If the thought of Brisbane parking fills you with dread, fret none, in this article we show you where to find free, easy and cheap Brisbane city parking and beyond.
Cheap and free parking Brisbane City does exist – you just have to know where to look… and when! Whether you want free street parking in Brisbane CBD or cheap parking under cover, then we’ve got your list of where to park in Brisbane right here! Consider this your local’s guide to easy, cheap and free parking in Brisbane!
Cheap Brisbane parking – does it exist?
It can feel like chasing a white whale, can’t it? Driving into Brisbane city or surrounds, kids in tow, to try and find that mythical perfect public parking spot. Parking needs to be not too far away, safe, easily accessible and that you won’t have to sell an organ to be able to afford!
We HEAR you. What we’ve done is tried to compile a list of the best Brisbane parking spots for families. If you’ve had success somewhere and you want to share it (we understand if you want to keep that info to yourself, though!) please let us know and we can add it to our guide.
RELATED: Want cheap movies tickets? We know that too!
Is there free parking in Brisbane city?
Yes! There is free parking in Brisbane city!
If you are quick you can use King George Square council parking for under 15 minutes for free. See below for their cheap parking rates after 15 minutes.
On street parking in Brisbane is hard to come by, but we know of these locations in Brisbane that are free to park:
- Suburban shopping centre car parks are generally FREE for the first couple of hours. Make sure that you keep your parking ticket with you.
- Spring Hill Marketplace has free parking for city-goers. It’s free for the first two hours and you do need to be a customer. It’s a hike into the city from there but if you’re willing to walk it’s achievable. Uber is also sometimes a cheaper parking option after you use this free carpark. This is the closest parking spot for free parking near GOMA.
- The Woolworths at Kelvin Grove Urban Village is free for those that shop there. It is a 5 minute bus ride to the CBD from there.
Cheap Brisbane parking in the CBD
All of these parking places in Brisbane require online booking ahead of time. You can do it on your phone and it will require you inputting your credit card details.
Is street parking in Brisbane city free on weekends?
Yes and no! Street parking where there is a meter needs to be paid for on the weekend.
However, you CAN find free street parking in Brisbane City along most streets in non-metered spaces. For example we parked for free in Brisbane CBD on Sunday in Charlotte street opposite the Pancake Manor.
Costs to park in the CBD on the weekend
Free parking near South Bank is hard to come by (although we do have a tip below).
Brisbane City Council prices for parking right in the CBD (Zone 1):
- Up to and including 3 hour meter 7am-7pm Saturday and Sunday costs $2.30 per hour
- 4 hour meter and greater with maximum charge capped at $7.30 7am-7pm Saturday and Sunday costs $1.20 per hour.
You can find the metered parking rates in Brisbane here.
King George Square parking
On weekdays at King George Square car park, if you take 20 minutes it is $5, 30 minutes is $10. But be warned, it does get pricey after that. From an hour is $18 and it goes up from there!
However, there is good news for electric and hybrid vehicle drivers, you can charge your car at King George Square car park and you are eligible for a 30% discount on parking. (*Does not apply to discounted rates.)
On weekends and on public holidays you can park here from 7.30am to 11pm (unless otherwise advised) and it is just $5 for all day!
Wickham Terrace BCC Car Park
They offer a flat rate of $5 on Saturdays and Sundays. You can enter after 7am and exit before 11pm.
Public holiday parking in Brisbane
You can park at the Uptown (the old Myer Centre) on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays for $10 if you book online ahead of time.
Families Tip: Sometimes parking further away and getting an Uber to your city location can be a thrifty surprise. We’ve parked ALL DAY outside the ‘controlled parking district’ and paid $6 each way to Uber into the city! Great for weekdays when city parking is uber expensive, but an Uber isn’t… (did you see what I did there!) 😉
Brisbane and South Bank cheap parking
Families Magazine has partnered with Secure Parking and we have a code that will give you a discounted fee. The trick is that you have to book online in advance – super easy to do and you can have a nice big window to arrive in. We would definitely recommend arriving quite early (is there any other option when you’ve got kids?) to make the most of the day. Its the cheapest parking in South Bank and Brisbane City when booked online in advance.
You can save up to 60% if you book online and then receive and additional 25% discount on TOP of that rate when you use our parking code!
Secure Parking have lots in Elizabeth Street, Roma Street, North Quay, Queen Street, Edward Street, MacArthur Central, Adelaide Street, Cathedral Square, Mary Street, Makerston House, Turbot Street and Albert Street (best for River Stage).
You can also find Secure Parking in inner city suburbs like Paddington and Milton. They’re the best choice for cheap parking at South Bank as well – particularly if you are looking for parking near GOMA or South Bank Parklands. We park in SW1, but there are 3 car parks over there to choose from!
When you use our code (below) you will gain cheap parking in Brisbane – check them out and book here.
