With 240 days of sunshine a year, picturesque riverside bars, restaurants, cafes, and beautiful wildlife and nature, Brisbane is extremely photogenic.
To help you navigate its camera-friendly spots, here are our picks for the most Instagrammable places in and around the River City.
Brisbane City Hall
Located right in the heart of King George Square, Brisbane City Hall’s towering sandstone columns provide an epic backdrop for Insta content. It was built during the 1920s, making it one of Brisbane’s most important heritage-listed monuments.
At nighttime, the building lights up in a glowing display, giving you a great opportunity to snap a picture for the ‘gram!
City Botanic Gardens
Located in the heart of the city, the City Botanic Gardens offer a variety of picturesque spots – from the edge of the Brisbane River, to sweeping lawns, the Bamboo Grove, Weeping Fig Avenue, Riverstage and the ornamental ponds.
At night, the trees are illuminated by fairy lights, giving a magical touch to some of the largest and oldest fig trees you’re likely to see.
Great Court
The Great Court is a heritage-listed space in the heart of The University of Queensland’s (UQ) St Lucia campus. With its vast lawns, history and hundreds of carvings ‘hiding in plain sight’, the Great Court is a must-visit spot for students and travellers alike.
The Great Court took more than 40 years to complete and is surrounded by colonnades with historical carvings on the walls and cloisters.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (for the obligatory koala pic)
Let’s be honest: no trip to Australia would be complete without snapping a picture with a koala.
Luckily, the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine, gives you the chance to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s cutest furry friends, along with more than 80 species of wildlife that call the sanctuary home.
Kangaroo Point
A spot the locals know and love, Kangaroo Point Cliffs give you some of the best views in Brisbane. With unbeatable vistas of the river and Brisbane city centre, you can take advantage of the most majestic sunrise or sunset pics in the city.
If you want to feel the burn, bring your workout gear to run up the Kangaroo Point stairs or even try rock climbing up the cliffs themselves. For a more relaxed experience, head to Joey’s for a clifftop cocktail.
Lamington National Park
From cityscapes to landscapes, Lamington National Park is about a 1.5-hour drive south of Brisbane.
Lush rainforest and stunning waterfalls make Lamington National Park a must for anyone wanting to show off Australia’s natural beauty to their followers.
Head to any of the beautiful Gold Coast beaches afterwards for a bonus Insta-worthy pic!
MAYA Mexican rooftop bar
If you follow any Australian influencer, it’s likely you’ve seen them boasting about drinks and delicious Mexican/Australian fusion dining at MAYA.
This rooftop restaurant and bar overlooks the city from Fortitude Valley, the home of Brisbane’s nightlife. It’s the perfect excuse to dress up and give your followers a bit of FOMO.
Mount Coot-tha
Mount Coot-tha is arguably the best spot in Brisbane for panoramic views of the entire city. The small mountain is a short drive from the city centre, and has walking trails, a cafe and, of course, the famous lookout.
The perfect spot for a sunrise or sunset picnic, it’s a special place to soak up Brisbane’s natural beauty.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha includes a sensory garden, arid region, Japanese garden, bonsai house, lagoon and bamboo grove and the iconic tropical display dome.
Shipwreck at Moreton Island
Only a short boat ride from Brisbane, the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island are a haven for dolphins, fish and other marine life. The crystal-clear, turquoise waters rival any snorkelling, swimming or boating spot in the world.
The beach gives you a perfect vantage point for an Instagram snap, or bring your GoPro for some truly unbelievable underwater photography.
South Bank
South Bank is home to some of Brisbane’s best riverside dining and nightlife venues. You can visit Streets Beach for a sunset swim or GOMA for stunning artwork.
For perfect Instagram pictures, explore the curling steel columns of the Grand Arbour walkway, the bustling hole-in-the-wall restaurants along Fish Lane or the famous Brisbane Sign with a River City backdrop!
Story Bridge/Howard Smith Wharves
The Story Bridge, which connects Brisbane’s north and south, is perhaps Brisbane’s most iconic landmark – so it’s only natural you’ll want to take a picture with it.
Under the magnificent arched bridge is Howard Smith Wharves, a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct on the river’s edge.
Home to some of Brisbane’s best bars and restaurants, including Felons Brewing Co, an amazing spot for a sunset beer by the water. And at night, the strip of bars and restaurants along the Howard Smith Wharves comes to life with live music and outdoor events.
UQ cafes
Not many places let you snap an awesome Instagram photo while at university. But at Bar Merlo, located on campus here at UQ, it’s totally possible.
Enjoy your drink while looking over the Great Court’s beautiful lawns, making it one of the most Instagram-worthy cafes in Brisbane.
UQ Lakes
The University of Queensland is also home to the beautiful UQ Lakes. An iconic feature at the St Lucia campus, the lakes have beautiful flora and fauna.
A local tip is to wait for jacaranda season (October/November) to snap a picture of the bright purple flowers in bloom.
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