The best areas to stay in Brisbane are Downtown, Spring Hill and South Brisbane. In addition to these there are other very interesting ones, which may even be a better option depending on what you are looking for. Know them !!
Brisbane lies on the banks of the river of the same name, on the coast of the Coral Sea. The state capital of Queensland, the third largest city in Australia, is lively, dynamic and cosmopolitan; a city in which nature and modernity coexist in total harmony.
The Australian capital can boast of having a privileged subtropical climate, which gives it an average annual temperature of 17 ° C. A temperature that allows you to stretch the summer to unimaginable limits and live an atypical winter and very different from that provided by other European destinations.
Also, this city houses a good number of attractions scattered among its streets, which have made this city a mandatory stop for traveling souls who are visiting the country or looking to live a different vacation. Most are concentrated on the other side of the Brisbane River, in South Brisbane.
This area is articulated by The Arbor, a long artery that distills bougainvillea aroma and decorated with numerous green areas, public parks, shops and crowded places, such as the pool and artificial beach or Southbank.
Next to these are the Nepalese pagoda, whose visit will transport you to the heart of Asia, and a ferris wheel, from whose heights the panoramic view of the city is priceless.
The urban heart not only allows you to feel the throbbing of this city, but also offers the possibility of enjoying some of its architectural jewels, such as the city hall building or City Hall, inserted in the immense King George Square, or Anzac Square, It houses the flame that honors the fallen during World War I.
The Botanic Gardens, whose design and structure bring to mind the New York Central Park, or the city museum, allow you to enter the past of this modern and vibrant Australian city.
Brisbane is a different city and you have to go with an open mind, because it always breaks the schemes of the visitor. If you are planning to pack your bag or you have already booked your flight and need ideas and information on what are the best sleeping areas in Brisbane, we provide all the information you need to make your stay “to ask for a mouth”.
The best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Brisbane
Brisbane is one of the largest cities in the country, so it has a very wide and also quite varied offer of accommodation.
Among its neighborhoods, here called suburbs, you can find from modest 2 and 3 star Bed & Breakfast hotels, hostels and backpackers (backpacker accommodation) to luxury hotels and hotel complexes with countless services and amenities.
As in all cities, the closer you get to the center, the more expensive the accommodation will be. The most expensive suburbs are the Centro district, Spring Hill and South Brisbane. The average price of accommodation does not fall from $ 90 – $ 100.
Also, the cheapest neighborhoods are New Farm, Fortitude Valley or Kangaroo Point. As an added bonus, they have a good offer of hotels for backpackers or backpackers, which allow to save a few euros to those looking to stay in Brisbane cheap.
Each suburb has its own attractions and charms, its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we tell you all the information you need to know about each of them.
Brisbane Central Business District (CBD)
This suburb encompasses much of the city center. As the name suggests, a good number of companies and business centers are concentrated in the streets, many of them specialized in financial services, information technology and public services.
It is built on The Queen Street Mall, a very long pedestrian street in which more than 700 shops, international designer stores, as well as a good number of bars, restaurants and cafes come together.
This district is also known for hosting numerous shopping centers, such as Queens Plaza, one of the most exclusive, Wintergarden or Myer, which contains more than two hundred stores, which makes it the largest in the city.
From here there is also a short distance to the historic center, where the City Hall, the Brisbane Museum, the popular King George Square or Treasury Casino are located. Likewise, other points of interest are nearby, such as the Botanical Garden or Queensland University of Technology.
The street in this neighborhood can be traveled without problem on foot, which is also the best way to know the ins and outs of this Australian city. But it is also possible to do it by public transport, on the Loop Bus.
It is free, it is taken at the stops marked in red and travels through the nerve points of this area. It has some interesting stops from the tourist point of view, such as the Botanical Garden or the town hall.
Staying in Brisbane in this area is a good option for travelers who want to be close to the main points of tourist interest, dispense with public transport or feel the throbbing and bustle of the city. Fortunately, the offer of accommodation is very wide, although prices are high. The average is around $ 90 a night.
Brisbane CBD Accommodations
Spring Hill
This neighborhood is about two kilometers north of the Central district. It houses one of the oldest residential areas of the Australian city, as a good account is given by the fate of beautiful houses from the 19th century that decorate it. Although, with the renovation of the city, these are mixed with buildings and other newly built homes that give it a very eclectic air.
In this suburb, where a quieter environment reigns, nature takes on a leading role. And in the eastern part you will find Roma Street Parklands, one of the largest subtropical gardens in the world, full of trails, fountains, theme gardens and even an amphitheater.
You will also find other places of interest, such as Old Windmill, the oldest building in the city which houses an old windmill, or the Spring Hill baths, the oldest in the state.
The advantage of this district is that it is less than twenty minutes by car from Brisbane Airport and less than two kilometers from the center, so you can get there by taking a walk. But if you need to resort to public transport, you can use the Loop Bus route 30, which, in addition to being free, reaches the center. Remember that buses on this line use a yellow badge.
Spring Hill is an excellent choice for sleeping in Brisbane, especially for travelers fleeing the hustle and bustle of downtown, but also don’t want to be too far from the urban heart. Being a central neighborhood, prices are still high. But, if you are a forecaster, you can get a 4-star hotel for about $ 70.
