'I'm calling it: This is the best Aussie city for a holiday with kids.'

My kids have been lucky enough to travel a lot in their short lives. We used to live in Stockholm, Sweden, so we could easily spend weekends in Paris, London, Barcelona, or Copenhagen. I also have family in Melbourne and Sydney, so we've explored many cities with small kids. But having recently returned from Brisbane, Queensland, with my three children — aged seven, six, and two — I think it might just be the most kid-friendly city I've ever visited.

You see, Brisbane is an easy city to navigate on foot, yet not so traffic-heavy that hiring a car feels stressful. Plus, there's the City Cat ferry, which lets you explore the city by boat — a dream for most kids. The warm weather, even in winter, means no need to pack endless layers, and the activities on offer are not only fun for kids but enjoyable for adults, too. And then there are Queenslanders. Their relaxed and welcoming attitude makes even a large (and occasionally chaotic) family feel right at home.

Still not convinced? Read on to be enlightened.

Where to stay in Brisbane with kids.

We stayed at the Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, and I cannot recommend it enough. We had a two-bedroom apartment, which gave us some breathing space and allowed for downtime during nap times without everyone being on top of each other. The apartment came with a kitchen, a dining area, and — best of all — a washing machine (I froth over hotels with washing machines). These features meant we could save money by eating in and enjoying quieter evenings while our youngest slept. It was also really central to everything we wanted to do.

Spacious rooms and a pool made everyone happy. Image: Supplied.

Downstairs was St Marks Road Co., a fantastic café where we grabbed our morning coffees. The boys were also obsessed with the hotel pool, and parking was onsite — perfect for our hired car from the airport, which I highly recommend.

The Adina is housed in an old bank, with stunning interiors that blend history and style beautifully. Despite the chic, bougie décor, the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating of our three noisy kids. While we didn't try Donna Chang — the buzzing restaurant on the ground floor — due to our kids being a bit young for fine dining, it looked amazing every time we walked past, so try that if you can.

What to do in Brisbane with kids.

Head to Bluey's World.

This 4,000-square-metre pavilion on the Brisbane River brings the beloved Bluey TV show to life. The Bluey's World experience starts at the Heeler family's front door, where a fairy leads you into their living room, casting magic to bring a garden gnome to life. What follows is an immersive adventure featuring Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, Chilli, and other beloved characters. You'll explore the girls' bedroom, the playroom with its kiwi rug, the kitchen (with a duck cake baking in the oven!), and the backyard under the iconic poinciana tree.

It's pure magic for kids and adults alike. Pro tip: Book your time slot in advance and plan to explore the Bluey's World playgrounds and eateries afterwards.

Read my full review of Bluey's World here.

We loved Bluey's World! Image: Supplied.

Visit Queensland Museum Kurilpa.

Located on Brisbane's South Bank, the Queensland Museum is basically Disneyland for curious minds. The Dinosaur exhibit and the limited-time Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition were fascinating, but the real MVP was SparkLab. This hands-on science space had our kids experimenting, building prototypes in the Maker Space, and gawking at the Tesla Coil demonstration. We could have spent hours there alone.

Building bridges in SparkLab at Queensland Museum. Image: Supplied.

Play at the Asia Pacific Triennial Kids exhibition at Queensland Art Gallery.

This has to be one of the cleverest exhibitions I've ever seen for kids. The Children's Art Centre has created a collection of seven artist projects by artists from India, Aotearoa New Zealand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia / Palestine, Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Kids are then invited to explore their creativity through drawing, making and multimedia interactive stations. There are pencils, crayons, paper and craft tools everywhere, so kids can have fun and interact with the art rather than view from afar.

Inside the Asia Pacific Triennial Kids exhibition. Image: Supplied.

Explore the stars at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

This was the dark-horse of the trip. We headed to the Planetarium one afternoon when everyone was a little hot and bothered, so expectations were low, but boy did it surprise us. Inside, you'll find meteorites, model spaceships, and displays about planets and stars. We got a tour from the staff and the kids were fascinated listening along. We then headed into the Cosmic Skydome — a theatre with an overhead dome screen.

We watched Tyco Goes To Mars, which was a cute animation about a dog… well… heading to Mars. After that, our guide took us through the night sky explaining constellations and planets that arise from dusk to dawn. We got to see sun spots on the sun through a telescope, and then finished the trip with the kids racing mini robots through obstacles. Needless to say, it was hard to claw them out the door at closing time.

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium was a surprise hit. Image: Supplied.

Ride on the Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane.

Sixty metres high, panoramic city views, fully air-conditioned gondolas. This isn't just a tourist trap — it's a family peace negotiation disguised as an attraction. Tired kids? But parents who want to see everything? Here you can see all the spectacular sights of Brisbane with complaints of sore legs. Win-win. We went first thing when it opened at 10am to beat the lines.

The Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane. Image: Supplied.

Feed the kangaroos at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary started in 1927 with two koalas, Jack and Jill, and today it's home to over 150 koalas. (Sadly, they can't be released into the wild as there is not enough habitat for them.) We got to pat one up close, which was incredible for the kids to see and learn about this endangered Aussie treasure. We also fed lorriekets, watched a sheepdog show, stopped by the bird show and fed kangaroos. It's such a fun day out for a family with young, enthusiastic kids. Note, it does get hot, so I'd suggest going on a cooler day or heading in early morning or late afternoon.

Koala and kangaroo pats at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Image: Supplied.

Swim and sunbake at South Bank Parklands.

This urban oasis features a lagoon, water play areas, riverside restaurants, and sandy "beaches" for lounging. Let the kids splash while you enjoy a coffee — it's bliss.

Look at this lagoon. Right in the middle of the city! Image: Supplied.

Where to eat with kids in Brisbane.

Our apartment setup made it easy to stock up on food from Coles and order takeaway for relaxed evenings. Highlights include Malaysian from Mamak and dumplings from Little Red Dumpling.

Here are the meals we had out:

St Marks Road Co.: A great spot for grab-and-go breakfasts. Try the halloumi and avocado sandwich with an iced coffee.

GOMA Bistro: This riverside bistro serves fresh, locally sourced meals. The kids devoured pasta and chicken, while I enjoyed a nourishing bowl and a cocktail. Watch out for the cheeky water dragons!

Opa Bar + Mezze: We celebrated our trip with a Greek feast here. The kids were entertained with colouring sheets and pencils while we enjoyed the Apollo's Plate banquet (I highly endorse) overlooking the Brisbane River.

Our most memorable meal was at the delicious Opa Bar + Mezze. Image: Supplied.

The Summit Café (Mount Coot-tha): Come for the incredible views and enjoy an ice cream or light meal while soaking in the scenery.

Tips for Families.

• Hire a car from the airport for maximum flexibility.

• Hop on the City Cat ferry—it's affordable and exciting for kids.

• Pack swimmers for South Bank Lagoon.

• Stay in an apartment to cook meals and do laundry easily.

• Book Bluey's World in advance.

• Don't skip the koala experience at Lone Pine—it's unforgettable!

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Queensland Tourism. All opinions in this article are the author's own.

Featured Image: Supplied.