📍27 Best Showstopping Brisbane Lookouts, Bridges & Scenic Experiences For Sunrise, Sunrise & Night Time Scenery. (2025.)

WANT TO DISCOVER THE BEST BRISBANE LOOKOUTS & VIEWPOINTS?

Brisbane is a gorgeous city famous for its enviable riverside lifestyle featuring many outdoor spaces wedged between its iconic river and towering skyscrapers. And there is no better way to soak in what the Queensland capital is all about than by heading to one of its many viewpoints and observing this city in all its visual grandeur.

Whether you’re visiting as a general traveller or arriving just for one of the epic citywide fireworks and lighting displays or military flyovers, such as with the revered Riverfire event or New Year celebrations, here are the best Brisbane lookouts from the inner city to the outskirts you won’t want to miss for sunrise, sunset and night time scenery!

Brisbane has many incredible lookouts and vantage points that are well worth venturing out and visiting. However, if you’re short on time but want to appreciate the urban landscape of this beautiful city, these are the ones no traveller to the Queensland capital should miss.

1. Story Bridge. – $.
Australia’s Longest Steel Cantilever Bridge.

There’s no contest for which place takes the title for the best lookout in Brisbane. The Story Bridge is synonymous with the city and provides a magnificent perspective of the CBD that no other location even comes close to, and nowhere is the view more breathtaking than from atop its spires. Luckily, like the globally renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge, you can climb it.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers people the unique opportunity to summit Brisbane’s most famous landmark. Get unforgettable panoramic views of the spectacular urban landscape as you make your way up to the breathtaking southern summit of Australia’s longest steel cantilever bridge.

See the towering skyscrapers of the inner city while looking down upon the renowned restaurant precinct of Eagle Street Pier, back along the gorgeous Bradfield Highway and the buildings of Kangaroo Point with the river on both sides and north across the iconic bow of the bridge to the famous Howard Smith Wharves all while watching the various City Cats and tourist boats zipping across the river.

It doesn’t matter if you do it during the day, at dawn, during twilight, at night or even under the full moon (yes, that’s an occasional option!), every experience is incredible. That’s why climbing the Story Bridge is a quintessential part of visiting Brisbane. Because when it’s over, it leaves you with lasting memories of this spectacular place.

However, for the most wonderful tour, I highly recommend doing the twilight tour because it was absolutely magnificent seeing the city during golden hour lit up with a romantic orange cast as the sun slowly made its way down to the horizon, then watching as the lights gradually come on as the CBD closed out the day and transitioned into night, adding another layer of magic to an already unforgettable experience.

2. The Star Casino’s Sky Deck.
Brisbane’s Newest Lookout.

The epic new kid on the block. With the opening of the Star Casino in 2024 came a game-changer for the city: The Sky Deck. This incredible, open-air rooftop observation deck is nothing short of outstanding, making it the perfect addition to Brisbane’s already prolific line-up of unforgettable things to do and experience. It’s a long-overdue one, too, being just the show-stopping thing the River City needed to elevate its lookout game into elite level status.

And it’s done so magnificently. And Literally.

It’s now the city’s tallest publicly accessible lookout at 100m, beating out the city’s most iconic viewpoint, the aforementioned Story Bridge, by 20m. As for the scenery, it is unbeatable! There are two reasons for that. First off, it has magnificent more than 180 degree sweeping panoramic views of the eastern side of Brisbane. This includes some of the city’s most recognisable attractions and landmarks, such as the spectacular South Bank Parklands and lagoons, the Wheel Of Brisbane, City Cats and the Inner City bypass, along with several gorgeous bridges, including the new Kurilpa Bridge,

Secondly, as there are no other lookouts on this side of the river, nothing comes close to the scenery and elevation that this place has. So it not only gives visitors one of the best quintessential snapshots of the Queensland Capital you can’t find publicly anywhere else, but also shows long-time locals like me a unique perspective of Brisbane I had never seen before and of the Queensland capital.

