A free day out in Brisbane with kids
This is a free day in Brisbane with kids, and every stop costs nothing to enter. Museum of Brisbane (0.2 km), Roma Street Parkland (1.0 km) and Streets Beach (1.0 km) are all close to the centre. Mt Coot-tha Lookout, Brisbane's highest point, is 6.7 km out. It mixes an indoor museum with playgrounds, a lagoon swim and a view.
Begin at Museum of Brisbane when it opens at 10am, then spend the middle of the day outdoors. Pack swimmers, hats and a picnic, since there are free barbecues at Roma Street Parkland and in the South Bank parklands. Streets Beach lifeguard hours change through the year, so check them. Everything is free, but cafes cost extra.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Museum of Brisbane
- Late morning: Roma Street Parkland
- Afternoon: Streets Beach
- Late afternoon: Mt Coot-tha Lookout
Morning
Museum of Brisbane
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City · Museums & Science Centres · Ages 5-17 · Free · 4.5 stars (3208 reviews)
A free museum and art gallery in Brisbane City Hall, 0.2 km from the centre, with MoB Kids activities and free bookable Clock Tower Tours. It is open daily 10am to 5pm. The listing gives ages 5 to 17. Book a Clock Tower Tour if it suits your family.
Tip: Clock Tower Tours are free but need booking.
Late morning
Roma Street Parkland
Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane City · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (10660 reviews)
A 16-hectare inner-city park with gardens, playgrounds, free barbecues, a cafe and a weekend fun train. It is open 24 hours and 1.0 km from the centre. After the museum, this is where kids can run, and you can cook lunch on a free barbecue.
Tip: The fun train runs on weekends; barbecues are free.
Afternoon
Swim at Streets Beach
Streets Beach, South Brisbane · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
A free, man-made lagoon in South Bank Parklands with white-sand beaches and shady shallows, overlooking the river and the CBD. Professional lifeguards patrol it seven days a week all year, with hours that change. There are showers, toilets and parents' rooms with change tables.
Tip: Lifeguards patrol every day, but hours change; check the official page.
Late afternoon
Finish at Mt Coot-tha Lookout
Mt Coot-tha Lookout, Mount Coot-tha · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (15237 reviews)
A free lookout at Brisbane's highest point with city and bay views, a cafe, free parking and walking tracks up from the bush below. It is open 24 hours and 6.7 km from the centre. Leave time to get there before you want to head home.
Tip: Free parking; the lookout is open 24 hours.
Before you go
- Museum of Brisbane is open daily 10am to 5pm; Clock Tower Tours are free but must be booked.
- Roma Street Parkland and the South Bank parklands have free barbecues.
- Streets Beach is patrolled every day, but the hours change through the year.
- Mt Coot-tha Lookout has free parking and is open 24 hours.
- All four stops are free and open every day, so the plan works any day.
Questions parents ask
What are the best free things to do in Brisbane with kids?
This plan uses Museum of Brisbane (with MoB Kids activities), Roma Street Parkland, Streets Beach and Mt Coot-tha Lookout. All four are free. The museum is open daily 10am to 5pm, and Streets Beach has lifeguards every day. Cafes and food cost extra.
Is Museum of Brisbane free?
Yes. Museum of Brisbane in Brisbane City Hall is free and open daily 10am to 5pm. It has MoB Kids activities and free Clock Tower Tours, which you need to book. It is 0.2 km from the city centre. Check the listing for current activities and tour times.
Can kids swim for free in Brisbane?
Yes. Streets Beach in South Bank Parklands is a free, man-made swimming lagoon patrolled by professional lifeguards seven days a week all year, with hours that change. It has showers, toilets and parents' rooms with change tables. Check the official page for the hours on the day you go.
More days in Brisbane with kids
- Your first day in Brisbane with kids - The places to start with when you have one day and want the best of the city.
- A rainy day in Brisbane with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A beach day in Brisbane with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- Brisbane with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Brisbane with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Brisbane with kids: all guides