Streets Beach is a free man-made lagoon in South Bank Parklands, with white sand, palm trees and shady shallows. Professional lifeguards patrol it seven days a week, and there are no waves or rips. Public toilets and free barbecues are close by in the parklands.

The heritage-listed lookout at Mt Coot-tha looks across Brisbane and out to Moreton Bay. It is open 24 hours a day, so it suits an evening visit as well as a day trip. Parking is free, and there's a café and gift shop at the lookout.

This free saltwater lagoon on Redcliffe Parade is 95 metres long and up to 1.8 metres deep. Lifeguards are on duty from 5am to 9pm daily between September and early May. The shaded kids' pool is closed for now, but a playground with swings and a slide is nearby.

On a clear day, the Mt Gravatt lookout looks out to the Moreton Bay islands and the Glasshouse Mountains. You can drive or walk up, and the summit has a café, a playground and toilets. The summit picnic area is open from 6am to 11pm.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, founded in 1927, cares for more than 100 koalas and 70 other native species. It sits beside the river at Fig Tree Pocket, 12km from the city centre. It opens daily from 9am to 5pm; check the schedule of talks and shows when you arrive.

Queensland Parks says Cylinder Beach's sheltered inshore water is perfect for families, while surfers ride the point off the headland. The passenger ferry from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland takes 25 minutes to Dunwich. From there, drive or catch the island bus to Point Lookout.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre is a free koala education centre run by Queensland Parks. Kids can meet koalas, try the interactive displays and listen to a Wildlife Officer talk. It opens 10am to 4pm every day except Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday.

Orion Lagoon in Springfield Central has linked pools from a toddler-friendly 0.3 metres to 1.5 metres deep. One section has squirting spouts and stepping stones, and colourful sails shade parts of the lawn. From September to April it opens 5.30am to 9pm; children under 13 need an adult actively watching.

The Wheel of Brisbane lifts you 60 metres above the ground at South Bank in an enclosed, air-conditioned gondola. Every ride comes with an audio tour of the city below. It opens daily from 10am until 10pm, or 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and booking online saves 5%.

The Summit Track to Mt Coot-tha Lookout starts at the J.C. Slaughter Falls Picnic Area. The 1.9km path is mostly paved, with some stairs, and takes about 30 minutes. The picnic area opens 6am to 7pm daily, and dogs on a lead are welcome in the reserve.

The first jetty here went up in 1885, and today's Redcliffe Jetty opened in 1999. From June to October, look out for humpback whales passing through the bay. Volunteers at the visitor centre by the jetty entrance can help plan the rest of the day.

Toohey Forest Park covers about 260 hectares, 10 minutes from the CBD. Koalas, echidnas, possums and gliders live here, along with tawny frogmouths and fairy wrens. Both picnic areas have barbecues and open 6am to 7pm; some tracks still have ruts and washouts, so take care.