The capital city of Queensland is not exactly an affordable place to live, but you'll be surprised that you can find so many cheap things to do in Brisbane if you plan your trip there.
Eloise from My Favourite Escapes is going to share some of the tips to explore Brisbane on a budget, so you can make the most of your time in the city without spending too much!
In Australia, your US$10 will transform into AU$12. And that will be enough to keep you busy for a full day around Australia's third biggest city, Brisbane.
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, nicknamed the Sunshine State. Avoid the wet season in summer (December to March) to increase your chance of having a beautiful day to enjoy Brisbane for $10.
To explore the city, you can join the Brisbane Segway Sightseeing tour, which is the easiest option. But planning a trip to Brisbane on the cheap isn't that difficult either!
1. Get a CityCycle Casual Pass
You’ll spend your first $2 to purchase a CityCycle Casual Pass. It will give you access to hiring a bike that has a fixed gear crankset for 24 hours from 150 stations in Brisbane City Centre. Find one near your hotel and start your river loop around Brisbane.
I recommend stopping in South Bank for a free tour of QAGOMA’s Indigenous Art displays to learn more about Australia’s History.
In Brisbane CBD, you can book a free guided tour of the City Hall. If you’re lucky, you may even get a chance to go up to the Clock Tower: tickets are on a first-in first-serve basis every day.
2. Stroll around Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Head to the Botanical Garden near the city and then follow the river.
If it's lunchtime, you'll find some restaurants with lovely river views on that path, but they aren't cheap. Near the river/CBD, my recommended choice for a cheap meal is sushi: with your remaining $10, you can get three rolls that will fill you up.
Continue along the river and pass the Story Bridge. After a couple of minutes, look back for some of the best city views.
3. Visit the New Farm Park
The New Farm Park isn’t too far away, and it’s a must do during the Jacarandas blooming season (October). If you reach Newfarm Park for lunch, I recommend buying some bread and cheese at the New Farm Deli for a picnic in the park ($10).
While you're in New Farm Park, check out what’s on at the Brisbane Powerhouse, a former power station that got transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. Exhibitions are often free.
Leave your bike at a station in New Farm to go back to the city by boat: the City Hopper (red ferry boat) is free. If you’ve had enough for the day, stay on the vessel and enjoy the ride back to South Bank or the CBD.
4. Watch the sunset at Kangaroo Point Cliff Parks
If you’re keen for more, stop at Thornton St and grab a bike to reach Kangaroo Point Cliff Parks. The beautiful natural cliffs in front of the CBD is a popular place for rock climbing in Brisbane. It’s also one of the best spots to watch the sunset in Brisbane.
If you have some extra budget to splurge, you can also book a sunset river cruise to enjoy the breeze while admiring the city lights around the river.
5. Explore Brisbane Arcade
One of the most legendary spots in Brisbane, Brisbane Arcade is definitely a must-go if you're traveling to Queensland's capital. Built in the 1920s, the arcade offers some majestic architecture with lots of modern shops and boutiques.
Although most shops in Brisbane Arcade are pretty high-end and do not exactly target budget travelers, you can still stroll around the arcade for the vibes. Even better if you plan to visit Brisbane during Christmas as this is one of the most popular areas in the city for its iconic Christmas lights.
If you're looking for unique souvenirs in Brisbane, consider splurging a little at some boutique gift shops, where you can grab anything from handmade leather bags to premium chocolates.
Not sure what to buy for Brisbane souvenirs? You can order custom patches online for a one-of-a-kind souvenir – at a fraction of the price!
Conclusion
This itinerary will give you an excellent overview of Brisbane. The bike path near the river is quite flat, so it shouldn’t be a problem even for those who aren’t used to bike that much.
Remember a couple of things for your safety: they drive on the left in Australia, and wearing a helmet is essential.
Eloise lives in Brisbane (Australia), but you won’t find her often in the city. When she is not disconnected underwater or in a national park, she loves sharing her travel tips on her blog and inspiring her readers to take care of our beautiful planet. She considers every weekend as a two-day holiday break. Her approach: you don’t always need to go far to travel. Still, she also enjoys exploring the world and discovering new cultures.
Brisbane looks like a pretty nice city! Clean also! I have only been to Sydney, but would love to visit Brisbane and other parts of Australia too, if I ever get the chance.
Going to Australia is on my husband’s bucket list. If we get to Brisbane, these ideas will come in handy. There are really so many great free things to do in any city.
How cool! This is definitely on my bucket list to visit , your pictures are amazing! I loved learning more about Brisbone!
Brisbane looks like a pretty nice city! Clean also! I have only been to Sydney, but would love to visit Brisbane and other parts of Australia too, if I ever get the chance.
Sydney sounds nice, but I heard it’s so expensive, so maybe next time you need to consider Queensland for your next stop to save some $$$. 😛
Wow this looks so amazing!! I’ll have to put it on my list of places!!
Going to Australia is on my husband’s bucket list. If we get to Brisbane, these ideas will come in handy. There are really so many great free things to do in any city.
Great tips! These pictures are such a great vibe of Brisbane. I’ll make sure to read this over again before I head there!