Fun things to Do in Brisbane this summer

Summer is just around the corner, and that means long, sunny days filled with adventure! Brisbane comes alive in the warmer months, offering heaps of awesome activities for families and kids of all ages. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Brisbane to keep everyone entertained, you’ve come to the right place!

Planning the perfect summer for your family can feel like a mission. You want to find activities that are not only fun but also engaging and memorable. The key is to have a mix of everything! From relaxed city days to exciting outdoor escapades. 

We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite things to do in Brisbane in summer, designed to spark some inspiration and help you create a holiday season filled with smiles and laughter.

 

Finding fun things to do in Brisbane with kids

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that take you out of your usual routine. While local parks and pools are great, a whole world of new experiences awaits just a short trip from home. These are the kinds of activities that help kids step out of their comfort zones, build new skills, and make fantastic memories that last a lifetime. So let’s dive into some of the best adventures Brisbane has to offer this summer!

Splashing around in the city

When the Brisbane sun is out in full force, there’s nothing better than a good cool-down session. Luckily, you don’t even have to leave the city to find an awesome spot for a splash. Brisbane has some fantastic spots for a cool-down session right in the heart of the town. South Bank is a classic for a reason; it’s an oasis of fun right by the river, and it’s the perfect place to start your city adventure.

• Streets Beach and Aquativity: The man-made Streets Beach is perfect for a safe, sandy dip, and there are plenty of water-play areas like Aquativity for the little ones, which even teaches them a bit about the Brisbane River system through fountains and sprays. It’s a completely free way to beat the heat right next to the city skyline.
• A river cruise adventure: You can hop on a CityCat ferry for a super relaxed and scenic cruise along the river—it’s a great way to see the city from a different angle! Pro tip: the CityHopper service is free and stops at places like Kangaroo Point and New Farm Park.
• Sky-high views: If you prefer dry land with a view, taking a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane offers some seriously stunning panoramas. It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset over the city.

Culture, museums, and air-conditioned escapes

When the midday sun is just a bit too much, duck inside for some engaging, air-conditioned fun. These spots are brilliant for a quiet, cool-down that still sparks curiosity.

• GOMA and the Queensland Museum: The Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) often runs incredible, free Children’s Art Centre programs during the holidays, making modern art fun and hands-on. Right next door, the Queensland Museum is also free to enter and features amazing exhibits, including the always popular dinosaur displays and the exciting, interactive SparkLab science experience.
• Blast off at the planetarium: Located in the beautiful Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is an excellent spot to explore the stars and solar system, offering a fantastic experience for little ones and a perfect break from the summer heat.

Nature adventures and day trips

If you’re keen to get out of the city and into nature, there are so many options for things to do in Brisbane with kids that feel like a proper holiday without the long drive. From bushwalking and wildlife spotting to climbing sand dunes, Brisbane’s backyard has tons of outdoor fun just waiting to be explored.

• Botanic Garden exploring: The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha are a beautiful place for a family walk and a picnic. You can explore the Japanese Garden or find the hidden trails. Don’t forget the City Botanic Gardens too, which features the fun, all-abilities Baldwin Lawn Playground!
• Island life and sand dunes: For a bigger day out, a trip to Moreton Island is a must. You can go sand tobogganing down massive dunes, snorkel around shipwrecks, and even spot some local marine life. It’s an unforgettable day of sunshine and adventure for the whole family.
• Koala spotting: Head to the Daisy Hill Koala Centre (it’s free!) for a guaranteed glimpse of our favourite furry Aussie friends in a safe, bushland setting, complete with interactive displays and easy walking tracks.

Free fun that won’t break the bank

Looking for fun things to do in Brisbane without spending a fortune? Brisbane has plenty of amazing free or low-cost activities that are perfect for keeping the kids busy.

• Parkland play and fun for the family: Pack a picnic and head to the massive playgrounds at Roma Street Parkland or New Farm Park. They’re huge, beautifully kept, and have plenty of shady spots for parents to relax while the kids run wild and play in the beautiful nature. 
• Go water park hopping: Aside from South Bank, you can check out other fantastic free water play areas like Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks or the Settlement Cove Lagoon up in Redcliffe, which is a huge, tropical seaside pool perfect for splashing around and cooling off in the sun.