But wait, there’s one more tiny epic reason it’s a must-visit no matter who you are. It’s completely free! No tickets, no reservations! This makes it the best luxurious, romantic, budget-friendly and all-abilities accessible lookout in Brisbane, not just during the day, but also for sunset, thanks to its westward-facing orientation and even more magically, after dark.

3. Wilson’s Outlook.
Dream Photography Location.

Another spectacular Brisbane lookout you can enjoy for free is Wilson’s Outlook. Located atop the natural cliffs east of the Story Bridge, it offers the most incredible perpendicular views of this famous landmark that you’ll find.

Throw in the renowned Howard Smith Wharves and all the City Cats cruising along the Brisbane River as the foreground, while the backdrop is the breathtaking skyscrapers of the inner city, and you get one of the most picturesque and dynamic views of the enviable River City. This makes it a huge drawcard for all kinds of photographers and those looking for the perfect Instagram shot, thanks to its westward-facing orientation, making it the ideal spot for stunning backlit-city sunset snaps and beautiful after-dark cityscape shots.

Speaking of, it’s also an exceptional spot to watch the city’s beloved city-wide Brisbane Riverfire event in early Spring. This unforgettable show kicks off in the afternoon with exhilarating military flybys before capping off the night with an explosive fireworks show, which has the bridge lighting up the night as a featured centrepiece. It’s epic!

However, because it’s such a fantastic location and the reserve is only small, it fills up much faster than most of the other incredible lookouts, walkways, and viewpoints around the city, so you’ll want to arrive extra early to snag the best spots.

Psst: The heart-pumping and magical Brisbane Riverfire event happens every year in late August or early September to kick off the 3-week long Brisbane Festival and is a phenomenal time to visit the city and see what it’s all about.

4. Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park & Lookout.
Spectacular Clifftop Scenery.

Brisbane’s revered Kangaroo Point Cliffs are the city’s second most noteworthy natural geographic feature after the Brisbane River. Lining the eastern riverbank on the peninsula south of the Story Bridge, the sheer 18m high cliffs run for about 1km and are a certified icon of the city.

Carved out by convicts in their quest to find volcanic rocks in the early days of British colonialism, they have been beautifully transformed into one of the Queensland capital’s most spectacular green spaces and scenic vantage points.

The bottom is a peaceful retreat from the CBD hustle and bustle and is great for laid-back picnics with picturesque Brisbane River views.

As for the top, it delivers even more with easy access and incredible elevated views of open urban scenery, with the most spectacular being the inner-city skyscrapers behind the famous Eagle Street Pier dining precinct. It looks particularly beautiful bathed in a golden hour glow or after dark with all the lights illuminating the night.

5. Wheel Of Brisbane. – $.
Brisbane’s Private Rotating Observation Pod.

Although it’s not a lookout, the Wheel Of Brisbane is another iconic way to see the River City. Situated at the northern end of the renowned South Bank precinct, the unmissable 60m Ferris Wheel features 42 enclosed air-conditioned gondolas.

General admission rides hold up to 8 people and last 12 minutes and 5 rotations, while Sunset and VIP Packages go twice as long, have drinks and the latter and can fit up to 4 adults, which makes them perfect for special occasions, such as romantic dates, proposals, birthdays, anniversaries and more!

What makes the experience even more magical is that every ride includes a pit stop at the top, allowing guests plenty of time to savour the magnificent view. They even operate during Brisbane Riverfire and New Year fireworks, making this the ultimate private way to enjoy the city’s biggest outdoor events without a hotel room!

6. Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower.
Hidden Historical Lookout.

The last lookout in Brisbane’s inner city is one that not many people know about. City Hall is a famous 1930s heritage building in King George Square. It’s one of the city’s top attractions to see.

But what some people are unaware of is that the architecturally exquisite inter-war academic classical building is not just a visual feast on the outside. It’s even more gorgeous inside. Tourists can explore the interiors’ magnificent staircases, mesmerising ceilings, elegant decor and an imposing organ on one guided tour.

On another, they can head up a restored historical lift and observe the city’s beautiful urban landscape, including King George Square and the Albert Street Uniting Church 94m above the ground from the structure’s most notable feature, the clock tower.

While the scenery has changed significantly over the past 100 years, it’s fun to note that while it’s dwarfed by today’s buildings and skyscrapers, for 30 years until the late 1960s, it was the River City’s tallest structure, making the City Hall Clock Tower one of the best Brisbane lookouts with historical ties.

7. Mt Cootha Lookout.
The Outer City Mountaintop Lookout.

Sitting at the outer city limits lies Mt Coot-tha Lookout, the Queensland capital’s most beloved mountaintop lookout. And for good reason. This beautiful elevated viewpoint showcases the distant CBD skyscrapers and what feels like the entirety of its southern suburbs alongside it in one massive, sweeping panoramic view of Brisbane.

It’s a gorgeous location, made even better if you visit at sunrise and watch all the morning colours cast warm hues over the beautiful suburban landscape as the fireball slowly welcomes in a new day. Sometimes the scenery is blanketed in a thick fog, where only the tallest buildings are visible above the low-riding cloud, creating quite the photographic opportunity.

This is also the best time of day to visit, as this is a tourist mecca and the two small car parks tend to fill up quickly as day rolls around. It’s even more challenging when military flybys are happening, such as for Brisbane Riverfire, whether that be on the day or the practice runs beforehand, as it offers such great open views to capture these fast-moving fighter jets whizzing past at incredible speeds. But damn, is it Brisbane’s best lookout for enjoying the city’s best free show from afar if you can get a spot.

No city nails the enviable riverine lifestyle like Brisbane! It’s Australia’s revered River City. One of the best ways it achieves this top-tier status is through its long riverside walkways that hug the Brisbane River, which spectacularly showcase its cityscape scenery.

8. Clem Jones Promenade.
South Bank Parklands – Brisbane’s Most Beloved Riverwalk.

The South Bank Parklands are one of Brisbane’s must-visit attractions. Part of what makes it so highly regarded is the Clem Jones Promenade, a scenic pathway running along the city’s iconic river and offering beautiful views of the CBD’s western side.

This photogenic footpath is one of the most popular Brisbane Riverwalk sections for enjoying a riverside stroll, with prime views of the CBD skyscrapers, including the brand-new Star Casino and accommodation towers, plus the striking Neville Bonner Bridge connecting both sides of the river. It’s a gorgeous walk at any time of day.

It’s also one of the premier vantage points for two of Brisbane’s biggest events: New Year’s Eve and Brisbane Riverfire. Several fireworks barges are positioned along this stretch of river, making for an unforgettable show. During Riverfire, you’ll also be treated to exhilarating flyovers by RAAF military planes.

You can even enjoy skyline views while swimming in South Bank’s famous lagoons, especially Streets Beach. In certain spots, you’ll have full views of the fireworks, making this a magical place to visit year-round.

9. City Reach Boardwalk.
The City’s Most Romantic Riverwalk.

The City Reach Boardwalk is unequivocally my favourite Brisbane Riverwalk section. It’s a gorgeous pathway lining the Brisbane River on the CBD’s eastern side, backing directly onto the famous Eagle Street Pier, the city’s premier fine-dining riverside restaurant precinct.

That alone would make it top-tier, but what makes it elite level is that it has magnificent, uninterrupted views of the city’s most iconic landmark, the Story Bridge. It looks spectacular all throughout the day, but nothing compares to how magical it becomes at dusk when the lights turn on to illuminate it against the slowly darkening sky.

Also, if you head a little further south of the restaurants, you can capture both the Story Bridge AND the inner-city skyscrapers. Plus, there are some ferry wharves and boat docks you can use for foreground interest to create a super dynamic quintessential snapshot, capturing Brisbane’s essence as a River City.

And if you’re in town for Brisbane Riverfire, which I highly recommend you are, there’s absolutely no better to watch and photograph the fireworks exploding off the city’s most famous architectural icon than from the postcard location.

10. Howard Smith Wharves.

If you follow the City Reach Boardwalk along the river to the bridge’s underside, you come to the hippest part of the city, the Howard Smith Wharves. Whereas Eagle Street Pier has high-end restaurants, the latter has more casual dining, but the views here are equally spectacular.

The riverside area provides incredible close-up views of the famous Story Bridge and its underside, but it’s not limited to there. Take the lift up the cliff face and discover eye-level visuals of the beautifully imposing structure. From here, you can also walk the pedestrian path across it and enjoy even more breathtaking city scenery!

11. New Farm Riverwalk.

Brisbane doesn’t just have plenty of riverwalks; it also has so many bridges packed into just the city centre area, it could easily earn the nickname Queensland’s Bridge City.

A unique example that combines these two intrinsic elements is the New Farm Riverwalk: a floating pedestrian- and cycle-friendly pathway that stretches 870 metres out over the river, providing a beautiful, peaceful escape. Add the breathtaking angular views from the lesser-seen side of the city’s most famous landmark, the Story Bridge, and it’s little wonder why this is one of Brisbane’s most sought-after places to visit.

Just keep in mind that during Brisbane Riverfire’s explosive fireworks display, the Riverwalk is closed, so you will need to plan ahead.

12. Captain Burke Park.

While the Howard Smith Wharves take up occupancy under the northern end of the Story Bridge, Captain Burke Park sits beneath its southern side.

This beautiful urban park offers similar acute angles of the famous bridge, including its underside, perfect for those who enjoy seeing the architecture of iconic structures up close.
Where it one-ups the wharves, however, is in its spectacular, uninterrupted views of the Eagle Street Pier skyscrapers.

It’s also a fantastic spot to be when the Riverfire fireworks erupt over the Brisbane River and explode above the Story Bridge. But be warned, it’ll be loud! So bring earplugs. It’s also a little close for certain types of bridge firework photography. But if you’re up for the challenge, taking a wide lens is a great idea.

13. Kangaroo Point Riverwalk.

The Kangaroo Point Riverwalk is probably the most low-key Brisbane Riverwalk in the city. That’s because most people are there for the spectacular 20m-high views overlooking the breathtaking CBD skyscrapers and iconic Brisbane River, which lies to the northwest of this popular panoramic clifftop lookout.

Far fewer people descend to the bottom of this convict-carved escarpment, which shares the same incredible scenery. This just makes it one of Brisbane’s best hidden gems and the perfect place for romantic hideaway picnics, picturesque strolls, city cycling adventures, and photographers on the hunt for different perspectives.

However, for all those great things, it’s less of a good spot for the Brisbane Riverfire and New Year’s fireworks as they’re not usually on this side of the river. They are mostly on in front of the South Bank Parklands and, for Riverfire, off the Story Bridge, with typically only one barge closer to the landmark for the spectacular show, which I think needs to change.

That said, you might be able to see the first ones I mentioned going off above the City Botanic Gardens, like I saw one year from the top of the cliffs, and some of the ones exploding off the skyscraper rooftops, but it’s not the best bet.

It’s not just formal lookouts and scenic walkways that provide incredible city views. Brisbane also has numerous bridges that cross the river, offering even more excellent vantage points of the gorgeous capital.

14. Victoria Bridge. – The Oldie But Still A Goodie.

Victoria Bridge is one of Brisbane’s oldest river crossings, but it’s still one of the best for a scenic stroll. While it’s no longer the only pedestrian link between the CBD and South Bank—thanks to the nearby Neville Bonner Bridge—it remains a fantastic way to cross the Brisbane River. This is especially true if you’re coming straight from Queen Street Mall, as it’s a super easy, direct walk that takes you right to the northernmost end of the iconic South Bank Parklands.

As for the views the bridge showcases, the western walkway overlooks the iconic South Bank Parklands, with the striking Wheel of Brisbane as an unmistakable focal point. Meanwhile, from the eastern side, you can see the outer edge of the Brisbane city skyline, including the new Star Casino, towering above the unique over-water Riverside Expressway. Bridging these two locations is the stunning Neville Bonner Bridge, linking two of the city’s most iconic destinations.

The Victoria Bridge is also an excellent spot to watch military jets fly overhead and see fireworks during Brisbane Riverfire or the New Year’s Eve celebrations if you happen to be crossing in the afternoon or evening. While it’s one of the few bridges open to pedestrians during these events, it’s intended for walking through rather than stopping to spectate or set up photography gear.

15. Neville Bonner Bridge. – Brisbane’s Second Newest Bridge.

Another recent addition to Brisbane’s riverscape is the Neville Bonner Bridge. Opened earlier in 2024, the pedestrian-only pathway directly links the Wheel of Brisbane in the must-visit South Bank Parklands precinct to the CBD’s shiny new Star Casino.

These two massive attractions, bookending the bridge, create excellent forward-facing focal points while walking along in either direction. This set-up also offers plenty of fantastic photo opportunities thanks to the structure’s leading lines, bringing these two elements together to create compositionally dynamic photographs. This applies both on and off the crossing, as it is one of Brisbane’s most beautiful bridges to look at.

And as if that weren’t good enough, it also has stunning uninterrupted riverine views in both directions, making it a lovely place to go for a peaceful stroll over Brisbane’s big brown snake.

16. Kurilpa Bridge. – Brisbane’s Less Trafficked Bridge.

A little further away from the typical city centre tourist trail lies Kurilpa Bridge. Located upstream of the Victoria Bridge, it is one of Brisbane’s lesser-trafficked pedestrian river overpasses.

The shaded walkway that connects the South Brisbane cultural precinct to the CBD has fantastic views of the towering skyscrapers and sweeping panoramas of the snaking Brisbane River. Plus, it’s quite the striking architectural structure itself, thanks to the angular rods that alternate directions along its length, making it a great bridge to photograph as well.

17. Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.

The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is Brisbane’s newest bridge. Whether by chance or clever design, its ideal placement across the river, linking the beloved City Botanic Gardens with the breathtaking Kangaroo Point peninsula, perfectly combines two of Brisbane’s most picturesque viewpoints into one incredibly scenic crossing.

It shares similar scenery with Kangaroo Point’s iconic cliffs, which overlook the towering inner-city skyscrapers behind the famous Eagle Street Pier restaurant precinct—only closer—and the City Reach Boardwalk’s striking views of the iconic Story Bridge. This means you can admire and capture both of these iconic parts of the River City in the same photographic frame, making it one of the top-tier pedestrian bridges in Brisbane for views.

18. Goodwill Bridge. – Riverfire Fireworks Waterfalls.

At the bend of the Brisbane River between South Bank and Kangaroo Point lies the Goodwill Bridge, linking the Queensland Maritime Museum to the City Botanic Gardens. This tranquil, pedestrian-only crossing offers views of the southern end of the iconic South Bank Parklands and the Kangaroo Point cliffs along the Brisbane River.

What’s also great about this crossing is that while it may not be a visual showstopper, it is the only other bridge in Brisbane that features in the epic Riverfire display. Midway through the magical 25-minute firework show, this bridge lights up and transforms into a breathtaking, cascading pyrotechnic waterfall, which never ceases to be a head-turning moment amidst the unforgettable night-sky extravaganza from the Clem Jones Promenade.

Be sure to catch this stunning display if you’re in Brisbane during Riverfire. And here are some more great locations to see it!

Brisbane’s lookouts aren’t just confined to the city. The greater region expands outwards from quite some distance and is home to numerous spectacular viewpoints that make venturing out of the immediate vicinity well worth the adventure.

