in Brisbane, at these fantastic outdoor gyms and exercise parks with state-of-the-art equipment or play table tennis at one of many free tables in parks around town...more
There's plenty to fill a day at these gardens, with highlights including the Japanese Garden, the Bonsai House, the bamboo grove, lakes, the Tropical Display Dome, the Cacti & Bromeliad House, and whilst there, visit the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium...more
Discover the legacy of Enoggera’s gold rush on an historic bushwalk past deep mineshafts and piles of discarded quartz as well as a mock-up of a miner's hut...more
Some of the great natural and artificial swimming pools and lagoons in and around Brisbane where you can swim/wade/frolic and cool off in the water for free...more
GOMA's state-of-the-art Cinematheque screens an ongoing program of film and video that you're unlikely to see elsewhere. Screenings take place Wednesday and Friday nights, with Saturday and Sundays matinees, and most all are free...more
If you'd like to hear more about what's new on Brisbane's creative art scene, discover first the latest café, bar and restaurant openings and get the low-down on what's happening around town, sign-up for our free, weekly e-newsletter here.
