Best of Brisbane, Australia Self-Guided Driving Tour: City Highlights, South Bank & Mount Coot-tha
Places: 24 POIs
Distance: 16.88 mi
Duration: 1h:04m
GPS-guided narration through
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Tour #2911
About this English self-guided 1h:04m driving tour in Hawthorne
G'day and welcome to Brisbane, the sunny capital of Queensland and one of Australia's most exciting cities!
Today, we're going to explore Brisbane from behind the wheel, discovering a city built around the twists and turns of the Brisbane River.
We'll begin beside one of Australia's most famous sporting grounds, The Gabba, before heading to the riverfront at Kangaroo Point and crossing the iconic Story Bridge. From there, we'll explore the lively streets of Fortitude Valley, the leafy neighbourhood of New Farm, and the historic woolstores of Teneriffe.
We'll then make our way into the heart of downtown Brisbane, passing historic churches, grand government buildings, City Hall and the City Botanic Gardens before crossing the river into South Bank, home to Brisbane's cultural precinct and some of the city's most popular attractions.
But we're not stopping there.
We'll head west past Suncorp Stadium, climb through the hills of Paddington, discover Brisbane's classic Queenslander houses, and gradually leave the city behind as we make our way toward Mount Coot-tha.
And we've saved the best view for last. Our grand finale will take us all the way to the Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout, where Brisbane, the river and the surrounding landscape will be spread out below us.
Along the way, we'll tell you the stories behind the places we're seeing, point out things you might otherwise drive right past, and recommend a few spots you may want to come back and explore on foot later.
So get comfortable, follow the navigation, and leave the storytelling to us.
Welcome to Brisbane — let's hit the road!
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Stadium (Recommended selfie spot).
859 Stanley St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia
The Gabba: Where Brisbane Comes to Play
Welcome to Brisbane! And we're starting our tour beside one of Australia's most famous sporting venues — The Gabba.
Its official name is the Brisbane Cricket Ground, but you'll rarely hear anyone call it that. The nickname comes from the surrounding suburb of Woolloongabba — which Australians, perhaps wisely, shortened to simply The Gabba.
And in case you're wondering, no, it has absolutely nothing to do with the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba! The stadium's nickname is more than a century older.
The Gabba has been hosting sporting events since 1895. Today it's best known for cricket and Australian rules football, and it's home to the Brisbane Lions of the Australian Football League.
For cricket fans, this ground was once considered an Australian fortress. The Australian national team went 31 consecutive Test matches without losing here, a remarkable run stretching from 1988 until India finally defeated them in 2021.
Brisbane is also preparing to host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, so sport is going to remain a big part of this city's story.
But we've got much more than sport ahead of us. We're about to head toward the Brisbane River and one of the best views of the city skyline.
Welcome to Brisbane — let's get this tour started!
Its official name is the Brisbane Cricket Ground, but you'll rarely hear anyone call it that. The nickname comes from the surrounding suburb of Woolloongabba — which Australians, perhaps wisely, shortened to simply The Gabba.
And in case you're wondering, no, it has absolutely nothing to do with the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba! The stadium's nickname is more than a century older.
The Gabba has been hosting sporting events since 1895. Today it's best known for cricket and Australian rules football, and it's home to the Brisbane Lions of the Australian Football League.
For cricket fans, this ground was once considered an Australian fortress. The Australian national team went 31 consecutive Test matches without losing here, a remarkable run stretching from 1988 until India finally defeated them in 2021.
Brisbane is also preparing to host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, so sport is going to remain a big part of this city's story.
But we've got much more than sport ahead of us. We're about to head toward the Brisbane River and one of the best views of the city skyline.
Welcome to Brisbane — let's get this tour started!
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.78mi
, Attraction : Lookout, Park (Recommended selfie spot).
200/236 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout: Brisbane Revealed
Coming up on your left is Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, and this is where Brisbane really introduces itself.
Take a look across the Brisbane River. On the opposite bank is the heart of downtown Brisbane, with the city's skyline rising directly above the water.
These dramatic cliffs aren't entirely natural. They were heavily quarried beginning in the 1800s, when volcanic rock was extracted here and used as building material for the growing city. Today, instead of quarrymen, you're more likely to see rock climbers scaling the cliff faces.
And if you're wondering about the name Kangaroo Point, you'd be forgiven for expecting kangaroos. The exact origin of the name isn't completely certain, and unfortunately this isn't a secret kangaroo hangout.
If you have some extra time, this is a great place to stop, stretch your legs and enjoy the views from the walking paths along the cliffs.
Otherwise, keep following the navigation. We're going to continue along the river toward one of Brisbane's most recognisable landmarks — the Story Bridge.
Take a look across the Brisbane River. On the opposite bank is the heart of downtown Brisbane, with the city's skyline rising directly above the water.
These dramatic cliffs aren't entirely natural. They were heavily quarried beginning in the 1800s, when volcanic rock was extracted here and used as building material for the growing city. Today, instead of quarrymen, you're more likely to see rock climbers scaling the cliff faces.
And if you're wondering about the name Kangaroo Point, you'd be forgiven for expecting kangaroos. The exact origin of the name isn't completely certain, and unfortunately this isn't a secret kangaroo hangout.
If you have some extra time, this is a great place to stop, stretch your legs and enjoy the views from the walking paths along the cliffs.
Otherwise, keep following the navigation. We're going to continue along the river toward one of Brisbane's most recognisable landmarks — the Story Bridge.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
The Gabba: Where Brisbane Comes to Play
Place 2
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout: Brisbane Revealed
Place 3
Story Bridge: Brisbane’s Iconic Crossing
Place 4
Howard Smith Wharves
Place 5
Brooki Bakehouse: Brisbane's Viral Cookie Shop
Place 6
Welcome to New Farm: Brunswick Street
Place 7
New Farm Park & Powerhouse Park
Place 8
Welcome to Teneriffe: Macquarie Street & the Woolstores
Place 9
St John’s Cathedral: A Century in the Making
Place 10
Eagle Place & the Historic Fig Trees
Place 11
Brisbane Riverwalk
Place 12
City Botanic Gardens — From Convict Crops to Tropical Paradise
Place 13
George Street — Brisbane's Grand Government Boulevard
Place 14
Albert Street Uniting Church & Brisbane City Hall: Old Brisbane Face to Face
Place 15
Goodwill Bridge: Crossing the Brisbane River
Place 16
South Bank: Brisbane’s Riverside Playground
Place 17
Queensland Cultural Centre: Brisbane’s Cultural Heart
Place 18
William Jolly Bridge: One Last Crossing
Place 19
Suncorp Stadium: Queensland’s Cauldron
Place 20
Paddington: Brisbane’s Hillside Village
Place 21
The Queenslander: A House Built for Brisbane
Place 22
Brisbane Botanic Gardens: From the Tropics to Japan
Place 23
Mount Coot-tha Summit: Brisbane’s Grand Finale
Place 24
Mount Coot-tha Summit: You Made It!
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 24 stops, covering top attractions such as The Gabba: Where Brisbane Comes to Play, Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout: Brisbane Revealed, Story Bridge: Brisbane’s Iconic Crossing, Howard Smith Wharves, Brooki Bakehouse: Brisbane's Viral Cookie Shop.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at The Gabba: Where Brisbane Comes to Play (Address: 859 Stanley St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!