Brisbane is an amazing place for tourism. A place that is completely different from anything you have ever seen before. Some call it the pearl of Australia because it can offer stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, museums, unique wildlife, and flora and fauna. Most of the plants and animal species here cannot be seen anywhere other than in Australia.
The other face of Brisbane is its exoticism. It has a warm climate all year round and sunny weather attracts many people who want to escape from the dark and gray winter days. The best time of the year for tourism in Brisbane is in the second half of the year (April-November) when temperatures are most pleasant and there is no extreme heat.
But this doesn’t mean that Brisbane is super expensive. Plenty of tourist attractions in Brisbane are suitable even for those with a smaller budget. The city is simply ready to welcome everyone. So if you are asking yourself what to do in Brisbane and not break the bank then this article is for you!
Let’s go!
Things To Do In Brisbane On A Budget
Here is a review of 5 top tourist attractions in Brisbane, which you could do on a small budget and still see the city in its full glory.
1. Go For A Swim At Streets Beach
Brisbane’s Streets Beach is an ideal opportunity to cool off from the summer heat at no cost. All you need is a beach umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimming trunks, and goodwill. The beach is located in the South Bank area of Brisbane and it is a great place to relax. Besides the beach, in the area, there is also one free public pool and cheap dining space.
This is only possible in a city like Brisbane, and South Bank makes it a great area to spend some time on a sunny day and it only expands your what to do Brisbane list of things you could do with minimal spending.

Image taken from: https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au
We recommend Streets Beach to anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the beach and doesn’t have the fear of missing out!
2. Visit the Epicurious Garden
The Epicurious Garden is a must-see for all visitors who want to see the real Brisbane exoticism. They abound with exotic herbs, fragrant plants, and a lush and silent environment. The Gardens are housed in the center of the Parklands, near River Quay. The entrance is free all around the year.
By visiting Epicurious Garden you can see various seasonal plants, fruits, and vegetables. Visitors are left to explore and discover the lush flora and enjoy the smell of fresh produce. Be aware that products can only be collected by Epicurious Garden’s volunteers and horticulturists. If you want to try some products, you could ask their horticulturists to collect some for you. If there are no volunteers nearby, you can taste the herbs and produce stored in big pots. A friendly and dedicated team of volunteers is available from 7 am – 11.30 am from Tuesday to Thursday so feel free to speak with them, ask for help or ask them about something you are interested in.

Image taken from: https://tensilecables.co.za
Epicurious Gardens is a tourist attraction in Brisbane that not many have heard of, therefore the crowds are minimal and you can always boast to your friends about this hidden gem.
We recommend this place to everyone looking for a unique “what to do in Brisbane” experience.
3. Visit Old Petrie Town
Old Petrie Town is an amazing renewed village, shaped by an authentic history and is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Brisbane. This place is always ready to welcome all domestic and foreign visitors to its events and there are a lot of things to do at Old Petrie Town with no fees, at all.
Old Petrie Town is located at 901 Dayboro Road, Whiteside 4503 and it is open from Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed only on Monday and Tuesday.
Furthermore, if you come with a car, there are enough free parking lots across the street. Dogs are allowed everywhere in the park, except in food areas. The park is suitable for wheelchair visitors, too. All roads are sealed, so wheelchairs can access most areas but keep in mind that not all buildings have ramp access.

Image taken from: https://www.mustdobrisbane.com
For any questions, feel free to call the Old Petrie Town’s call service from Monday to Friday (9 AM to 4 PM). For any calls outside of this time, you must leave a message and they will respond to you as soon as possible.
There are plenty of interesting facilities you could visit in Old Petrie Town. Here are some of them:
- Old Petrie Town markets. There are Sunday markets, available every Sunday from 7 AM to 1 PM, where the historic buildings are scattered across the streets to offer you a unique experience. It is a tempting destination for all gourmet food There are also Moonlight markets, available only last Friday of the month, where the visitors can enjoy a night of fun and live party from local talented music performers, starting from 5 PM. The specialty shops of Rock and Roll Emporium and Cane Gin Distillery are available, too.
- Restored buildings. All history lovers can enjoy looking at amazing restored buildings that date back to Look at the past first hand, while enjoying all offered treats at Old Petrie Town.

