The Brisbane River glides through Brisbane on its way to the beautiful beaches of Moreton Bay, offering a beach-y atmosphere along its banks. Even when it’s not summer in Brisbane it feels pretty summery, tropical even, and the river is an inviting feature, as well as one which nicely divides up Brisbane’s more central neighbourhoods. There are many reasons to stay somewhere along the meandering river, and there are plenty of neighbourhoods to choose from along its banks - some of them with surprisingly distinct looks, atmospheres and characters.
Brisbane’s glamorous shopping precincts, shiny casinos, and theme parks - hello Dream World, Movie World and Sea World! - make parts of Brisbane feel more like an American city than a European one - hence the nickname: Bris-Vegas, yet the city centre is more compact, with colonial-era architecture, a sit-out cafe culture, and a rich cultural calendar. Wherever you go you’ll find a laid back welcome. The same can be said for wherever you stay, from the humblest backpacker hostel or apartment, to the grandest, most luxurious suites If you are seeking out truly luxurious options you might want to start looking around the South Bank; the City Centre is convenient for everything and everyone; the West End is trendy; Fortitude Valley has the nightlife; and Kangaroo Point has the views!
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Brisbane’s City Centre is a bit business-y, and a bit emptier in the evenings and on the weekends, but still a great place for visitors to stay. It’s convenient for public transport, but also a good base if you want to explore on foot - South Bank and Fortitude Valley are a short stroll, and there’s a huge range of accommodation, from hostels to five star hotels. The City Centre’s sights include the Brisbane City Hall, the Museum of Brisbane, the MacArthur Museum, QUT ART and the Treasury Casino. The Queen Street Mall is one of Brisbane’s largest shopping precincts - and it’s been pedestrianised since the ‘80s, so the City Centre is also a great place for shoppers - Queens Plaza is the higher-end end. If you’re looking for great places to eat in the City Centre it’s worth checking out the beautifully refurbished, heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves, where you’ll also find lovely Brisbane River views. And some great craft breweries. This is also a good spot for boutique and design hotels.
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South Bank was redeveloped and planned for Brisbane’s World Expo in 1988 - when it got its artificial beach! It’s called Street’s Beach, and is a vision of white sand and sub-tropical plants. South Bank was then re-redeveloped once it had closed, and many of Brisbane’s largest museums and galleries went in: the headliners being the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Food and drink options, to support the burgeoning cultural hub, then sprang up as well. As well as a city big wheel, landscaped parklands and playgrounds - complete with free barbecues and a liquor license. South Bank is a central stop on the CityCat ferry, which is a fantastically s scenic way to get around Brisbane.
Spring Hill is one of Brisbane’s oldest neighbourhoods. It might not sound old, but in terms of Queensland, the 19th century is a long time ago, and the modest terraces houses and worker’s cottages built at that time are all heritage-listed. Many of them have also been carefully, and beautifully restored. Spring Hill has some beautiful old pubs too! in fact, The Windmill in Wickham Park, Spring Hill was one of the first stone buildings built in Queensland (in 1827), and the Spring Hill Baths were built in 1886 - and are still open today. You might be more enticed by Spring Hill’s eating and drinking scene? it’s got some great cafes, bars and restaurants, and is just to the west of hip nightlife spot, Fortitude Valley. The City Centre is just to the south. Spring Hill is a neighbourhood with a number of really lovely boutique hotel picks, some very good aparthotel choices, and great hotels and self catering options too. But there’s still a residential edge.
Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane’s liveliest neighbourhoods, with bars and clubs on Brunswick Street Mall buzzing until it gets light again. It used to be known mostly for nightlife, but the clubs, pubs and music venues have expanded to include great restaurants, craft breweries, wine bars and theatres too. Fortitude Valley hosts an impressive number of annual festivals - both cultural, musical and food related. Fortitude Valley also hosts Brisbane’s Chinatown too. James Street has been taken over with fashion, including some impressive local and international designer brands. James Street has some great restaurants too - arguably some of Brisbane’s best. Fortitude Valley is an old, old suburb, so it’s actually got an impressive collection of historic architecture - which might not be what you’d expect from an entertainment neighbourhood! You can walk to Brisbane city centre from Fortitude Valley, but of course you don’t have to, there are lots of public transport options. There’s a good range of accommodation in Fortitude Valley, including hostels and aparthotels, as well as boutique options, and higher end hotels.
