Brisbane’s vibrant but laidback atmosphere is perfect for a family holiday. There’s no shortage of things to do with the kids here; there is anything from wildlife adventures to theatre performances, steam trains to hiking expeditions, great local parks to kayak tours. Here are the top seven reasons to visit Brisbane with your family:
Fun on the Water
Brisbane is a coastal city with the Brisbane River running through it, so there are lots of fun ways to take to the water here. Riverlife offers kayaking tours up and down the river, there’s an artificial beach where you can swim along the South Bank, and Moreton Island offers a host of snorkelling, swimming and canoeing opportunities. You can also enjoy the water without getting your hair wet by exploring the Pacific Ocean on one of the sea cruises that regularly depart from the city.
Parks
If your brood needs to blow off a little steam, you’ll find a great selection of Brisbane parks to choose from. Picnic Island Green on the South Bank has state-of-the-art playgrounds and free barbecue facilities, too. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens are another great option, with lots of different plant habitats and a Hide ‘N’ Seek children’s trail.
Wildlife
Getting up close to some incredible wildlife is sure to make any kid’s day. Brisbane has a wide range of animal parks and zoos including the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre and Ottaba Llamas. Children can cuddle a koala, feed fish and see their first real life platypus.
Adventure
Whatever the age of your children, there are plenty of Brisbane adventure activities to satisfy even the most daring. There’s go-karting at Kingston Park Raceway, tree climbing at the TreeTop Challenge, the opportunity to learn trapeze and hula hooping at Circus Arts, and the thrill of sky-high rollercoasters at theme parks along the Gold Coast. If your children are aged 10 or over, you can all climb the Story Bridge to learn about the city and get spectacular panoramic views of Brisbane.
Get Back to Nature
While offering lots of city attractions, Brisbane also gives families the opportunity to get away from it all and get back to nature. You can get your hands dirty by staying overnight at a working farm, learn about how food grows at the Epicurious Garden, hike trails through Brisbane’s national parks, or spend the night under stars on a camping adventure.
There are so many reasons to visit Brisbane with your family. Whatever your children’s interests and whenever you choose to visit, you can be sure to find lots of ways to keep the family entertained.
Arts
Brisbane has a vibrant arts scene, with plenty of exhibitions and performances designed with children in mind. The Ipswich Art Gallery and GOMA have great programs for children where you can always find an engaging theatre show for the kids (Model Citizens by Circus Oz is coming soon). There are some fantastic children’s bookshops in the city with regular workshops. There’s also live music throughout the city in places like the South Bank lawns or Post Office Square for all the family to enjoy.
Museums
There are lots of museums to choose from in Brisbane. Families will enjoy the Workshops Rail Museum where you can ride aboard a steam train, the Maritime Museum where you can learn about Brisbane’s seafaring history, or the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology where you can explore life as it was lived in medieval times.
