The Best Areas to Stay in Brisbane, QLD
The Best Areas to Stay in Brisbane, QLD

Best Areas to Stay in Brisbane, Australia

Where to Stay in Brisbane – A Guide to the Capital of Queensland 

Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia and the capital of the state of Queensland. It is a city located north of Sydney (in the northeast of Australia) and, although some tourists only see it as the gateway to the Gold Coast, it has many attractions on its own that deserve to be explored. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Brisbane, Australia.

Brisbane’s main attractions include the Story Bridge, an impressive bridge from which you can see beautiful views of the city, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Queen Street Mall, with shops and restaurants for all types of visitors. See accommodation in Central Brisbane.

Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, this city has a humid subtropical climate that gives it two seasons: One dry and one rainy. However, since it has warm temperatures during most of the year, the best time to travel to Brisbane and avoid the suffocating heat goes from May to July.

Brisbane Airport, which is one of the hubs of important airlines such as Virgin Blue, makes it possible to move to other cities in Australia and also has some international flights. When moving within Brisbane, the metro system (called Citytrain) is the best option, but you can also use bus, ferry and taxi throughout the different areas of the city.

The best area to stay in Brisbane is its Central Business District (CBD) thanks to its proximity to most tourist attractions, the best nightlife, and restaurants. (See accommodation in Brisbane’s CBD).

Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Brisbane, Australia.

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Best Location in Brisbane, Queensland: A Quick Guide

Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Brisbane according to your travel style. Keep on reading below to find more information on each particular suburb.


Best Hotels in Brisbane, QLD by Theme

Got something specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the top hotels in Brisbane. No matter your reason for visiting Brisbane, we can help you decide!


The Best Areas to stay in Brisbane, QLD

The Central Business District of Brisbane or CBD is among the best areas to stay in Brisbane, thanks to its excellent transport connections, including metro stations such as Central and Roma Street.

In addition, this area is considered the heart of the city, with a very central location that borders on the south with the Brisbane River.</p

Brisbane’s CBD is known for its office and building complexes, but it also has green, open spaces such as the Brisbane Botanical Garden and the Roma Street Parkland that create an interesting contrast with the business atmosphere of the area.

On the other hand, the CBD has a great gastronomic offer and accommodation options of all types that include chains such as Sofitel, Mariott and Stamford Plaza.

The CBD is one of the best areas to stay in Brisbane because, despite being one of the most popular districts in the city, it is still a peaceful area to stay in Brisbane, especially during the weekend.

Where to stay in Brisbane - CBD
Where to stay in Brisbane – CBD
Accommodation in Brisbane's CBD - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Brisbane’s CBD – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Brisbane, QLD:

  • Central location
  • Pedestrian-friendly
  • Best area to stay in Brisbane for sightseeing
  • Great transport connections
  • Brisbane Botanical Garden
  • All kinds of hotels

2. South Brisbane

South Brisbane is located, as its name indicates, south of the Central Business District or CBD. From its position on the other side of the Brisbane River, you can catch incredible views of the Brisbane skyline which make it an excellent accommodation option.

This neighbourhood is famous for its cultural offer, since it is home to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Museum and the Maritime Museum of Queensland.

Another of the attractions of South Brisbane is the Wheel of Brisbane, from which panoramic views of the city are obtained that will be useful when taking photos for your Social Media platforms.

Another one of the benefits of staying in South Brisbane is that it connects with other areas of the city by metro, thanks to stations such as South Brisbane and South Bank. In addition, it is also the ideal place for lovers of cultural activity, as it is home to theaters such as Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

South Brisbane is one of the best areas to stay in Brisbane if you want a central location, but with more affordable accommodation costs than in the CBD.

Views of the CBD from South Brisbane, one of the best areas to stay in Brisbane
Views of the CBD from South Brisbane, one of the best areas to stay in Brisbane
Accommodation in South Brisbane - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation in South Brisbane – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Brisbane:

  • Wheel of Brisbane
  • Great views of the CBD
  • Gallery of Modern Art
  • Cheaper hotels and apartments
  • Connected by metro
  • Queensland Museum

3. Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is located northeast of the CBD and is a place of contrasts. On one hand, it has some of the most exclusive restaurants in Brisbane and, on the other, it is a hipster area with indie record stores and art galleries such as Jan Murphy Gallery.

This area has its own metro station of the same name that connects it with other districts of Brisbane, making it easy to go to the main attractions of the city.

Fortitude Valley is one of the best areaes to stay in Brisbane for nightlife, as it has a large number of clubs and bars to satisfy the tastes of the most demanding or peculiar visitors.

Brisbane’s very own Chinatown is also part of Fortitude Valley, and one of those corners that you can not miss if you consider yourself a foodie.

Fortitude is a suburb that never sleeps and, therefore, staying in this area guarantees that you will always have something to do or see in Brisbane.

Chinatown - Fortitude Valley - Where to stay in Brisbane
Chinatown – Fortitude Valley – Where to stay in Brisbane
Accommodation in Fortitude Valley - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Fortitude Valley – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Brisbane:

  • Hipster area
  • Jan Murphy Gallery
  • Great nightlife
  • Amazing food
  • Chinatown
  • Connected by metro

4. Spring Hill

Spring Hill is located just north of the CBD and, therefore, has a fairly central and privileged location that makes it a recommended area to stay in Brisbane.

It is a mostly residential neighbourhood, perfect for those seeking tranquility during their stay in Brisbane. Among the main attractions of Spring Hill, there’s the Roma Street Parkland, with gardens and an amphitheater where concerts and plays are held.

Spring Hill is also the best area to stay in Brisbane for business travelers, with restaurants, bars and business hotels.

Although this district does not have its own metro station, Central Station is about 12 minutes away on foot, and it also has different bus stops that will allow you to move to the main attractions of the city.

Other attractions of this suburb are Spring Hills Baths, a spa of Victorian architecture that was built in 1886 and, when visiting, allows us to know a little more about the history of Brisbane.

Spring Hills - Where to stay in Brisbane
Spring Hills – Where to stay in Brisbane
Accommodation in Spring Hills - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Spring Hills – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay:

  • Business-type hotels
  • Peaceful area
  • Central area

5. Hamilton

Hamilton is a residential area of ​​the upper class of Brisbane that, over the years, has acquired great importance at a tourist level thanks, in large part, to its wide gastronomic offer.

It is in Hamilton that the Eat Street Northshore food market takes place, where visitors and foodies taste dishes from around the world, while enjoying live music, in a unique venue made with containers.

In addition, Hamilton is also home to Portside Wharf, a modern building next to the Brisbane Cruise Terminal that houses high-end restaurants, shops and exclusive bars.

Hamilton is one of the best areas to stay in Brisbane, Australia, if you want to know the most exclusive side of this city or to go shopping. Because is about an 11-minute drive from Brisbane Airport, this is also the recommended area in Brisbane for travelers in transit.

Similarly, although Hamilton is a bit far from other neighbourhoods, the nearest metro station is Doomben and connects with most of the lines, making it easy to move to the other suburbs of Brisbane.

Hamilton - Best areas to stay in Brisbane
Hamilton – Best areas to stay in Brisbane
Accommodation in Hamilton - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Hamilton – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Brisbane, QLD:

  • Eat Street Northshore
  • Great food
  • Portside Wharf
  • Brisbane Cruise Terminal
  • Shopping area
  • Close to Brisbane airport

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