If you are parking at South Bank on the weekend, it is currently a flat rate of $12 ALL DAY.
If you are heading to South Bank check out our cheap movie tickets articles too!
Brisbane parking discount code
If you are looking for a code to apply at checkout, use FAMILIES in 2024 for a discount on their online rate.
(Does not apply to: Early Bird. Promotion Code may be limited by a daily maximum usage at certain car parks)
Uptown parking voucher code
Located at 66 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane’s Uptown can also offer good rates for parking if you want to park in the Brisbane CBD. Although they don’t have a Uptown parking voucher code that we know of, we think these prices are a good deal for cheap parking in Brisbane!
As always booking online in advance is the cheapest way to go!
Uptown online pre-booked rates Monday to Friday (Peak)
- 0 to 1 hr – $9
- 1 to 2 hrs – $17
- 2 to 3 hrs – $24
- 3 to 12 hrs – $32
- 12 to 24 hrs – $36
Uptown Weekend and Public Holiday Parking
Saturdays, Sundays and Brisbane Gazetted Public Holidays – all charges recommence daily at 7.00 AM with the new day’s standard rate.
Day Standard Drive Up Rates are are more expensive than the online pre-booked rate. Find out the prevailing rate for your trip here.
Free parking South Bank
Free parking in South Bank is only possible out of hours and out of the controlled parking district.
To get free parking in or around South Bank, use street parking in South Brisbane OUTSIDE the controlled parking area as set by the Brisbane City Council. Then, (and I have done this with success), Uber into South Bank.
Map of parking areas around Brisbane and South Bank
The Brisbane Central Traffic Area regulated parking area covers the Brisbane Central Business District and nearby suburbs and localities.
The two hour limit applies to all on-street parking spaces within the Brisbane Central Traffic Area between 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to midday on Saturday.
Street parking is free on Sunday in the Brisbane Central Traffic Area.
Brisbane City Council has installed signs on the boundaries of the Brisbane Central Traffic Area. Please read them carefully.
Use the map below to find the best street to park in that is not controlled by the Brisbane Central Traffic Area.
Cheap EKKA parking
If you are looking for cheap EKKA parking this year, we’ve got you covered!
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Secure Parking to offer Families Magazine readers and online followers a great deal for cheap EKKA parking! Save your hard earned dollars for dagwood dogs, fairy floss and strawberry ice-creams, not to mention all those EKKA rides and show bags!!
Riverfire parking
Book early and secure the best Riverfire parking deals for the Riverfire fireworks spectacular! We show you how to get the best parking deals for Riverfire in Brisbane here.
Discounted school holiday parking
Families Magazine has partnered with Secure Parking to give you a discounted parking spot. The trick is that you have to book online in advance – super easy to do and you can have a nice big window to arrive in. We would definitely recommend arriving quite early (is there any other option when you’ve got kids?) to make the most of the day.
Do you have any secret Brisbane parking spots?
Willing to share? We’ve sleuthed our hearts out but surely there are more hidden gems available for city-goers. If you’re willing to give us the scoop, let us know in the comments!
We also know how to save money on the cost of living in other ways here.
Any recommendations for parking near the South Bank TAFE?
Need parking in the CBD area for a VW Crafter, height needs to be upwards of 3 metres, any suggestions please.
Brisbane has got to get the worse city in Australia for parking or lack of it
I am looking for somewhere in Brisbane CBD where I can park from 2 pm Friday until 10 am Monday. What are my options?
Just came across this article. Where in Southbank can I park free all day? Not gonna have a use for the car and dun really mind travelling into the city
HI Vinx, I think the only way to get free parking in South Bank all day is if you work there and your employer provides parking on site as part of your deal. You can book early bird parking with Secure Parking from $12 per day if you enter before 9:30am and leave before 6pm, or you can save 25% off regular parking at Secure Parking by booking online and entering the code FAMILIES. The discount code doesn’t apply to Early Bird and expires on Dec 31. Hope that helps 🙂
CBD parking is free on Sunday…
Street metered Parking on Sunday is robbing retailers of potential customers. Who wants to shop in the CBD when there is free shopping centre parking in the ‘burbs?
Wakey, wakey all you struggling CBD retainers, the BCC is killing your businesses!
Sw1 in South Brisbane has 2 hrs free if you buy something in the IGA and get your ticket validated, or 3 hrs if you get something at the Vietnamese place or pig and whistle. I do the short walk to the museum and gallery, come back and get a drink at the IGA and I’m done 👍
I think it’s much better to choose the free ones when you have no budget for parking but if you have and you want your car to be really secured it is best to just pay…
Hey Dee
Did you find any mini bus parks ?
?
I’m looking for some too and woukd be interested.
Cheers Bron
Where is there parking for mini buses closest to Southbank as I work with school aged children at a Long Daycare centre.