What to do in Brisbane on a Student Budget

Cheap & cheerful: Five things to do in Brisbane on a student budget.

While Brisbane might not be quite as expensive as Sydney or Melbourne, it’s still all-too-easy to give your credit card a workout in the Sunshine State’s capital.

As a student on a budget, you’ll be in no rush to fork out $90 for a steak in a top-end riverside restaurant or almost twice that for a ticket to a live musical. But the great news is that you don’t have to break the bank to have a great time in Brisbane. Here’s our list of top five things to do on a shoestring budget.

Chill out at Streets Beach

The best things in life are free. And that’s certainly the case at Brisbane’s famous Streets Beach. This South Bank icon is Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach – where a sparkling lagoon, white-sandy beaches and a spectacular city skyline view are all free to enjoy. Don’t worry if you’re not a strong swimmer; there are plenty of shallow areas and lifeguards on duty.

CityCat to Eat Street Markets

Okay, so this one’s not free. But we challenge you to have a better city adventure for just a few bucks. Hop on the CityCat and take in the great views as you cruise around to Hamilton, where you’ll find the bustling Eat Street markets. For an entry fee of just $2.50 you get to experience something truly unique – 180 shipping containers filled with live music, movies, shows and world cuisine. Open every weekend of the year.

Check out the Queensland Museum

If you’re feeling like a bit of a culture vulture, head on over to the Queensland Museum, which has been building collections of the cultural and natural heritage of our state and its surrounding waters since 1862. From dinosaurs and indigenous legends to trains and planes, our rich and fascinating history is waiting to be discovered. The Queensland Museum is open from 9.30am to 5pm and general admission is free – though entry charges apply to special events and exhibitions.

Spectacular Mt Coot-tha

You won’t find a better view of our fine city than from the Brisbane Lookout at Mt Coot-tha. Just wow. It’s been a favourite destination for locals and visitors for over a century thanks to panoramic views over the CBD all the way to Moreton Bay. Take a hike along one of the many walking tracks that weave through the National Park and quench your thirst with an ice-cold drink at the famous Kuta café. It might cost you a few dollars, but the spectacular view is always free.

Catch a movie at South Bank Cineplex

Big screen. Small price. If you think watching a movie on a 25-metre Cinemascope screen (the largest in downtown Brisbane) costs a small fortune, think again. Show your Student Card and you’ll pay just $6.50.

There’s more good news. If you’re living at UniLodge South Bank, it’s only a two-minute walk back to the lobby. So you can be back in the Common Room debriefing your mates on the plot twists before you know it.

If you want easy access to the best Brisbane has to offer, UniLodge South Bank is the place to call home. With the bus station just two minutes’ walk away and the train station on your doorstep, getting out and about in this vibrant city has never been easier.

And as we’ve shown, you don’t have to spend a great deal to have a great time.