Dare to be different: unique things to do in Brisbane

Feel like your weekends have become a bit ‘been there, done that’? Disrupt the ho-hum of daily life by giving some of Brisbane’s quirkier activities a go.

From cracking codes to getting creative with clay, Brisbane offers plenty of surprises. Discover unusual activities that are far from mainstream.

Lose track of time with LEGO

Want to spend a day admiring impressive LEGO builds or rummaging through tubs to find that much-wanted piece? BrickResales in Coopers Plains sells quality second-hand LEGO. Find great pieces for a fraction of the cost of new sets. LEGO lovers of all ages can escape into a world of creativity that is tough to match.

Get locked up for fun

Imagine being locked inside a room and the only way out is by cracking codes and solving mysteries. If this sounds fun, add Cube Escape Rooms in Everton Park to your Brisbane must-do list.

They have a range of rooms and scenarios for ages 7 and up. This 'choose your own adventure' style activity will have you racing the clock in a fun and frantic escapade. Ticking bombs, secret vaults and deadly librarians is the vibe.

Craft a ceramic masterpiece

Are you feeling creative and want to try something new? The Ceramic Studio in Indooroopilly is the perfect spot to explore and discover your love for ceramics. They have a huge range of 'ready to paint' ceramics, so there's no need to get your hands dirty.

Draw your own design, use stencils, or just freehand it – the choice is yours. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, there are pottery workshops so you can create your masterpiece from scratch.

Discover history after dark

When the sun goes down Fort Lytton Historical Military Precinct comes alive. Enjoy lights, sound and stories from Brisbane's military past. Join the Fort Lytton at Night tour to explore the 19th-century fort and hear Raymond Augustus Stanley’s story. 

Prefer daytime adventures? Join a free guided tour and uncover fascinating stories from Brisbane’s wartime history.

Explore a hidden coastal gem near Brisbane

Looking for a quieter way to explore Brisbane’s coastline? Head to the Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk, a peaceful walk through native mangroves that stretches for kilometres along Moreton Bay. You'll find an easy, family-friendly trail to slow down, spot local birdlife and marine creatures, and enjoy a different side of the city. Don’t forget your binoculars, you never know what you might spot.

Once the sun goes down, the Wynnum foreshore precinct comes alive. Pack a picnic or grab takeaway and enjoy Movies in the Park, at Little Bayside Park, held on the first Saturday each month. These free outdoor screenings are a relaxed and family-friendly way to enjoy a night under the stars.

Tour with a taste of trivia

Brisbane has more to discover than meets the eye. Join a free Brisbane Greeters tours to explore a different side of the city.

Discover the elephant skeleton beneath Suncorp Stadium. Learn how Queen Street became the first recorded public electricity site in 1882.

Get fancy with high tea

Here's one for the foodies craving a little something special. Swap your morning cuppa for a decadent high tea experience, complete with cute crockery and quaint lace tablecloths. 

Eliza's Place in Corinda is a cosy café serving traditional high tea. Enjoy house-made cakes and savoury treats any day of the week.

Enjoy a trip to the stars

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is home to Brisbane City Council's Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. The venue is home to the Cosmic Skydome with a 12.5-metre-diameter projection dome. Book to see a show including a tour of Brisbane's night sky. You're free to wander the Display Zone and there's also an observatory, Galaxy Gift Shop and Sundial Courtyard.

Seek out a secret bar

If you're looking for a new nighttime hangout, Brisbane’s hidden bar scene has you covered. Hidden in laneways, shopfronts and below the city, these venues make a night out more memorable.

Start in South Brisbane's Fish Lane with Next Episode Bar, a hip hop venue hidden behind a working barbershop. To gain entry, you’ll need to track down the code via their Instagram. Half the fun is getting in!

Just around the corner, Maker delivers seasonal cocktails with artistic flair. Small but memorable, this bar proves great experiences come in compact spaces.

Across the city, there are plenty more secret spots waiting to be discovered, often concealed behind everyday features:

• The Copacabana Club - hidden behind a 'staff only' room at the back of another venue
• Mrs J Rabbit - step through a wardrobe into a 1920s-style speakeasy
• The Nixon Room - a tiny, exclusive bar tucked behind an unmarked door in an alley
• Saville Row - enter trough a plain orange door into a refined whiskey lounge
• Shaman -  a moody, low-lit basement bar specialising in tequila, rum and classic cocktails.

Keep your eyes peeled, because in Brisbane, the most memorable bars are often the hardest to find.

Explore Brisbane’s wetlands and birdwatching hotspots

Keep your eyes peeled for some of Brisbane’s best birdlife at hidden wetland lookouts and leafy reserves across the city.

Start at the Nudgee Wetlands Bird Hide, a covered lookout in the mangroves near Nudgee Beach, ideal for spotting shorebirds.

On the bayside, the Wynnum Wetlands Bird Hide offers another immersive experience, reached via a beautifully winding mangrove boardwalk.

You’ll also find great birdwatching opportunities at:

• Banks Street Reserve, Ashgrove
• Dowse Lagoon, Sandgate
• Sandy Camp Park, Lytton
• Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill.

For even more birdwatching locations, explore this guide to bird-watching places in South-east Queensland.

Get your spook on

Wish the spooky season was all year round? Join Ghost Tours Australia for a Brisbane adventure. Discover the eerie secrets that come alive in the night.

They offer tours at cemeteries including Toowong, South Brisbane and Nundah Cemeteries. You may also choose the Haunted Brisbane ghost walking tour or coach tour.

Learn a new skill

Time to learn a new skills that's sure to impress? ClassBento has a curated collection of workshops in Brisbane. Learn anything from painting with watercolours, to cooking gnocchi, or making your own jewellery. Book a workshop and let your creative spirit run free!

Hunt treasure

They say 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. Why not take a trip to one of Council's two second-hand shops called Treasure Troves at Geebung and Acacia Ridge.

The Endeavour Foundation runs the shops. They stock items donated by Brisbane residents, including furniture, homewares, books, hardware, and sporting equipment for purchase.

More inspiration

Download the Brisbane app for weekend inspiration and discover top things to see and do around Brisbane.

_{Editor's note: This article aims to inspire residents and visitors to plan a Brisbane day out. Brisbane City Council disclaims any relationship with, or endorsement of, businesses featured in this article.}