Long summer days are made for getting out of the house and doing something fun together. Luckily, Brisbane bursts with incredible family activities, whether that means getting up close with a koala, having a picnic in the park or challenging everyone to an escape room.
Here are eight activities for a summer’s day in Brisbane that kids and parents will enjoy.
Activities in Brisbane: Spend the day at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Koalas, kangaroos and a day outside, it’s hard to go wrong with that combination.
Only 12 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to more than 100 koalas and around 70 species of native Australian wildlife. Kids can hand-feed kangaroos roaming around the reserve, watch sheepdogs at work and learn a little more about some of Australia’s most famous animals.
There are different talks and shows throughout the day, including koala talks and a free-flight raptor show, so you can wander around without having to plan every minute.
A family pass for two adults and up to three children is $193, which works out better than buying five separate tickets, and children under three get in free.
There are also three cafés inside, including Riverside Café, so when everyone inevitably gets hungry, lunch isn’t far away.
Take a ride on The Wheel of Brisbane
If you’re already spending the day at South Bank, it’s pretty hard for kids to ignore the giant wheel sitting above it.
The Wheel of Brisbane stands 60 metres high and takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete a ride. You’ll go around roughly four times, which gives everyone a chance to look out over the Brisbane River and try to spot places you’ve already visited.
Each gondola fits up to six adults and two children aged 11 and under, so the family can ride together. It’s also air-conditioned, which is a nice bonus when Brisbane’s summer heat kicks in.
Once you’re finished, don’t go home yet! You’re already in South Bank, so grab an ice cream, walk along the river or take the kids to Streets Beach for a swim. You can easily turn one ride on the wheel into a full afternoon out.
Have a picnic at New Farm Park
For the days when nobody wants a complicated plan, New Farm Park keeps things nice and easy.
The 15-hectare park sits right on the Brisbane River and has huge green spaces, rose gardens and plenty of room for kids to run around. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch, find some shade and let the kids take over the playground.
If sitting still isn’t really your family’s thing, there are also basketball and tennis facilities, and electric barbecues if you want to make lunch there instead.
Plus, the park is free, so this can be one of those days where you don’t have to spend much at all. There’s a coffee kiosk for the parents, and Brisbane Powerhouse is just next door if you feel like wandering over afterwards.
Sometimes a calm picnic, a playground and a sunny afternoon is all you need.
Take a day trip to Moreton Island
For a change of scenery, hop on a ferry and spend the day on Moreton island. It’s only a 75 min ride from Brisbane, and with its clear blue waters teeming with marine life such as dugongs, dolphins and sea turtles, you could be in the remote Pacific Islands.
One of the coolest spots to see is the Tangalooma Wrecks, a group of 15 ships that were sunk in 1963 to create a breakwater. They’re now surrounded by coral and marine life, and you might even see some turtles or dugongs enjoying the area.
Families can keep the day simple with some beach time or different activities such as snorkelling, kayaking, or a desert safari. Tangollomas beach day cruise currently starts at $109 for adults and $79 for children, Including the return boat from Brisbane and a lunch voucher, it makes for a pretty reasonable way to turn a normal summer day into a little island getaway for a great price.
Try rock climbing at Kangaroo Point Cliffs
If your kids are the type who climb absolutely everything they see, you might as well give them a real cliff.
Kangaroo Point is right beside the Brisbane River, and families with kids aged eight and older can join guided rock-climbing sessions on the cliffs. You don’t need to know what you’re doing beforehand. The instructors take you through the safety side of things and provide the climbing equipment before you start.
A daytime Riverlife climbing session is currently $89 per person, with all the climbing gear and instruction included in the price.
The best part might be reaching the top and getting to look out over the river and city after climbing your way up there.
Once everyone is done taking pictures head to Joey’s restaurant at the top of the cliffs for lunch. With the same view you had from the hike, it’s great relaxing place after a long day.
Spend the day at Mount Coot-tha
Mount Coot-tha is an easy place to spend a whole day because there are so many wonderful things to see and do, so the kids will never get bored!
Start at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, where entry is free. There are 56 hectares to wander through, with rainforest trails, a Japanese Garden, the Tropical Display Dome and a lagoon. Kids can also follow the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail or head to the nature playground.
Just nearby is the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Entry to the planetarium is also free, you will however need tickets if you want to catch one of the Cosmic Skydome shows.
For lunch, stop at the Botanic Gardens Café overlooking the lagoon and bamboo grove.
Before heading home, drive up to the Mount Coot-tha Lookout. On a clear day you can see right across Brisbane, and it’s a pretty nice way to end a day that barely touched the family budget.
Explore Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre
If you have kids who love looking under rocks, spotting birds and asking a million questions about animals, take them to Karawatha Forest.
The Discovery Centre sits beside 900 hectares of bushland, so there is a lot more here than just an indoor exhibit. Start at the centre, where kids can play with interactive displays and learn about the area, then head outside and explore the walking trails and nature-play space.
More than 200 wildlife species have been recorded around the forest, including koalas, possums, gliders and almost 120 types of birds. Turn the walk into a game and see what everyone can spot along the way.
It’s also one of the free family activities in Brisbane, and there are picnic tables and electric barbecues near the centre. Pack some lunch and cold drinks, and you have most of the day sorted without spending anything.
Just be prepared for the kids to embrace their inner wildlife experts.
See if your family can escape Fox in a Box
If it’s pouring with rain or simply too hot to be outside, this is the activity for you.
Fox in a Box in Brisbane CBD gives your family 60 minutes to escape a themed room by finding clues, cracking codes and solving puzzles together. It sounds straightforward, but the clues are tricky and the pressure is always on.
Children from around eight years old can take part, although some rooms have scarier themes, so it’s worth choosing one that suits your family.
Prices start at around $45 per person for larger groups, and the price changes depending on how many people are playing.
Once the hour is up, you’ll either walk out feeling very proud of yourselves or have something to laugh about over lunch. Either way, you’re already in the CBD, so finding somewhere nearby for food, ice cream or a drink is easy.
If you like this story on the best family activities in Brisbane, check out our guide to Brisbane on a budget.
Rex flies to Brisbane. Head to the Rex website or check out the route map below for more details.
