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Winter school holidays in Brisbane: where to take the kids without breaking the bank
From free riverfront playgrounds to a hatted steakhouse offering $90 all-you-can-eat, here are the family-friendly activities to book now.
How we reported this
July school holidays can feel like a long stretch of grey drizzle. But Brisbane families have a decent run of indoor and outdoor options this winter, from zero-cost nature play to a rare all-you-can-eat deal at a hatted restaurant on the south side.
Free and low-cost outdoor fun
The city council’s network of nature-play spaces, including the popular shaded playground at New Farm Park and the water-play zone at South Bank’s Streets Beach, are open daily and cost nothing. Parents should pack towels and a change of clothes; the splash pads run year-round.
For families who prefer dirt to sand, the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens offers the Children’s Garden with bamboo tunnels, a creek bed and edible plants. Entry is free, and the nearby Planetarium runs $15 weekend shows for kids aged four and up.
$90 all-you-can-eat steak at a hatted restaurant
One of Brisbane’s most surprising winter deals comes from a hatted restaurant in the city’s south that is currently serving a $90 all-you-can-eat steak evening on select weeknights. The offer, reported by Good Food earlier this month, covers unlimited cuts of grass-fed beef, chips and salad. Reservations are essential, the venue books out quickly during school holidays.
The restaurant’s exact location and the specific nights are best checked directly with the venue, but the $90 price point is significantly lower than typical a la carte costs at hatted establishments in Brisbane, where a single main course often exceeds $50.
Indoor escapes for rainy days
When the weather turns, Brisbane’s Museum of Brisbane in King George Square runs free children’s workshops on weekends, though spaces are limited and booking is advised. The Queensland Museum at South Bank has a dedicated Discovery Centre with hands-on exhibits, and entry is free for kids under 15.
For older children, the new immersive digital-art exhibition at The Cube, QUT’s giant interactive display in the Gardens Point campus, is free and lets visitors control a 40-square-metre high-resolution screen with their movements. It runs until August 2.
Practical advice for the week ahead
Most major attractions operate on school-holiday timetables through July 20. The CityCat ferry remains the cheapest public-transport activity, a daily ticket for a family of four costs $12.80 and gives access to riverside parks from UQ St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton.
Book the steak dinner now if that’s your speed. For everything else, just pack a raincoat and go early.