Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Natalia
As one of the biggest cities in Australia, it’s hardly surprising there are lots of great things to do in Brisbane at night. The city offers amazing nightlife in Fortitude Valley, stunning sunset helicopter flights, international food markets, and much more. Even if you’re on a budget, there are some fun things to do in Brisbane at night for free – like watching sunset from Kangaroo Cliffs Point Park. Find out the best activities and things to do in Brisbane at night below!
Wondering what else there is to do in the city? Make sure to check out our one day in Brisbane itinerary!
The Best Things To Do In Brisbane At Night
Sunset Cruise on the Brisbane River
One of the best things to do in Brisbane at night is to take a sunset cruise along the Brisbane River. These cruises allow you to enjoy amazing views of iconic spots like the city centre, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the Story Bridge and more.
As you cruise along the river, the city lights will provide a beautiful backdrop as night falls across the city. The views from the top of the boat are particularly impressive, so make sure to have your camera at the ready!
Treat yourself to a drink or two from the on-board bar and enjoy the views over the course of this one and a half hour sunset cruise. Seeing Brisbane from the water provides a different perspective of the city, and it’s a particularly impressive sight after nightfall.
Sunset cruises on the Brisbane River start from just $55 AUD per person, with departures on most Friday nights and some Saturday nights.
Click here to book a wonderful sunset cruise along the river through Get Your Guide!
Night Kayaking on the Brisbane River
One of the most unique things to do in Brisbane at night is to take an illuminated kayak tour along the Brisbane River. These trips provide a unique perspective of Brisbane from the water, allowing you to enjoy fabulous views of the city centre as you kayak down the river.
Tours depart from the Riverlife Adventure Centre and head under Story Bridge or towards Southbank, depending on the tide. Whichever route you take, you will get some lovely views of the CBD and the city lights as you kayak along.
Don’t worry if you’ve never gone kayaking before – qualified and experienced instructors will teach you everything you need to know, and safety equipment is provided. Tours are also suitable for experienced kayakers, so it’s a great option whatever your kayaking ability may be!
Night kayaking tours in Brisbane start from just $99 AUD per person, with trips running on Fridays and Saturdays.
Click here to book a unique night kayaking trip along the river on the Get Your Guide website!
Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley is known for being Brisbane’s busiest nightlife district, with an array of bars, clubs, music venues, and more. Often referred to as simply ‘the Valley’, a night out in this inner-suburb is one of the most fun things to do in Brisbane city.
Situated just outside the CBD, Fortitude Valley’s central location makes it easily accessible from around the city. The Valley has more to offer than just bars, with trendy restaurants along Brunswick Street, boutique shops, cafes, art galleries, and more.
Whatever kind of night out you’re looking for, a trip to Fortitude Valley is one of the best things to do at night in Brisbane. There’s something to suit everyone, from dive bars to clubs, rooftop cocktails bars to live music venues. If you want a late night out in Brisbane, Fortitude Valley is the place to be.
Some of the best accommodation options in the city are located in and around Fortitude Valley, which is ideal if you want to make the most of the nightlife. Make sure to check out our guide to the best hotels and places to stay in Brisbane to find out the best options for your visit!
Story Bridge Climb
A twilight climb of the iconic Story Bridge is one of the top night activities in Brisbane. The climb rewards you with some of the best views of Brisbane from a viewing platform at a height of 260 feet, with views of Moreton Bay, Mount Coot-Tha, Lamington National Park, Brisbane River, the CBD and more!
Tours are led by knowledgeable and informative guides, who will give you an insight into the history of both the Story Bridge and Brisbane itself. It’s a great way to learn more about the city whilst enjoying amazing panoramic views!
It is possible to climb the Story Bridge in the day, but the twilight climb is considered one of the best things to do in Brisbane at night. The twilight climb allows you to enjoy the views as night begins to fall and the city begins to light up.
In total your visit lasts for two hours, which includes a safety briefing, the climb and the descent. The twilight climb of the Story Bridge costs $130 per person.
Click here to book a Story Bridge night or twilight climb through Viator!
Sunset Helicopter Flight
Sunset helicopter flights are undeniably one of the top night activities in Brisbane, offering the chance to see the city from above. It’s the most expensive option on this list of the top things to do in Brisbane at night, but it’s well worth the money for the stunning views of the city on a private helicopter trip.
