Father’s Day Brisbane Ideas: Things to do on Father’s Day in Brisbane

Are you looking for Father’s Day Brisbane ideas and fun ways to spend Father’s Day in Brisbane in 2023 with your number one dad?

Get inspiration for activities and things to do from our Father’s Day ideas Brisbane guide and spend quality time with your dad this Father’s Day in Brisbane!

Looking for specific Father’s Day events Brisbane style? Keep reading, we’ve created a giant list of family friendly activities for Father’s Day here in Brisbane! 

Best places for Father’s Day breakfast Brisbane

Get Dad’s Father’s Day QLD style off to a great start with breakfast at one of many fantastic breakfast venues around the Brisbane and Greater Brisbane area.

Take a look at these places offering a special Brisbane Father’s Day event:

Fathers Day breakfast Brisbane – city or greater Brisbane region

There are lots of places that offer a good breakfast all year round, and our buffet breakfast guide here will help you find what your nearest breakfast restaurant is doing for Father’s Day 2023. There are breakfasts to suit all tastes and budgets so if you don’t fancy helping the kids serve up burnt toast and cold coffee (which we’re sure Dad appreciates anyway!) we recommend you book early to reserve your spot.

Father’s Day buffet breakfast at the Kenmore Tavern 2023

Treat your dad to a Father’s Day buffet brecky on 3rd September 2023, with a range of hot and cold foods to enjoy. Buffet includes hash browns, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, pastries, fresh muffins, a chocolate fountain and so much more! Plus you can wash it all down with unlimited soft drinks and coffees!

• Buffet from 8am to 10.30am | Adults $55, kids 13 – 17 $35, 6-12 years $25 and under 5s free.
• You will need to book in advance to secure your table and payment is required at the time of booking.

Make your booking online here.

Father’s Day buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner at The Glen Hotel 2023

It’s time to treat dear old dad to a family day out, fuelled with a feast at The Glen Hotel. Choose from a range of food & entertainment options throughout the day to suit all Dads from the early risers to the live music enthusiasts, the pizza lovers to the ones that simply want to keep the little ones entertained.

• Buffet Breakfast 90 minute seatings 7am The Deck, 8am Lily restaurant, 8.30am The Deck | Feast on both sweet and savoury breakfast favourites including buttermilk pancakes, autumn frittata, granola cups, scrambled eggs, maple bacon, chipolatas, plus more ($39 adults / $17 kids (4 – 12 / Under 3s free)
• Lunch & Dinner in The Deck and Lily Restaurant from 11.30am- 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 9pm, Alphonsus Pizza from 11.30am – 9pm.  

There is a playground and animal farm for the kids (11.30am – 2.30pm) plus live music (1pm-5pm). Bookings encouraged – call 3270 6666. Find out more here.

Father’s Day buffet breakfast or lunch at Sandstone Point Hotel 2023

Location, location, location! Spoil dad with for Father’s Day Brisbane with one of The Sandstone Point Hotel’s two buffet options on the shores just off Bribie Island. Bookings recommended.

• Buffet breakfast from 7am – 8:30am or 9am – 10:30am. Adults and teenagers $39 | Children under 12 $22 (Kids 3 and under FREE)
• Buffet lunch first sitting: 11am – 1pm, second sitting 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Adults and teenagers $69 | Children under 12 $29 (Kids 3 and under FREE)

To book, phone 3475 3001 or email info@sandstonepointhotel.com.au.

Father’s Day breakfast at the Regatta Hotel 2023

Treat Dad to a delicious meal with sprawling riverside views and enjoy a special day together at the iconic Regatta Hotel. For the early risers you can start with a hot and cold buffet breakfast including barista-made coffee! For a later start, enjoy the two-course lunch option on the verandah while listening to live music. Fathers will also enjoy a beer on arrival. 
Bookings required.

• Breakfast: 8am – 10am, Adults $55, children (4 – 12 years) $25, Under 3s free
• Lunch: 12pm – 3pm, Adults $85, children (4 – 12 years) $25, Under 3s free

Father’s Day lunch Brisbane

Father’s Day feast at Victoria Park 2023

Treat dad to a mouth-watering feast in the Victoria Park Ballroom overlooking the city skyline views, with entertainment for the kids including face painting and a jumping castle. There will be so many delicious dishes to choose from you’ll be going back for seconds and thirds!

• Breakfast buffet: 7.30am – 10am, $45 per adult, $20 children, children under 4, FREE!
• A la cart dining (including woodfired pizza, master stock braised pork belly, sirloin steak, and duck ragu) also available all day from 7am – 8pm.
• Bookings essential – book online by clicking here.

Fun family sport activities on Father’s Day

We all know dads can be a bit … well … competitive, so challenge Dad to test his skills at a new sport on Father’s Day!

Putt putt mini golf and golf sim

You don’t need to be a pro-golfer to have fun on the mini green. The whole family can enjoy putt putt mini golf with its crazy twists and turns, obstacles to negotiate, traps and fun challenges, and there are several places to play across Brisbane and SE Queensland. Putt putt is crazy golf at its finest! You can find more mini golf and putt putt venues around Brisbane here. Here is our favourite venue that we’ve personally tried out:

Victoria Park Golf Complex with its family friendly venue, playground, and views of the city is one of our favourites! When you play putt putt at Victoria Park you can also enjoy fresh dutch pancakes, burgers, coffee and drinks from the pretty market carts, or stop for a meal at the gourmet bistro, open all day long. Find out more here.

