Things to Do in Greater Brisbane

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For Locals, Visitors, and Everyone in Between

Insider Tips from Local Experts with Decades of Experience

As the owners of Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights and long-term residents of the Greater Brisbane region, we’ve spent decades exploring the city, hinterlands, islands, and valleys personally. Beyond our own experiences, we’ve collaborated extensively with respected tourism operators across Southeast Queensland, giving us a deep understanding of the best experiences for locals, interstate visitors, and international guests alike.

Whether you’re a local seeking a weekend escape, an intrastate traveller exploring Queensland, an interstate visitor, or an international guest planning a bucket-list trip or seeking a unique adventure, Brisbane and its surrounding regions offer experiences to suit everyone. This guide highlights the must-do activities and hidden gems that make Greater Brisbane truly special.

Watch the 60-second Greater Brisbane showreel

Perhaps you’re coming for a family reunion or event, a major event, festival, sporting match, or conference — or simply for a relaxing getaway. Maybe you’re a repeat visitor looking to see more, experience deeper, and truly immerse yourself in the region’s nature, culture, and adventure.

From vibrant city culture and riverside dining to rolling hills, lush rainforests, sparkling lakes, and coastal escapes, the Greater Brisbane region offers adventures for everyone — first-time visitors and repeat explorers alike. And at the heart of it all is the breathtaking magic of a sunrise hot air balloon experience.

A balloon flight can easily fit into your schedule and an opportunity to add something extra to your visit — enjoy it before your main activities, after a busy event, or even on a separate day. A Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight is a memorable way to see the region from a completely new perspective, whether it’s your first time or your tenth.

To make planning easier, we’ve organized this guide by direction from the Brisbane CBD — north, south, east, and west. Each region offers something unique, from island escapes and coastal villages to rural valleys, national parks, and scenic hinterlands. Many of these destinations are within an easy 30 minute to two-hour drive of Brisbane, making them perfect for day trips or extended stays.

Best Day Trips from Brisbane

Popular day trips from Brisbane include:

  • Ipswich – heritage architecture, art galleries and nature parks – just 30 minutes from the city
  • Samford Valley – country cafés, markets and bushwalking just 30 -45 minutes from the city
  • Moreton Island / Tangalooma – dolphin feeding, snorkelling and sand dune adventures
  • North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) – beaches, wildlife and Indigenous cultural tours
  • Scenic Rim – national parks, wineries and countryside drives
  • Somerset Region – lakes, kayaking and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Brisbane Region map with drive times
Brisbane Region map with Drive Times – Source: Brisbane Content Toolkit
Many visitors choose to start their trip with a sunrise hot air balloon flight, which provides spectacular views across the valleys and countryside west of Brisbane before exploring other regions during the day.
Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout
Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout – How to get there & Things to do!
Mount Coot-Tha Lookout. It’s Brisbane’s closest high point and offers sweeping panoramas of the Brisbane city skyline and Moreton Bay.

Brisbane City – River, Culture & Wildlife

Brisbane, is a vibrant city that combines riverside charm, cultural experiences, and urban adventure. Over decades living here, we’ve discovered how the city balances relaxation with excitement. Perfect for first-time visitors and return explorers.

Highlights & Experiences

A family feed a kangaroo at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
A family feed a kangaroo at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, one of Brisbane’s best family-friendly things to do
  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Wildlife encounters with koalas and kangaroos. Meet Australia’s cutest icon up close. Hop on a river cruise to get there and make a full day of it. Koalas, kangaroos and a breezy boat ride? It’s one of the best things to do in Brisbane with kids. Or after a balloon flight, pop in on your commute back to Brisbane, and then catch a river cruise return to Brisbane.
On The Banks - South Bank outdoor concert series
Your Guide To On The Banks: South Bank’s Brand-New Outdoor Concert Series | Urban List Brisbane
Aerial of Felons Brewing Co and Story Bridge
Aerial of Felons Brewing Co and Story Bridge
  • Howard Smith Wharves – Riverside dining and bars under the Story Bridge. Ideal for an evening unwind.
  • New Farm Park – Picnic lawns, playgrounds, and riverside walks.
  • Markets – City, South Bank, New Farm, and weekend farmers’ markets.
  • Swimming Spots – Streets Beach, riverside pools, and local swimming areas.
  • Local Tip: Walking Tours of Brisbane –Guided walking tours uncover hidden city gems we’ve discovered over decades—stories and locations often missing from guidebooks.

Nearby Island Experience:

Greater Brisbane

Adding a Balloon Flight: A sunrise Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight over Brisbane’s surrounding regions can easily be added to your itinerary at a time that suits you — before your city exploration, after attending an event or conference, or even on a different day if you’re returning. Repeat visitors will enjoy seeing familiar landscapes from an entirely new perspective.

West of Brisbane – Ipswich & Lockyer Valley

Just 30 minutes’ drive west of Brisbane, Ipswich is the gateway to the regions suburban and rural charm and outdoor adventures. With decades exploring them, we know the best spots for nature, culture, and family fun.

Ipswich Highlights

Greater Brisbane

Lockyer Valley

Local Insight: Balloon flights here at sunrise reveal rolling hills, fertile farmland, rural landscapes and suburban sprawl in ways you can’t see from the ground — unforgettable for both visitors and locals

Greater Brisbane
A balloon flight here is a peaceful, memorable experience that can complement any visit, whether it’s your first or tenth time in the region.