19. Mt Coo-tha Botanic Gardens Lookout.

Hiding away in the back of one of the city’s top attractions lies another gorgeous Brisbane lookout.

The Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens is a serene and peaceful horticultural garden home to thousands of plant species. It’s a great place to relax and let the kids roam wild. One of the things you can discover there is the lookout, which has lovely distant views of the CBD’s towering skyscrapers.

22. Mt Gravatt Lookout.

While there aren’t many viewpoints in the urban areas outside the CBD, Mt Gravatt Lookout is one of the best lookouts in Brisbane that very few tourists know about. This stunning little-known location lies within the Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve, southwest of the city, and has fantastic views of the inner city skyscrapers and the surrounding landscape.

It’s a fantastic alternative to the much more well-known and frequented Mt Cootha Lookout and also has some walking trails and a cafe to enjoy.

Lookouts, riverside walkways and bridges are fantastic ways to see Brisbane, but they aren’t the only ways to enjoy this breathtaking city. Here are a few other ways to appreciate the River City’s landscape.

23. City Cat/ City Hopper.

One of the most iconic things about Brisbane is its City Cats, sleek and fast catamarans that transport people up and down the river. They are an integral part of its famous riverside lifestyle, and using them to navigate your way around the city is one of the quintessential must-do things to undertake in Brisbane.

And because it’s part of the public transport network, it’s also one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to see the beautiful Queensland capital from the water, thanks to frequent services stopping at numerous terminals across the city.

Even cheaper yet are the City Hopper ferries. The catamarans are called Kitty Cats and are much smaller and slower versions of the City Cats, which only service some of the most popular inner ports, such as North Quay, South Bank, Eagle St Pier and the Howard Smith Wharves.

But for most tourists, that’s more than enough. Better yet, City Hoppers are free, so people can get incredible views of Brisbane from the river while reaching their next destination at no cost! Perfect for budget travellers!

24. River Tours.

City Cats and Hoppers aren’t the only way to see Brisbane from the water. Plenty of tour operators offer gentle river cruises that allow passengers to drink in the River City’s unforgettable urban landscape.

Relax as the vessel glides past the inner-city’s most prominent landmarks, such as the CBD’s skyscrapers, the sheer Kangaroos Point Cliffs and underneath the iconic spans of the Story Bridge, the nation’s longest steel cantilever bridge, all while listening to stories about the River City’s most notable historical moments.

25. Kayaking.

For something a little more physical and intimate, some companies offer guided kayaking tours which typically run for an hour and a half and either take you under the iconic Story Bridge or pass the beloved South Bank Parklands. You can also select to do it during the warmth of the day or after dark when all the night lights illuminate the city.

26. Jet Ski Safari.

But if you’re looking for a wildly fun way to take in all the riverside sights and sounds of the inner city, there’s no better way to do it than by embarking on an exhilarating Jet Ski Safari.

Zoom past some of the CBD’s most famous attractions, such as South Bank and the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens, all while flying past Brisbane’s towering skyscrapers on this exhilarating guided tour.

27. Scenic Helicopter Flight.

If you’d like to see Brisbane from an aerial perspective, a scenic helicopter ride over the gorgeous River City is the way to go. Get spectacular views of the gorgeous CBD and look out for its most iconic landmarks, such as the Story Bridge, Wheel of Brisbane and, of course, the winding Brisbane River.

But it’s not just the inner city they cover. They also head out to Mt Cootha and Mt Gravatt to give you a greater appreciation of this spectacular Queensland capital.

Brisbane Lookouts Map.

Accommodation: Where To Stay In Brisbane.

• Budget: Great Southern Hotel Brisbane.
• Mid-Range: Royal Albert Hotel.
• Luxury: Emporium Hotel South Bank.

The Queensland capital is a gorgeous riverside city. Luckily, there’s no shortage of viewpoint and lookouts in Brisbane and beyond where visitors can appreciate the beauty and scope of this breathtaking and vibrant place.

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