New Farm is pretty spot on the Brisbane River, close enough to the centre of town to feel convenient, but also far enough away not to feel too busy. And picturesque and historic with it - with restored woolstores and graceful old Queenslanders aplenty. New Farm is a good place for a spot of boutique shopping, and its cafes, bars and restaurants are the kind of places you want to relax and socialise in languidly. This is also a great neighbourhood for green space and walking and cycling trails. And there’s a fantastic adventure playground. There are lots of great cafes along the river, which is also lined with a walking trail. This is a fairly residential area, so there are lots of aparthotels and serviced apartments, as well as a smattering of hotels and B&Bs - most of them glorious renovations of old houses.
Just across the river from the City Centre, with fantastic views of the glittering towers of the business district, Kangaroo Point is the perfect neighbourhood for a city escape. It’s close to central Brisbane as the crow flies, but because of the river, it’s a bit of a journey by road - the ferry is okay, mind. Kangaroo Point also feels a bit further away? with its parklands and cliffs. You can even go climbing and kayaking here, as well as hiking and biking. If you’re more of an indoor cat, you may appreciate etc boutique shopping, eating and drinking, or an evening out at the Brisbane Jazz Club. And there are few places better for a picnic or barbecue than Caption Burke Park? which is right under Story Bridge - which you can now climb on top off. As far as accommodation goes, this is a fairly residential neighbourhood, so there are some lovely apathotels and boutique mansion conversions, as well as self catering accommodation, and some very nice hotels.
West End is a cool kids haunt, which may be a bit off centre for many, but will suit those looking for somewhere a bit different to be based. West End has a working class background, but with an arty edge - there’s great street art, cool boutiques, restaurants, craft breweries and bars, and hip happenings come the evening. There are music venues and a theatre as well as clubs, pubs and bars. There’s a real sense of independence, and this isn’t the place for chain cafes, stores of restaurants. Of course it’s gentrifying, but it’s still got grit. And plaques around the neighbourhood to mark out the neighbourhood’s history. West End is known for being a great place to go out at night. On Saturday morning everyone comes out for the Davies Park Market, which is a showcase for local food trucks, crafts and fashion. West End is off centre, but it’s still within walking distance of South Bank and Fish Lane.
These two neighbouring neighbourhoods share an atmosphere and transport links. These are pretty, leafy suburbs in the hills around the City Centre, known for their gracefully renovated Queenslanders and charming high streets. Rosalie Village being a bit of a highlight, tucked into the Paddington border, with its own gourmet market, and collection of great places to eat, drink and shop. Especially if you like antiques, vintage fashion, independent boutiques, art, and design-y treasures. These are probably the best neighbourhoods in Brisbane for a long brunch. There’s not a vast range of accommodation options, because this is still a relatively residential neighbourhood, but there are a couple of really nice B&BS, a boutique hotel or two, and some great apartments. And if you draw your circle a little wider you’ll find more choice.
Sandgate is an historic seaside town on Moreton Bay just outside of Brisbane, but a great neighbourhood to consider if you’re hoping for a bit of a beach/city break. Day-trippers go both ways between Brisbane and Sandgate, here for the late 19th century architecture, the 350metre long pier - completed in 1884, and the ocean. In fact, many people follow in the footsteps of earlier day-trippers, who head from the station to through the square to the seafront promenade. When it comes to local highlights, visitors are often impressed by the Town Hall - the clock especially, the pier, the railway station and the Sandgate Post Office - which has recently been transformed into the Sandgate Post Office Hotel. But it’s not all sightseeing and sand here, Sandgate also has a burgeoning arts scene, which you can take a dip in too - see one of the local theatre companies, vast a live music venue, or a gallery, and see what this pretty town has inspired. Just outside town are marine sanctuaries, parklands and lagoon reserves. If you’re looking for a walking trail you’ll be spoiled for choice, but you could start with the Shorncliffe to Sandgate, which talks you right along the waterfront. If you’re looking for something a bit different, consider kitesurfing, windsurfing or golf. On Wednesday and Sundays you might want to stock up at the Sandgate Farmers Market.
Ascot is another of Brisbane’s oldest neighbourhoods, home to several streets of grand old homes, and Brisbane’s historic racing club. There’s a pretty high street, with an historic pub, and lots of cafes and restaurants. Ascot is connected to the City Centre by the CityCat ferry, so it’s a really pleasant commute to Brisbane’s major sights and site - you probably wouldn’t want to do it every day, though. There’s not a huge range of accommodation, but this is a great neighbourhood to stay in if you’re here for a longer stay, or you’re looking for somewhere a bit different to base yourself.