Barefoot bowls 2023

Bowl Dad over on Father’s Day with barefoot bowls and a BBQ! Most barefoot bowls clubs offer a bar and a BBQ so Dad can relax on the bowling green with a cheap beer, followed with a BBQ lunch. Beer, bowls and BBQ – it’s the ultimate Father’s Day combo! There are so many bowls clubs across Brisbane and you don’t have to go far to find them – just type ‘bowls’ into the search bar on this page, or Google for your nearest.

For dads who love history (or are a bit nerdy!)

Is Dad a bit of a history buff? If your dad harks back to times gone by we’ve found some great historic activities to feed Dad’s nostalgia this Father’s Day.

Take an historic tour

We’re lucky to have so many local places offering history tours in Brisbane. While we haven’t found any doing special Father’s Day events, these places are all worth a look for history fans.

St Helena Island

…. offers theatre, history, and a picnic meal on its day and night tours, departing on the Cat O Nine Tails catamaran from Manly. Find out more here.

Boggo Road Gaol

…. offers an insight of what life was like at this notorious Brisbane jail, with a number of different tours available. Some tours are child-friendly, and some are suitable only for persons older than 15 – and some are not for the feint hearted! Find out more here.

Fort Lytton

… is a perfect venue for fans of military history, open from 10:00am – 4:00pm on Father’s Day. Entry and self-guided tours are free, and guided tours welcome a non-compulsory donation. There’s a museum on site, and refreshments available from the visitor centre (cash only). Find out more here.

Visit a historic village

There are lots of little historic places to visit around Brisbane, from village museums (like Beenleigh, Logan Village, Caboolture, Samford, and Pine Rivers) to real thriving historic towns. Old Petrie Town, Toowoomba, and Stanthorpe all offer a pleasant stroll through times gone by.

Fathers Day activities Brisbane

We all know Dad works hard during the week, so help him re-energise with a healthy dose of good Brisbane air!

Go for a family bike ride

A family bike ride is a great way to connect, spend quality time together, and keep fit and active. To make it easy for you we’ve compiled a list of the Best Bicycle Paths in Brisbane graded from easy to hard depending on your kid’s (and your!) level of experience, ability and fitness. The choice of paths available will take you along foreshores, through wetlands, bush, parks, and up mountains, with many offering refreshment stops and playgrounds along the way.

Hook the bike carrier onto the car and explore somewhere new, but don’t forget to pack a few treats or stop off for a Father’s Day ice-cream along the way!

Tip: If you don’t have a bike carrier and need to set off from home, plan your bike ride by checking online for popular trails near you. Your local council’s website could be a good place to start as they often list their parks and cycle tracks.

Go bushwalking for Father’s Day Brisbane

There’s nothing more enjoyable that getting out amongst nature on a bushwalking adventure, and Brisbane has plenty of stunning parks and bushwalking regions to explore. Outdoorsy dads will love the brisk September air in our city and hinterland forests, exploring water holes, admiring the views, and spotting wildlife, so pack a picnic and get outdoors for some good old-fashioned Father’s Day Brisbane family time!

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of some our favourite Brisbane bush walking trails around Brisbane but there are heaps more to choose from. Take a look at the maps available on any of our National Park websites, or type ‘bush walk’ into the search bar on this page for more ideas.

Try fishing

Fishing with Dad is almost a right of passage that connects the generations like no other. The skills passed on from parent to child, time spent in giggles and quiet conversation punctuated by the thrill of getting a bite, and fun splashing around or swimming when the fish ain’t biting are all golden moments creating lasting memories.

Fishing doesn’t need to be expensive either. If you’ve never fished before you can buy cheap start-up kits and handlines from the bigger variety stores, and if the only fish you end up taking home just happen to be ready battered and served with chips, then who’s complaining!

Tip: If Dad’s really into fishing, consider hiring a boat for the day, or booking a fishing charter.

XXXX Brewery Tour

Has dad always wanted to know how is favourite drop is made? Treat him to a XXXX Brewery tour for a day after Father’s Day! You can get tickets here —> click here.

Spend quality time with Dad at home for Father’s Day Brisbane

You don’t have to travel far to have fun on Father’s Day. There are plenty of fun ways to spend time together close to home.

Build something with Dad

If Dad’s a little handy or crafty, get creative in the shed and build something together! Older kids will love the opportunity to hammer nails into wood with Dad’s guidance, while younger kids can help with the design and finishing touches.

Together you can build a billy cart, nesting box, bird table, or small garden bed to grow flowers or vegetables in. You’ll create something useful and build lasting memories too!

Tip: Google has a wealth of simple woodworking projects that can be done in a day, and if you need any materials you can grab a Father’s Day snag while shopping at your local Bunnings!

