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Brisbane Maps | Map of Family Attractions Around Brisbane

Brisbane Maps of attractions for families shows you exactly where the fun things are to do in Brisbane with kids.

Find 20 kid friendly activities and locate them on our Brisbane map using your phone!

Brisbane Maps – Navigate your way to fun!

1. Queensland Museum, South Brisbane

We are so lucky to have the Museum on our doorstep. It houses permanent and changing exhibitions. It is a great place to teach the children about Queenland’s history. There are lots of hands on exhibits. Most of the Museum is free, the visiting exhibits usually have an entrance fee. There is a family friendly café on the premises which is great for a quick coffee or lunch. It is pram friendly and a place where you can set your own pace. Opening Hours are 9.30am – 5pm daily. Check it out on our Brisbane Maps then Click here for more.

2. Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, South Brisbane QAGOMA

If you carefully check our Brisbane maps you will find QAGOMA located in the Cultural Precinct of South Bank. It houses over 16 000 works of Modern Art. Entry to the Children’s Art Centre is free. Here you will find interactive installations, artist projects and activities for your Brisbane Family. The projects and activities change throughout the year to keep your little ones interested. There are different dining options to suit you from a café to a restaurant. Or pack a picnic and sit in the lovely grounds that surround the Gallery. They are open daily from 10am – 5pm. Read our GOMA Review to find out more!

3. Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha

city playgrounds - Brisbane maps

These Botanic Gardens are a favourite for Brisbane Families. You can either pack a picnic and enjoy it amongst the gardens, or visit the café for coffee or lunch. You can venture along the hide and seek children’s trail, (it’s a simple trail with a map) where your children can hunt for native bees, a crocodile, water dragons, dragonflies and other critters. You can easily head up Mt Coot-tha when you are finished in the gardens and let your children see Brisbane from a different perspective.

4. South Bank, South Brisbane

Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, South Bank is 17 acres of lush parklands full of play areas for children, eateries and an amazing lagoon and water park area. And best of all, you can use it all for free! It is easy to spend a whole day here in the warmer months, playing in the water and exploring the play areas. The views are fantastic and the atmosphere happy! There is always something happening at South Bank and their kids playground is nothing short of spectacular. Make sure you head to GOMA and see why it’s a brilliant place for kids! 

5. Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane

If you are heading into the city with your Brisbane Family, make sure you visit the Museum of Brisbane, located in Brisbane City Hall. City Hall itself is beautiful to walk around and you can catch the lift up to level 3 to where the museum is housed. This is not a museum of fossils and bones, it is dedicated to the living history of our city. You can book in for a free tour of the Clock Tower for an insight into how the clock tower was built and how it operates. You travel up into the clock tower in a lift and get a bird’s eye view of the city. Pretty special! The Museum is open 10am – 5pm daily and the tour operates from 10.15am – 4.45pm every 15 minutes.

6. Daisy Hill Koala Reserve, Daisy Hill

Daisy Hill Koala Centre entrance sign

Do your children love koalas? If so this is the place to take them and it is all FREE! This dedicated Koala education facility has large koala enclosures and lots of interactive displays. There are two level boardwalks from which you can view the koalas. It is a great place for a picnic and opportunities for bush walking and spotting other critters and creatures. Open daily 10am – 4pm.

7. CityHopper cruise

Things to do on a Sunday

The CityHopper will help you fall in love with our city again! It is a free ferry service that runs every 30mins from 6am to midnight, seven days a week. The CityHopper travels along the Brisbane River, stopping at North Quay, South Bank 3, Maritime Museum, Thornton Street, Eagle Street Pier, Holman Street, Dockside and Sydney Street terminals. Read out our day out for FREE on the City Hopper including our map of New Farm Park here.

8. Settlement Cove, Redcliffe

Located bayside at Redcliffe, Settlement Cove will trick you into thinking you have landed on a tropical island. With clear blue waters, palm trees and lots of sunshine (hopefully!) it is like a little piece of paradise. There is a little water play area for the youngest of your Brisbane Family, BBQs, a shady playground and picnic facilities. You can easily spend a day here. Click here.

9. Robelle Domain Parklands, Springfield

This spectacular parklands has so much to offer. There are 11kms of boardwalks, walking and cycling tracks, amazing water park areas, playgrounds, picnic facilities, waterfalls and a café. What else do you need for a relaxing day out? Click here for more information.

10. City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane

botanical-gardens-city-playgrounds Brisbane maps

Have you been to visit the new all abilities playground yet? Children of all abilities can play in this park, with wide access for wheelchairs and upgraded toilet facilities with a ceiling hoist. The Gardens are a magical place to spend the day and the children will love exploring them. There are free guided tours available at 11am & 1pm Monday to Saturday, where you can learn more about the plants and the features of the Gardens.