This is where you commence your sunrise Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight – just a short 30 minute drive west of the CBD for a spectacular, best of both worlds, city and country ballooning experience. After your flight and a hearty breakfast, you can explore either, north, south, east or west depending on where you wish to venture

East of Brisbane – Moreton Bay Islands & Coastal Experiences

  • Moreton Bay Islands & Tangalooma – Just off the coast of Brisbane on idyllic Moreton Island/Mulgumpin you’ll find Tangalooma Island Resort, an island paradise for guests seeking an adventure relaxation or nature-based experiences. Activities on offer include Whale Watching Cruise, ATV Quad Bike Tours, Marine Discovery Cruise, the Desert Safari Tour with sand tobogganing, Snorkelling & the Tangalooma Wrecks!
  • 4WD on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) – A proper off-road adventure. Cruise surf beaches, tackle rolling sand dunes and camp beneath the stars on one of Australia’s most iconic sand islands. A must-do Brisbane escape for thrill-seekers.
Greater Brisbane

North of Brisbane

Coastal & Hinterland Spots

Northwest of Brisbane – Somerset Region & Samford Valley

  • Lake Somerset & Somerset Dam – Boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and picnics. Under an hour from the city and ideal for wakeboarding, waterskiing or casting a line. Calm waters, open skies and wide-open space make it one of the best things to do around Brisbane on a summer’s day.
Greater Brisbane
  • Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – Walking, cycling, and horse-riding through scenic rural towns.
  • Scenic villages with markets, cafés, and artisan shops.
  • Samford Valley – Country charm, cute cafes and wildlife encounters just 30 minutes from the Brisbane CBD. Perfect for a slow day out and one of the easiest day trips from Brisbane. Bushwalking, mountain biking, and swimming in Cedar Creek. Village markets, artisan shops, and country cafés. More info
  • Trevena Glen Farm: Ideal for families, featuring 3-hour personal animal tours where you can enjoy hands on animal encounters, groom donkeys/mini horses, horse rides, feed rabbits, collect veggies, climb an epic multi-storey treehouse, miniature train rides and an onsite café 

Balloon Flight: Start your morning at sunrise, whilst aloft in a Floating Images balloon flight with sweeping views of the D’Aguilar National Park and across to Mt Glorious, Samford Valley and Moreton Bay, provide a spectacular perspective on waterways, forests, and the city skyline.

South of Brisbane – Scenic Rim & Hinterland

  • Lamington National Park – Rainforest hikes, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
  • Kooroomba Vineyards & Lavender Farm – Wine tasting and scenic lavender fields.
  • Hidden Vale Adventure Park – Horse riding, bushwalking, and adventure trails.
  • Scenic Rim villages host local markets for fresh produce, crafts, and artisan goods.
  • Queen Mary Falls – The Queen Mary Falls is in a section of Main Range National Park about 120km south-west of Brisbane, ideal for family visits or just to explore. Take a leisurely stroll through changing forests to the top, and then to the base, of spectacular Queen Mary Falls. Marvel at the rainbows created by the waterfall’s sheer mist and watch as the creek continues its twisting journey along the valley, to join the Condamine River’s upper reaches. Hand feeding native birds such as the king parrots and crimson rosellas. They are so tame they will land on your hands to feed.

After floating high above the Scenic Rim and countryside at sunrise aloft in a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight, venture out and enjoy a country air picnic or gentle trail ride to give you a full day of outdoor fun — perfect for immersive visits or repeat trips.

Why a Floating Images Sunrise Balloon Flight is a Must-Do

A sunrise Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight is the ultimate way to experience Greater Brisbane:

  • Watch the sunrise over valleys, rivers, mountains, and farmland
  • Spot kangaroos, wildlife, and birds from above
  • Celebrate special occasions or tick off a bucket-list experience
  • Flexible sunrise scheduling – before, during, or after other activities
  • Suitable for locals, intrastate, interstate, international visitors and repeat explorers

It’s peaceful, exhilarating, and a perspective that even long-time residents rarely get.

Plan Your Greater Brisbane Adventure

Day 1: Explore Brisbane city, South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves, Wheel of Brisbane, QGOMA, and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Day 2: Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Ipswich, Scenic Rim & Somerset regions, followed by Hidden Vale Adventure Park, Lamington National Park, Ipswich Art Gallery, or Tulmur Place.

Day 3: Coastal or country adventure — Samford Valley, Moreton Bay, Redcliffe Lagoon, Somerset lakes, Lockyer Valley farms, or Scenic Rim markets.

From city streets to rainforest trails, sparkling lakes, rolling hills, and coastal shores, Greater Brisbane has something for everyone — and nothing connects it all like a sunrise hot air balloon flight.

We hope the above guide gives you a taste of life in Brisbane & its regions with warm welcomes from Queenslanders. Give yourselves at least a minimum of 3 days or more to explore our beautiful city & its regions. Relax, soak up the atmosphere, enjoy your time here & cherish the memories you make with loved ones & friends.

Author Note: Written by the owners of Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights — Greater Brisbane residents for 30+ years, with decades of personal exploration and extensive collaboration with respected tourism operators. This guide combines insider knowledge, local insights, and professional experience to help visitors make the most of their time in the region.

For more suggested itineraries:

  • 1,2- or 3-day Greater Brisbane Itinerary – PDF link.
  • 1 night, 2-day Greater Brisbane Itinerary – PDF Link

For more information on Things To Do in the Greater Brisbane Region – check out: