Public gardensFree riverside heritage gardens in the Brisbane CBD with Bunya pine and fig avenues, an accessible playground, a dog-friendly cafe and free guided walks.
Markets and food
Cafes
Cafes and coffee spots around South East Queensland for a bite or a break during a day out.
Public gardens
ParksA free 16 hectare garden park beside Roma Street station on the edge of the Brisbane CBD, with the Spectacle Garden, two playgrounds, free BBQs and a cafe.
ParksA bayside village beside Queensland's largest small-craft harbour, with weekend markets, free parking and a walk along the breakwater.
Scenic drivesA hinterland village about 95 minutes by car from Brisbane, with cafes, galleries, a monthly market and Kondalilla Falls walks close by.
LookoutsBrisbane's most famous free view: open 24 hours, about 15 minutes from the CBD, with free parking, a cafe, a restaurant and walking tracks up through the forest.
Water parks and splash padsA floating inflatable obstacle course on the Broadwater at Southport, for confident swimmers aged 5 and over, with a separate zone for under 5s.
Public gardensA free 56 hectare garden at the foot of Mt Coot-tha with a Japanese Garden, a glass tropical dome, a lagoon with turtles and a kids trail.
Swimming spotsA large public swimming lagoon in Springfield Central with shallow toddler pools, a 1.5 m deep swimming end, a cafe and shaded picnic areas, about 30 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD.
ParksOne of Queensland's oldest parks, with an all-abilities playground, shady lawns, a cafe, the free Ipswich Nature Centre and Nerima Gardens.
LookoutsA free summit lookout about 13 km by road from the Brisbane CBD with city views, a cafe, a playground and walking tracks up from Toohey Forest.
RainforestsA 1.5 km rainforest walk with steel canopy bridges, a 40 metre cantilever and an Eco Gallery, about an hour's drive from Brisbane.