Five Brisbane destination experiences for adventurers

Last updated 10 June 2020

Brisbane is a destination of choice

Brisbane attracted just over 1.1 million international visitors last year. With four of the new Qantas 787-900 Dreamliner fleet flying out of Brisbane from mid-2018 and the Gold Coast (one hour south of Brisbane) hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games in April, it’s likely international visitors to the river city will skyrocket next year. Those Brisbane bound tourists will bring with them varying demands, including the desire for destination experiences.  Living in Brisvegas for 90% of my life, I’ve acquired some insider knowledgeable about my city. I can recommend a few Brisbane destination experiences for the adventure seeking traveller, without having to travel far.

What is a destination experience?

A destination experience is one travellers want to tell their friends and family about. They’re activities that create a feeling of connection with a place – beyond the traditional sight-seeing encounters. It’s also an emerging market for tourism operators. Savvy travellers will write about destination experiences on social media. And if they happen to meet someone travelling to that same destination, they’ll share their destination experience, for them to recreate a similar connection. While all destination experiences may not be positive experiences (as I found out on the ski slopes of Nozawa, Japan) for the most, they are memorable.

Destination experiences in Brisbane

When it comes to unique experiences travellers want to tell their friends, Brisbane delivers. According to Bob East, chairman of Tourism and Events Queensland,“Brisbane is fast developing a reputation for coupling major events with a wider destination experience that appeals to the international visitor.” But don’t just take the words of a Queensland tourism chief who believes Brisbane’s diversity is a drawcard for travellers.

According to popular travel guide publisher Lonely Planet, Brisbane is “arguably Australia’s hippest city, an energetic river town on the way up, with an edgy arts scene, pumping nightlife and great coffee and restaurants.”  Citing the Brisbane River as the city’s central character, the guide’s Australian authors Charles Rawlings-Way and Meg Worby describe Brisbane as “a patchwork of urban villages, each with a distinct style and topography: bohemian, low-lying West End; hip, hilltop Paddington; exclusive, peninsular New Farm; prim, pointy Kangaroo Point.”

Neither of the Lonely Planet authors hail from Queensland, but as a born and bred Queenslander currently living in Brisbane, I tend to agree with Charles and Meg’s descriptions.  Brisbane is an “eccentric, happening capital.”

Given our agreeable climate and (mostly) enjoyable weather what better way to create unforgettable connections to the river city (destination experiences) than through outdoor adventure? And the best part about these five adventure activities, is they’re all within close proximity of Brisbane’s CBD, negating the need to travel long distances to feel connected to Australia’s hippest city.

I will add a disclaimer here – during the months of December through to February the humidity can be pretty fierce in Brisbane. If you don’t like being outdoors in the full heat of the day (10am – 4pm) and you’re considering doing some of these activities within those months, I recommend doing them either earlier or later in the day. (Unless you want to end up in an exhausted heap at the end of the day!)

Five outdoor adventure activities in Brisbane

Brisbane’s story bridge climb

During your time in Brisbane, you may drive or walk across the Story bridge, possibly take a city cat (ferry) along the Brisbane River which passes under the bridge.

The bridge with its unusual structural design will most likely feature in many of your photos of the CBD skyline especially at night time when coloured lights illuminate its vastness. But you can talk about the Story bridge with more sparkle if you’ve actually climbed those winged spans. Story Bridge Adventure climb offer a two hour bridge climb which include 360-degree panoramic views of Moreton Bay, the Glass House Mountains, Mt Cootha, Lamington National Park and of course the Brisbane River. Sydney Harbour Bridge climb can’t take all the glory for the city views. Nor can they take the accolade for the most “attractive” safety overalls!

Rock climbing and abseiling at the Kangaroo Point cliffs

The Kangaroo Point cliffs form a dramatic backdrop from the CBD side of Brisbane. These 20-metre cliffs were formed from a volcanic eruption in the Triassic period some 230 million years ago. Throughout the 1800s the area around the cliffs were used as a quarry, where volcanic rock called Brisbane Tuff was extracted. These rocks form the exterior of a few of Brisbane’s heritage listed buildings. The cliffs are now used as a recreation area. The craggy surface is illuminated spectacularly at night time and depending on how close you are to the cliffs, you will see people abseiling up and down ropes attached at various locations.

Riverlife Adventures offer the traveller the chance to step off or climb up a cliff – supervised and with safety gear. The rush of abseiling while admiring the views of the CBD and the passing river traffic is something memorable you’d want to share. A walking and cycling path hugs the river and a number of picnic areas adjacent to the cliffs make this the ideal place to relax and watch others do the abseiling if you prefer to not conquer your fear of heights. I’ve walked past the cliffs both during the day at night on numerous occasions, admiring the adventurous souls giving abseiling a go. (An adventure activity I haven’t tried – yet!)

Kayaking adventures on the Brisbane’s river

One of the best views of the river city is found when floating on its murky surface. Kayaking on the Brisbane River presents the ideal opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Brisbane’s popular locales, including Southbank, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the underbelly of the Story Bridge. Paddling in a group is fun, adventurous and not overly strenuous, provided you stay clear of the wake from the passing city cats (ferries.)

Walkabout Creek Adventures at Enoggera Reservoir

Located in the D’aguilar National Park is the Enoggera Reservoir – Queensland’s first major dam constructed in 1866. At just 10 kilometres northwest of the city centre (20 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD) in the suburb called The Gap, you’ll find the reservoir and Walkabout Creek. This 36,000 hectare park is the place to enjoy the serenity of nature and view some of Australia’s unique native wildlife, while unleashing your inner explorer.

Walkabout Creek Adventures are a pop up leisure and recreation business, providing visitors the opportunity to explore either on the water or through the trails meandering throughout the park. Stand up paddleboards, kayaks (tandem or single), mountain bikes or segways are available to hire to explore the area on your own or with a guided tour. The dam provides a cool escape from the summer heat. But be warned, on the grassed area by the reservoir the tall gum trees provide minimal shade. In the midday sun it gets hot! So be prepared with hats, sunscreen and lots of cold water to drink and you will enjoy this unique oasis on the perimeter of the city.

Tandem skydive

Prove your inner adventurer fears nothing – while falling from the sky. For views of Brisbane from an elevated height, a tandem skydive would be a guaranteed conversation starter around the dinner table. (Show your friends the video if they don’t believe you!) At 4,267 metres (14,000 feet) you’ll have unsurpassed views of Moreton and Stradbroke Islands. Landing on the beach at Redcliffe gives you time to settle the adrenaline and take stock of what you just did. Redcliffe is the bayside town made famous as the place where the Bee Gees  (the Gibb brothers) spent part of their youth.

Summer is coming

As summer is looming, now is the perfect time to make the most of the pleasant temperatures and enjoy the outdoors in these adventure related activities all within close proximity of Brisbane’s CBD.

Brisbane let the adventure unfold.