Dare to be different: unique things to do in Brisbane
Discover fun and unusual things to do in Brisbane. Whether it’s a visit to a cat café, Council’s Treasure Trove, or ghost tour, there’s plenty of quirky activities to try.
Feel like your river city weekends have become a bit ‘been there, done that’? Disrupt the ho-hum of daily life by giving some of Brisbane’s quirkier activities a go.
From cracking codes to cuddling cats, you'll be surprised with the range of unusual things to do in Brisbane that are anything but mainstream.
Lose track of time with LEGO
Want to spend a day looking at impressive LEGO builds and rummaging through tubs of LEGO to find a much-wanted piece? The BrickResales showroom in Coopers Plains resells quality second-hand LEGO and all for a fraction of the price of new sets. LEGO lovers of all ages can escape into a world of creativity that is tough to match.
Get locked up for fun
Imagine being locked inside a room and the only way out is by cracking codes and solving mysteries. If this is your idea of a good time, Cube Escape Rooms at Everton Park should be on your wish-list of fun things to do in Brisbane.
They have a range of rooms and scenarios for ages 7 and up. This 'choose your own adventure' style activity will have you racing the clock in a fun and frantic escapade. Ticking bombs, secret vaults and deadly librarians is the vibe.
Craft a ceramic masterpiece
Are you feeling creative and want to try something new? The Ceramic Studio in Indooroopilly is a great place to discover your new-found love for ceramics. They have a huge range of 'ready to paint' ceramics, so there's no need to get your hands dirty.
Draw your own design, use stencils, or just freehand it – the choice is yours. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, there are pottery workshops so you can create your masterpiece from scratch.
Discover history after dark
When the sun goes down Fort Lytton Historical Military Precinct comes alive with lights, sound and stories from Brisbane's military past. Join the Fort Lytton at Night tour to explore the 19th century fort as actors tell the story of decorated World War One hero and Brisbane local, Raymond Augustus Stanley. If daytime adventures are more your thing, jump on one of the free guided tours to discover more stories from Brisbane's wartime history.
Tour with a taste of trivia
There is a lot more to Brisbane than meets the eye. Don't believe us? Head along to one of the free Brisbane Greeters tours across Brisbane. You'll learn about the elephant skeleton under Suncorp Stadium, or Queen Street's claim to fame as the world's first location on record to have used electricity for public purposes in 1882.
Get fancy with high tea
Here's one for the foodies craving a little something special. Swap your morning cuppa for a decadent high tea experience, complete with cute crockery and quaint lace tablecloths. Eliza's Place is a little, unassuming cafe at Corinda serving a traditional high tea that's bound to invoke serious food envy. All its amazing cakes and savoury treats are made in-house too, so you can delight in comfort food any day of the week.
Enjoy a trip to the stars
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is home to Brisbane City Council's Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. The venue is home to the Cosmic Skydome with a 12.5-metre-diameter projection dome. Book to see a show including a tour of Brisbane's night sky. You're free to wander the Display Zone and there's also an observatory, Galaxy Gift Shop and Sundial Courtyard.
Have a purr-fect outing
Located in Annerley, the Lucky Cat Cafe is the place to be for cat lovers. Book a cat experience and enjoy time with the venue's felines. Have all the fun of cat owner, with none of the responsibility! Spending time with animals is a great way to reduce stress and relax.
Seek out a secret bar
If you're looking for a new nighttime hangout, Next Episode Bar is for you. Located in the Fish Lane precinct in South Brisbane, this secret bar serves cocktails named after hip hop artists, lyrics and songs. To enter, find the code on their Instagram page.
Get your spook on
Wish the spooky season was all year round? Join Ghost Tours Australia on one of their many tours of Brisbane to discover the not so silent things in the night. They offer tours at cemeteries including Toowong, South Brisbane and Nundah Cemeteries. You may also choose the Haunted Brisbane ghost walking tour or coach tour.
Learn a new skill
Time to learn a new skills that's sure to impress? ClassBento has a curated collection of workshops in Brisbane. Learn anything from painting with watercolours, to cooking gnocchi, or making your own jewellery. Book a workshop and let your creative spirit run free!
Go on a treasure hunt
They say 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. Why not take a trip to one of Council's two second-hand shops called Treasure Troves at Geebung and Acacia Ridge.
The shops are operated by the Endeavour Foundation and are stocked with items donated by Brisbane residents via our resource recovery centres. Find household furniture, homewares, collectables, books, hardware and sporting equipment for purchase.
More inspiration
For even more awesome weekend inspiration when you're on the go, download the Brisbane app to discover and share the best things to see and do around Brisbane.