Other neighbourhoods to stay in Brisbane
Spring Hill
Heritage, sightseeing
Spring Hill, one of the oldest and most prestigious neighbourhoods in Brisbane, is a popular area for the arts, with a number of creative venues scattered across its borders. Located mere steps from Southbank and the Brisbane Cultural Center, this neighbourhood is especially popular among students.
Spring Hill is home to one of the best places to chill and relax in – the Roma Street Parklands. This place has the title of the ‘world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre’ and is where you can see just under 2,000 unique species of plants and flowers. The area is very trendy with themed cafes, groovy nightspots, small and colourful art galleries, and lots of shops that sell a variety of products.
There is no shortage of options for culturally sophisticated visitors, too. Victorian-era landmarks include the Spring Hill Baths, Brisbane's first in-ground pool and is the oldest surviving swimming baths in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Old Windmill, a heritage-listed tower mill built by convicts in 1827.
Hotels in Spring Hill
Kangaroo Point
Story Bridge, views, cliffs
Kangaroo Point in Brisbane is a picturesque area. Its proximity to the Brisbane River adds another level of charm and beauty making it a top destination for photographers and tourists alike. Staying at Kangaroo Point ensures you a good view of the cliffs which offer rock climbing facilities for the advanced climbers - even at night since the walls are well illuminated. You can also try your hand at kayaking on the river below. There are plenty of hotels to choose from, perfect for individuals and families looking for a memorable experience.
It's also home to one of the city's most iconic structures and a popular focus for Brisbane tourism guidebooks - the Story Bridge. It’s an anchor point for many quintessential Brisbane experiences and offers fantastic views of the CBD, surrounding suburbs and Moreton Bay. The climb itself is steep, with over 1130 steps on an uphill walk which reaches to 80 metres at its highest point over the Brisbane River inlet below.
Hotels in Kangaroo Point
South Brisbane
Arts galleries, museums
Situated on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, the suburb of South Brisbane is a fun place to stay for couples and families, and it has a wide range of hotels and self-catering flats. The focus of the district is the ‘Southbank’ which is a busy stretch of the riverbank with museums, art galleries, markets, and a giant Ferris wheel. The huge Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre regularly hosts exhibitions, charity events and comedy shows.
Nearby is a popular theatre. It is fun to take a wander down Grey Street with its cinema complex, pubs with microbreweries, great tapas bars, and other casual dining options. Fish Street Lane is another buzzing historic street with Italian, Vietnamese and Asian restaurants, good bars, and plenty of colourful street art. Reaching South Brisbane from the city centre is easy - just a short walk across the Victoria pedestrian bridge.
Hotels in South Brisbane
Fortitude Valley
Nightlife, bars, clubs
Fortitude Valley, known to locals as “The Valley”, is home to a hearty mix of ethnic cuisine, pubs, nightclubs, and a bohemian edge. Walk down Brunswick Street and explore antique stores, trinket shops, and urban art displays.
Enjoy free wireless internet (wifi) throughout the malls as you stroll through the abundance of cafes and shops located just outside your door. Brisbane's famous Chinatown, also known as Asia Bazaar, offers a wide assortment of food stalls and Asian eateries to lose yourself in.
The mecca for dining, drinking, and shopping, known as the James Street precinct, overflows with vitality and colour. This is the place to go for top-notch cafés, designer boutiques and prestige fine dining. This part of town oozes style, and luxury boutique hotels — especially those with rooftop bars — are plentiful.
Daytime you'll be exploring the vibrant arts scene the district has to offer before heading to the Brunswick Street markets. If you're into vinyl’s, there are great record stores to explore, too. Early evening you can enjoy a Spa with a cocktail at Les Bubbles before taking in a live show at the Judith Wright Centre.
Hotels in Fortitude Valley
Hamilton
Airport, views, with a car
Ideally located close to Brisbane Airport in the Northeast of the city, Hamilton makes for a fantastic location to stay when in Brisbane. It is also pretty close to Brisbane City Center (CBD), and well-connected to public transport. Hamilton is definitely a quieter alternative than the main centre.
What makes Hamilton special is its picturesque riverside location. Lying on the banks of the Brisbane River, there are multiple luxury riverside hotels to choose from, with stunning views. Consequently, Hamilton attracts many business travellers, as well as international holidaymakers. This is partly thanks to its ideal airport location, but also thanks to its exciting attractions.
There are some exciting annual festivals here, especially at the famous Eagle Farm Racecourse. Hamilton also has many excellent restaurants, rooftop riverside bars and fancy boutique stores. There is nothing better than some drinks with a view after a day exploring Brisbane.
The eclectic foodie mecca of Brisbane is Northshore Hamilton, specifically, Eat Street. A former container wharf with over 70 restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from, you'll never be short of amazing places to eat.
Hotels in Hamilton
Woolloongabba
Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat, Queensland Cricket
Synonymous with Brisbane since the late 19th century, Woolloongabba is now an inner-city suburb that occupies a bend in the Brisbane River. It is situated two kilometres south-east of Brisbane’s city centre and is well-connected to public transport, with frequent 10-minute buses into the centre.
Undoubtedly one of the best areas to stay in Brisbane, Woolloongabba offers tourists a rich and varied experience with many options. This ranges from budget hotels right the way through to upmarket accommodation.
Woolloongabba is the best area to stay in Brisbane for active travellers who love sport and entertainment. "The Gabba", Woolloongabba is one of the top tourist spots and is a must-see for anyone who visits. An iconic cricket ground that generates a lot of interest and excitement among sports lovers, the Gabba is synonymous with Australia's test cricket matches and is also the centre of local Aussie Rules football.
A myriad of boutique wine bars, cosy cafes and vinyl record stores pepper Woolloongabba. Within walking distance, you can also find shops with antiques, vintage fashion, curated homewares, and retro clothing.
Hotels in Woolloongabba
Bowen Hills
Brisbane Showgrounds, with a car
Bowen Hills is an up-and-coming suburb of Brisbane that's making waves. This once industrial inner-city district is becoming a trendy hub for locals and tourists alike. If you're looking for the best place to stay in Brisbane, then Bowen Hills is certainly a good option.
At the epicentre of Brisbane, Bowen Hills is a microcosm of everything this city has to offer: vibrant entertainment, unique people, and a colorful nightlife. And with plenty of public transport options and easy access to the CBD, it's a great base for exploring Brisbane. Renowned for its giant beer garden with a 1000-person capacity, visitors can enjoy live music and fresh food from one of Brisbane's most exciting food truck collectives.
Take a stroll down Gregory Terrace, explore the quaint shops and cafés nearby, and you'll find yourself at Brisbane's Showgrounds which plays host to several events throughout the year including one of Australia's largest agricultural expositions: The Ekka.
Hotels in Bowen Hills
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