The 24 Best Brisbane Lookouts With Amazing Views
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If you are looking for a free, fun, or romantic way to spend a day, afternoon, or evening in Brisbane, you're in for a treat with this best Brisbane lookouts list! Admiring Brisbane's skyline and taking in the beautiful natural surroundings is the perfect way to relax and recharge after a busy week.
Some of the viewpoint recommendations are in local parks, making them easy to get to. Others are excellent walking and picnic areas and might require a car or Uber to reach, but they are within a 1.5-hour drive of Brisbane.
I have been to many of the lookouts listed below over the years, as my partner is from Brisbane. Are you ready to find your perfect viewpoint location? Continue reading to learn more!
24 Best Lookouts in Brisbane
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Best Views in Brisbane
- Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
- Howard Smith Wharves
- Wilson's Outlook
- New Farm Riverwalk
- Mount Gravatt Outlook
- Clem Jones Promenade, South Bank
- River Quay Green, South Bank
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb
- Eildon Hill Reserve
- Bartley's Hill Lookout
- Highgate Hill Park
- Goodwill Bridge
- Victoria Bridge
- Kurilpa Bridge
- Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower
- Sir Thomas Gaffney Lookout
- Francis Lookout
- The Terrace at Emporium Hotel South Bank
- Best Lookouts Around Brisbane
Brisbane Lookouts Map
A map of Brisbane. Use the map to explore all the lookouts.
Best Views in Brisbane
Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
Arguably the most popular and well-known lookout in Brisbane, Mount Coot-Tha is a must-visit! It is situated in the western suburbs and is approximately a 20-minute drive from central Brisbane. At this lookout, you will get a complete view of the city. The best time to visit is in the evening. At night, the city lights bring a fantastic glow to Brisbane.
You can find the Summit Restaurant and Cafe and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the top. There is nothing better than heading to the Mount Coot-Tha viewpoint and enjoying an ice cream on a warm summer evening as you gaze out across the horizon.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout is a picturesque part of Brisbane, and it is a must on any Brisbane itinerary! The cliffs give you 180-degree views along the river. Towards the east, you can admire views of the previous Eagle Street Pier. Towards the west, you can see views of the North Quay end of Brisbane city and the beautiful bridges connecting the city with South Bank.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park
Above, I recommended visiting the lookout at Kangaroo Point. Just north, along the river's edge, is Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park. The park contains well-built (and safe) paths that allow you to walk along the cliff's edge, admiring the views as you pass along. There is also a barbecue area and playground.
The views along this part of Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park are similar to those seen at Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout. The only small difference is that you are now at the water's edge. Here, you can look back at the sheer cliffs of Kangaroo Point and forward towards the city.
Howard Smith Wharves
In late 2018, the area of Howard Smith Wharves was redeveloped and brought to life! The site is now a popular bar, restaurant, and hotel spot in Brisbane. I highly recommend visiting here for drinks or dinner. In addition to the great food and drink places, you can catch a beautiful river-level view of the Story Bridge from the wharves.
A great place to try is Felons Brewing Co., which has tables that line the edge of the boardwalk. From here, you can enjoy the fresh air and gaze out across the river.
Wilson's Outlook
Located just above Howard Smith Wharves is Wilson's Outlook. It is in a small park with a children's play area and a small green space. Elevators can take you from the river level to the park. From the outlook, you will get the best view of the Story Bridge and the Central Business District part of Brisbane city.
New Farm Riverwalk
New Farm Riverwalk is a pedestrian way that hangs over the Brisbane River. It provides fantastic views, at water level, of Story Bridge and Brisbane city.
The walk begins at New Farm Park, a great place to grab lunch or a coffee, and ends at Howard Smith Wharves. I recommend commencing the walk in the late afternoon. This will allow you to see the city light up in the early evening.
The trek from New Farm Park to Howard Smith Wharves only takes about 20 minutes at a leisurely pace. You can continue the walk by continuing past Howard Smith Wharves to the City Reach Boardwalk.
