Dare to be different: Quirky things to do in Brisbane

Feel like your 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, the river city is always surprising with unique things to do 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

If being locked inside a room and the only way out is to crack codes and solve mysteries is your idea of a good time, then Cube Escape Room at Everton Park is for you. With a range of rooms and scenarios for ages seven and up, this 'choose your own adventure' style activity (think ticking bombs, secret vaults and deadly librarians) will have you racing the clock in a fun and frantic escapade.

Craft a ceramic masterpiece

If you're feeling creative and want to try your hand at 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 with Fort Lytton at Night. Tour the 19th century fort as actors recount 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 and you'll learn about the elephant skeleton under Suncorp Stadium, or Queen Street's claim to fame as the first location around the world recorded 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. Enjoy the best of both worlds by swapping your morning cuppa for a decadent high tea experience, complete with too-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 some 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 perfect place to gaze at the stars. The venue is home to the Cosmic Skydome with a 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 of the fun of cat owner, with none of the responsibility! Spending time with animals is a wonderful way to reduce stress and improve mental health.

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 venue is a secret bar that has 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. Choose from tours at various cemeteries including Toowong, South Brisbane and Nundah Cemeteries, or 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', so why not take a trip to one of Council's two second-hand shops called Treasure Troves at Geebung and Acacia Ridge. They sell items donated by Brisbane residents via our resource recovery centres and are both operated by the Endeavour Foundation. Find household furniture, homewares, collectables, books, hardware and sporting equipment for purchase.

Keep the good times rolling

For even more awesome weekend inspiration, head to Brisbetter Explore to discover more things to see and do near you.

On the go? Download the Brisbane app today to discover and share the best things to see and do around Brisbane.

**This article was updated in October 2023.**

Related links

• 12 things to do with kids in Brisbane for under $10
• 12 things to do in Brisbane at night
• Things to see and do in Brisbane