Car Hire Brisbane Airport

If you’re looking to reconnect with nature and explore Australia’s great outdoors, a quick drive with your Brisbane car hire from the CBD can take you to nearby Mt. Coot-Tha, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from 287-metres above sea level—the Lookout Point is one of its most popular attractions. And while many tourists go for the spectacular views, there are other activities available and places to visit around the area, including the 52-hectare Brisbane Botanic Gardens, biking or hiking up the Summit Trail, a picnic right by the JC Slaughter Falls and capping the day off with some good food at The Summit Café or the Summit Restaurant & Bar.

Another option for an elevated adventure is Tamborine Mountain, which is just an hour’s drive with your hire car Brisbane. Enjoy the Rainforest Skywalk, dig for treasure in Thunderbird Park and explore more exciting nearby attractions, such as the Glow Worm Caves, the Cauldron Distillery, Tamborine Botanic Gardens, the Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Jasmin Organics, Castle Glen and the Fortitude Brewing Company, just to name a few.

If you’re looking to enjoy more peaks, the Glass House Mountains has all seven and is home to a wide range of walking trails, waterholes, food crawls and other family-friendly escapes and adventures. It’s also famous for the Glass on Glasshouse—book a stay if you’re looking for an award-winning accommodation option.

For something less “elevated,” you can look into driving your car rental Brisbane Airport and spending a day in Springbrook National Park or Lamington National Park. Both World Heritage Areas offer barbecue and picnic facilities, camping sites, lookout points, hiking trails, public toilets and even wi-fi spots.

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Brisbane is also peppered with nearby islands where you and your friends and family can take a couple of days off to relax and unwind and appreciate the unspoiled natural beauty these islands have to offer.

Starting off with the “Secret Garden of Brisbane,” taking holiday in Moreton Island will get you up close and with rainbow-coloured fish and dugongs, hand-feed wild dolphins and explore sparkling beaches and uniquely stunning Tangalooma Shipwrecks. On the island itself, you can also take some time to whiz down sand dunes on toboggans or quad bikes. There’s also a freshwater option called the Blue Lagoon where the relatively shallow water is a haven for birds and shellfish—the waters are also infused with tea tree oil which is believed to have healing properties.

Another nearby island you can visit is Fraser Island; this World Heritage Listing is unique for being the only place in the world where a rainforest grows on sand dunes. Despite its relatively smaller size, the island is teeming with more than 100 freshwater lakes, and 40 of which is made up completely of rainwater. The popular activities on the island include 4WD tours and whale watching activities, and you can find good accommodation at the Kingfisher Bay Resort or Eurong Beach Resort.

Another good option is North Straddie or, simply, Straddie—North Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay lets tourists do as little or as much as they like. If you’re the type for adventure, you can for activities, such as surfing, kayaking, cycling, paddleboarding or 4WD-ing. Conversely, you can simply find a quiet spot on the beach to soak up some sunshine, have a picnic with friends or lose track of time in a book. The island has several options for B&B and has numerous options for lunch, dinner, coffees and snacks.

And if you’re looking for an island getaway without the boat transfers, Bribie Island, the smallest of the three major islands in the northern part of Moreton Bay, is the only island in Queensland connected by Bridgeway, which means you can drive to it directly with your Brisbane Airport car rental. The spot is dotted with camping sports, boating jump-off points, birdwatching vistas and springtime wildflowers.

Brisbane is known for having the perfect balance between cosmopolitan living and natural attractions. Being said, animal lovers can delight in a number of animal encounters and attractions when visiting sunny Brisbane.

The Daisy Hill Koala Centre lets visitors admire koalas in their natural setting and learn more about their secret lives—the best thing’s admission is free! The Centre’s Woodland Theatre also showcases shows where viewers can discover the interesting snippets about the Koala life cycle, their unique biology, the signs and symptoms when they’re sick, as well as how to play a role in their conservation.

If you need a bigger koala fix, you can head over to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and  largest koala sanctuary, where you can enjoy unique wildlife experiences, photo ops, virtual tours and programs made for kids. The popular Koala Discovery Tour lets visitors a 60-minute behind-the-scenes look at how koalas are cared for, from the leaf sorting area and routine veterinary care, all the way to entering a koala exhibit up close and hold one in your arms for a special photo snapped by a professional.

If you’re looking to see more than koalas, you need to jump on over to the Home of the Crocodile Hunter—Australia Zoo. This massive collection of flora and fauna holds several Croc School, Bindi’s Island Treehouse, Wildlife Photo Studio, Wildlife Hospital, Tiger Temple, Giraffe Encounters, African Collections and so much more!