Mount Gravatt Outlook
Residing within Toohey Forest Park, the Mount Gravatt Outlook offers stunning, unobstructed views of Brisbane. The outlook is best accessed by car, with parking available. The viewpoint is well-developed, with picnic tables and chairs, a children's play area, and a cafe.
Clem Jones Promenade, South Bank
Located within South Bank, along the river, is Clem Jones Promenade. It is a beautiful footpath that can take you from the north or south end of South Bank. The promenade is a great place to go for a relaxing walk without leaving the city.
You will also enjoy amazing views as you pass along it. Specifically, you will get unobstructed panoramas of Brisbane's Central Business District. On the other side of the river, you can also see the Queensland Treasury, the Treasury Casino, and the George Street Suncorp Building.
River Quay Green, South Bank
On the southern end of the Clem Jones Promenade is a small but beautiful open park area - River Quay Green. Surrounding this little patch of grass are several bars and restaurants.
From this end of South Bank, you can still enjoy sweeping views of Brisbane's CBD. You can also look towards the east and enjoy views of the stunning Goodwill Bridge connecting South Bank with the Queensland University of Technology.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Take the wild part of you to the next level by climbing the Story Bridge at day or night time! You will be high above the ground at over 250 feet and six lanes of traffic. Included with your experience are a local guide, a group photo of your fun but frightening experience, and, of course, a safety briefing and commentary on your local surroundings.
I had to include this lookout point as the Story Bridge is famous, and from the top of this bridge, you will have 360-degree views of Brisbane city and up and down the Brisbane River.
Eildon Hill Reserve
This park is found in the Brisbane suburb of Windsor. The reserve is quite large. The main attraction is a large concrete area at the tallest point of the reserve. From here, you can see great views of Brisbane. You will be looking over Spring Hill from the opposite side of the city to Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Bartley's Hill Lookout
Bartley's Hill Lookout can be found in Ascot. It is a 10-minute drive from the previously recommended Eildon Hill Reserve viewpoint. The lookout is located in a council park, and depending on the amount of tree overgrowth, you should be able to catch a view of the city and a corner of the Brisbane River.
Highgate Hill Park
Highgate Hill Park is located in the inner-city suburb of Highgate Hill, which is south of South Bank. The highlight here is a small picnic shelter that sits at the park's highest point. From the rotunda, you can see over the houses in Highgate Hill, allowing you to also catch a view of Brisbane city from behind South Bank.
Goodwill Bridge
The bridges that connect South Bank and Brisbane offer some of the best views of Brisbane. The Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian and bike-only bridge. It combines the southernmost end of South Bank with the Queensland University of Technology campus.
The Goodwill Bridge has various areas where you can pause and look out across the river. On the bridge's western side, you can see the busy end of the South Bank Parklands and the Central Business District. On the eastern end, you will see the Pacific Motorway and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Victoria Bridge
Victoria Bridge connects cars and pedestrians from Queen Street in the Central Business District to the centre of South Bank. From the bridge, you can admire the Wheel of Brisbane located on the South Bank side, and Kurilpa Bridge, which is a bit further down the river.
As this is a shared bridge with vehicles, it is a bit less enjoyable than the pedestrian-only Goodwill and Kurilpa Bridges. Regardless, if you are in the area, the bridge provides a different perspective of the city as you pass over it.
Kurilpa Bridge
Located at the start of the CBD when arriving from the western suburbs, Kurilpa Bridge is a pedestrian and bike-only bridge that connects Tank Street to South Brisbane. The bridge has a unique design featuring striking large poles and cables. At night, the bridge is often brightly coloured.
From the bridge, you can look down along the river towards South Bank and the CBD. The bridge also offers views of Milton and the William Jolly Bridge in the distance.
Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower
This lookout is found at Brisbane's City Hall. The clock tower is 64 metres tall and is the largest analogue clock in Australia. On the observation deck, you can enjoy 360-degree views of central Brisbane. While in the clock tower, you will also see the clock's bells and inner structure.
