25 Family Friendly Activities in Brisbane (2 Adults + 2 Kids) for $50 or Less

Think you can’t find family activities for under $50 in Brisbane? Think again! We know the cost of living is hitting families hard right now, and the Families team is here to help! We’ve collated this list of cheap family activities in Brisbane, which includes free things to do and exclusive Families Magazine discounts at some of Brisbane’s best attractions. With 25 suggestions here, there’s plenty to fill your calendar. Take a scroll and discover something new.

Brisbane city attractions for under $50 per family

Take a trip into the city for some amazing budget-friendly venues and experiences. Remember, kids travel free on public transport over the weekend, and if you choose to drive in, check out these cheap places to park here.

1. SparkLab

SparkLab is a permanent exhibition located within Queensland Museum.

Formerly known as the Sciencentre, SparkLab has heaps of incredible interactive STEM activities that are truly fascinating and mind-blowing!

Address: Cnr Stanley and Sidon Streets, South Brisbane (beneath the Goodwill Bridge)
Cost: $47.50 (2 adults + 2 kids or 1 adult + 3 kids)
Website: Bookings are recommended. Book here: SparkLab

2. Queensland Maritime Museum

Visit one of Australia’s largest maritime museums right on the banks of the Brisbane River at South Bank. Kids love exploring the BIG exhibits such as the warship Diamantina and the lugger Penguin, and there are heaps more vessels of all shapes and sizes to discover. It’s a great place to visit for the whole family.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, except 24-26 December, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, ANZAC Day.

Address: Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank
Cost: $42-$50 for a family (includes 2 adults and up to 3 children under 15)
Website: Find out more here.

3. Queensland Museum

The Queensland Museum is always free to enter and is one of the best cheap family activities in Brisbane any day of the year – except Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day which are the only days it is closed.

There’s lots for kids of all ages to discover there with many interactive hands-on displays to experience. See full size dinosaurs, toys from the past, cultural artefacts, animal and insect displays, and kids are always welcome to “ask an expert” to learn more.

The Museum hosts special exhibitions and events throughout the year, which may attract a charge but are worth saving up for as a special treat.

Address: Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank
Cost: FREE (charges may apply for entry into some special exhibition rooms)
Website: Queensland Museum

4. Brisbane Greeters

We bet you’ve never tried this one!

One of the best ways to get to know Brisbane is through the eyes of a skilled and knowledgeable local. The friendly “Brisbane Greeters” are proud and passionate volunteers who are keen to share Brisbane’s stories, show you some great spots, and introduce you to our vibrant city.

Up to six people can book onto a tour, and there are several themed tours to choose from. Make this a regular calendar event and try a new tour every few months! Available tours include:

• Greeters Choice, 3 hours’ duration (also available in Spanish)
• International Women’s Day, 2 hours’ duration
• 21st Century Brisbane, 2 hours’ duration
• Penal Colony and Early Settlement History, 2 hours’ duration
• Greeters Choice – Twilight Tour, 2 hours duration

Plus these outside the city centre, all 2 hours’ duration:

• Bulimba Walking Tour
• Chelmer to Graceville
• Fish Lane & West Village Walking Tour
• Fortitude Valley Walking Tour
• Kangaroo Point
• Nundah – A German History Tour
• Paddington Walking Tour
• Teneriffe/New Farm Walking Tour
• Walter Taylor Bridge (max 4 persons per tour)

These are walking tours, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and take water.

For information and to book, click here.

Brisbane suburbs and beyond family attractions under $50 per family

The suburbs of Brisbane are brimming with fun, educational, and hands-on activities that the whole family can enjoy. Take a drive out on a road less travelled to a different part of Brisbane (we show you how to save on the cost of fuel here) or head out on the weekend when kids travel free on Translink services. These are some of our favourite cheap family activities in Brisbane.

5. See a show at The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a great place to take kids. From toddling terrestrials to young adult astronauts, blast off a great outing for the whole family.

Our kids loved exploring the Display Zone, seeing the real space suits, and exploring the interactive displays, and there’s plenty of “space” outside for a picnic and a game of flying saucer frisbee.

