I'm lucky to live in one of the best cities when it comes to a day out with kids! Not only is there a lot to do here in Brisbane with kids, but there are also a bunch of FREE things to do.
Ride a CityCat
City Cats travel up and down the Brisbane River and stop at some iconic Brisbane destinations. I often take my kids on the weekend to ride the city cats up and down the river. If you want a free option, there is also a free ferry option called a Kittycat that comes frequently and stops at many the same places. It’s a little smaller than the CityCat, but it's FREE. You can find more details about the CityCat pricing and timetable here!
South Bank (FREE)
I LOVE South Bank! It’s one of my favourite things to do with my kids in Brisbane, and best of all, it’s all free! Southbank is located right in the middle of Brisbane city and is a massive parkland where you could easily spend a day exploring. The artificial beach, pools and water park is fantastic, so make sure you park the togs, sunscreen and some snacks. There is plenty of space to pack a picnic and cook on one of the many free BBQ's, but if that’s not your thing, you’ll find some tasty food outlets where you can purchase food. The playground has been updated in the last few years with one for smaller kids and a larger one with climbing nets and a huge slide for the older kids.
Museum (FREE)
The museum is just a short walk from South Bank, and it’s all free! On hot days, we like to walk around in there to cool off and check out all of the displays. There is a paid section where they have different experiences (like dinosaurs or sea creatures), and it changes each season, but honestly, there is enough to see in the free section that you don’t have to pay a cent.
New Farm Park (FREE)
Jump on the city cat or the free kittykat from South Bank and stop off here to play in the iconic Brisbane wooden playground. As a child, every few weeks, we would come here to play although it seemed bigger to me back then, it’s still a large playground in the trees with gorgeous gardens and enough space for kids to run around. You’ll find a nice spot here for a picnic or a BBQ.
GOMA (FREE)
Next door to the museum and a short walk from South Bank, You’ll find the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art. Every time we have been here, they have a great area or displays set up for children to spend some time being creative. I know these change regularly, so check out the website before going to see what is available. My kids always have a blast!
Botanical gardens (FREE)
It’s nice to get out of the city's hustle and explore the Botanical Gardens, look at the boats on the river, and play on the playground. Oh, and check out the ducks in the pond. There are not many food options here, so pack a picnic and find a nice grassy spot to relax.
Roma Street Parklands (FREE)
The best time to head to the Roma street parklands is during school holidays, where they put on special free events for kids. You can explore the lush gardens, play on the playgrounds and climb trees. It's a gorgeous parkland right in the middle of Brisbane City.
Spark Lab ( The Science Centre)
The science centre isn’t free, but it’s great fun for kids and an educational experience. You can find out more details about the science centre, including ticket prices, here! Located a short walk from South Bank and next to the museum and GOMA.
Ride the Brisbane Wheel
Now, this isn’t for anyone that has a fear of heights, but I promise you will get the best view of Brisbane city from the top of the wheel. It’s located in the middle of South Bank parklands and is open every day. I recommend you look online on websites like Groupon or Scoopon for deals, or you will pay a lot more at the ticket booth for tickets.
I hope this post helps you plan some fun activities and things to do with kids in Brisbane City! If you have any questions, let me know.
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