Welcome to Brisbane, one of Australia’s fastest-growing cultural destinations. The local saying about Queensland is “beautiful one day, perfect the next” and if there’s anywhere that brings that to life it’s Brisbane.
The weather is warm, the vibe is relaxed and laid back, the people are friendly and the culture is vibrant. You’re going to have a great time here, and hiring a car is the perfect way to begin.
On the streets of downtown Brisbane, you’ll discover a burgeoning café culture, laneway and street art collections, assorted choices for shopping (Queen Street Mall is very popular), and die-hard sports fans. No matter what your ideal way to spend a holiday is, Brisbane has something for you.
Experiences galore in Brisbane
There’s always something going on in Brisbane, with annual events for every season organised across music, arts, celebrations, and more. A few include: Brisbane Festival, Laneway Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, the latest Gallery of Modern Art installations, the Ekka, Oktoberfest, and Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival.
Brisbane is particularly renowned for its live music, with multiple venues all in close proximity within its nightlife precinct, Fortitude Valley. No matter what your favourite flavour, you’ll find tunes here to suit your style. The nightclubs are as renowned as the live-band venues, and you’ll find them right next to one another in the same streets, so it’s an easy night out with plenty of variety on hand.
After that big night out, you’ll probably need to tone things down a bit. In which case, head up to the quiet Mount Coot-tha’s lookout in Brisbane’s inner west for a stunning view of the city – be sure your phone’s camera settings are on panoramic. It’s the highest mountain in the region and looks over the entire metropolitan region – on a clear day, you can even see all the way to Moreton Bay.
Southbank is home to markets, street performers, and serves as an ‘arts precinct’ with GOMA, Brisbane Art Gallery, the Performing Arts Centre, and Science Centre all in one location. Or travellers can head to the West End, ideal for beer gardens, breweries, vegan markets, and an alternative vibe. Said to be “Melbourne 2.0”, West End is the trendiest place you’ll find north of the Melbourne CBD.
We also recommend exploring the Botanic Gardens, Powerhouse Theatre in New Farm, The Gabba (Queensland's Cricket and Australian Rules Mecca), Glass House Mountains, and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. After all, what Australian holiday would be complete without a cuddle with a koala, a tentative hold of a python, and a face-to-face meeting with a cassowary? With so much to explore, hiring a car provides you with the freedom to tailor your itinerary to your ideal holiday.
Explore sunny Queensland in your Hertz rental car from Brisbane Airport
How good is Brisbane’s positioning? With the Sunshine Coast, Hinterland, Gold Coast, Noosa, and Toowoomba at its doorstep, there are day trips, weekend getaways, and longer excursions aplenty (and easily accessible).
Venture to Caloundra Beach and soak up the sun while partaking in endless water sport options (think kayaking, kiteboarding, windsurfing, fishing, jet skiing, and more) cascading across the seven beaches that make up the precinct. While you’re on the Sunshine Coast, check out the pumping nightlife of Mooloolaba and the trendy shopping precincts and restaurants of Noosa.
The UNESCO world heritage listed Lamington National Park is a perfect rainforest day trip. Embark upon a tree top canopy tour or trek through the lush hiking trails. There are pathways for all levels of fitness and ample camping spots available.
We also recommend a full day of fishing, exploring the Great Dividing Range 4WD style, absorbing the sea breeze on Stradbroke Island, discovering Moreton Island (famous for some of the world’s largest sand-dunes, and yes you can sand-board down them), Springbrook National Park, or throw the map away and create your own road trip adventure. Wherever it leads you, it's sure to create memories for a lifetime in this equally majestic part of the world.
Keen to learn more? Explore Brisbane’s natural escapes, beaches, cheap eats, best bars, road trips, and photographer’s guide. Check out our destination guides and ‘Places to Visit’ blogs for comprehensive travel insights. Hire a car from Hertz in Brisbane Airport today!
