Brisbane / Meanjin is filled with endless experiences for families wanting to make the most of the Sunshine State’s capital city. This coastal city’s relaxed way of life means that there are boundless opportunities for you and your family to have fun, and they’re all just waiting around every corner. The Dollar Car Rental branch at Brisbane Airport makes it easy for you to grab your keys and go, giving you more time to explore the city and all the best family activities within it. 

Visit Australia’s furriest friend in the flesh—and even get the chance to hold it—at Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Just a twenty-minute drive from Brisbane city, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a great family outing that lets you get up close and personal with some of Australia’s cutest animals. A great introduction to the spectacular and unique wildlife of Australia, you’ll get the chance to cuddle a koala in this intimate encounter of a local legend. The Sanctuary also houses a range of other experiences with iconic Aussie animals, from a sheep dog show to a dingo talk performance, and even a wild lorikeet feeding. Alternatively, the Daisy Hill Conservation Park is also a good option for families wanting even more contact with koalas. Their Daisy Hill Koala Centre is free to visit, and only a thirty-minute drive from the city’s centre. Surrounding the park is a wide expanse of bushland that makes for an easy afternoon walk, with barbeque facilities and picnic areas available for visitors to use and enjoy the scenery over a relaxing lunch. 

Visiting any of the nearby islands of Brisbane is a must-do for families wanting to make a day of exploring the city’s surroundings. North Stradbroke Island is easily accessible through both passenger and vehicle ferries, and with the quiet roads and small population on the island, you’ll have an easy drive between adventures. Drive your Dollar rental car down to the Sealink Stradbroke Island ferry port and then sit back and enjoy the cruise out of the bay. North Stradbroke Island (or ‘Straddie’, as the locals call it) has a variety of walking trails, lakes and lookouts to explore. The Amity Park, Jetty and Swimming Enclosure is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach on North Stradbroke Island, with calm swimming conditions and a roped-off area to safely swim in, making it ideal for kids splashing around in the shallows. Make sure you head to the end of the jetty and wave hello to some dolphins, which are known to visit these crystal-clear waters. 

Prepare to open up the kids’ minds with Sparklab at Queensland Museum. An interactive science, technology, engineering and maths space that promises a day of fun for kids and parents alike, Sparklab is both a great learning experience and a way to ignite imaginations. With a range of exhibits for kids to interact with, curious minds will be busy for the whole day with this playground of learning. There are over forty interactive experiences on offer at Sparklab, as well as live experiments taking place at the Science Bar and hands-on activities happening at the Maker Space. The fun doesn’t stop there—Queensland Museum also has a calendar of family-friendly activities to participate in when you visit, as well as a range of exhibitions that everyone in the family can enjoy. If you’re looking for an activity that’s out of the sun and safely indoors, Sparklab should be at the top of your list.

Whilst Brisbane city is surrounded by many gorgeous beaches, one of the best can be found right in the centre of the CBD. Streets Beach is Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach and is the perfect stop for families wanting to spend a day in the water without travelling far. An oasis right in the heart of Brisbane, Streets Beach features an aqua blue lagoon surrounded by a white sandy beach with an outlook that encases the space with panoramic views of the city. On either side of Streets Beach are two other aquatic spaces, the Boat Pool and Aquativity, that are sure to fill your day with all sorts of beachside and water adventures for kids to explore. Streets Beach is free to use and open to anyone, and with lifeguards patrolling the waters all year round, this makes it the perfect place for families and travellers of all ages and swimming abilities. 

From learning experiences for young curious minds, to day trips around the islands that surround this coastal city, Brisbane is the perfect place to explore a range of activities and adventures that are suitable for the whole family.