Entry to The Planetarium is always free, and you can enhance your visit by buying tickets to one of several different daily shows.

Address: Mount Coot-tha Road, Mount Coot-tha (within the Botanic Gardens)
Cost: Varies per show, but generally around $40 for a family of four.
Website: Find out more here.

6. Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum

In today’s world kids are used to instant gratification and classrooms are packed with technology and colourful charts and games. Washing and dishes are cleaned by a machine and food is cooked using electricity.

At the Beenleigh Historical Society and Museum you’ll be thrust back in time to a place where washing is done by hand and milk comes from a cow not a container and colourful pens and pencils that smell nice weren’t even imagined.

Address: 205 Main Street, Beenleigh
Cost: $42 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 6-12 years old. Children 5 years old and younger get in free. For an extra $3 per person you can add on a guided tour.
Website: Visit Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum

7. Lyell Deer Sanctuary

Just 30 minutes north of Brisbane is a peaceful haven where visitors can interact with friendly herds of Red, Rusa and Fallow Deer.

Visitors can enjoy a Devonshire Tea and other delicious treats in the Sanctuary Café before hand-feeding the deer, and there are deer-related souvenirs available to purchase in the gift shop. The sanctuary is open on Sat and Sun from 10am to 4pm, and on weekdays and holidays by appointment. No bookings are required to visit the sanctuary, just pop-in!

Address: 6 Lyell Court, Mount Samson
Cost: $25 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (extra children in the family get in for $3 each).
Website: Find out more about Lyell Deer Sanctuary here.

8. Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre

Want to see a real life platypus? The Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is a great place to take little kids who are keen to experience our Australian wildlife without the big zoo prices!

Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is at the entrance of the Enoggera Reservoir – a great place to swim for free. Your children will love seeing the platypus in the Gondwana Platypus Rockpool, and they can get up close to kangaroos, rock wallabies, and wombats in the outdoor enclosures.

Don’t miss the Wildlife Discovery Show, on twice daily at an additional cost. It’s an interactive hands-on experience where kids come face-to-face with a squirrel glider, crocodile, and other reptiles. Watch our Walkabout Creek video review for a sneak preview of this fabulous day out!

The whole Families Magazine team loves Discovery Centres, and you can discover more here!

Address: 60 Mount Nebo Road, The Gap
Cost: $22.90 for a family of 2 adults and up to 2 children.
If you’d like to include the Wildlife Discovery Show, your total price including park entry will be $46.55 for 2 adults and up to 2 children. Bookings essential.
Website: Find out more here.

9. Chuff into the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops

Where is the best place in Queensland to take your train-obsessed kids? To find the answer, follow the tracks to historic North Ipswich where you’ll find the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops (previously called the Ipswich Rail Museum – see our review).

Your kids will experience interactive hands-on displays and simulators and ride a real steam train. Thomas the Tank Engine might even pop in for a visit!

Address: North Street, North Ipswich
Cost: General admission is $44.40 for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids. Additional costs may apply for special events.
Website: Click here.

10. Go island hopping in Southern Moreton Bay

This is a fun way to head out on the water and explore our beautiful Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

Catch the Translink ferry from Redland Bay and take what the locals call an “around the world“ trip to Macleay, Karragarra, Russell and Lamb Islands. Time it just right and you can hop on and off the free inter-island hopper, and if you explore between may and September, you may be lucky enough to spot a few migrating whales.

Address: Tramway Street, Ferny Grove
Cost: Adult fares from $2.84, kids from $1.42 per journey using your Translink go card. Kids travel free on weekends.
Website: Find the journey planner on Translink.

11. Redland Museum

The Redland Museum is a fabulous place for the whole family to spend a few hours. Housing a collection that includes display rooms from bygone eras, an old school house, railway and horse carriages, machinery, toys and household items (plus a whole lot more!), Redland Museum also hosts regular events and activity days especially for children. If you visit on the weekend you might even see the Smithy at work!

While you are in the Redlands, check out these other things to do in the Redlands with kids.

