The winter Brisbane months of June to August have to be one of the best times of year to explore the city and offers families so many amazing Brisbane kids activities over the cooler months.
The Brisbane winter temperature average sits around 11 – 21°C, and the ‘river city’ serves up clear skies, crisp air (yay less humidity!) and cracking sunsets to enjoy. It’s also the perfect time to get outdoors, soak up the sunshine/ starry nights and get active with the family.
With that said, here are our top things to do in Brisbane with kids in winter.
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10 Must Do Winter Brisbane Kids Activities in 2022:
1. Winter Festival Ice Skating Brisbane Event
Being one of the hottest winter Brisbane kids activities to experience is the Winter Festival.
In July and July, King George Square in Brisbane CBD is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring one enchanting ice skating rink Brisbane experience for families.
The kids can skate to their heart’s content doing laps around the outdoor ice skating rink. It’s suitable for all ages (from 3 years), and the young ones can use the Kanga Skate Aid (suitable for 3-5 years) while the older kids will get some serious speed on the tube rides.
Once finished skating and tubing, families can warm up and sample some delicious winter-inspired dishes and beverages.
Brisbane Winter Festival
King George Square, 100 Adelaide Street
When: June/July
Cost: Various
2. Igloo Brisbane Adventure at The Winter Village
One of the newest Brisbane winter experiences for families is The Winter Village event popping up in the city’s Hamilton suburb.
Perched by the Brisbane River, the Winter Village is an alpine-inspired winter wonderland escape featuring ice skating, snow showers, a pop-up bar and kitchen, and a magical igloo Brisbane village.
Yes, a magical igloo Brisbane village! Who wouldn’t love to retreat back to their own private igloo after a session of ice skating?
And, the best thing about The Winter Village event is their igloos are family-friendly and cater to kids as well. They offer one of the most amazing Igloo dining Brisbane experiences for families.
Entry is free to the village, however, bookings are essential for the igloos and ice skating. Igloos can be hired for 1 hour and 45 mins for up to 5 people and cost from $49 per person and $15 per child.
Skating sessions are 45 minutes and cost $24 (adults), $18 (6-14 years) and $10 (3-5 years)
The Winter Village
3 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton
When: June/July/August
Cost: Various
3. Royal Queensland Show (Ekka Brisbane)
Not only does Brisbane winter serve up awesome winter-inspired festivals but it’s also the time of year when Brisbane hosts the state’s largest show, the Ekka Brisbane.
Held every year in August, this much-loved show attracts on average 400,000 visitors. It serves up one entertainment-packed program featuring numerous competitions (eg. from best dog, cat, beef cattle to wood chopping and even giant vegetables).
Families will have a ball on their Ekka day Brisbane adventure enjoying the award-winning food and wine, carnival rides, show bags, educational activities, and more. Also, it’s where you’ll get the chance to eat those delicious strawberry ice creams!
Queensland Royal Show (Ekka Brisbane)
Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
When: 6-14 August 2022
Cost: From $35 (adults), $20 (5-14 years)
MORE: If you’re after a smaller-scale show full of entertainment and fun for the family then why not check out the Pine Rivers Show (July/August) or the Redcliffe Show (24-26 June 2022).
4. Kangaroo Point Cliffs
With one of the best Brisbane lookouts of the ‘river city’, it’s no wonder the Kangaroo Point Cliffs is on our list as one of the best things to do in Brisbane with kids in winter.
A popular destination to get active, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs will have you working up a sweat in no time, but hey it’s ok as the Brisbane winter weather will keep you and the kids cool.
Some fun outdoor activities on offer for families at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs (run by Riverlife Kangaroo Point) include abseiling, rock climbing, hiking, laser tag, segwaying plus day and night kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding along the river.
BONUS: Why not stick around after your outdoor adventures at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and soak up the sunset views of the city with a BBQ picnic.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point
When: All year round
Cost: Various
5. Wizardry Stamford Plaza Brisbane High Tea
It was a popular event last year for families and we’re excited to hear its returning in 2022. Okay technically it’s not in winter but only just, so we’ve decided to still include it in this list.
Brisbane Harry Potter and wizard fans are cordially invited to attend a magical high tea afternoon at Treasury Hotel.
The kids will love this spellbinding high tea event where they can wear their favourite Harry Potter character outfit while getting an endless supply of spell-tacular sweets and treats.
Some of the devilishly delicious high tea menu items that is likely to be offered include butterbeer cupcakes, magic macarons, fantastical fudge, pumpkin fizz scones, lamb and rosemary pies, pigs in blankets and more.
So, if this one comes back in 2022, it’s definitely a must do Brisbane high tea buffet experience for the kids. It’s sure to be one of the best places to go in Brisbane over the school holidays.
Wizardry Treasure Hotel Brisbane High Tea
130 William St, Brisbane
When: 23-25 September 2022
Cost: From $70-95 per person
6. Whale Watching Brisbane Trip
Ever wanted to see humpback whales frolicking about with their calves? Well, you can during the Brisbane winter months.
Viewing these majestic animals in their element has to be one of the best things to do in Brisbane with kids. It’s incredible to see the whales migrate 10,000km from Antarctica to the warmer waters of Queensland’s coast where they give birth and raise their young for a bit.
It makes a memorable day out in Brisbane with a number of operators helping families view the humpback’s dance and sing above the water’s surface.
Brisbane Whale Watching (departing Redcliffe) and Tangalooma Whale Watch Cruises run tours to the Moreton Bay Marine Park where they congregate.
