📍4 Jaw‑Dropping Brisbane CBD Lookouts You Can Enjoy For FREE!
WANT TO KNOW WHICH FREE BRISBANE LOOKOUTS HAVE THE BEST SKYLINE & RIVER VIEWS?
No city in Australia does enviable riverine lifestyle quite like Brisbane. It’s a stunning destination with an outdoor scene that capitalises on its warm year-round weather and natural scenery by thoughtfully blending city elements with the natural landscape.
There’s no better way to appreciate it all than from one of the many outstanding lookouts the Brisbane CBD has to offer. Better yet, some of them don’t even require you to spend a single dollar to enjoy their breathtaking scenery, because the city provides!
From the new, open-air penthouse Sky Deck, offering unforgettable panoramic views 100m above the Brisbane River, to the iconic Kangaroo Point Cliffs and its views of the Eagle St skyscrapers, these verifiably epic, budget-friendly free Brisbane lookouts will make you fall even further in love with this spectacular city.
👉 My top 3 picks for the best FREE lookouts in Brisbane:
- Skydeck.
- Wilson Outlook.
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
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6 Best FREE Lookouts In Brisbane City.
1. The Star Casino Sky Deck. – Brisbane’s Newest Free Lookout.
Brisbane’s lookouts just levelled up. The Star Casino, located within easy walking distance of the CBD, only opened in late 2024, and along with it came the Sky Deck, an incredible open-air rooftop observation platform. With magnificent, jaw-dropping views that revealed a side of the city previously unseen by the public, it delivered exactly the kind of showstopping scenery the River City needed to elevate its status to an elite level.
We’re talking spectacular, more than 180-degree panoramas that take in everything from South Bank’s iconic parklands, pools, and ferris wheel, to the unmissable big brown Brisbane River and all the bridges that crisscross it, giving visitors and locals alike a brand new, unforgettable perspective of the city they’ve never seen before.
Most places charge you access for these kinds of epic, penthouse views. But not here! And that’s the absolutely insane thing about this place. It’ll cost you the whopping amount of nada to see the priceless views from this phenomenal 100m-high lookout.
That’s 20m higher than the breathtaking summit of the Story Bridge. And you can take your camera and photograph everything to your heart’s content, even if that means every square inch of the scenery, which is always a huge win in my book, making it a standout contender for the best free lookout in Brisbane day and night!
- Location: 33 William St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 (Star Casino.)
- Entry: Free access.
- Features: Glass Platform.
- Rooftop restaurants & bars.
- Direct hotel access for overnight guests.
- View Highlights: South Bank Parklands, Brisbane River, Riverside Expressway. many bridges.
- Activities: Photography, dining and drinking. (They sometimes have special events.)
- Best Time To Visit: Sunset.
- 2025 Opening Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 6:30am – 10:30pm.
- Friday – Saturday: 6:30am – Midnight.
- Sunday: 6:30am – 10:30pm.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. (Lifts, ramps and escalators.)
- Closest Public Transport Stop: North Quay Ferry Wharf.
- Parking: Paid undercover parking after the initial 30 complimentary free minutes. Or park free with a free membership depending on status-level.
2. Wilson’s Outlook – Dynamic Photography Dream Location.
Just around the river bend from the Story Bridge lies one of the best free lookouts in Brisbane City. Wilsons Outlook sits on the cliffs behind the Howard Smith Wharves and is a beloved photography spot because it not only has fantastic views of both of those renowned attractions but also has the city’s skyscrapers rising out from behind the iconic bridge.
It’s particularly beautiful in the afternoon when the sun goes down behind the buildings. And it’s one of the best places to be in the CBD at night, particularly when the Riverfire fireworks and pyrotechnic shows are on, thanks to that incredible urban scenery.
- Location: Wilson Outlook Reserve, Wilson St, Kangaroo Point.
- Entry: Free access.
- View highlights: Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves, city skyscrapers, Brisbane River with City Cats and City Hoppers cruising around.
- Activities: Photography, romantic picnics, Brisbane Riverfire viewing.
- Best time to visit: Sunset for perfect backlit city views; night for illuminated skyline shots.
- Best time to visit: Sunset for perfect backlit city views; night for illuminated skyline shots
- Opening hours: Always open.
- Accessibility: Mostly flat with footpaths and stroller-friendly. Lifts up and down the cliff.
- Closest Public Transport Stop: Howard Smith Wharves Ferry Wharf.
- Parking: Limited paid street parking nearby, may require early arrival.
- Nearby attractions: Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves dining and bar precinct, Riverside walkways.
- Tips: Arrive early during events like Brisbane Riverfire to secure a good spot.
