Just across the river from the CBD, the heritage-listed Kangaroo Point Cliffs were created by convicts mining the volcanic rock here. Take one of Riverlife’s Day Rock Climb Adventures to get a convict’s-eye view of the cliffs (and some great views of the city too) as you spend two hours climbing and belaying your fellow climbers. Climbs are conducted by qualified and experienced instructors, who will conduct a full safety briefing and get you all harnessed up before you take to the cliffs. There’s no need for climbing experience and no accompanying adults required if you are 12 and over.
Take one of Riverlife’s Day Rock Climb Adventures. (Image: Tourism Events & Queensland)
Send them to the nearby Pineapple Hotel for lunch in its bustling steakhouse.
Brisbane has a thriving live music scene, and you can catch bands and musicians gigging all around town, a lot of the time for free. For the last 20 years, the City Sounds program has been turning everyday urban spaces into live music venues by introducing up-and-coming and touring musicians. All shows are free and you can find out who’s coming up and where on Visit Brisbane’s website.
Head to River Quay Green from 2–5pm for the laid-back vibe of Sunday Social On The Green (also free). You can book a take-away hamper from a local restaurant or bring your own eats with you (and don’t forget a picnic blanket). Check out the roster of upcoming artists at Eat South Bank. Another great live music venue is Brisbane Powerhouse, an arts and culture hub housed in a former powerhouse in the suburb of New Farm.
Go for a picnic in the lovely New Farm Park. (Image: Tourism Events & Queensland)
Popolo Italian Kitchen & Bar, one of the popular restaurants overlooking River Quay Green, serves up Italian like nonna makes.
The idyllic surrounds of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) are the perfect backdrop for North Stradbroke Surf School’s group surfing lessons. The 1.5- hour beginners’ lessons take place at Point Lookout and are conducted by experienced coaches and instructors. You’ll need to bring swimmers and a towel, they supply the board, wetsuit, rashie, sunscreen and fun.
Learn to surf on North Stradbroke Island. (Image: Tourism Events & Queensland)
Fish and chips for lunch is a quintessential Straddie experience, and Fins ‘n’ Fries at Point Lookout sources its fish from the water surrounding the island itself.
Get the best view of the city from the top of the city’s most iconic structure, the Story Bridge. A Story Bridge Adventure Climb takes two hours, including your safety demonstration and suiting up in the fetching onesie that you are required to wear, and reaches its summit 80 metres above the Brisbane River. And if you really want to amp up the thrill factor, book a Climb & Abseil to climb the bridge and then abseil 30 metres down the southern bridge pylon into Captain Burke Park below.
Books a Story Bridge Adventure Climb or a Climb & Abseil. (Image: Tourism Events & Queensland)
If you are under 16 your parents are going to have to come with you, but for those over 16, send your folks to Howard Smith Wharves, in the shadow of the bridge, for a meal at one of its restaurants or a glass of wine at Mr Percival’s.
OK, this one is for the older teens, like 18 and over, but with age comes privilege: like riding Neuron’s zippy electric scooters all over the city to see the sights. All you have to do is download the app, unlock the scooter, do a quick safety check and you are off. If you love it too much to stop at one ride, you can get a three-day pass that gives you 90 minutes of riding a day.
Ride Neuron’s zippy electric scooters all over the city. (Image: Tourism Events & Queensland)
Another fun way to get from A to B that doesn’t require much strenuous effort on your part – and doesn’t require you to be voting age – is in a Green Cab, hail-and-ride pedicabs that you can also book for tours including Brisbane Highlights and Discover South Bank.
Send them to South Bank and then tell them you will meet them at the Brisbane Sign (and take a selfie while you are there).
There are more than 700 shops on Queen Street Mall so this could take a while. Once you have walked its length, ducking into big-name retailers like Zara and browsing the historic Brisbane Arcade, head to Adelaide Street to find smaller boutiques like Monsterthreads and vintage stores.
Shop till you drop on Queen Street Mall. (Image: Tourism Events & Queensland)
Room with Roses does a classic high tea in the lovely surrounds of the Brisbane Arcade.
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