20+ Best Things to Do in Brisbane At Night with Kids
Sometimes we just need things to do in Brisbane at night with kids!
If your kids are anything like mine, going out at night is hard. Mornings tend to be the best time to explore, and then we are ready to relax by mid-afternoon.
However, there are some times, like when we are on vacation or have friends in town that we want to go out at night.
It never stays light out very late in Brisbane, so it is nice to have some things to be able to do with kids after dark. There are so many fun places to take the kids at night in Brisbane!
Since we live here, we usually just use the pool/hot tub in our building or head to the closest field (in our case, the showgrounds) to run around. The kids also like hanging out in the lobby and on the roof. If your hotel has any public spaces, they are usually the easiest option.
However, there are special occasions when we have found ourselves out in the city of Brisbane at night.
Keep reading to find out the best things to do at night with kids in Brisbane.
Best Things to do at Night in Brisbane with Kids
Southbank
Southbank is my go-to place in Brisbane day or night. There is just so much to do in Southbank with kids.
The pools are open until midnight. There are plenty of restaurants to eat in. Riverside Green Playground is accessible at night. The Brisbane sign lights up at night and is just as fun to climb as during the day.
Also, sometimes there are special exhibits. We found this light-up area with macramé chairs in it and my kids did not want to leave.
Being at Southbank always makes me feel like I am on vacation. It is perfect for a night out in Brisbane with kids.
Fairy Trees
Just a quick walk from South Bank is the fairy trees. My 7-year-old likes anything with “fairy” in the name, and these trees did not disappoint.
The trees are gigantic and pictures do not begin to show just how pretty the lights are.
If you are out after dark in Brisbane, definitely take the kids to see the fairy trees.
Take a Boat Ride
There are plenty of boat rides in Brisbane. We have yet to ride any of them, so I do not know which is the best for kids.
We have taken the City Cat, which is the cheapest option as it is a commuter boat.
There is also the City Hopper which is free.
To be honest, my kids are not impressed with the commuter boats, but they like it best when they are able to sit outside and enjoy the view.
We take the boat sometimes to add to what we are doing, like take the city cat to dinner instead of using our car or taking the bus.
It is hard to beat a free activity with kids! Even just taking the commuter boat around the river at night is a beautiful way to see Brisbane.
Wheel of Brisbane
The Wheel of Brisbane runs day and night and kids will love to ride it any time of day. The ride takes 10-15 minutes and the views of Brisbane are incredible.
Eat Street Northshore
Eat Street Northshore took a bunch of old shipping containers and turned them into a fun place to eat dinner, shop, and see live entertainment.
They are open Friday-Sunday and it costs $5 for adults (over 12).
Eat Street is a great place to try a variety of food. They have just about every type of food you could ever want. Check out their current offerings here and plan out your visit!
My kids thought it would be boring, but they already wanted to go back. They’d return for the fairy floss alone.
There are plenty of lights set up for picture taking, and entertainment on and off of the stages.
My kids loved the magician and even the people who sing while drumming on the garbage cans! I’m not sure if there is a schedule for the side entertainment, but we walked around a lot and managed to stay for 2 hours before realizing how late it was.
If you are looking for something to do with kids at night in Brisbane and it happens to be Thursday-Sunday, Eat Street Northshore is fun for the whole family and one of the best things to do at night with kids.
Victoria Park Mini Golf
You can get a discount on mini-golf after 5 Monday-Wednesday at Victoria Park. They are currently open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
The discount does not apply to seasonal/special events, but it is still a fun spot to take the kids. Check out their adorable courses!
Victoria Park has a fantastic view of Brisbane which is even better at night. Plus, you can eat dinner at the Bistro at Victoria Park, which has a playground that the kids can climb on.
B. Lucky and Sons
While it doesn’t matter if the sun is up or down when you are in an arcade, if you are just looking to have some fun at night, there are plenty of arcades in Brisbane to check out including B. Lucky and Sons in Fortitude Valley.
Under-18s are welcome into B. Lucky and Sons until 8 p.m. each night.
Fill a card with money and use it to play each game. Some games give tickets that can be spent on prizes.
There is a bar and restaurant inside B. Lucky and Sons.
Mount Coot-tha Lookout
The view from Mount Coot-tha is beautiful day and night, and the sun sets early enough in Brisbane year-round so families can drive up at sunset.
In addition to checking out the view, there is a souvenir shop at the lookout and a restaurant, The Summit Cafe.
Strike Bowling/Holey Moley Putt Putt
Wintergarden, located at Queen Street Mall, has Strike Bowling and Holey Moley Putt Putt in one.
Under-18s are allowed into Strike Bowling and Holey Moley until 8 p.m. daily.
In addition to bowling and putt-putt, there are karaoke rooms and a restaurant.