Take Dad back to his childhood

What did Dad love to do as a kid? Did he have a favourite game to play or place to go, or did Dad love to make things with Lego and Meccano? Let Dad take you back to his childhood by revisiting some of his favourite childhood hobbies.

Ideas include racing the billy cart you made from the idea above, building a den or tree house (and picnicking in there!), playing old-fashioned games like hide and seek, red rover or marbles, or letting Dad teach you the finer arts of his favourite sport at school. Maybe have a dig around in the attic for that old Scalextric set or model railway he used to love and put it all together again!

Set the scene with a silver screen

Throw down some beanbags, pop some corn, and host a Father’s Day movie marathon at home! This is a great way to cosy in together if the weather is a little less than pleasant on Father’s Day, and with so many movies available to download you’re sure to find something Dad will love.

If you’d rather go out, treat Dad to a luxury viewing of his favourite movie genre with Gold Class or Deluxe tickets at your local cinema. These premium viewing movie sessions offer a more intimate experience with most cinemas having armchair seating (some with recliners!), a bar, and table service for hot and cold foods. Of course there’s nothing to stop Dad enjoying popcorn and choc-tops too – it’s his special day after all!

Check out the website of your favourite local cinema and see what they’re offering this Father’s Day, but don’t forget to buy those tickets in advance!

Father’s Day Brisbane ideas for the animal-loving dad

If Dad has a soft spot for all creatures great and small, Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to visit a zoo or wildlife park, or to go (quietly) in search of animals in their natural habitat.

Animal encounter experience

Many of the zoos and wildlife parks around Brisbane offer animal encounter experiences, where Dad can get up close to his favourite animal.

Australia Zoo offers 23 different encounter experiences with animals ranging from meerkats and giant tortoises, indigenous wildlife and birds of prey, to the big cats, rhinoceros and giraffes. If the budget doesn’t stretch to an encounter you can meet many animals out of their enclosures and pose for a photograph as they tour the zoo with the roving rangers. Click here to find out how to get cheap – and even FREE – entry into Australia Zoo.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a little gem of a place on the Gold Coast and offers daily hands-on encounters with Australian natives, including koalas, echidnas, wombats, possums and dingos. Click here for discounted entry!

Go whale watching

Father’s Day is the perfect time to go whale watching as these majestic creatures of the sea journey past our shores with their playful calves on their way back to colder waters.

We’ve tried and tested the Spirit of the Gold Coast, Brisbane Whale Watching, Whales in Paradise and Tangalooma whale watching tours, departing from the Gold Coast or Brisbane, which provide a great opportunity to get really close to the whale breaching and tail fluking action. The crew know the best places to go for a chance of seeing the whales, and the curious creatures will often come quite close to check you out!

If you’re north of the city, see our list of Whale Watching providers on the Sunshine Coast here.

For those who get sea sick, we’ve also picked out the best spots to go land-based whale watching for FREE! There are lots of places along our beautiful coastline where you can see whales from the shore, and September is the perfect time to see them. See here for land-based whale watching spots north of the city, and here for land-based whale watching on the Gold Coast. There are more land-based whale watching spots here.

Father’s Day ideas for adventurous dads

If your Dad is a thrill seeker here are out top suggestions to get his adrenalin pumping this Father’s Day.

Action and adventure activities dads will love

Websites like Experience Oz offer a huge range of thrilling experiences, including helicopter flights, rally driving and sky diving, all across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Has Dad given any hints?

Test his nerves and be ready with the camera to catch his screams! Some of the experiences can be a little expensive, so look for special offers on sites like Cudo and Living Social before booking.

Thrills and spills the whole family can participate in

While it’s great to see Dad enjoying himself, standing on the sidelines isn’t ideal for everyone. Luckily there’s plenty of excitement to be had that the whole family can participate in.

Theme Parks are usually pretty quiet on Father’s Day as a lot of people spend time at family gatherings, so you can cram more excitement into your day and less time queuing. Our local theme parks all have rides suitable for all ages, and you can purchase souvenir snaps of some of the more thrilling moments. Some theme parks also offer behind the scenes experiences too – like animal encounters at Dreamworld and Sea World, and Stunt Driver experience at Movie World – so take a look on their websites to see what’s on offer.

Go-karting is another fast-paced family activity, (see Slideways, Kingston Park Raceway, or Go Karting Brisbane for venues) or why not see how Mum feels about joining in with a spot of Paintball? Paintball has a legal minimum age of 15 for participants in Queensland, but you’ll find some venues offer the less painful laser tag option instead.

For a thrilling activity, why not book a jet boat ride? Head out to the open water and enjoy some of these jet boat rides.

More Father’s Day inspiration

Hopefully you’ve found some great ideas here to suit your Dad, but just in case you’re in need of a little extra inspiration our Tourists Guide to Brisbane is jam-packed full of places to go and things to do, so why not be a tourist in your own home town. You never know what you’ll discover.

Happy Father’s Day!

Looking for more Father’s Day ideas in Brisbane?

• Father’s Day Books to read with Dad
• Gift Guide for Father’s Day
• Buffet Breakfasts for Father’s Day
• Quirky Father’s Day Gifts Online
• Father’s Day Ideas for Single Mums