Accommodations in Spring Hill
South Brisbane (South Bank)
This district extends along the south bank of the Brisbane River, near the heart of the city. In a few years it has become one of the most dynamic and popular areas of this Australian city.
The reason is that its streets were the headquarters of the 1988 Exhibition, which meant a huge transformation of the neighborhood. The old factories and the old houses disappeared and there were endless modern cafes, restaurants and hotels.
But the great attraction of South Brisbane is Southbank, a gigantic recreational area that includes a wide range of points of interest, such as Parklands, which houses the Peace Pagoda, Grand Arbor, a gazebo with more than one km of extension, the ferris wheel , the Queensland Maritime Museum, the artificial beach of Streets Beach or the convention and exhibition center.
Likewise, art lovers, here they can recreate with the church of San Andrés or with the old municipal chambers.
It is excellently connected to the Centro district through several bridges – Victoria, Goodwill and Kurilpa-, which, in addition to speeding up (it does not take more than ten minutes walking) your routes to the center, offer a nice walk.
You can also reach the heart of the city by ferry, by bus to the South Bank Busway and Cultural Center stations or by train, either to the South Bank Station, very close to Parklands, or to South Brisbane, near the museum of Queensland
It is a good option to stay in Brisbane. Being a central area and with great dynamism, the offer of accommodation is wide and not excessively expensive. In fact, the average price of hotels is $ 80.
Hotels in South Brisbane
Fortitude Valley
Popularly known as “The Valley,” it is located in the northwestern part of downtown Brisbane. It is one of the most unique suburbs, because in its street a very sophisticated atmosphere coexists with one more grunge.
This aspect is very visible in the numerous alleys decorated with peculiar and striking graffiti, which you can discover on your own or through a tour.
It is also one of the epicenters of leisure and night entertainment. Good account of this is given by the many discos, bars and venues with live music, such as Judith Wright Center of Contemporary Arts.
As an added incentive, here is Chinatown Mall, which, as the name suggests, constitutes an ode to China. It is full of shops, stalls, shops, markets, bars and restaurants of Chinese tradition where you can find the unimaginable.
This suburb houses the Fortitude Valley train station, where all urban and suburban lines stop, including the one that connects to the airport.
It is one of the most interesting areas to stay in Brisbane, especially for those who seek to enjoy and live the most festive face of the city and, at the same time, be close to the center.
As in the rest of Brisbane, the offer of accommodation is generous. In addition the prices are very reasonable being able to find in low season offers in 4-star hotels for just over 60 $.
Fortitude Valley Hotels
New Farm
This neighborhood is next to the Brisbane River, just over two miles from downtown and very close to Fortitude Valley. Known as “little Italy,” as it is home to many Italian immigrants, it has always been one of the favorite areas to enjoy active tourism and relax, as it houses a host of green areas.
An example is New Farm Park. This huge green lung extends in the southeast and is the place chosen by locals and visitors to enjoy Mother Nature. Another attraction of this neighborhood is The Powerhouse, a popular building that offers a wide range of activities, concerts, exhibitions …
As we have commented, this suburb is not very far from the urban center, so you can get there by taking a nice walk. But if you want to make use of public transport, you have several alternatives: ferry, which is taken in Brunswick, and CityCat boat, which stops at Sydney Street and New Farm Park.
Here, the offer of hotels is not as generous as in other parts of the city. The advantage is that it allows you to stay in cheap Brisbane, much more than other suburbs near the center. If you book in advance, you may be able to book a hotel for around $ 45 a night.
Accommodations in New Farm
West End
This neuralgic neighborhood, located very close to South Bank, is one of the most eclectic and with more personality than those that make up the heart of the city.
Among its streets are mixed cafés and local hipster and unique art galleries, which exhibit works by local artists, with boutiques, street markets, in whose stalls they sell a wide range of organic products, and with a kind of restaurants, in which It is possible to taste any type of gastronomy.
Like all Brisbane suburbs, West End is well connected to the center by public transportation. The 199 BUZ, 192 and 198 bus lines and the CityCat ferries, which you can take on Orleigh Street, will leave you in the heart of the city in a few minutes.
Perhaps, the hotel offer in this neighborhood is the most limited in Brisbane. Accommodations for backpackers or backpackers predominate, which are cheaper. As for the rest of the lodgings, they usually have prices that are not suitable for scarce budgets. As a general rule, prices start at $ 90 per night.
Accommodations in West End
Kangaroo Point
To the east of the Brisbane River, between Fortitude Valley and Downtown district, you will find this central neighborhood. It is lively, modern and also keeps some of the most special corners of the city, such as the cliffs.
They are located just across the river and allow you to enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the city, especially beautiful when the sun is gathering. Here you can also do climbing, abseiling, cycling, savor a barbecue or just enjoy the views. Likewise, you can recreate yourself with the beautiful views offered by its viewpoint, which does not disappoint and will leave in your eyes an image to remember.
Without a doubt, one of the surprises that this neighborhood has is Story Bridge. It is one of the few bridges that can be climbed. Of course, our recommendation, for safety and to enjoy the experience much more, is that you do it with a guide. Once at the top, you will see Brisbane bird’s eye view.
If you want to be close to nature and also to the center, this suburb is an area to consider when sleeping in Brisbane. The offer is varied and you can find from discrete 2-star hotels for about $ 34 a night to other 4-star hotels from $ 90.
Hotels in Kangaroo Point