Trips last for 25 minutes, during which you will fly over Mount Gravatt, the Story Bridge, Brisbane River, the Old Government House, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and more. Enjoy informative commentary from your pilot throughout, as you take in amazing views of the sights and the sunset from the sky!
There’s no better way to see Brisbane in style than taking a sunset helicopter tour of the city. Prices start from just $282.50 AUD per person, but it’s worth every cent for the wonderful views on this private helicopter tour.
Click here to book an unforgettable sunset helicopter flight over the city through Viator!
Eat Street Brisbane
One of the most popular things to do in Brisbane at night is to visit the wonderful Eat Street food market. Located in Northshore, there are over 70 vendors serving a variety of international cuisine including Hungarian langos, Greek gyros, Malaysian curries and much more. There are also several bars on site, serving beer, wine, and cocktails.
This vibrant food market is located on a previously disused wharf, and is built from repurposed shipping containers. On top of the range of great food and drinks food available, Eat Street Brisbane also has live music to add to the atmosphere.
With so much food choice, this is the ideal place to come if you can’t decide what you want to eat! Several vendors offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Eat Street Brisbane is only open on weekends, from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 4pm to 9pm on Sundays. Entry costs just $6 per person. Free parking is available on site, and most vendors accept both cash and card. One thing worth knowing is that the entry fee can only be paid by card – so don’t plan on only using cash!
Click here to find out more on the official Eat Street website!
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Watching sunset from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park is one of the best things to do in Brisbane at night for free. The upper section of the park is a brilliant place to see sunset, with lovely views of the Brisbane River, CBD and more.
There are several benches and seating areas for you to sit and enjoy the sunset, or alternatively you can stroll through the park to get different views as you go. Wherever you are in the park, you get some great views of the city as it begins to light up at night. If you’re lucky you’ll get some fabulous sunset colours in the sky too!
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are heritage listed, and are known for being one of the best places to watch sunset in Brisbane. It’s a nice spot to enjoy with some friends, food, and drink – but be aware that drinking alcohol in the park is prohibited.
Moonlight Summer Cinema
One of the more fun night activities you can do in in Brisbane is enjoy a movie under the stars at Brisbane’s outdoor Moonlight Summer Cinema. The cinema is located in Roma Street Parkland, and the park is a pleasant setting to watch some of the latest cinematic releases and is open from late November through to February.
There is a licensed bar on site if you want a drink or two during your visit, and you’re also able to bring your own food if you fancy some snacks or a picnic. Screenings start at sunset (around 7.15pm during the summer months), but gates open at 5.30pm – so you can arrive early to get a good spot and enjoy some food and drink before the movie.
Tickets start from $16.50 AUD per person for general admission, although there are some more premium options at an extra cost. There is a booking fee of $1.50 AUD per ticket, and a limited number of bean beds are available on a first come first served basis for an additional $10.
Click here to see the latest listings and to book your tickets online!
Fairy Trees
One of the most picturesque spots to visit in Brisbane at night is the Fairy Trees in the city botanic gardens. These two large fig trees are covered in fairy lights, so come nightfall are a wonderful sight to see.
The trees beautifully light up the entrance to the Goodwill Bridge – a pedestrian bridge linking the CBD to Southbank. Located on the CBD side of the bridge, the Fairy Trees are part of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
Visiting the Fairy Trees is free and cheap thing to do in Brisbane at night and only requires a few minutes to snap some lovely photographs. We recommend combining your visit with a night walk through the botanic gardens if you have the time.
True Crime Tour
Discover the darker side of Brisbane’s past with a true crime tour, which will lead you through some of the most historic spots of the city. A knowledgeable guide will tell tales of infamous criminals as you walk through the city streets, stopping at various crime scenes along the way.
These walking tours lead you past some of the city’s iconic spots, whilst you learn about notorious fraudsters, love triangles gone wrong and more. It’s one of the more unique things to do in Brisbane at night, but if you’re looking for something a bit different this might be the activity for you!
Nighttime true crime tours of Brisbane cost just $34 AUD per person and last for a total of 90 minutes.
Click here to book an intriguing true crime tour through Get Your Guide!
Heading to other parts of Australia? Check out our top tips for visiting Melbourne and our 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary!
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