Try a summer holiday camp

For a unique and unforgettable summer adventure, consider a summer holiday camp. Camps offer a unique, multi-day experience packed with challenges and new friends. Think days filled with action-packed fun like, raft building, archery, rock climbing, and canoeing.

Whether you choose a day camp or a full-week stay, camps are a fantastic option for families looking for structured, supervised fun that keeps kids active and engaged. It’s the perfect opportunity for children to learn and grow in a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment.

 

Why a summer holiday camp is an excellent option for fun in Brisbane

Many parents look for fun things to do in Brisbane to keep their children entertained, but a camp offers much more than just a temporary distraction. It can actually be a long-term investment in your child’s confidence, independence, and overall happiness.

Choosing a camp means giving your child an environment designed purely for growth, supported by trained adventure professionals. Here is why a camp offers the ultimate summer advantage.

1. Building resilience and independence

At home, it’s easy for kids to rely on their parents for everything. At a summer holiday camp, that changes because mum and dad are not there. These camps provide an excellent environment for kids to experience a bit of independence in a fun and inclusive setting.

• Problem-solving power: When faced with a challenge, whether it’s figuring out how to pack their bag, navigating to a new activity, or trying to climb a wall for the first time, campers learn to troubleshoot for themselves. This boosts their confidence and teaches them they are capable, which is a life skill that sticks forever.
• A taste of freedom: Being away from home, even for a few nights, gives kids a healthy sense of independence. They are responsible for their own choices, their gear, and their schedule. This freedom is what helps them mature and grow into self-reliant young people.

2. Developing social skills and making new friends

Camps are social super-boosters! They intentionally bring together children from different schools, suburbs, and backgrounds and get them communicating and working together. This helps to develop a sense of community, exposes kids to other cultures, and helps them make new friends for life. 

• Making new mates: Away from their established school cliques, kids get a fresh start. They have to work together on team challenges, such as raft building, which naturally teaches them how to compromise, communicate clearly, and support one another.
• Positive role models: Group Leaders and Instructors are not just supervisors; they are energetic, caring mentors who guide kids through challenges and teach valuable lessons about sportsmanship and empathy, all in a fun-filled and enthusiastic manner.

3. An “electronics vacation”

Summer camps are the perfect place for an important digital detox. In our ever-online world, with so many distractions such as cell phones and video games, it is vital for children’s mental health and well-being to escape from it all from time to time.

• Unplug and connect: Leaving the phones, tablets, and gaming consoles behind allows children to engage with the world around them. They connect with nature, focus fully on an activity, and engage deeply in face-to-face conversations. 
• Active and healthy: With a packed schedule of outdoor activities, campers stay physically active throughout the day. This is great for their physical health and guarantees they’ll come home happy, tired, and ready for an early night.

If you are looking for an immersive experience that will send your child back to school more confident and full of exciting stories to tell, a summer holiday camp is the perfect choice for your family.

 

The ultimate summer adventure: Kindilan Camp

Ready for that experience? When it comes to amazing camps, we have the perfect option for you, PGL Kindilan Camp in Queensland. Located just 40 minutes from Brisbane in Redland Bay, Kindilan Camp is a massive 220-acre bushland site dedicated to adventure. It’s the perfect setting for kids to switch off the screens and switch on their sense of discovery.

Imagine a week filled with activities like:

• Raft building: Working with a team to build something that actually floats!
• Flying Fox: Soaring through the air for an adrenaline rush.
• Archery and climbing: Trying new challenges and celebrating personal achievements.
• Jacob’s Ladder: Work as a team to climb to the top together.

These camps are designed for kids aged 8-14 and include everything from meals and accommodation to all the adventure activities and evening activities. It’s an incredible opportunity for kids to have a taste of independence and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Get a head start on your planning and secure a spot at Kindilan Camp today! Book today or contact us if you have any questions.