Free Things to Do in Brisbane: No-Cost Activities

Brisbane's free activity landscape is anchored by the South Bank Parklands complex, which provides a free urban beach, free cultural institutions, and free outdoor event spaces in a single precinct, and supplemented by the Queensland Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), and the extraordinary network of river and park spaces that Brisbane's subtropical climate allows residents and visitors to use year-round.

Streets Beach and South Bank Parklands, the South Bank Parklands' Streets Beach (the only free inner-city urban swim beach in Australia, a chlorinated lagoon on the river) is Brisbane's most beloved free public amenity. The beach is open daily, lifeguard supervised, and surrounded by the free South Bank Parklands' gardens, walking paths, and the free outdoor event stages that host performances throughout the year.

Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), GOMA at South Bank (free entry to the permanent collection) is Australia's largest gallery of modern and contemporary art and one of the finest in the Asia Pacific region. The Children's Art Centre programming (at modest cost during special exhibitions) and the free touring exhibitions from the Asia Pacific contemporary art world make GOMA one of Brisbane's most consistently rewarding free cultural institutions.

Queensland Museum, the Queensland Museum at South Bank (free general entry) has the Dinosaur Canyon dinosaur cast collection, the Whale Hall, and the natural history galleries covering Queensland's extraordinary biodiversity. Free temporary exhibition programmes vary but the permanent collection is always free.

CityCat and river ferries, riding the TransLink CityCat ferry from the University of Queensland to New Farm Park (or the reverse) is one of Brisbane's most underrated free experiences, providing river views of the city, the Story Bridge, the Kangaroo Point cliffs, and the riverside residential suburbs for the price of a standard Translink fare (50 cents under the current fare cap). The ferry ride experience is genuinely excellent.

Roma Street Parkland and Botanic Gardens, both free; Roma Street Parkland's subtropical gardens are within 1 kilometre of the Queen Street Mall; the City Botanic Gardens are adjacent to the CBD waterfront with river views and good picnic facilities.