Brisbane is one of Australia’s most family-friendly cities. There’re dozens of amazing things to do with kids in Brisbane, and it’s all concentrated in the heart of the city.
It’s easy and often free to entertain little ones in the Queensland capital. From cultural fun to outdoor exploring, here are some great family activities to do during your Brisbane holiday.
And we know family travel comes with a few extra considerations. Oaks Hotels make it easier with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, perfect for everyone to have their space and feel like home.
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Climb to the top of Mt Coot-tha
If the family has an itch to get into the great outdoors or see some nature, there’re plenty of places to visit around Brisbane. For hikes and bushwalks, you can’t go wrong with Mt Coot-tha Forest. Climb or drive to the top for amazing views out over Brisbane CBD. While you’re over this way, drop into the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the base of Mt Coot-tha to explore the Tropical Dome and other themed gardens. It’s the perfect spot in Brisbane for a family activity like organising a picnic.
Go wild with wildlife
Not out of place on a list of the best zoos in the world, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is famous for its koalas and up-close native animal encounters. Venture into the wildlife park to explore Aussie sheep dog exhibits, shearing, bird of prey exhibits, barn encounters and more.
Save time to meet one of the cuddly koalas and get a family photo together. Lone Pine has long been among Brisbane’s most popular tourist attractions and an essential thing to do in Brisbane with kids.
Explore the river
South Bank, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the Story Bridge, and the view of Brisbane are just some of the reasons to get out and along the Brisbane River. Feel free to explore it on a public CityCat, the CityHopper from the Riverside centre, or book a tour with River City Cruises or even the Kookaburra River Queens.
If you’ve got teenagers in tow or are looking for something more active, spend a day kayaking, rollerblading or abseiling off the cliffs, or simply stroll the many riverfront walks. Feel the breeze through your hair and enjoy cruising up and down Brisbane’s “brown snake”, as the locals fondly call it.
Kid-Friendly Attractions in Brisbane’s Best Parks
Set on the banks of the river, South Bank Parklands is one of the best spots for family activities in Brisbane. Explore 17 hectares of manicured parklands stacked with gorgeous picnic spots, world-class eateries, event spaces, and Australia's only inner-city man-made beach. Bring your togs, as Queenslanders say, and let the kids splash about at Streets Beach and the nearby Aquativity water playground and the Boat Pool.
There’s almost always cool events being hosted at South Bank, from yoga or family events to huge-scale festivals, plus you’re never far from a cheap lunch or excellent sit-down meal at Stanley Street or River Quay.
Explore a nearby secret local location: Roma Street Parkland. Set within easy walking distance from Queen Street Mall, this free, lush parkland is full of great gardens, wildlife, and kid-friendly attractions in Brisbane. Pack a picnic lunch from home, or purchase from the licensed The Garden Room overlooking the Water Wall and relax while the kids explore all that nature has to offer.
Dial up the culture
Once you have discovered gorgeous South Bank, take a short stroll over to the cultural precinct where you’ll find the Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, State Library of Queensland, and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). All these big cultural institutions host amazing exhibitions, with special events and programming designed just for kids.
From international ballet to musicals like Aladdin and West Side Story, Brisbane is fast gaining a reputation for hosting some amazing performances.
QAGOMA is a must-stop for art lovers and the curious, and the Queensland Museum is filled with hands-on science experiments and exhibits to explore.
Eat through Eat Street
A feast for all the senses, catch the CityCat ferry along the river to an epic street food market that’s open every weekend, and it's one of the most fun things to do with kids in Brisbane. Eat Street Northshore is a wonderland of crazy food stalls and interesting eats that’s perfect to explore with the family on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening in Brisbane. Every market stall is set within colourful shipping containers, which are stacked to make streets and alleyways, each with a different theme and live entertainment.
Venture out for a day trip to Straddie
Staying for an extended break with the family in Brisbane? Why not schedule a day trip? North Stradbroke Island, or Straddie is a favourite amongst locals and international tourists and perfect for an active family. Straddie is a subtropical island, located 30 km southeast of Brisbane, and it’s one of the world’s largest sand islands. From endless summer adventures to awesome “whale-watching” winters, Straddie offers some of the best family activities in Brisbane for a fun and memorable day trip.
Get your thrills on the GC
If you’re looking for kid-friendly attractions with a little extra adventure, a 40-minute drive further south from Straddie will place you on the doorstep to some of the greatest theme parks on the Gold Coast. Choose between Dreamworld with its Tiger Island and White Water World, get wet and go wild on the slides at Wet ‘n’ Wild, or lift the curtain and discover movie magic and thrilling roller coasters at Movie World.
Embrace the power of science
Queensland’s Science Centre is home to incredible interactive displays that will wow both the big and little kids in us all. At SparkLab, the hands-on, fully immersive activities will entertain everyone while educating kids about the science behind day-to-day things. Spend a few hours learning about the human body, energy, light, sound, air, water, and earth. For curious minds aged 6 to 13, SparkLab is a hands-on favourite and a fun thing to do with kids in Brisbane.
The centre is also known for hosting great science events like the World Science Festival, bringing fresh ideas, exhibitions, and activities.
Just next door, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium invites families to look beyond Earth, featuring a tour of Brisbane’s current night sky under the 12.5 metre diameter Cosmic Skydome.
Catch a game
Cheer your sporting heroes to glory at the national Big Bash League cricket competition. The kids will love the drama of watching the match in real time, and at only 3 hours long, the BBL is perfect to keep them entertained without getting bored. Jam-packed with action both on and off the field, the kids will be on the edge of their seats till the very last ball. Matches are often held at The Gabba, conveniently located near Oaks Woolloongabba, making it an ideal destination for family activities in Brisbane.
With so many things to do with kids in Brisbane close together, staying at Oaks Hotels in the CBD can help the whole family make the most of the trip.
