Seven new ways to see Brisbane: local tours that go beyond the river

Brisbane's tour scene is quietly reinventing itself. A handful of operators have launched seven new guided experiences this winter, each pitched at locals who reckon they already know the city.

The push comes as national tourism figures show domestic day-trip spending rose 14 percent in the year to June, according to the latest Tourism Research Australia data. Brisbane operators say they are seeing more repeat customers from suburbs like New Farm, Paddington and West End.

“We used to get 80 per cent interstate visitors,” said one tour guide who asked not to be named because she was not authorised to speak to media. “Now it's flipped-most of my bookings are from people who live within 10 kilometres of the city.”

Back alleys and bee hives

Hidden Lane Tours, which started in March, leads groups through the network of arcades and service laneways between Adelaide and Queen Streets. The two-hour walk stops at three small businesses that have operated for more than two decades: a watch repair shop, a hat maker and a dumpling house that opens onto Burnett Lane. Tickets cost $49 per person. Friday and Saturday morning slots are already sold out through August.

On the south side, Urban Food Adventures has added a “Rooftop to River” walk that begins at the Green Heart Community Garden on the State Library roof. The route drops down through Kurilpa Point, past the West End Ferry Terminal, and finishes at a backyard worm farm in Boundary Street. Co-owner Lisa Chen said the company has run 23 tours since the winter solstice. “People want to see where their food could come from, not just where it's plated,” she said.

Brick by brick

Story Bridge Adventure Climb still draws the biggest numbers-about 90,000 climbers last financial year-but smaller operators are filling a niche for architectural history. Brisbane Open House, which returns for its 16th year on October 10 and 11, has already sold 60 per cent of its guided walking tickets for the seven heritage buildings that normally require pre-booking. Among them: the 1930s City Hall, the former Government Printing Office on William Street, and the Shrine of Remembrance in ANZAC Square.

For those who prefer wheels, Brisbane by Bike has launched a Sunday morning circuit that follows the new 4.2-kilometre bikeway connecting Newstead Park to the Howard Smith Wharves precinct. The 90-minute ride costs $35, including bike hire. Owner Declan Murphy said the route was designed partly to help residents learn the city's growing cycle network. “A lot of people don't realise you can get from the Valley to the river without touching a car,” he said.

Booking windows vary. Hidden Lane Tours recommends reserving at least two weeks ahead. Urban Food Adventures takes walk-ins on weekdays but charges a $5 surcharge for on-the-day bookings. Story Bridge Adventure Climb advises online booking 24 hours in advance for the standard $89 day climb; twilight slots are often gone two weeks out.

For the rest of winter, most operators plan to run their new tours through to the first week of September, then reassess for spring. Brisbane Open House has not yet set a capacity limit for its guided walks but expects to cap each tour at 25 people.