👉 Quick Guide To Brisbane:
- 🚗 Getting Around: Public transport for the inner city, Renting a car elsewhere(Taxis & Ubers are expensive.)
- 🌄 Must-Do Activities: Summiting the Story Bridge, snorkelling and kayaking the Tangalooma Wrecks, and abseiling the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
- 🏠 Best Hotel: Jephson Hotel & Apartments.
3. Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park & Lookout. – Gorgeous Clifftop Scenery.
One of Brisbane’s most prominent geographical features is the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Or more commonly known as Kangaroo Cliffs. The extensive 18m high rock face follows the Brisbane River from the St. Vincent’s Private Hospital and stops just shy of the Captain Cook Bridge, a distance of about 1km.
The heritage-listed cliffs were created by convicts hacking at the stone, searching for volcanic rock, ignimbrite or welded tuff. Today, it’s known as Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park. And it’s one of the city’s best green spaces, which is in no small part thanks to its spectacular views overlooking the skyscrapers of Eagle Street Pier.
People love walking, riding and taking photographs along both the top and bottom. The former is often busy, but the scenery is well worth it. And there’s plenty of space (and picnic tables) to find a spot to yourself and drink in that magnificent sight, while the latter is typically much more peaceful and just as picturesque.
They’re also some of Brisbane’s best night lookouts, particularly during the Riverfire Fireworks and laser displays as both have plenty of excellent places to watch the captivating shows.
- Location: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, along the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point.
- Entry: Free access.
- View Highlights: Brisbane skyline behind Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane River.
- Activities: Rock climbing, abseiling, walking, picnics, photography.
- Best time to visit: Golden hour for warm light; evening for city lights; during Brisbane Riverfire for great vantage.
- Opening hours: Open 24/7.
- Accessibility: Mostly wheelchair accessible with paved paths. Some areas have stairs. No lifts.
- Closest Public Transport Stop: Main Street At Thornton Street bus stop.
- Parking: Paid street parking.
- Nearby attractions: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park BBQ areas, Riverwalk, rock climbing & abseiling experiences.
- Tips: Bring water and sunscreen if visiting during the day; try abseiling or rock climbing for an adrenaline rush
4. Mt Cootha Lookout. – Sunrise Panoramas & Thick Fog.
Heading out of the CBD, Mt Cootha is definitely Brisbane’s most well-known and beloved outer vantage point, and for good reason. This beautiful mountaintop location on the city’s outskirts has vast panoramic views overlooking the inner-city skyscrapers and all across the southern side of the Greater Brisbane region.
It’s lovely during the day but becomes magical during Golden Hour when the sun sits just above the horizon and is very romantic at night when all the urban lights illuminate the night. There’s also a cafe and fancy restaurant at the lookout itself, making it one of the best places to go for a date.
Not only is it a fantastic viewpoint throughout the year, but people also love coming here when the RAAF does military jet flybys or the city is putting on a fireworks show, such as during Brisbane Riverfire and New Year, turning an already romantic place even more so.
👉 Note: Mt Cootha Lookout is frequently busy and has a small parking area, so finding a spot may be difficult, especially during events.
- Location: Mt Coot-tha Lookout, Mount Coot-tha Reserve, Mt Coot-tha Rd, Toowong.
- Entry: Free access.
- View Highlights: Brisbane CBD skyline, southern suburbs, scenic panoramic views.
- Activities: Photography & dining.
- Best Time To Visit: Sunrise & night.
- Opening hours: The lookout is always open.
- Accessibility: Paved paths and lookout areas are wheelchair accessible
- Closest Public Transport Stop: Sir Samuel Griffith Dr at Mount Coot-tha bus stop. Bus 471.
- Parking: Two small car parks available; fills quickly, especially at peak times.
- Nearby Attractions: Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Scenic Sir Samuel Smith Dr. Mt Coot-tha walking and bike trails.
- Tips: Arrive early during Riverfire for prime viewing; bring a tripod for night shots.
Brisbane Lookouts Map.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In Brisbane.
- Budget: Great Southern Hotel Brisbane.
- Mid-Range: Royal Albert Hotel.
- Luxury: Emporium Hotel South Bank.
Conclusion: Best Best Free Brisbane Lookouts You Don’t Want To Miss.
If you’re searching for the best free things to do in Brisbane or simply want a budget-friendly way to soak up the stunning River City views without spending a cent, the Queensland capital delivers!
From the jaw-dropping river scenery seen from the Sky Deck’s 100-meter high, world-class observation deck, to Wilson Outlook showcasing several CBD icons and Mt Coot-tha’s views overlooking the city as a whole, these epic free lookouts in Brisbane showcasing incredible cityscapes go a long way in rivalling the pricey experiences such as the Story Bridge Adventure Climb and expensive skyscraper hotels.
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