Brisbane Whale Watching
When: June – November
Cost: From $135 (adults), $94 (4-14 years)
7. Drive In Movie Brisbane Session
Want to take the family back in time to experience what viewing a movie was like in the 1950s?
Then you need to head to Yatala’s Drive In Movie Brisbane venue. It’s an amazing place featuring classic 1950’s nostalgia and is sadly the last of its kind in Brisbane.
It’ll have you watching a flick under the stars and is a unique way to see the latest blockbusters in the comfort of your vehicle and parking spot.
All you need to do is tune in to the cinema’s radio channel to watch a film. It’s definitely one of our top things to do in Brisbane at night with kids.
Bring a blanket, air mattress, folding chairs, and cooler with snacks for an ultimate outdoor cinema experience under the winter stars.
EXTRA: If you’re after something closer to the city, then the Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Cinema Brisbane events is a great option. This is one of the city’s top free things to do in Brisbane with kids.
Yatala Drive-In
100 Jacobs Well Road, Stapylton
When: All year round
Cost: $40 (carload up to 6ppl) or $15 (adult); $9 (children) per film
8. Indoor Ski at Urban Extreme Hendra
A downside to the winter Brisbane season is it doesn’t snow, but that won’t prevent you and the kids from snowboarding or skiing in Brisbane.
One of the cool things to do in Brisbane with kids is at Urban Extreme Hendra, which is Australia’s largest ski and adventure park and is the only place families can ski and snowboard in Queensland. Now that’s pretty cool!
Suitable for beginners and season snow-lovers, Urban Extreme Hendra can have you and the family perfecting your snow skills at this indoor skiing Brisbane facility.
They offer a variety of sessions from public, private and group classes to get you snow-ready for your next ski holiday to such places as Queenstown or to simply scratch that itch during the Brisbane winter months.
Urban Extreme Hendra
4/370 Nudgee Road, Hendra
When: All year round
Cost: From $50 per person
9. Scenic Rim Eat Local Week
After a relaxed, scenic and delicious day trip close to Brisbane with the kids?
Held in the Brisbane winter months and school holidays (even better!) is the deliciously fun Scenic Rim Eat Local Week Festival.
This event is a hit with families as it celebrates the food, farmers and natural beauty of the Scenic Rim Region. The program features an impressive lineup of 125 events across the region, farm events and culinary experiences suitable for all ages.
Some of the top things to do Scenic Rim Eat Local Week includes the Winter Harvest Festival, Kids Bushtucker Tracker, Beaudesert Street Food Festival, Open Day at Naughty Little Kids Goat Dairy and Sumer Land Camels. Also here is a top 20 list of the kids activities Brisbane and interstate families will love.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week
Where: 25 June to 3 July 2022
Cost: Various
10. Explore Brisbane’s Parklands
One of the best things that the Brisbane winter allows families is to get outdoors anytime/ all day without being overwhelmed by the heat and humidity.
So, as a result, the final item to make our top things to do in Brisbane with kids in winter list has to be exploring and appreciating the city’s numerous parklands and playgrounds – we have some amazing ones out there for families to enjoy!
Brisbane Botanical Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
For that quintessential family must do Brisbane sightseeing experience you need to explore South Bank Parklands, City Botanical Gardens, Brisbane Botanical Gardens Mt Coot-tha and Roma Street Parklands. All of these parklands are incredible with meticulously vibrant displays, walking tracks and events. You’ll easily be able to spend a few hours with the kids at each.
Top experiences include:
- Soaking up the sun and city views at Brisbane’s iconic Streets Beach (South Bank Parklands)
- Going on a Pokemon Go Brisbane hunt through the City Botanical Gardens, which also has a large playground near the Brisbane river
- Strolling through vibrant garden displays and listening to live music on the sprawling lawn of Roma Street Parkland
- Watch the ducks, birds and turtles lap up the Brisbane Botanical Gardens Mt Coot-tha’s main lake, followed by admiring the Japanese Gardens and exploring the Children’s Hide n Seek trail
Brisbane’s iconic Streets Beach in South Bank.
Brisbane Family Accommodation Options
If you’re keen on a fun winter Brisbane getaway and unsure of where to stay with the family. Below are 10 of the best family accommodation Brisbane has to offer:
- Brisbane W Hotel
- Next Hotel Brisbane (Hyatt Regency Brisbane)
- Emporium Hotel Southbank
- Oaks Hotel Brisbane
- Marriott Hotel Brisbane
- Stamford Hotel Brisbane
- Pullman Hotel Brisbane
- Meriton Hotel Brisbane (Herschel Street)
- Rydges Hotel Brisbane (South Bank)
- Novotel Brisbane South Bank
What’s ideal about these Brisbane holiday accommodation options is they’re conveniently located and have all the amenities/ facilities to make your family holiday Brisbane trip a comfortable one.
MORE TRAVEL: Want to stay at one of the best Queensland family resorts out there but on a budget? Then you need to check out the BIG 4 Sandstone Point Holiday Park. It’s super affordable and only a 50-minute drive from Brisbane.
Experienced any of these winter must do Brisbane kids activities? Share your top things to do in Brisbane with kids during the Brisbane winter months.
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4 comments
Thanks Matty B – glad you enjoyed the article.
Awesome to see that Yatala drive-in is still going. Grab a couple of pies for us next time 🙂
Oh yes! Thanks for the great tip – definitely got to grab some pies at Yatala. That’s also an must-do place to visit in the area!
I wish pandemic is over to hit the road again!!