You can tour City Hall and visit the Museum of Brisbane as well before or after going up the clock tower. Although free to visit, a reservation is required to go up the clock tower, so be sure to book in advance.
Sir Thomas Gaffney Lookout
This lookout is located in the Chapel Hill part of Brisbane within Green Hill Reservoir Park. The Sir Thomas Gaffney Lookout offers panoramic views of the area surrounding the park and the Brisbane skyline. It is an awesome spot to visit to watch the sunrise or sunset over the city.
After visiting the lookout and taking lots of pictures, be sure to explore the park, too. It is a peaceful park to wander around, and you can have a picnic here or bring your pup to the dog-friendly area if visiting with your best friend.
Francis Lookout
The Francis Lookout is one of the best lookouts near Brisbane and is in the Corinda neighbourhood. This lookout is a little different as it is found within a cemetery. The cemetery is a heritage-listed site and was used for burials between the 1860s and 1960s.
The lookout here offers terrific views of Brisbane and Mt Coot-Tha. What's great about this location is that it is not a super well-known spot. Therefore, you will get to enjoy the views without the crowds found at some of the other lookout locations.
The Terrace at Emporium Hotel South Bank
The Terrace at Emporium Hotel South Bank is one of Brisbane's best rooftop bars and is popular among both tourists and locals alike. Its prime location offers unobstructed views of the Brisbane River, Story Bridge, and the city skyline.
The hotel's retractable roof and early morning to late opening hours make it the ideal place to grab various dishes and drinks, depending on your preferences, while enjoying the city skyline at different times of the day. Reservations are taken Monday to Thursday, but otherwise, walk-ins are welcomed.
Best Lookouts Around Brisbane
Camp Mountain Lookout
The Camp Mountain Lookout is located within D'Aguilar National Park in the Moreton Bay Region of Brisbane. There are actually two viewpoints here: one looks towards the Brisbane skyline, and the other towards the Glass House Mountains. Nonetheless, you'll be able to take in sweeping views of the eucalyptus forests in the area.
Once you have enjoyed the views, you can explore more of the park, which features many trails. The park is an excellent place for mountain biking enthusiasts as well.
Glass House Mountains Lookout
This is another fantastic lookout near Brisbane, which is situated in Glass House Mountains National Park. It is about an hour and 15 minutes outside the city and makes for a great weekend getaway from Brisbane. Having followed the trail to the lookout, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire national park.
There is a cafe at the lookout, too, where you can stop for a refuel before leaving or exploring more of the park. The park additionally has picnic tables and a barbeque area. The lookout track is open 24 hours a day, so you can visit to watch the sunrise or sunset.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is found at Tamborine Mountain, an hour outside of Brisbane. The skywalk covers 1.5 kilometres and features a steel bridge raised 40 metres above the ground.
As you follow the trail, you can enjoy views of the lush green rainforest surrounding the skywalk. Having taken in the stunning forests of Tamborine Mountain, the trail will take you back to the forest floor. Along the way, you will also discover the Rainforest Eco Gallery, which houses exhibits on the area's flora and fauna and Indigenous Australia.
O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk
O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk is in Lamington National Park and offers fantastic views of the Lamington Ranges. It is about a two-hour drive from Brisbane. The treetop walk features an 800-metre trail with nine suspension bridges to cross, all sitting 16 metres above the ground.
The trail is very easy to follow, so all activity levels will be able to participate. It will take you through lush rainforest, and you might see birds and other animals that inhabit the area along the walk.
You will eventually reach two observation decks, the highest of which sits at 30 metres above the ground. From the decks, you will be able to enjoy the stunning surrounding rainforest and the Lamington Ranges.
In Summary
That rounds out this list of the best Brisbane lookouts with amazing views. If you live in Brisbane or are just travelling through from places like the Gold Coast, I hope the recommendations have given you another perspective of this beautiful city.
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