Your student guide to Brisbane

WELCOME TO Brisbane CITY GUIDE

Let’s break it down. You’ve just arrived in Brisbane, you may be coming from somewhere much smaller, or perhaps you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a bigger place. Whatever the case, one thing we all have in common is when we arrive, Brisbane is unfamiliar.

That’s where I come in! I’m Thandie, you can think of me as your Brisbane big sister, here to give you all the information you need to have fun and make Brisbane home! From cafés, night outs, day trips and activities, I’ve got you covered.

Are you ready, let’s dive right in.

Nights out

Best Bars & Nightlife Spots in Brisbane

There's a reason Brisbane students never have a boring Friday night. What starts as "I'll stay for five more minutes" has turned into not arriving home until 3am. Heres three spots I think are worth checking out.

Eat
Street

If you are a foodie like me, you will love Eat Street! If Open every weekend for $6 entry, with live music, performances, and countless stalls serving everything from Greek and Italian to Indian, I guarantee you'll leave happy and very full.

221D MacArthur Ave, Hamilton QLD 4007

Cloudland Brisbane

Cloudland is more than just a bar, they also serve great food! If you want a chill restaurant turned into a dance party, you’ll love Cloudland. The interior is also gorgeous and definitely photo worthy!

641 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

The Met
Brisbane

The Met is one of the city’s largest and most popular nightclubs located in the heart of Fortitude Valley. It has 3 floors, 5 bars and different music across the venue, guaranteeing a good time for everyone.

256 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

weekend getaways

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast should also be on your must-visit list. Whether it’s a day trip or a weekend away, there are endless beaches, cafés and food spots to explore. Here’s my itinerary if you’d like to steal it:
A 50c train ride gets you to the Gold Coast, where I’d head to Burleigh Heads, my personal favorite. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby to try, or you could pack a picnic for something more relaxed. Don’t be afraid to walk around and discover new places too!

Drive: Around 51 Mins from Brisbane CBD, depending on traffic.

Train: Around 1 hour 20 Mins from Brisbane CBD.

How to get there

North Stradbroke Island

Just a short train and ferry ride away lies some stunning views and a gorgeous beach. If you're anything like me, you'll take any chance you get to go to the beach, and getting to the infamous "Straddie" Island is surprisingly affordable, with a 50c train ride and a $10 ferry ride.

Once you're there, take the 880 bus to Point Lookout and check out the goodies at the Blue Room café, or pack some food and drinks for a picnic on the beach. Walk the 1km North Gorge walk for incredible views, and if you're an ice cream fan, head to Whale Tail Gelati, my personal favourite is their sorbet, it's definitely worth trying. Just one tip: keep an eye on the bus timetable so you don't miss it on the way back!

Drive: Around 2 hours from Brisbane CBD, depending on traffic.

Drive: Around 2 hours from Brisbane CBD, depending on traffic.

Day off

Skyline Cinema on Leisure Deck

For something very different, why not catch a movie under the stars? Every Wednesday from 6pm, from just $5 pp the Skyline Cinema on the Leisure Deck at The Star Brisbane hosts open-air movie nights. Check the website beforehand to see what movies are on and book ahead to experience this night to remember.

33/83 William St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

West End Markets

A vibrant market atmosphere with a mixture of farm fresh produce, street food and crafts. The West End Markets run every Saturday from 6am to 2pm and they love to support local small businesses, so there's always gorgeous handmade jewelry and organic products.

Montague Rd &, Jane St, West End QLD 4101

Daisy Hill Koala Sanctuary

If seeing koalas is on your Australian bucket list, Daisy Hill Koala Sanctuary is a must. Not only is the whole experience completely free, but it's also a lovely place to spend a few hours surrounded by nature. You can learn all about these iconic Aussie animals, enjoy a picnic and, if you're up for it, explore one of the walking trails nearby.

253 Daisy Hill Rd, Daisy Hill QLD 4127

Milton Markets

Milton Markets are a lively market hosting over 130 stalls featuring a wide range of local fruits, homemade recipes, food stalls and handmade items. There is always something to discover, and they have live music!

