Why visit Brisbane? Known as Brissy to locals, Brisbane is the capital city of Australia’s Sunshine State. Beautiful scenery and a subtropical climate make Brissy one of the popular vacation destinations at any time of year. Australia’s third largest city may not get the same hype as the country’s major coastal cities, but there are tons of things to do and see in Brisbane.

You Can: Get Up Close and Personal with the Wildlife

For kids, families, and animal lovers, a visit to Brisbane isn’t complete without a stop at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Originally created as a safe haven for injured or distressed koalas, the sanctuary now houses 130 koalas as well as kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles, dingoes, and a variety of bird species. The Sanctuary offers interactive animal encounters as part of their education and conservation mission. Who wouldn’t want to hold a koala right?

If you’d like to experience an avian adventure, you can check out the 2.3 metre wingspan of a wedge-tailed eagle in the free-flight raptor show. If you prefer smaller birds, you can feed the wild lorikeets. Don’t be surprised if one of these brightly coloured birds lands on your head to get closer to the food supply.

You Can: Hit the Beach in the Downtown Area

If you’re staying downtown, you can get to the beach in minutes. Stretch out on the sandy shores of Streets Beach and soak up the sun before taking a swim in this man-made city-centre lagoon. The water is chlorinated, filtered, and recirculated to keep it sparkling clean. There’s a shallow end with water park features for the kids, and the beach is patrolled by lifeguards all year round.

You Can: Glide Along the Brisbane River

Get a good look at the city skyline, and enjoy a taste of river life with a Brisbane River cruise. You can relax and enjoy your morning tea on an early sightseeing cruise, or make a stop for lunch on an afternoon cruise. If you want to power your own craft, grab an oar for a Paddle & Prawns adventure. You can see the river by kayak before tucking into a bucket of prawns.

You Can: Put on Your Climbing Shoes

There are options for both beginners and experienced climbers at Kangaroo Point Cliffs. You can do some rock-climbing up the face of the cliffs, or you can abseil down. The view from the top is absolutely stunning. If you prefer, you can do your climbing over the Brisbane River. Join a tour, and make an easy climb up the Story Bridge. You’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views at 80 metres above sea level.

You Can: Try Something Completely Different

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, Brissy’s got you covered. You can go on a pub crawl by helicopter or take a dive with manta rays. You don’t need any experience to hang-glide tandem-style at Mt. Tambourine. Experience the acoustic majesty of underground opera. That would be opera performed in the underground storage rooms of the Spring Hill Reservoirs. The list goes on and on.

You Can: Get Around Easier with Superior Transportation

Getting around in Brisbane is about to get better. As part of the Cross River Rail Project, a new rail line including a twin tunnel under the Brisbane River is under construction. Cross River Rail Brisbane will add 40 trains per hour to help with Brisbane’s morning rush to the downtown core. It will also cut down on traffic as commuters choose the convenience of rail travel over the frustrations of traffic jams. If we consider this aspect, it simply means that Brisbane will become one of the most tourism-friendly destinations, especially for solo travellers or newbie travellers.

When Should You Go?

Expect ideal conditions when you visit Brissy anytime between March and April. This is the best time to visit Brisbane. You’ll enjoy sunny skies, very little rainfall, and no concerns about crowds of school-holiday vacationers. As a bonus for your wallet, less Brisbane visitor traffic translates into lower rates for your accommodations and events. If you thrive on the heat, visit between December and February to get all the hot weather you can handle.