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Top Things To Do And See In Brisbane Cbd

When it comes to finding the best things to do and see in Brisbane’s CBD, be it sights, attractions, shops, history, dining and drinking, here’s the bucket list of 25 Must Do’s

Treasury Hotel

Brisbane’s grandest building is a must visit, either as a guest (book balcony rooms 401-3) or for a drink at the stylish old world bar. Queen Victoria presides over the historic green square outside.

Burnett Lane

The oldest lane in Brisbane dates from the convict era and today it is home to Spanish bars El Matador and Alba Bar & Deli, whisky bar Death & Taxes, hole-in-the-wall Super Whatnot, basement café bar Brew and Felix for Goodness.

Brisbane Arcade

This gorgeous Edwardian baroque arcade features 3 floors of specialist boutiques and quaint shops. Make time for a refreshment at Room With Roses and a visit to Keri Craig Emporium in the basement.

Brisbane City Hall

A visit to the splendid recently restored City Hall is a highlight of a visit to the CBD – check out the glass-domed auditorium, follow in the footsteps of The Beatles and the Queen by taking a ride up the clock tower and check out the fascinating displays in the Museum of Brisbane.

Shingle Inn

Brisbane’s iconic 1920s tea rooms have been faithfully been restored to their former glory in the base of the City Hall. Book in for some lunch or a high tea – the quintessential Brisbane experience.

Archives Books

Qld’s largest collection of second hand, rare, collectible and out of print books can be found in this bookstore which resembles a library that time forgot and is housed inside a heritage-listed century old warehouse.

Anzac Square

Brisbane’s war memorial square is an exotic square of green and lunchtime gathering spot, with statues depicting all the wars, a stunning underground mosaic memorial and overlooked by the iconic Shrine of Remembrance

Spencer Lane

Spencer Lane Brisbane

The funkiest little lane in the city is the gateway to a trio of top restaurants and bars: Laneway Bar, The Euro and Urbane all of which which are well worth a visit

City Botanic Gardens

From convict farm to living museum, the City Botanic Gardens nestled in the bend of the Brisbane river, are a picturesque tropical oasis and time capsule of Brisbane’s botanical history.

Macarthur Museum

A fascinating slice of Brisbane’s wartime history lies upstairs inside the Macarthur building, including the still intact office from which General Douglas Macarthur directed the Asia Pacific effort of World War II.

Doo Bop Jazz Bar

Bringing great jazz and fine dining to the streets of Brisbane, with a Brasserie and Piano Bar that on any day of the week resemble a happening New York jazz bar... more

Howard Smith Wharves

Down at the far south of Brisbane CBD is the jewel in the crown of the city, the refurbished historic wharves that are home to Greca, Mr Percival's, Felons Brewing, Fiume rooftop bar and ARC Dining & Wine Bar

BrisStyle Indie Markets

These gorgeous handmade and artisan markets can be found inside the Brisbane City Hall on the 3rd Saturday of the month and as a twilight bazaar in Kind George Square

Dining at Parliament House

The historic Louvre-inspired seat of power hosts lunches and high tea in the opulent Strangers Dining Room, with an optional intriguing tour of the House afterwards, including Brisbane’s oldest library.

Metro Arts

A 20th century warehouse is home to avant garde galleries, intimate music, cabaret and theatre performances and, in the basement Verve, a NY style great value Italian restaurant and bar

Edward St 

Edward Street Brisbane

The street that runs the width of the city from Spring Hill to the Botanic Gardens is home to Brisbane’s high fashion outlets, luxe Eoropean brands, elegant arcades and fine dining

Commissariat Stores & Museum

One of only 2 surviving convict buildings in Brisbane, the Commissariat was built as the store house of the penal settlement’s supplies and today houses a fascinating museum featuring photos, models and convict relics.

John Mills Himself Bar Cafe

At the rear of the curious John Mills Himself building (a century old warehouse), with access from Elizabeth St, is this tiny secret café bar perfect for a daytime coffee and snack or evening tipple

St Stephen’s

Brisbane’s oldest chapel is still in operation and is well worth a visit for the extraordinary life size sculpture of Saint Mary MacKillop, carved out of camphor laurel. Sharing the site is St Stephen’s Cathedral renowned for its magnificent stained glass windows and the original cathedral bell, which was made at the same Whitechapel iron foundry as Big Ben.

Gresham Lane

Gresham Lane Brisbane

This tiny lane opposite the GPO is bookended by the must visit Gresham Bar, a Victorian gentlemen’s club style whisky and bourbon bar inside a heritage listed bank’s vault. Two other tiny bars - Red Hook and Sparrow & Finch

Malt Bar Dining

Brisbane’s first marketplace (circa 1866) has been partially converted into this stunning character- laden restaurant bar, with cocktail lounge underneath and fine dining room upstairs.

Santos Building

An ode to modern architecture, this is a 6 star green skyscraper with a hundred different hues, depending on which angle you look at it from. Underneath is a stone and wood lane with a cafe for great casual dining and next door is Kurilpa Bridge leading straight to GOMA.

Donna Chang

This stunningly beautiful fine dining Chinese restaurant occupies one of Brisbane’s most magnificent heritage buildings, the old Queensland Government Savings Bank circa 1914

Albert St Uniting Church

Arguably Brisbane’s prettiest church, made of red brick and Oanu white stone, AUC stands sentry on the edge of King George Square and is as exquisite and well preserved inside as out.

QUT Art Museum

One of the CBD's best kept secrets is this art museum that is part of QUT campus, with its excellent collection of Australian art and travelling exhibitions, and it's free to visit... more

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

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A magnificent tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll
Chelsea Handler is bringing her brand new stand up show to Brisbane
A magical summer experience set amongst the vineyards
HOT PROPERTY

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Graphic House is pure inner city luxury, a stunning residence set high on Paddington hill only 3.5km from the CBD with panoramic 270° views stretching from the city to the Scenic Rim and Mt Coot-tha
Park Play
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