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If you are looking to visit the vibrant city of Brisbane, we have researched the best time to go based on the weather conditions, crowds and all other important holiday factors.
Best time to visit Brisbane
April to May.
Why?
Travelling to Brisbane during April to May is the most ideal as the season features comfortable, sunny weather with low amounts of rainfall while avoiding school holiday crowds.
Overview
Brisbane is a popular travel destination, so avoiding school holiday periods will mean less crowds and cheaper accommodation. Also, it may be tempting to visit Brisbane during the summer months of December to February, but these periods can become uncomfortably warm and provide inconsistent tropical weather.
It’s also important to avoid visiting during mid-November to early December as this marks the “schoolies” and festival periods. During this time, Brisbane becomes incredibly crowded with prices for accommodation and activities rising considerably.
Weather and prices
Best time to visit Brisbane, weather-wise: For the best weather, travel to Brisbane during April and May, as it provides comfortable temperatures without becoming too warm and there is minimal rainfall.
Cheapest time to visit Brisbane: For cheaper accommodation and activity prices, travelling on the shoulder periods of April and May means skipping school holidays and getting less crowds.
Best time to visit Brisbane...
Whale watching: Early-May to October is the best time to see whales in Brisbane as this is when they migrate along the coast.
Fishing: Brisbane offers a great fishing environment and is best done during the months of April and May when there are less crowds, and the temperature is comfortable.
Nightlife: Brisbane is renowned for its amazing nightlife, bar and restaurant scene. Experiencing the best that Brisbane’s nightlife has to offer is best done during April and May when there is minimal rainfall and the nights are comfortably warm.
River cruise: Taking a Brisbane River cruise is a great way to see the city and is best done during April to May when the days are comfortable and crowds are minimal.
Shopping: The Brisbane shopping scene is one of the best around and because most shopping centres are indoors, this can be done anytime, but avoiding school holiday periods will mean fewer crowds.
Available on flights in January 2021 to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra, Perth and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina with FlyPelican. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $96, Qantas from $133 and more. T&Cs apply.
Change fees and cancellation fees waived on flights until 30 June 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Broome, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane from $139
Available on select travel dates. Includes transfers, Glasshouse Mountains scenic drive and zoo admission with daily shows and presentations. T&Cs apply.
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations from Brisbane include Gold Coast, Moreton Island, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin and more. Applies to bookings up to 6 persons. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates for activities like driving experiences, helicopter flights, jet boat rides, skydives, dinner cruises, cooking classes and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates and adventures like quad biking, sandboarding, bridge climbing, canyoning, horse riding, abseiling, soccer training and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates, including school holidays, for activities like sandboarding, whale watching, jet boat rides, indoor skydiving, cruises, swimming, go karting and much more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Lock your tour with $1 deposit plus get an extra 21% off when you choose My Own Room. Available on select travel dates in 2021. Destinations include Cairns, Uluru, Sydney, Brisbane, Wellington and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates until June 2021. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Jetstar. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $143. T&Cs apply.
Available on select flights until May 2021. Destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Broome and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne with Jetstar. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $146 and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates in 2021. Sample fare departs from Newcastle with Jetstar. Other flights depart from Sydney, Cairns, Townsville and more.
Available on select 2021 flights to Gold Coast, Sydney, Ballina, Cairns, Brisbane, Canberra and more. Sample fares are Avalon-Adelaide and Melbourne-Hobart with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
Available on rentals until 31 March 2021 when you book a minimum of 21 days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more.
Available on select activities best as birthday gifts like skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, off road v8 race buggies and scuba diving. Destinations include Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select flight dates from January - March 2021 to Brisbane, Cairns, Hamilton Isaland, Gold Coast and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Sunshine Coast with Jetstar. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $113, Qantas from $123 and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on stays from 6 January - 30 June 2021 when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Townsville and more. Exclusive for Trip.com members. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates in 2021 to Canberra, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night getaway from Melbourne to Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
Health screenings, added time at the airport, digital hotel check-ins and restaurant ordering are just a few things to expect when travelling during COVID-19.
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