things to do in spring

19 JANUARY 2023

Blue skies and balmy, sun-kissed days make Brisbane the place to be in Spring. As one perfect day extends into the next, the city is abuzz with excitement and activity.

IN THIS ARTICLE
IN THIS ARTICLE

By the river

01. South Bank in springtime 

Spring is a blooming good time in Brisbane’s premier riverside parkland precinct. Take a stroll or a bike ride through the parklands and see the gardens and natural features coming to life as the warmer weather begins. Spring is arguably the parkland’s prettiest time so it’s perfect for exploration. Then stop by one of the many restaurants where spring menus are on offer. 

02. City Botanic Gardens 

Staying with the riverside city experiences, the City Botanic Gardens are a stunning place to reconnect with nature right in the heart of the city. The Riverside Sunday Markets are a fabulous excuse for a visit allowing you to shop for local craft, fashion and food as well take in the natural surrounds of the parklands. 

03. Lunch at Howard Smith Wharves  

This local and visitor favourite is a must-visit for Springtime lunch, Brisbane al fresco style. There is no better way to spend a warm spring day than sipping a freshly brewed beer and tucking into a burger, steak or pizza from the Felons Brewery Co menu. Or visit one of the many restaurants in the Howard Smith Wharves precinct best suited to your tastes.

04. Get out on the water

There’s something extra-special about watching the sky light up in every shade of pink, purple and orange from the water. Rent an electric GoBoat, book lunch or drinks on YOT Club or OASIS, or do it your way with River to Bay.  Whether it’s cruising up and down the winding Brisbane River or putting about on the expansive blue of Moreton Bay, being out on the water is as Brisbane as it gets. 

Riverlife Daytime Kayak Tour on Brisbane River

Abseiling at Riverlife, Kangaroo Point

05. Riverlife adventures

School Holidays, long weekends, if you have a special occasion to celebrate or some time to fill, the team at Riverlife have the perfect experience for you. While the spring weather is here, learn how to abseil, kayak, bike, or rollerblade along the banks of the Brisbane River. For those with adventure experience, Riverlife is the easy way to get active as you can hire everything you need to do your own thing.

06. Chase the purple rain around Brisbane

Have you ever seen Brisbane erupt in a sea of purple Jacaranda trees? Late October or early November is the best time to pack the camera and set out around the city covered in purple. New Farm Park is our top pick for Jacaranda admiring.

An on stage image of Brisbane International Film Festival performance at Brisbane City.
A performance on stage at BIFF (Brisbane International Film Festival)

Festivals & Fiestas 

07. Brisbane Festival | 1 - 23 SEPT 

Explore over 1,000 performances and installations at this year’s Brisbane Festival. From the stunning florals of the Festival Garden, ethereal theatre performances, family-friendly fun to quirky cabaret, Brisbane Festival is sure to enchant and delight all audiences.

08. BIGSOUND | 5 - 8 SEPT

The ultimate music showcase is returning for its 22nd year! Join leading artists discussing the industry by day and discover the future of Australian music by night at this massive musical conference and showcase that is BIGSOUND.

09. Bring on BIFF | 26 OCT - 5 NOV 

Brisbane’s own International Film Festival, BIFF, showcases and celebrates the best of international and Australian contemporary cinema. The line-up includes new-release features, documentaries, short films and curated strands, with a focus this year on new voices, different perspectives and memorable experiences.

The City Queen Street Mall Shopping
Woman walking through Queen Street Mall

Brisbane adventures 

10. Go Shopping 

A change of season means a change of wardrobe…right? Shop BNE means Brisbane Queen Street Mall is open for business with exclusive deals from fashion stores, restaurants, and more. Make a day of it and enjoy the open-air shopping experience in the heart of the city. Check out our guide to Queen Street Mall

11. Sports Events

There’s no better time or place to get amongst live-sport action than Spring in Brisbane. Sit in one of our open-air stadiums and cheer on your favourite team. Check out some of our key events to add to your calendar.

12. Visit QAGOMA 

Make tracks to QAGOMA to experience world-class exhibitions. Home to over 20,000 artworks from Australian and International artists, displaying every imaginable medium, QAGOMA’s collection is a cultural record shaped by history and aims to connect people with the enduring power of art and creativity.