Address: 60 Smith Street, Cleveland
Cost: $20 for 2 adults and children get in free!
Website: The Redland Museum

12. Bribie Island Butterfly House

Bribie Island Butterfly House is a volunteer-run organisation open on Wednesdays and Sundays (including over the Christmas period) from 10am to 4pm. It offers families the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Mother Nature’s most beautiful little creatures.

You can see our video review here.

Address: 206B First Avenue, Bribie Island
Cost: $34 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (extra children in the family get in for $7 each).
Website: See why you should visit Bribie Island Butterfly House here.

13. Catch the latest movies at Cineplex

You might think a trip to the cinema is out of your $50 budget, but Cineplex Cinemas are your budget-friendly friend.

At Cineplex your family of four can see all the latest releases for under $50 and have change for snacks and drinks.

Families tip: Bookmark this article for all the trailers and info on the latest kids movies out now.

Locations: Balmoral, Hawthorne, South Bank, Victoria Point, Nerang, Redbank. See the website for addresses.
Cost: $36 per family of four ($10 per adult, $8 per child under 12, $9 per student 12+, children under 2 are free. Additional costs apply on public holidays and for 3D or Deluxe sessions).
Website: Cineplex

14. Brisbane Tramway Museum

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 during your visit. 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.

Brisbane Tramway Museum is open Sundays from 12.30 – 4pm.

Address: Tramway Street, Ferny Grove
Cost: $50 per family
Website: Brisbane Tramway Museum

15. Take your little kids to see Naughty Little Kids

Have you ever experienced a goat dairy farm tour? These little kids have big personalities, and will try to get into all sorts of mischief!

Every Sunday afternoon you can join one of the goat dairy farm tours, which go for about an hour. While on a tour you can pat and feed a baby goat, milk a goat by hand, watch a cheese making demonstration, learn all about goats, and taste some delicious goats milk gelati and cheese.

Address: North Street, North Ipswich
Cost: $50 for 2 adults and up to six kids!
Website: Visit Naughty Little Kids

16. Drive in at Yatala or Chuwar

Head to the Yatala Drive In Theatre or Tivoli Drive in Theatre for some old school family fun! Pack pillows, blankets, and some homemade snacks and drinks to make it a very affordable and fun evening for the family.

Address: 100 Jacobs Well Road, Stapylton (exit 38)
Cost: $40 for a car with up to 6 people.
Website: See what’s on

Find a discount for the Tivoli Drive in here.

More cheap family activities in Brisbane, $50 or under

17. Flipout on the trampolines

Flip Out Strathpine offers an air conditioned, supervised arena that provides the perfect family play environment regardless of the weather, all year round. Check out their great Friday and Saturday evening specials and get ready bounce away the stresses of the week.

Address: 130-134 Gympie Road, Strathpine
Cost: $45 per family of four for one hour with our special deal.
Website: Get the deal here

18. Slide into the pool at Newmarket

Newmarket Pool is a great family swimming venue and the perfect place to chase away the winter blues, with three heated pools, both indoor and outdoor, multiple water-play areas, slides, including a 30m double-loop slide, a playground and all you need to keep the kids entertained on a family day out.

Newmarket pool promises families a healthy, fun-filled day out at one of Brisbane’s best swimming pools.

Address: 71 Anderson Street, Newmarket
Cost: $31.50 per family of four, which includes access to the giant slide. Additional children at $7.15 each.
Website: Find out more here

19. Delta Force Paintball

Delta Force Paintball Petrie knows what gamers love, and has created a number of immersive movie-set quality game zones throughout their compound.

There’s a 30ft Egyptian Pyramid for the Tomb Raider fans, a full scale “Black Hawk Down” Black Hawk Chopper, and other zones suited to fans of Tropic Thunder, Resident Evil and Speedball. For a fully authentic “shoot-‘em-up” style paintball experience, Delta Force has you covered! Snack kiosk onsite too.

Address: Neilson Road, Kurwongbah
Cost: $29 per family of four, includes 100 paintballs each.
Website: Get the special deal here

20. Glow in the dark mini golf

Your kids will love this Wild West themed glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, and it’s the perfect venue for rainy day round of indoor fun.

