Brisbane family-friendly travel guide

Brisbane is well-known for its sub-tropical weather, making any time of year a good time to visit. However, because its tropical-like weather, it’s best to imagine Brisbane’s year divided into a wet and dry season. From December to May, heavy rainfall, possible cyclones and temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius could dampen some outdoor activities; while Brisbane Festival in September should be avoided for those who dislike large crowds. The winter season – from June to August – is both dry and less crowded, with temperatures staying relatively mild at 16 degrees Celsius.

From December to February, Brisbane boasts an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, with temperatures regularly reaching 40 degrees. While the season averages 420 millimetres of rainfall overall, February has the highest rainfall with 130 millimetres.

From March to May, Brisbane boasts an average high of 27 degrees Celsius and a low of 12 degrees. With 12 days of average rainfall, autumn sees the end of the cyclone season (from December to March) and the beginning of the dry season.

Temperatures during the winter months range from 11 to 21 degrees Celsius, with crisp morning lows of nine degrees. June to August is also Brisbane’s driest season, averaging at around 50 millimetres of rainfall. These winter months attract less people, making it perfect for those looking to avoid the crowds of other seasons.

Peak season for Brisbane, spring boasts a pleasant 21 degrees Celsius average temperature that attracts a large amount of visitors. September is usually the busiest month during the season with the lowest rainfall – just 30 millimetres – and 19-degree temperatures. Average rainfall rises to over 100 millimetres in October and November as the temperatures also rise to highs of 26 degrees Celsius in the lead-up to summer. 

Many visitors will arrive via Brisbane Airport, Australia’s third busiest airport. Open 24 hours a day, the airport is a convenient alternative to many Australians who previously used to drive.

Shuttle bus, taxis and public transport options are easily accessible from the airport. Expect to pay $45 – $55 for a 20-minute taxi ride to Brisbane’s CBD. Alternatively, the train service, AirTrain, will take you to the city centre in 20 minutes for $29 and a shuttle service can be booked online or at the airport on arrival for around $20. Shuttle services are also available for visitors looking to travel to various Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast destinations.

The recently opened SkyGate DFO includes a diverse range of shopping, food and beverage services near the airport, including Brisbane’s only Woolworths open 24 hours a day. A free shuttle bus is available for visitors who want to get a head start on their shopping.

Brisbane’s two key taxis companies include Black & White Cabs and Yellow Cabs. You can book these taxis in advance or find them outside most hotels, key attractions and shopping centres. Cabs are metered and the fare includes a flag-drop charge.

App-based companies such as Uber and Lyft are also available, often with lower fares.

Brisbane offers a range of easily accessible public transport options for visitors. Buses, ferries, trains and well-established bike routes ensure that visitors can travel throughout Brisbane with ease.

Free bus services are available in Brisbane’s inner city, departing every 10 minutes for City Loop or Spring Hill Loop services between 7am and 6pm weekdays. Alternatively, the CityHopper ferry service will take you along the river from North Quay to Sydney St, New Farm. Known as the CityCats, ferries service many key routes throughout the city via Brisbane River. Tickets can be purchased on board, at most newsagents and from select retail outlets

For easy access to Brisbane’s transport services, we recommend purchasing a go card. Once you’ve added an amount onto the card, you can easily access ferry, train and bus services throughout the city. Go cards can be purchased at many 7-Eleven stores, tickets offices at train stations and even on board any CityCat ferry service.

Brisbane has spent years establishing itself as a premium culinary destination and it now offers everything from interactive cafes to river-side fine dining. Hot on the heels of its louder Australian cousins, Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane boasts a diverse range of options to satisfy even the fussiest eater.

No visit to Brisbane is complete without a taste of a locally sourced Moreton Bay bug. Brisbane is very proud of its local produce – including its premium steaks and seafood – and the Moreton Bay bug is as local as it gets. Kids might  reel at the bug’s spider-like look so we recommend trying a Bay bug taco or curry at Brisbane’s Manly Creative Market, about 30 minutes from the city centre. You can always wander through any one of Brisbane’s fresh food markets and go straight to the source for some local delights.

In Brisbane, the view is almost as important as the food (almost!). Take advantage of the many river-side options available by exploring the high-class eateries in Brisbane’s Southbank or peppered along Eagle Street Pier.

For lighter snacks, Brisbane’s strong cafe culture supplies interactive playgrounds in Sunnybank Hills, board game brekkies in Rosalie or delectable burgers in Samford – all with a healthy supply of well-earned coffee.

Brisbane has a number of options that are perfect for retail therapy. For vintage treasures and antique rarities, head to Paddington, a boutique strip of shops just 10 minutes from the city centre and bursting with local flavour. Fortitude Valley offers a range of similarly eclectic options and independent brands sure to thrill the thrifty shopper in all of us.

Otherwise, the city offers more than 1000 stores and the state’s largest array of flagship stores. Head to Queen Street Mall in Brisbane’s CBD for all your shopping needs, including luxury brands, classic retailers and bustling arcades.

While appreciated, tipping is not expected in Brisbane.

Brisbane, like many Queensland cities, is well-known for the beach combination of shorts and thongs. Even in the winter months, Brisbane has many beautiful swimming spots so make sure you also add some swimmers and sunscreen to that combination.

Light clothes can be worn all year round, with a light jacket during winter months. However, during the wet season from December to March make sure you bring a raincoat in case of sudden rainfall.

Queenslanders are considered pretty laid-back by nature and Brisbane is no exception. Brisbane locals are easygoing year-round. Like most cities, we recommend observing normal traffic pathways when exploring the city to know which side of the pathway to walk on, especially during peak hour times.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

No vaccines are required for travelling to Brisbane. Tap water is also treated and safe to drink. Make sure you get travel insurance before you travel as it can be very expensive to seek emergency medical treatment overseas.

From December to March, you may experience extreme cyclones and flash flooding as a result of heavy rain. Brisbane river has overflowed in the past and caught some travellers unawares.

While the poisonous box jellyfish is rarely seen in Brisbane, blue bottles and other dangerous marine life are known to frequent some popular beach spots.

Nestled in Brisbane’s bustling city centre, City Botanic Gardens is a 20-hectare haven filled with pristine gardens and vibrant flowers. Since 1855, these gardens have offered a shaddy reprieve from the heat of the city and plenty of Instagrammable settings. Explore the ornamental ponds, Bamboo Grove and Weeping Fig Avenue for that perfect picture.

Once the tallest structure in Brisbane’s skyline, the City Hall clock tower is a must-see for anyone with a love of scenic views. From 10am to 5pm, seven days a week, visitors can ride the clock tower’s lift 72 metres up to the observation platform. With panoramic views of Brisbane CBD, this historical landmark is a perfect addition to the pursuit of the perfect Instagram. Did we mention it’s free?

Streets Beach is a tropical slice of summer nestled between Brisbane River and the towering skyscrapers of Southbank. Created in 1988 for the World Expo, it’s Australia’s only man-made beach, with clear waters, imported white sands and palm trees. It’s an island paradise if you get your angles right!

Twenty minutes from Brisbane City Hall, this towering natural haven is the perfect addition to any scenic photo album. Rising 287 metres above the city, Mt Coot-tha offers plenty of lookouts, walking trials and picnic areas for photo-worthy lunches and hikes. Whether you walk or choose to drive to the summit, there’ll be a well-deserved ice-cream treat from Kuta Café waiting for you.