Car Hire in Brisbane

Renting a car in Brisbane - useful information

Getting around Brisbane by car

Exploring central Brisbane is cheap and easy by public transport or foot. There are plenty of buses that run into and around the city, and some Citycat ferries that run along the Brisbane River. To see the sights further out of Brisbane, it’s easiest to hire a car and drive yourself.

It’s best to avoid driving into the city at peak times (between 7am and 9am and between 4pm and 7pm) as traffic is at its worst. Traffic is also heavy between Brisbane and the Gold Coast at these times as many people commute between the two cities every day. If you do need to drive at peak times, make sure you allow plenty of extra travel time.

Top destinations to drive to in and around Brisbane

1. Girraween National Park. 3 hours from Brisbane - It’s worth the drive south-west from Brisbane to head to Girraween National Park and the Queensland Granite Belt. There are plenty of walking tracks and huge granite boulders in the park, and nearby Stanthorpe offers lots of shops and restaurants worth visiting.
2. Lockyer Valley. 1.5 hours from Brisbane - Visit a winery or two to taste some of the best vino near Brisbane, and head to Cunningham’s Crest Lookout for spectacular views across Laidley Plains.
3. North Stradbroke Island. 3 hours from Brisbane - It doesn’t get much more picturesque than North Stradbroke Island. Take on the beautiful North Gorge Walk or head to the Point Lookout. If you’re here during winter you might be lucky enough to spot some humpback whales. In summer you can go sand boarding along one of the islands many white beaches.
4. Tamborine. 1 hour from Brisbane - At the top of Tamborine Mountain, this quaint town has lots of cute speciality shops to browse. Head to Fortitude Brewing Co in North Tamborine for good meal, beer tasting paddle and delicious local cheese.
5. Montville. 1.5 hour from Brisbane - Explore the stunning Kondalilla National Park, browse through one of the many local art galleries, or head to a restaurant or cafe for some fresh local produce.
6. Noosa. 2 hours from Brisbane - For some truly stunning beaches and Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, head north to Noosa. The national park is also a must-see: it’s a wildlife sanctuary and home to the picture perfect Fairy Pools.

Best time to visit Brisbane

Brisbane is beautiful all year round. Summer can be very hot, with average temperatures sitting at around 29 degrees celsius (84.2 fahrenheit). Brisbane winters are very mild, with average temperatures only getting as low as 21 degrees (69.8 fahrenheit). This makes Brisbane a perfect destination for exploring the outdoors, and there’s plenty of natural beauty to enjoy.

There are also plenty of sporting events, festivals and performances to enjoy, whatever time of year you visit Brisbane.

Brisbane calendar highlights

January

Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art - Head to the Queensland Art Gallery’s Gallery of Modern Art to see some of the most exciting contemporary art from the Asia Pacific region.

February

Noosa Summer Swim Festival - Whether you want to compete or just watch, it’s worth a visit to Noosa to soak in the atmosphere of this ocean swimming contest.

March

Curiocity Brisbane - The city comes alive with a range of installations and activities to help you explore how science and technology impact our lives.

May

Noosa Food and Wine Festival - Enjoy great local wine and produce from some of the regions best restaurants, all set against the stunning backdrop of Noosa Main Beach.

June

Scenic Rim Eat Local Week - Celebrate the food and natural beauty of the Scenic Rim in South Eastern Queensland.

July

Quandamooka Festival - Immerse yourself in the culture of the tribes of the Quandamooka people, an Aboriginal group that live in South Eastern Queensland.

August

Royal Queensland Show (‘Ekka’) - Join a celebration of Queensland agricultural culture, with plenty of displays, exhibitions, performances and rides.

September

Brisbane Festival - Enjoy a huge program of music, theatre, dance, comedy and circus at Brisbane’s annual arts festival.

December

Woodford Folk Festival - About 70km north of Brisbane lies Woodford, home to one Australia’s biggest folk festivals. The Woodford Folk Festival is a celebration of arts, culture and the environment.