Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, Australia. The city is full of vibrant art, historical buildings and riverside trails. This self-guided walking tour route is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city when you first arrive.
The route should take around 2 hours to complete, it is almost circular so you can start at any point you wish. It is mostly walking but does include a short ferry journey across the river but this is free. If you want to avoid the ferry you can start from Howard Smith Wharves or go the other way and start from the Collective Markets or Southbank and end at the wharves.Â
Brisbane Self-Guided Walking Tour
1. Brisbane City Hall
A great place to start is Brisbane’s City Hall. The building’s influence from Italian architecture makes it appear much older than its 95 years. Its tall clock tower was once the highest structure in Brisbane but it has long been overtaken by the many surrounding skyscrapers. Inside the City Hall, you’ll find the Museum of Brisbane where you can discover more about the city’s rapid expansion. There are also art galleries and interactive exhibits. Entry is free, so well worth a look!
Stroll along Queen Street, the central shopping district towards the river and cross over the bridge to South Bank.
2. Brisbane Sign
Here you will spot the huge ‘Brisbane’ sign. This colourful landmark was originally built to mark the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit. It was such a success that it was quickly replaced by a sturdier model, designed to be permanent for many future generations to enjoy and take selfies in front of!
Each letter was designed by a different Queensland Association to represent the diversity of cultures and groups within the region.
3. Southbank Parklands
Head past the sign, along the riverside through the park and you’ll reach the Streets Beach. The man-made beach and lagoon is a great place for families to congregate and cool off on a sunny day in Queensland. If you are looking for somewhere quieter to relax – don’t worry, we’ll get there by the end of the tour!
4. Collective Markets
If you are walking this route on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, then from Streets Beach, walk away from the river towards the street running parallel to the park. Here you will find the Collective Markets. The street market offers a varied collection of crafts, jewellery, clothes and strangely two psychics offering readings!
Browse the stalls, maybe pick up a souvenir or two then head back towards the river to the Maritime Museum Ferry Terminal. From here you can jump on the CityHopper ferry (for free!) to our next stop. Ride the ferry for 2 stops and disembark at Howard Smith Wharves.
5. Howard Smith Wharves
The Wharves are named after the shipping company, Howard Smith Co. that leased the area from the 1930s-60s. After a modern redevelopment, the old shipping warehouses have been replaced by a large community space including lively bars, restaurants and a brewery. This is a great spot to grab lunch if you’re hungry!
6. Customs House
After exploring the wharves, walk along the riverside, keeping the river to your left. You’ll walk over the City Reach Boardwalk towards Customs House. The building is now somewhat dwarfed by the glass high rise buildings surrounding it. However, when it was built in the 1800s, this grand structure would have been one of the first buildings sailors would have seen when arriving into Brisbane. As the name suggests, this is where customs and taxes would have been collected on imported products coming into Queensland. The Australian Customs Service operated from the building for 100 years. It is now a restaurant and venue for events and weddings.
Continue walking in the same direction along the river to reach the next stop.
7. City Botanic Gardens
The final stop on the tour is the City Botanic Gardens. The garden has a range of different areas such as a playground, bamboo grove and rainforest garden. You’re sure to find a peaceful spot here to rest at the end of your walk tour. If you want more tours though you can take a walking tour of the garden, run by volunteers. Or use this guide to identify the different flora and statues yourself.
If you want more botanic gardens, the city has an even bigger garden to explore. Just outside the city centre, Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens spread over 56 hectares!
I hope you enjoy your day with this Brisbane Self-Guided Walking Tour. If you are exploring Australia further and fancy another self-guided tour, take a look at our Sydney walking guide.