Both locals and tourists can find solace in Brisbane’s South Bank. This iconic location is renowned for its year-round green space, bursting through the seams with community events, gastronomic experiences and social gatherings. Activities you can partake range from lazing by the water’s edge or taking a dip in one of the swimming facilities to enjoying a quiet picnic or barbeque, walking our cycling along the river’s edge, sightseeing or getting a dose of arts from the cultural precinct. This cultural heart of Brisbane features art exhibitions, theatre presentations, comedy shows, music and dance culminations and so much more.

The South Bank is split into four dining precincts, each with their unique flair—whether you’re looking to get cheap takeaway, casual sit-downs, dessert or a quick stop at a café, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

If you’re looking for a bit of casual dining or a relaxing moment in a café, Little Stanley or Grey Street will be your go-to locations. You can also choose to head up into Stanley Street Plaza for a good selection of relaxed cafes and happening bars. But if you’re heart’s set on some a fine dining experience, then, River Quay will be the place for you.

As for accommodation, South Bank is home to four hotels – Rydges, Emporium and Mantra on Grey Street and the Novotel on Cordelia.

Another quiet spot you can check out is the Riverwalk. If you’re visiting Brisbane, this is an absolute must-do. Jutting across the Brisbane River, this scenic and iconic above-water highway for cyclists and pedestrians runs between the CBD and the historic Howard St. Wharves. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride across the length of the walkway—better when done with friends or family.

And not far from the Brisbane Riverwalk is the New Farm Park. As one of Brisbane’s longest-running, largest and grandest parks, it accommodates an average of 18,000 weekly visitors, tourists and locals alike. It’s become a favourite spot for most families, since it has more than enough activities and amusements to keep kids busy all day long. From picnic areas, barbecue spots and Active Parks activities to rose gardens, farmers markets and the seasonal Moonlight Cinema, you’ll have a full day of fun if you choose to pay a visit.

To reiterate Brisbane’s thriving mix of nature-themed attractions and cosmopolitan amenities, the city is no stranger to the lively party and entertainment scene. While one is spoiled for choice when it comes to bars and clubs, most of the sought-after places can be found clumped together in lively districts.

Howard Smith Wharves, for example, is a bustling venue for food, drinks and happenings. A visit here will place you in proximity to good eats and social scenes. For our recommended go-to restaurants, cafes and bars, you can pay a visit to Felons Brewing Co., Felons Barrel Hall, Mr Percival’s, Stanley, Ciao Papi, Yoko Dining, Greca Restaurant, Gigi’s Homestyle Cooking, Mews and Betty’s Burgers, just to name a few. We’re also giving out a special mention to Goodtimes Gelateria focuses on sourcing its ingredients from local suppliers and turning them into absolutely delicious gelato.

Another destination with a collection of good eats and drinks, coupled with a never-ending list of events, is Fortitude Valley. As Australia’s first dedicated entertainment district, The Valley draws the very best local and global acts into its bars and concert venues. As for a pleasurable retail experience, the Chinatown Mall can give you your fill of exotic Chinese culinary finds. While James Street carries a variety of Australian fashion brands and homegrown boutiques and is home to Ada Lane and The Calile Hotel. And if you drop by Brunswick Street, you’ll find yourself immersed in a multicultural mix of affordable dining options.

And if you’re looking to get your fill of eats and drinks while soaking up the majestic view of the city, make sure to check out these gems. The MAYA Rooftop will take your taste buds on a trip to the Guadalajara. Introduce your pallet to a taste of artisanal tequila before embarking on a gastronomic journey across the richly diverse regional Mexican cuisine sourced from Queensland’s best local producers.

The Emporium Hotel also holds several venues where one—or many—can enjoy good food while enjoying spectacular vistas of the city. The Terrace Rooftop Bar, along with its retractable ceiling and glass roof, offers unrivalled views of the South Bank. The Terrace also holds a special place, 21 Sundays, where you can enjoy free-flowing drinks while soaking up the Brisbane sun or the lively nighttime skyline. And if you’re looking for a private dining space, the Billiards Room can accommodate up to 40 guests for sit-down dinners. Additionally, if you’re on a business trip and are looking for the perfect place to close the perfect deal, the Terrace Dining Room, with its 22-guest capacity, is the perfect place for long lunches to suave soirees.

And last but not least, the Spanish-inspired Iris Rooftop is on our list of recommendations. Enjoy a culinary selection while sitting in the clouds, perfect for lunch, dinner, date night, after-work drinks or any celebration with friends or family. This luxurious Spanish oasis embodies the essence of Fortitude Valley while serving impressive views of Brisbane City and beyond. Be prepared to have your breath taken away once you step foot in this restaurant.