While walk-ins are welcome, time slots tend to be booked out early so pre-book your games if you plan to have the best night in Brisbane with kids.
Restaurants with a Playground
Going out to dinner with kids doesn’t have to be hard. There are plenty of restaurants with playgrounds and play areas in Brisbane.
I know the best thing in Brisbane or anywhere is enjoying a meal while the kids are entertained.
Twilight Kayaking
Kids 12+ can kayak at twilight on the Brisbane River with Riverlife.
Only single kayaks are available, so everyone must be comfortable steering their own kayak down the river.
Kayaking down the Brisbane River is one of the best ways to view the city, and the lights at night are always beautiful.
Abseiling at Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Kids 12+ can abseil down the rocks at Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Sometimes, special programs are available through Brisbane City Council that allow kids as young as 8 to join in (like my daughter in the picture above).
I didn’t realize the sun would have gone down at the time that we chose for her to abseil, but there are plenty of lights at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Rock Climbing
Rather climb up than down? Rock climbing is also available at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
While kids as young as 8 can join in during the day, the age limit is raised to 12 for twilight rock climbing.
Segway Tour
Another fun experience for kids 12+ is to take a Best of Brisbane Segway Tour.
The segway tour runs during the day and at night and lasts 2.5 hours. The tour rides past many of the main tourist sights in Brisbane.
Story Bridge Climb
The Story Bridge Climb takes place during the day and at twilight. The twilight climb is their most popular climb and kids as young as 6 can participate.
My family completed the Story Bridge Climb during the day and you can read all about our experience and what to expect during your bridge climb with kids.
Urban X-treme
Some areas of Urban X-treme are open late a few nights a week with most of the attractions open til 9 pm each Friday night.
Special late-night events for kids take place at Urban X-treme throughout the year.
Bounce
Open late every Friday night and during Bounce After Dark, Bounce is a fun place to let the kids play after dark in Brisbane.
Friday Super Sessions include 3 hours of jumping, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Meal and drink add-ons are available.
To kick off the Brisbane school holidays, Bounce After Dark runs from 7 pm to 10 pm and includes a DJ, a dance party, games, and prizes.
Attend a Sports Game
Head to the Gabba, Suncorp Stadium, or any of the smaller stadiums in Brisbane where you and the kids can watch AFL, rugby, or cricket.
Mount Gravatt Street Food
The first Saturday night of each month at the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds is a fun, themed food and music festival called Mount Gravatt Street Food.
Lots of food trucks are available with a wide variety of cuisine options, and there is live music and entertainment.
Escape Rooms
There are plenty of escape rooms in Brisbane, and many of them have kid-friendly rooms that are open at night.
Find our favorite kid-friendly escape rooms in Brisbane.
Hijinx Hotel
The whole family will have fun playing in the challenge rooms at Hijinx Hotel.
One set includes 5 challenge rooms in 30 minutes, or you can purchase 2 rounds and play all 10 of the rooms at the Chermside location.
Not sure what to expect at Hijinx Hotel? Read our review, but know that it contains spoilers!
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
On King Street in Bowen Hills right near the Brisbane Showgrounds is Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, an arcade with a bowling alley that is a fun place to take the kids at night.
Note that kids aren’t allowed in Archie Bros after 8 pm.
QPAC
Take the kids to see a show at QPAC.
While we usually head to the matinee, there are often shows at night at QPAC. We have seen Shrek, Mary Poppins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Frozen, Six, and lots more kid-friendly shows at QPAC over the years.
Where to Go at Night with Kids in Brisbane Wrap-Up
It is okay that the sun sets early year-round in Brisbane as there are lots of fun things to do with kids in Brisbane after dark.
While some places change to 18+ as the night goes on, there are still plenty of options, including free options, for places to take the kids at night in Brisbane.
Things to do at Night FAQ
The pools at Southbank are open late, and the perfect place to take kids at night in Brisbane.
Kids can get into many indoor miniature golf locations, bowling alleys, and arcades in Brisbane until a certain hour at night.
Other indoor locations that are open late in Brisbane on certain nights of the week include Bounce and Urban X-treme.
On the weekends, Eat Street Northshore is a fun place for all ages, and once a month, Mount Gravatt Street Food opens for a similar event on the south side of Brisbane.
Active and adventurous kids can kayak down the Brisbane River, abseil or rock climb, and climb Story Bridge at night.
Walk down the laneways, hunt for fairy doors, and head to Wintergarden to play miniature golf and go bowling at night in Brisbane City.
Places to Go with Kids in Brisbane
As I said, we tend to go out during the day. Here are some of the places we have tried and enjoyed so far.
Best of Brisbane for FREE with kids
Best Indoor Fun with Kids in Brisbane
A Weekend in Brisbane with Kids Itinerary
Things to do in Brisbane with Kids When it is Raining
Pin Brisbane with Kids at Night for Later!