Kiff and Culture Food and Wine bus tour brisbane
Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley

Delicious Eats 

13. Kiff & Culture Food & Drink Tour

Get set for an adventure without any of the fuss, with one of Kiff & Culture’s epic food and drink tours around Brisbane. Hop on board their trendy mini-bus to be taken to some of Brisbane’s best restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries. They say locals do it best, and we can guarantee that the team at Kiff & Culture have the local's touch. All you’ve got to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

14. Plan a food crawl up Brisbane’s hottest laneway 

Brisbane is full of unique, hidden and trendy laneways bustling with culture, delicious food and not-to-be-missed bars. Hit The City’s best laneways, Burnett Lane, Eagle Lane, Gresham Lane and Albert lane to discover a world waiting for you. South of the river, Fish Lane has all the wine bars, restaurants, and cafes you need to create a choose-your-own dining and drinking adventure with friends. Or venture into Fortitude Valley for unique, colourful and vibrant laneways like Bakery Lane and California Lane. 

15. Choose a craft beer trail 

The warmer weather is coming, so what better way to reinvigorate your exercise routine, than with some brand-new walking trails? Go too hard too soon and you’ll fall off the wagon faster than you jumped on it – so ease into it with one of these light urban wanders, taking regular rest breaks at the various local craft breweries—doctor’s orders. 

16. Brisbane's trendiest eating spots 

Brisbane’s dining scene is abuzz with renewed energy and new openings. Stroll the city to discover the latest dining gems and book into newbies like The Lex, Tax Office, Carmen, IPPIN and Settimo, to name just a few. 

17. Take drinking sky high at Brisbane's best rooftop bars 

Soak up the sunshine and raise your glasses to drinking up high at the best rooftop bars in Brisbane. While our winters are mild, there’s nothing quite like clinking glasses outdoors with views of the CBD skyline in the springtime air. 

18. Explore different farmers markets in Brisbane 

Brisbane’s bustling market scene is in overdrive. View our guide to the best farmer’s markets in Brisbane – from farm-fresh produce and vegetables to picking up vintage and homemade gems. 

Scenic Rim Rainforest hike walk
Ipswich Rail Museum, Ipswich

Go regional 

19. Get on island time 

Brisbane’s proximity to some of the best islands and beaches in the world is just one of the reasons visiting Brisbane in Spring should be on your list. With clear skies reflecting onto the clear blue seas, your only worry will be when your next beach nap is. From the classic must-visits ofMoreton Island/Mulgumpin, Bribie Island and North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah to the more untouched islands of Coochiemudlo Island, St Helena Island and Russell Island, you can island-hop for weeks on end. Jump on a ferry, charter a boat, join a tour, set off on your own, drive across or wade out at low tide and discover a different side of Brisbane.

20. Smash out a scenic hike in a morning

The early bird gets the worm, and by worm, we mean breakfast. Take our advice and tackle one of these trails in the morning hours, followed by a well-deserved breakfast or lunch nearby. There’s no better way to work up an appetite than in the fresh spring air. 

21. Outdoor adventure 

With the weather getting a little warmer, now is the time to plan your camping adventure in Brisbane. Surrounded by stunning displays of natural beauty, the Brisbane region is home to national parks, beaches and lakes worth digging the old tent out of storage for. 

22. Make the ‘switch 

Ipswich is bursting with springtime fun so plan a visit to some of the region's stunning playgrounds and waterparks. You can also get up close and personal with native wildlife and friendly farm animals at several locations.  

23. Discover Logan 

Take an adventurous day trip to Logan. Start the day with an adrenaline-fuelled visit to Kingston Park Raceway or a try your hand at wakeboarding at Bayside Aqua Park. Now you’ve built up an appetite, eat your heart out within Logan’s hotbed of multicultural dining, all within an easy drive from Brisbane. 

24. Follow the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail  

Get some fresh country air and just picked farm produce on the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail. All just an easy one-hour drive from Brisbane, choose from 15 stops to visit and see camels, shop for local produce, walk through the flower fields, taste wine, and try local schnapps.

Brisbane Hamilton Eat Street Northshore Ice Cream
Glamping at North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah
Fireworks on the Story Bridge