Caboolture Mini Golf is 9 holes played on a glow-in-the-dark course amidst a vibrant neon light show and a pop music party atmosphere. The course is just like the old carnival style courses with colourful characters and quirky scenery – it’s sure to be a hit!

Address: 207 Morayfield Road, Morayfield
Cost: $20 per family of four for two round (that’s two rounds for the price of one with our deal!)
Website: Get the special deal here

21. Barefoot bowls with a drink included

Experience the joy of barefoot bowls at Banyo Bowls Club with friends and family. With this special deal you can enjoy 2 hours of fun-filled bowling action on the beautiful greens and stay refreshed with a choice of beer or soft beverage each.

Address: 207 Morayfield Road, Morayfield
Cost: $39 per family of four.
Website: Get the special deal here

22. Let the kids loose in a Rainbow City Playcentre

Designed for maximum fun for kids under 8, Rainbow City Playcentre offers jumping castles, big play structures and soft play mats to engage and entertain the little ones.

Their cafe serves healthy and light meals, making this is a great environment for the whole family.

Locations: Underwood, Browns Plains and Logan City. See the website for addresses.
Cost: $8 per child and adults get free entry with our special deal.
Website: Get the deal here

Sporting glory under $50 per family

Grab your footy scarves, noise makers, and put on your team colours – you’re off to show your support amongst all the live action!

Sports venues across Brisbane love creating a family friendly atmosphere and offer fantastic value on family entry. Ticket holders also get FREE public transport to and from local venues on buses and trains, helping you save even more! A night at a sporting event has got to be one of the best cheap family activities in Brisbane that everyone can get behind!

Families tip: Are your kids keen to participate in activities and sports? See if your family is eligible for the State Government’s FairPlay sports vouchers.

23. August to February – Take on the Brisbane Bullets

Basketball is one of the fastest growing and most popular team sports for children in Australia. Our local NBL team is the Brisbane Bullets, who play at the Nissan Arena in Nathan (near Mount Gravatt).

Like the name suggests, when the Brisbane Bullets are playing the action is fast! Kids are often invited onto the court during the half time interval and there are prizes and giveaways to be had.

Venue: Nissan Arena, 590 Mains Road, Nathan
Cost: Approx. $10 per person (2024 season prices pending)
Website: Click the link to learn more about Brisbane Bullets
Wear: Blue and yellow

24. October to February – Turn up the heat with T20 cricket

The Big Bash Twenty-20 cricket season runs from October to February, and in Brisbane it’s all about the Heat! Brisbane Heat fields men’s and women’s T20 teams at The Gabba.

Families are actively encouraged to attend and the atmosphere is exhilarating. Pick up your free KFC bucket hat, noise maker, and inflatables under the stands, then head upstairs for FREE face painting and balloon craft before the game begins.

The stadium lights up with flame throwers for each 6 scored, Mexican Waves are a frequent occurrence, and lively music pounds through the stadium. You might even see Rocket Man blast in on his jet pack during the half-time show! T20 at The Gabba is one of the best night’s family entertainment in Brisbane.

Venue: The Gabba, Vulture Street, Woolloongabba
Cost: Approx. $45 per family (2024 season prices pending)
Website: Click the link to learn more about Brisbane Heat
Wear: Teal blue

25. October to April – Get ready to roar with Brisbane Roar Women’s!

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup really launched women’s football into the spotlight, and didn’t The Matildas do well! If you’ve been inspired by the excitement of women’s and girls’ soccer, you can’t beat the atmosphere and action at a Brisbane Roar Women’s game.

Venue: Ballymore Stadium, 91 Clyde Road, Herston, and Perry Park Stadium, 34 Folkestone Street, Bowen Hills
Cost: $48 per family (or $25 for one adult and one child)
Website: Click the link to learn more about Brisbane Roar Women’s
Wear: Orange and black

More cheap family activities in Brisbane

There are so many cheap family activities Brisbane, but if you’re looking for even more family fun, check out these things to do with kids this weekend or even during the upcoming school holidays. The only problem will be is trying to decide which of these free activities you’ll do first!