Image taken from: https://www.oldpetrietown.com/
So if you are wondering what to do in Brisbane to enjoy the authentic culture then Old Petrie Town is the right destination for you!
4. Take The CityHopper Along The River
The most picturesque and exciting way to travel in Brisbane is City Cat. Crossing the waters of the Brisbane River seven days a week, the City Cats fleet and City Ferries with 24 hop-on, hop-off terminals offer a range of different cruises, many with informative storytelling about the city’s history and sights. From the magnificent University of Queensland to the North Coast, the route occupies restored industrial sites, waterfront shores, bridges, and parks. This is a great way to get a fresh perspective of Brisbane sights such as Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and even some of the wildlife, such as fertile bats that gather along mangroves on the riverbank. You can also hop aboard the Miramar Cruise Shrine of the Lone Pine Koala.

Image taken from: https://www.brisbaneholidayvillage.com.au
The City Hopper Ferry Service offers free cruises that stop at tourist attractions in Brisbane such as South Bank 3 and the Maritime Museum. The ferry is a very pleasant and affordable way to see the sights of Brisbane. Because the city is divided into two parts by a river and connected by a series of bridges (which can experience heavy traffic at times), it is often more convenient for locals and visitors to take ferries, as well as being a truly calming and beautiful way to travel.
There are a total of 7 stops between North Quay and Sydney Street, New Farm, so you can unload at any station. The City Hopper runs every 30 minutes, every day between 5:30 AM and midnight, from Sunday to Thursday, while on Friday and Saturday the services operate later. Look at the exact route of the Brisbane City Hopper on the link here.
Having all the above in mind, we stored this adventure as inevitable tourist attractions Brisbane you must add to your what to do Brisbane agenda.
5. Free Museum Tour
Brisbane has a lot to offer when it comes to culture. If you are a lover of museums, you must include the free city museums on your what-to-do Brisbane list.
- QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY AND GALLERY OF MODERN ART (QAGOMA) occupies two adjacent but contrasting buildings along the coast in South Bank Cultural County. Together, displaying more than 1,700 works of art from around the world, with a special focus on Australia, the Pacific, and Asia. This bold collection will provoke animated conversations between art lovers of all stripes. Even the award-winning, glass-paneled building of the Gallery of Modern Art declares. The museum is located at Stanley Place, South Brisbane, Queensland.

Image taken from: https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au
- MUSEUM OF BRISBANE is housed in one of the most important British heritage buildings in Brisbane. This interesting museum was renovated and reopened in 2013. This museum of “small sizes, big stories” occupies the highest level of City Hall and brings the history of Brisbane and its people to life through a series of state-of-the-art exhibitions covering everything from doomed histories to Brisbane floods. Adding to the experience are the magnificent views of the city from the magnificent clock tower. The museum is located at Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, Adelaide Street, Brisbane.

Image taken from: https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au
- QUEENSLAND MUSEUM is located in South Brisbane in the Queensland Cultural Center next to the Queensland State Library. The museum connects visitors to Queensland, its people, and their stories from the past, present, and future. Popular exhibitions include traveling performances from Australia and around the world, as well as fascinating exhibitions that reveal the story of Queensland, including its amazing prehistoric past, the cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Queensland and Torres Strait Island, and exhibitions that reveal Queensland’s unique biodiversity. The museum is also a world-class research institution in the field of biodiversity, geosciences, and cultural history. The Queensland Museum is home to Spark Lab, which offers practical, interactive activities for children and adults who discover the science behind our daily lives.

Image taken from: https://www.familiesmagazine.com.au
- BRIBIE ISLAND SEASIDE MUSEUM is a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating history of Bribie Island in a state-of-the-art museum. The museum is filled with picturesque parks, local restaurants, and wildlife habitats nearby.

Image taken from: https://www.tripadvisor.com
The above-mentioned museums are the true star of tourist attractions in Brisbane and expect them to be crowded, therefore we recommend visiting them early in the morning or during work days to see their full splendor.
Final Thoughts
This article was only a small indicator of tourist attractions Brisbane you could visit on a small budget. Visiting some of the above places you not only save money, but you have a quality vacation trip. We hope we helped you to complete your what-to-do Brisbane agenda so that you can indulge in it.