Lace up your walking shoes and get into our nine family friendly adventures in and around Brissie.
Soar above the city on The Wheel of Brisbane
Brisbane is a bustling hub of activities with great places to explore, endless places to swim, and some incredible landmarks rich in history and culture. Arriving in Queensland’s capital, one of the first things you’re bound to see is one of the city’s icons – The Wheel of Brisbane.
Soaring 60 metres above the South Bank skyline, this famous ferris wheel offers a breathtaking, bird’s-eye view of the city and beyond. Step into one of the air-conditioned, fully enclosed gondolas and settle in for a gentle 10 to 12-minute ride that takes you on four slow revolutions, day or night. You’ll glide above the Brisbane River, with panoramic views stretching out to the Glass House Mountains and Moreton Bay on a clear day.
By night, the wheel transforms into a glowing beacon, perfect for a romantic ride or a striking photo op. It’s a favourite with families too — little ones love the gentle motion, while adults enjoy the spectacular views and the audio commentary sharing snippets of Brisbane’s history.
Sun, fun and sandy adventures at Streets Beach
Smack-bang in the heart of Brisbane’s vibrant South Bank precinct, Streets Beach is Australia’s only manmade inner-city beach, and it’s a true urban oasis. With its white sandy shoreline, turquoise lagoon, and lush palm trees, it feels more like a tropical island than a spot just minutes from the busy CBD.
Perfect for families, solo sun seekers or anyone needing to cool off, Streets Beach is patrolled year-round by lifeguards, and there are shallows for little kids to splash about safely. The beach is free to visit, open daily, and surrounded by grassy areas, cafes, and shady spots for picnics.
Whether you’re taking a dip, relaxing with a book, or enjoying the view of the Brisbane River beyond the beach, this inner-city escape is iconic for good reason. As the sun sets and fairy lights come on, it becomes one of the most magical spots in the city.
Explore millions of pieces at Queensland Museum
The Museum of Queensland is home to than a million items and specimens in collections, and it regularly holds fun and entertaining interactive exhibitions for children, with special events during the school holidays. From masterful creations of LEGO and interactive exhibitions with electricity, to prehistoric giants and modern achievements and scientific discovery, the kids will be amused for hours.
The museum’s flagship Kurilpa campus features interactive galleries such as SparkLab & Sciencentre, the Discovery Centre, Lost Creatures (Queensland megafauna), Wild State and the ANZAC Legacy Gallery. Take your walking shoes as it spans three floors plus has outdoor spaces. And it’s usually free general entry, with special exhibitions ticketed.
Meeting the furry locals at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
At 18 hectares, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane’s Fig Tree Pocket, is the largest koala sanctuary in the world. It was established in 1927 to protect these docile creatures from fur hunting and is now home to more than 100 koalas and 70 other native species.
A day trip out to the sanctuary will teach your kids all about Australia’s amazing native wildlife. There’s a working sheepdog show, a raptor show and plenty of kangaroos, birds, and reptiles to admire and interact with – some even roam around the sanctuary at their own whim.
In July 2024, cuddling koalas was banned in order to prioritise animal welfare, so now you can enjoy a ‘Koala Close‑Up’ experience like the one pictured above, that lets guests observe koalas up close without touching them, and in turn supporting koala research and conservation.
Get a rush while go-karting at Slideways
There aren’t many places that offer indoor and outdoors go-karting fun. This means rain, hail or shine, Slideways Brisbane is open for adrenalin-pumping family fun. The indoor track is 425m long and operates over two differing levels. They have cadet and intermediate karts for use during children and family sessions.
There’s also an all-weather outdoor loop for some serious action. The track surface was designed by Slideways Go Karting Australia, and is like no other in the southern hemisphere – the karts can drift and get ‘slideways’. Even the little ones can get into it – with kids as young as seven allowed as long as they pass the height test!
Go riding on Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Hire mountain or electric bikes and head out on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Open all year round and completely traffic-free, the trail is 161 kilometres of a peaceful disused railway line. From open farmland and rugged ridges to river crossings and cool bushland, it shows off the diversity of the landscape around Brisbane.
Stretching from Wulkuraka near Ipswich to Yarraman in the South Burnett region, the scenic route is also ideal for walkers and horse riders, and it passes through charming country such as Esk, Toogoolawah and Linville. There are interpretive signs along the way highlight the region’s rich railway and pioneering history.
On the water and above it – kayaking and abseiling in Brissie
Riverlife is the perfect answer for outdoor family fun and exercise on a sunny day in Brisbane. Go abseiling 200 metres down Kangaroo Point Cliffs, or climb to the top and take in the amazing views across the city. If being on the river is more your thing, go kayaking and see many parts of Brissie from a completely different perspective. You can also hire bikes to go for a ride, and the company organises awesome kids parties. While the kids have fun, the parents might want to embark on a romantic sunset kayak.
Exploring Brisbane River and Moreton Bay with kids
Close by to Brisbane, Moreton Island offers so many outdoor adventures for families. A 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane will have you on this island that’s a bucket-list destination for a 4WD adventure. You can take your vehicle over to the island on the Micat ferry or on the Amity Trader. It’s also a popular destination for bushwalkers and birdwatchers, and the perfect place for a family picnic.
If you enjoy diving or snorkelling, you can explore the beauty of the Moreton Island Wrecks.
This striking collection of sunken ships forms a vibrant artificial reef. Originally scuttled in the 1960s to provide safe anchorage for small boats, the 15 vessels have since become a snorkeller’s paradise. Teeming with colourful fish, turtles and coral, the crystal-clear waters around the wrecks offer one of Australia’s most accessible and unique marine experiences. Located near Tangalooma, this iconic snorkelling spot is ideal for day trips or weekend adventures, offering a rare blend of history, nature and underwater beauty all in one place.
Brisbane with kids, and heading a little further afield
Thunderbird Park at Tamborine Mountain has a TreeTop Challenge made for juniors aged 3 to 7 years, under 160cm in height. It is Australia’s largest zipline attraction built entirely for children, with the aim of building their confidence by taking them out of their comfort zones. Trainers are on hand for any assistance and guidance needed, and children don’t need any prior experience to join in on the fun. To complete the courses takes around 2.5 hours, including an induction.
It’s not just for the little ones – children over 160cm can participate in the adult courses with mum and dad. There are than 140 adrenaline-pumping challenges, including tarzan swings and 13 massive flying foxes. And you can make a day of it, as on-site there is the Rainforest Restaurant and Lounge Bar, offering a unique dining experience surrounded by nature.
From the heart of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is an hour’s drive by car which is the quickest and most hassle-free way to get there.
If you enjoyed this feature on exploring Brisbane with kids, you might like our feature on treetop adventures across Australia.
Travel to Brisbane
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