Corner of Cribb Street and, Little Cribb St, Milton QLD 4064

LOCAL FOOD SPOT

Joey’s café

Joeys Cafe is a cozy spot with one of the best views of the Brisbane skyline. It’s hard to beat the atmosphere here and the food is delicious, my personal favourite is their woodfired pizza. If you are after a night with the girls, definitely check out Joey’s.

29 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169

LOCAL COFFEE RUN

Oh My Brew Café

If you are ever in South Brisbane, Oh My Brew Cafe is worth a visit. The vibes are fun and the staff are super friendly. My recommendation would be the shaken brown sugar latte for the perfect pick me up, they are also known for their Matcha so if you are a Matcha girly this one could be your new go to.

124 Merivale St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Freebies

Queensland
Museum

Do dinosaurs, cultural and science exhibitions seem more up your alley? The Queensland Museum is free is definitely something you should check out. I easily spent hours exploring the exhibit featuring Australian wildlife, fossils and fascinating stories from Queensland's history. And when you go, don't forget to get a picture with the iconic whale display!

Corner of Grey and, Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Whether you’re there for sunrise, sunset or just a walk along the cliffs, the views at Kangaroo Point are always worth it. In the middle of a busy exam period, I love to put my headphones on and go for a refreshing stroll to clear my head, this is definitely the perfect spot to do just that.
29 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169

City Botanic Gardens

Brisbane Botanic Gardens is honestly such an underrated spot. They are great for an early morning run or walk if you need to clear your head or just want to get away from the CBD chaos for a bit. A few friends and I have gone a couple times too, we found a nice, shady spot and brought a picnic basket to study together.

147 Alice St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Hidden gems

Brisbane Hidden Gems

See below for my top student-friendly spots in Brisbane: peaceful gardens, scenic lookouts and nature escapes I think are worth exploring.

Captain
Burke Park

Captain Burke Park is an iconic spot with close up views of Brisbane River and the city skyline. It's nice for a bike ride or outdoor activities, but there are plenty of picnic tables and shady spots to relax too. I did an outdoor yoga event in the summer here and it was the perfect relaxing afternoon.

117 Holman St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169

Jan Powers Famers Market

The Jan Powers Farmers Market are best for stocking up on high-quality fresh produce. Even if you’re not there for groceries, it's worth visiting for the relaxed atmosphere and coffee. There are so many stalls to choose from so hang around and try a few things.

The Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington St, New Farm QLD 4005

Upbeat
café

Upbeat Cafe is one of my favorite spots on campus when I need a coffee break between lectures. You should try the Salted Vietnamese Iced Latte, it is delicious and my go to. The staff are always friendly and it’s a great catchup or study spot.

The University of Queensland, Building 40a, St Lucia QLD 4067

Vault
Games

Calling all my competitive friends, this one is for you! Instead of the usual night out, consider this: A night filled with fun board games in the city’s best board game shop and all you have to do is purchase a drink or snack. If you love games and having a good time with friends, I 100% recommend it.

LG/62 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Cono
Singing booth

Nestled in the heart of the city and for just $25 an hour, you can have your superstar moment. If you love karaoke like me, Cono has private singing booths, all you have to do is grab the mic, pick your favorite songs and sing your heart away. It’s guaranteed to be a fun time.

Level 1, Star House, 26 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Death
and taxes

If you love a good bar with a moody aesthetic this place is perfect for you. Death and Taxes is a low-lit, very unique bar with amazing customer service and delicious drinks. If you sit at the bar it's fun to watch them make their famous cocktails.

36 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Active Bunch

Newstead Park

Newstead Park is a stunning riverside circuit that connects directly to Brisbane’s extensive river walk network. If you are looking for a walk that is easy to fit into your day, this is a great place to start.

Mount Gravatt Outlook

Mount Gravatt features a 1.2km to 3km loop with great views of the city! The trail is manageable for most fitness levels, and the views make the climb worthwhile.

Mount Gravatt QLD 4122

mt-gravatt-lookout-sunrise-echidna-magic-445