Things to do with kids in Brisbane City & Inner Suburbs
South Bank is the heart of a family day in Brisbane. Streets Beach is a free lagoon with white sand, shallow water and lifeguards every day. The Queensland Museum is free too. Next door, the Queensland Art Gallery has drawing stations, and GOMA's Children's Art Centre is a short walk away. Little ones up to eight can play and read at The Corner in the State Library.
Ride the Wheel of Brisbane for a view over the river. Just under the Goodwill Bridge, kids can climb aboard a wartime frigate at the Maritime Museum. Across the water, the City Botanic Gardens have a castle playground.
In the city, take the free lift up the City Hall clock tower from the Museum of Brisbane; book for everyone in the group. On weekends, a little train runs through Roma Street Parkland. Older kids can climb the steps at Kangaroo Point Cliffs for a view back over the city.
88 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Brisbane City. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
✓ Everything
Free · 18
Sensory-friendly · 6
Wheelchair access · 7
Top things to do in Inner Brisbane
Cool off at Streets Beach
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.
under 5 min
Swimming spot · Streets Beach
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ride the Wheel of Brisbane
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%.
under 5 min
Fun park · The Wheel of Brisbane
Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wander the free Queensland Museum
Entry to Queensland Museum Kurilpa is free, and it opens daily from 9.30am to 5pm. It stands on the corner of Grey and Melbourne streets at South Bank. The free cloakroom can't take prams or scooters, so keep them with you. China's Terracotta Warriors exhibition opens here in June 2027.
under 5 min
Museum · Queensland Museum
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Draw at the Queensland Art Gallery
Entry to the Queensland Art Gallery is free, and it opens daily from 10am to 5pm. Kids can pick up free materials at the drop-in drawing stations around the gallery. GOMA is 150 metres away, and its Children's Art Centre is always free.
under 5 min
Gallery · Queensland Art Gallery
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Climb the steps at Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park looks across the river to the city, and it is open 24 hours. A steep 107-step staircase links the clifftop with the riverside path below. Older kids can abseil the 20-metre cliffs with a guided group, and River Terrace has picnic shelters and barbecues.
under 5 min
Lookout · Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Photo: Misaochan2, CC BY-SA 4.0
Storm the castle in the City Botanic Gardens
The City Botanic Gardens became a botanic reserve in 1855 and run along 1.2km of the river. Baldwin Lawn Playground has a castle-themed fort with slides, a climbing net and a sand pit. Free guided walks leave the Information Kiosk at 11am and 1pm, Monday to Saturday.
under 5 min
Gardens · City Botanic Gardens
Photo: Anonymous, CC BY 4.0
Catch the fun train at Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland covers 16 hectares, with playgrounds, a lake and free barbecues. On weekends the Xpress Fun Train runs through the parkland. The Spectacle Garden and Rainforest Walk open from dawn to dusk; look for water dragons on warm days.
under 5 min
Gardens · Roma Street Parkland
Photo: Andy Mitchell from Glasgow, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0
Play and read at The Corner
The Corner is the State Library's play-based learning space for children up to 8 and their families. It opens 9.30am to 4pm every day. The Queensland Museum is about 170m away, so the two fit easily into one outing.
under 5 min
Library · State Library of Queensland
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Climb aboard a wartime frigate
Kids can explore the WWII frigate HMAS Diamantina and the lugger Penguin at the Queensland Maritime Museum. It opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.15pm, beneath the Goodwill Bridge. A child ticket is $8 and a family ticket $42 to $50. Streets Beach is about 500m away.
under 5 min
Museum · Queensland Maritime Museum
Photo: GordonMakryllos, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ride up the City Hall clock tower
Museum of Brisbane is on Level 3 of City Hall in King George Square, and entry is free. Free clock tower tours leave every 15 minutes from 10.15am to 4.45pm. The ride goes up in one of Brisbane's oldest working cage lifts. Book a ticket for everyone in the group.
under 5 min
Museum · Museum of Brisbane
Photo: Misaochan2, CC BY-SA 4.0
Entry tickets
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
SparkLab, Queensland Museum
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Dreamworld
Infinity Attraction
Aussie World
Everything on the map
Over the border
Nearest first, from Brisbane City
Waterfalls, lakes and swimming
Walks and lookouts
Big playgrounds
Play
Museums and history
Libraries, cinemas and theatres
Gardens and science
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.