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Brisbane is a sprawling coastal city in Australia’s gorgeous Gold Coast region. It’s the beating heart of Queensland, which is why millions of tourists visit each year to take in its sleek architecture, fascinating historic sights, cool art scene, and fantastic nightlife.
Brisbane is a huge city comprising hundreds of districts, but most visitors flock to just six neighborhoods that lie right at its center. Let’s take a look at this heart of Brisbane to help you decide which area to stay in on your upcoming vacation. We’ll discuss each neighborhood’s pros, cons, and popular attractions and highlight some of the city’s best hotels.
Brisbane CBD and Spring Hill for First-Timers
Highlights: Parliament House, Old Government House, St. John’s Cathedral, City Botanic Gardens, Eagle Street Pier, Museum of Brisbane, QUT Art Museum, Spring Hill Baths
Brisbane Central Business District is the bustling heart of the city, and Spring Hill is an inner-city suburb just north of it. Spring Hill is Brisbane’s oldest inner suburb, and it has a charming historic vibe. It lies within walking distance of the CBD, which is bustling with life and packed with a mix of heritage buildings and sleek modern skyscrapers.
There are lots of sights and attractions packed into the CBD and Spring Hill regions. Discover Brisbane’s history when you visit colonial-era buildings like St. John’s Cathedral, Parliament House, and Old Government House.
Enjoy some urban green space in the spectacular City Botanic Gardens, or take a stroll along the paths of the Brisbane River to admire the view of South Bank and Kangaroo Point. If retail therapy is your thing, you’ll love Queen Street Mall, a pedestrianized strip where you’ll find a huge range of international chain stores and independent boutiques.
Brisbane CBD has some fantastic nightlife on offer, with a huge range of excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs in the local vicinity. The riverside precincts of Eagle Street Pier and Howard Smith Wharves are both hubs for upscale restaurants and bars with gorgeous waterside views.
If you’ll be visiting Brisbane for the first time, the CBD and Spring Hill are ideal areas to stay in. From here, you have easy access to many of the city’s best sights on foot or via public transport. The city has excellent bus and metro networks, and ferry terminals are dotted along the Brisbane River to help you easily reach other neighborhoods. You can even travel all the way out to Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island via ferry from Brisbane CBD.
Where to Stay
There are many very good hotels, apartment hotels, inns, and vacation rentals to choose from in Brisbane CBD and Spring Hill. If you’re looking for an indulgent vacation, you’ll find plenty of luxury hotels here, such as W Brisbane, Mantra on Mary, or Brisbane Skytower by CLLIX.
For elegance and sophistication, check out Hilton Brisbane which is known for its sumptuous decor and fantastic service.
South Bank for Culture Vultures
Highlights: Queensland Museum, Maritime Museum, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Theatre, Collective Markets, Young Designers Market, Boundary Street Markets, Children’s Art Centre, Wheel of Brisbane, Streets Beach
South Bank lies across the river from Brisbane CBD and is considered the cultural hub of the city. There are several major attractions in South Bank, including the Maritime Museum, Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, and Queensland Performing Arts Centre. There are also several family-friendly attractions, such as the Children’s Art Centre.
Southbank Parklands is a riverside area of South Bank where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll, ride the Wheel of Brisbane for fantastic views, take a cooling dip in the public swimming pools, or use the free barbecue and picnic facilities. The area also hosts several markets where you can discover artisanal crafts, jewelry, fashion, and produce from talented local makers.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants in South Bank, and since this area is considered one of the most sophisticated parts of the city, you can expect to find high-quality food and drink here.
Visiting Brisbane CBD is easy thanks to Victoria Bridge and William Jolly Bridge, which connect the neighborhoods. Plus, there are multiple ferry terminals, and South Bank train station can get you to Fortitude Valley, Brisbane Airport, and other areas in next to no time.
Where to Stay
You’ll have no trouble finding cozy rooms and comfy beds in South Bank because there’s a great variety of hotels here. Emporium Hotel South Bank offers luxury suites with river views and an on-site restaurant, piano bar, gym, and rooftop infinity pool.
Novotel Brisbane South Bank is a comfortable 4.5-star hotel with modern rooms, a swimming pool, a gym, and a yoga terrace. Rydges South Bank Brisbane is an elegant, contemporary hotel known for its friendly staff who make guests feel at home as soon as they check in. It has a cafe, bar, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub.
Fortitude Valley for Night Owls
Highlights: Nightclubs and bars, hidden laneways, Judith Wright Centre, Chinatown Mall
Fortitude Valley lies just east of Spring Hill and offers a unique blend of family-friendly residential streets, cool shopping precincts, and lively nightlife zones. There are some excellent clubs here boasting world-class DJ sets, as well as alternative venues with cool, grungy vibes. Plus, the area is home to the Beat Megaclub which is one of Brisbane’s oldest LGBTQ+ clubs.
It’s easy to party until the small hours in this part of Brisbane, but for quieter nights out, there are plenty of charming bars and restaurants. Head to James Street to find upmarket eateries serving delicious food from all over the world, or try the Fortitude Valley Rooftop Bar Crawl to get fantastic elevated views of the city while hopping from one chic cocktail bar to the next.
