Top Things To Do And See In Brisbane Cbd
Updated: Mar 09, 2025
When it comes to finding the best things to do and see in Brisbane’s CBD, be it sights, attractions, shops, history, dining and drinking, here’s the bucket list of 25 Must Do’s
Brisbane’s grandest building is a must visit, either as a guest (book balcony rooms 401-3) or for a drink at the stylish old world bar. Queen Victoria presides over the historic green square outside.
The oldest lane in Brisbane dates from the convict era and today it is home to Spanish bars El Matador and Alba Bar & Deli, whisky bar Death & Taxes, hole-in-the-wall Super Whatnot, basement café bar Brew and Felix for Goodness.
This gorgeous Edwardian baroque arcade features 3 floors of specialist boutiques and quaint shops. Make time for a refreshment at Room With Roses and a visit to Keri Craig Emporium in the basement.
A visit to the splendid recently restored City Hall is a highlight of a visit to the CBD – check out the glass-domed auditorium, follow in the footsteps of The Beatles and the Queen by taking a ride up the clock tower and check out the fascinating displays in the Museum of Brisbane.
Brisbane’s iconic 1920s tea rooms have been faithfully been restored to their former glory in the base of the City Hall. Book in for some lunch or a high tea – the quintessential Brisbane experience.
Qld’s largest collection of second hand, rare, collectible and out of print books can be found in this bookstore which resembles a library that time forgot and is housed inside a heritage-listed century old warehouse.
Brisbane’s war memorial square is an exotic square of green and lunchtime gathering spot, with statues depicting all the wars, a stunning underground mosaic memorial and overlooked by the iconic Shrine of Remembrance.
From convict farm to living museum, the City Botanic Gardens nestled in the bend of the Brisbane river, are a picturesque tropical oasis and time capsule of Brisbane’s botanical history.
A fascinating slice of Brisbane’s wartime history lies upstairs inside the Macarthur building, including the still intact office from which General Douglas Macarthur directed the Asia Pacific effort of World War II.
Bringing great jazz and fine dining to the streets of Brisbane, with a Brasserie and Piano Bar that on any day of the week resemble a happening New York jazz bar... more
Howard Smith Wharves
Down at the far south of Brisbane CBD is the jewel in the crown of the city, the refurbished historic wharves that are home to Greca, Mr Percival's, Felons Brewing, Fiume rooftop bar and ARC Dining & Wine Bar
These gorgeous handmade and artisan markets can be found inside the Brisbane City Hall on the 3rd Saturday of the month and as a twilight bazaar in Kind George Square
Dining at Parliament House
The street that runs the width of the city from Spring Hill to the Botanic Gardens is home to Brisbane’s high fashion outlets, luxe European brands, elegant arcades and fine dining
One of only 2 surviving convict buildings in Brisbane, the Commissariat was built as the store house of the penal settlement’s supplies and today houses a fascinating museum featuring photos, models and convict relics.
At the rear of the curious John Mills Himself building (a century old warehouse), with access from Elizabeth St, is this tiny secret café bar perfect for a daytime coffee and snack or evening tipple
Brisbane’s oldest chapel is still in operation and is well worth a visit for the extraordinary life size sculpture of Saint Mary MacKillop, carved out of camphor laurel. Sharing the site is St Stephen’s Cathedral renowned for its magnificent stained glass windows and the original cathedral bell, which was made at the same Whitechapel iron foundry as Big Ben.
Gresham Lane
This tiny lane opposite the GPO is bookended by the must visit Gresham Bar, a Victorian gentlemen’s club style whisky and bourbon bar inside a heritage listed bank’s vault. Two other tiny bars - Red Hook and Sparrow & Finch
Brisbane’s first marketplace (circa 1866) has been partially converted into this stunning character- laden restaurant bar, with cocktail lounge underneath and fine dining room upstairs.
An ode to modern architecture, this is a 6 star green skyscraper with a hundred different hues, depending on which angle you look at it from. Underneath is a stone and wood lane with a cafe for great casual dining and next door is Kurilpa Bridge leading straight to GOMA.
This stunningly beautiful fine dining Chinese restaurant occupies one of Brisbane’s most magnificent heritage buildings, the old Queensland Government Savings Bank circa 1914
Arguably Brisbane’s prettiest church, made of red brick and Oanu white stone, AUC stands sentry on the edge of King George Square and is as exquisite and well preserved inside as out.
One of the CBD's best kept secrets is this art museum that is part of QUT campus, with its excellent collection of Australian art and travelling exhibitions, and it's free to visit... more