11. Brisbane Tramway Museum, Ferny Grove

You can step back in time in Brisbane and ride a tram at the Tramway Museum as many times as your Brisbane Family would like. Set in a bush land setting, you can explore restored trams and other reminders of Brisbane’s tramway era. There are plenty of spots for picnics and souvenirs and drinks available. It is open Sundays from 12.30 – 4pm. Children cost $6.50.

12. Queensland Maritime Museum, South Brisbane

You can discover historic vessels of all shapes and sizes at the Maritime Museum. It is located on the banks of the Brisbane River at South Bank. You can take a complimentary audio guided tour to make the most of your visit. The children will enjoy the big exhibits such as the warship Diamantina. It is open daily from 9.30am – 4.30pm. Children cost $7.00.

13. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mt Coot-tha

Brisbane Planetarium

If your little ones are interested in all things astronomical, then this is the place for them. You can view regular shows in the Cosmic Skydome which are projected onto the dome. These shows are recommended for different age groups, so check that detail when deciding which show to go to. There is also the Galaxy Gift Shop where you can buy all things cosmic. The Planetarium is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Read our Planetarium review and check the website for opening times as they do vary. Children aged 3 – 14 years cost $9.40.

14. Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich

Ipswich Art Gallery is Australia’s first permanent interactive children’s space designed for the under twelves. They are committed to delivering child-centred programs that you will not see anywhere else. They have different exhibitions that are VERY hands on for the children. This is not a place for the children to be directed by adults, it is a space for the children to really explore and self direct. The exhibits for the children range from free to around the $5.00 mark. They are open daily from 10am – 5pm. Watch our Ipswich Art Gallery video review here.

15. Bricks n Fun, Capalaba

If you have a Lego lover in your house, then this is the place for them. They have a Lego Buildroom where the kids can go for a 1 hour or 2 hour session. There is a massive variety of LEGO kits they can choose from and sit and build them. All of the instructions are included and there is something to suit all abilities. There are only 12 children allowed per session so there is plenty of room for the LEGO creations. There is also LEGO displays to look at and become inspired from. Sessions run from 10am each day until 4.00 or 5.00pm. One hour sessions cost $8.50.

16. Sciencentre, South Brisbane

The Sciencentre is located on Level 1 of the Queensland Museum. They have permanent and changing exhibitions and your Brisbane Family can be very hands on to learn more about science. Perception Deception is the exhibition from the September school holidays.  Suitable for ages 10 and up, Perception Deception is a collection of 28 hands-on exhibits and 60 interactive multimedia experiences that challenge our sensory signals to create our perception of the things and people around us. Perception Deception is the ultimate display of mind trickery to test and fool visitor’s perceptions. Lift shapes of the same weight, though due to texture, the brain perceives them as lighter and heavier. Adult: $14.50 Concession/Full-time Student: $12.50 Child (3-15) (must be accompanied by an adult 18+) $11.50 Family: (2 Adults/Concessions & up to 4 Children) $44.50. See more details on the Sciencentre and all that is happening there.

17. School Holiday Fun at The Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich

For a relaxed day out with your Brisbane Family, you can’t go past The Workshops Rail Museum. There is so much to do here – you can drive a train on the simulator, check out the miniature railway, explore the history of trains, get hands on with the interactive exhibits, get creative at the Creation Station and let off steam at the indoor playground Nippers Railway. The children can also build wooden toy trains and carriages in the Wood Workshop (these workshops cost $10.00 and are not included in the entry price). You can either pack a picnic or buy food from the café onsite. They are open daily 9.30am – 4pm. Children cost $12.00. Read our Ipswich Rail Museum review here.

18. Junior and Teen Keeper for a Day, Lone Pine, Fig Tree Pocket

Number 18 on the Brisbane maps is Lone Pine. Your children can spend a day with an experienced wildlife education officer at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. They will discover all areas, including behind the scenes, of the Sanctuary. They will get to clean enclosures, feed the animals, train birds of prey and get a photo with a koala as well as much more. Cost is $98.00 per child. Bookings essential.

Find out how to get discounted entry every day to Lone Pineclick here.

19. Kids Dig It, Caboolture

The Abbey Museum will once again host another amazing school holiday activity, with this programs them being all things Medieval! To tie in with their Medieval Festival which is just around the corner, the Museum will have a range of fun and educational activities on offer including a medieval dig, archery, drumming workshops, story tellings, dress ups, and many fun arts and crafts to keep little hand busy. With doors opening at 9:30 and activities beginning at 10am, this is one school holiday program you do not want to miss! Book your tickets online to receive 10% off!

20. Darlington Parklands in Yarrabilba

Dubbed ‘the best fun you can have for free’ Darlington Parklands in Yarrabilba is a super park in Logan with water play, forts, flying foxes and more for families with kids of all ages. Whilst technically not in Brisbane, you can read more and see our park map here.

  • Bonus entry

Best Christmas Lights Brisbane Maps, Guides and EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

If you are reading this at Christmas time, then check out our Brisbane Maps that give you an ordered route to see the BEST Christmas Lights in your local suburb. All in the best driving order for the best experience for your family – click here.

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Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

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