You can also catch some entertainment at the Judith Wright Centre where the likes of circus, cabaret, music, spoken word, and dance performances take place regularly.
Fortitude Valley is also home to Brisbane’s Chinatown which is a bustling area with some incredible Asian restaurants and vendors. Be sure to look out for the cultural events that take place regularly in Chinatown Mall. There’s great shopping to be had here and in the surrounding area, where narrow laneways are home to cool independent boutiques, bakeries, cafes, and art studios.
Where to Stay
There’s a good range of accommodations to choose from in Fortitude Valley, including affordable apartment complexes and cool boutique hotels. Ovolo The Valley is an award-winning all-suite hotel with a rooftop pool, a cocktail bar, a sauna, and a gym. Every suite is equipped with a kitchenette and washer-dryer, which is ideal for those who want the comfort of a hotel room with the flexibility of self-catered accommodation.
The Calile Hotel has chic marble and brass decor in its upscale rooms and suites, some of which have balconies, wet bars, and rooftop terraces. Guests have access to free wifi, an outdoor pool, a spa, an on-site restaurant, a library, and a lobby bar.
West End for Backpackers
Highlights: West End Markets, cafes, Suncorp Stadium, XXXX Brewery, Roma Street Parklands
The West End lies next to South Bank and is primarily a residential neighborhood, although it’s well known for its West End Markets that take place every Saturday morning. Local vendors stock a variety of fresh produce, handmade artworks, and unique jewelry and clothing.
There’s a wonderful cafe scene in the West End, so if you’re looking for good coffee in a laid-back atmosphere, head to the likes of the Gunshop Cafe or The Burrow. You’ll also find some trendy bars in this part of town, and most of them have edgier, more relaxed vibes than in South Bank or the CBD. While you’re wandering around, be sure to keep an eye out for the impressive street art that adorns many buildings in this part of town.
Where to Stay
Despite being mostly residential, several popular hostels lie on its outskirts. This makes it a very affordable place to stay for backpackers and travelers on a budget. You’re still within very easy walking distance of South Bank and Brisbane city centre so you don’t have to worry about feeling disconnected.
Plus, the West End offers easy access to some popular attractions in the Milton area, which lies just across the river. Here, you’ll find the Suncorp Stadium, XXXX Brewery, and Roma Street Parklands.
New Farm for Families
Highlights: New Farm Park, Brisbane Powerhouse
New Farm is a leafy residential area with lots of green space and excellent opportunities for walking and cycling. New Farm Park — the oldest and largest park in Brisbane — is a fantastic place for a picnic as it offers excellent river views and has plenty of trees that provide shade. It also hosts special events and activities regularly, such as the Jan Powers Farmers Markets, which take place each Saturday.
Nearby is Brisbane Powerhouse, a former power station originally built in the 1920s and converted into an arts center in 2000. It hosts thousands of events and performances each year across its theatres and performance spaces, including comedy shows, film premiers, music performances, theatre and dance performances, and art installations.
Where to Stay
New Farm is a good 45 to 60-minute walk from Brisbane CBD, so you’ll need to rely on public transport or a car to get to the main sights when you stay here. The free inner-city ferry service is likely to be the most convenient way to help you get around.
New Farm is connected via the Sydney Street terminal. Its distance from the city center makes it a quiet neighborhood ideal for family vacations. There’s a limited selection of small hotels to choose from, but since it’s a residential area, you’ll have much better luck finding private vacation rentals here. Spicers Balfour Hotel and the Edward Lodge New Farm are excellent options.
Kangaroo Point for Adrenaline Junkies
Highlights: Green spaces, Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Kangaroo Point lies on the opposite side of the river from Fortitude Valley, connected via the famed Story Bridge. It’s one of the most densely populated parts of Brisbane, which means it has a lively atmosphere and plenty of fantastic amenities. You can enjoy amazing views of the Brisbane skyline from Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, where rugged cliffs lie along the edge of the river. Rock climbing and abseiling are popular activities here for locals and tourists alike.
Despite its small size, Kangaroo Point has several green spaces to enjoy, including Raymond Park, Mowbray Park, CT White Park, and Captain Burke Park. The latter lies at the very tip of Kangaroo Point, with Story Bridge passing over the top of it. If you’re feeling brave, take the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, in which you scale the uppermost part of the bridge for incredible views.
In addition to its range of fun outdoor activities, Kangaroo Point has some excellent nightlife to offer. It has plenty of sophisticated bars and restaurants, and you can easily reach the attractions of South Bank and the CBD via ferry. It’s one of the city’s most picturesque areas, so if you want plenty of cool photo ops, this is a great neighborhood to stay in.
Where to Stay
Kangaroo Point has a mix of hotels and apartment complexes to choose from. A popular option is The Point Brisbane Hotel, an easy three-minute walk from the Brisbane River. It offers a range of deluxe rooms and suites, some of which provide fabulous city skyline views. Guests can enjoy free parking, WiFi, and access to the hotel’s rooftop bar, outdoor pool, and gym.
Book Your Brisbane Vacation Rental
These are the best areas of Brisbane to stay in and visit when you take a vacation in this vibrant city. Which neighborhood will you call home on your Australian vacation?
