Things to do with Teenagers in Brisbane that Aren’t Lame!

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If you’ve got a teenager who says ‘I’m bored’ five minutes after waking up, you’re not alone.

Teenagers are hard to impress.

Screens always win.

Unless you have a plan.

But it has to be the ‘right’ plan.

DON’T suggest a family outing; you’ll probably get an eye roll. DO suggest go-karting, virtual reality or somewhere they can hang out with their mates, because then they will be interested.

The good news? Brisbane has plenty of things to do with teenagers that aren’t lame. You just need to know where to look. And I am on a mission to convince Brisbane teenagers that activities outside their bedrooms can actually be fun.

From adrenaline-filled adventures and competitive games to escape rooms, great food and shopping centres, because sometimes wandering Westfield with a bubble tea is all they really want. I’ve rounded up (and actually tested) activities for younger teens, older teenagers and young adults.

Whether you’re planning the school holidays, a weekend outing or just trying to get them off their phones for an afternoon, you’ll find plenty of ideas here.

Save this guide for the next time you hear those inevitable words: “I’m bored.”

And for even more inspiration, check out my things to do with teenagers across Australia.

TL;DR: Want to skip straight to the good stuff? Here’s an at-a-glance guide to the best things to do with teenagers in Brisbane. Click an activity to jump to the relevant section below.

Competitive activities for teenagers in Brisbane

If your teenager loves a challenge (and isn’t above a little friendly competition), Brisbane has plenty of places where they can put their skills to the test and, more importantly, prove they’re better than you.

Zero Latency VR, Newstead

This was genuinely one of the most fun experiences I’ve had with teenagers in Brisbane! We chose our virtual reality adventure and difficulty level, although I quickly vetoed the kids’ suggestion that we try HARD. Medium was quite enough for me, thanks!

We had to solve clues, make a potion to escape a room and then battle a dragon while the kids distracted a wolf and a guard to steal a key. It was absolutely epic.

Being digital natives, Alex, Ben and Sophie picked everything up much faster than I did. I was fairly useless at solving the puzzles, but give me a sword and shield and apparently I’m excellent at defending teenagers from dragons. Who knew?

Best for: Teenagers who love gaming, puzzles and a bit of friendly competition.

My tip: Let the kids take the lead on the technology. You might discover a hidden talent for dragon slaying!

You can find more information about Zero Latency here.

I recommend comparing prices of Zero Latency with Virtual Room Brisbane in the CBD here.

Prison Island, Fortitude Valley

I took Ben (16) and Sophie (14) to Prison Island and both declared it brilliant. I am still recovering.

There are more than 30 themed challenge rooms, each testing something different. Some are physical, with climbing, jumping and balancing. Others involve puzzles, clues and problem-solving. You swipe into each room, race against the clock and collect points. And if you don’t do well the first time, you can go back and try again!

The kids were embarrassingly good at almost everything. I attempted to climb a pole. Failed spectacularly. And have never been allowed to forget it.

We spent around 90 minutes there, and both teenagers were already planning who they’d bring back next time. You can read my full Prison Island review for more of our adventures (and my failures).

Best for: Competitive teenagers who enjoy physical challenges, puzzles and beating their parents.

My tip: Wear comfortable clothes, bring water and don’t give up on a room after one attempt. Going back to improve your score is half the fun!

You can find out more and book Prison Island here

Kingston Park Raceway, Logan

If your teenagers think they’re the next Formula 1 champions, take them to Kingston Park Raceway and let them prove it!

We made a half-day outing of it, although I very wisely left the actual racing to my brother-in-law and the kids. My brother-in-law took the competition VERY seriously. There was absolutely no letting the kids win. He had a point to prove, and apparently that point needed to be made at speed!

The kids loved racing against him, although having seen their competitive streak behind the wheel, I genuinely fear for the roads when they get their real driver’s licences.

With outdoor go-kart tracks catering to different ages and abilities, it’s a brilliant way to burn off some teenage energy and settle a few family rivalries.

Best for: Competitive teenagers who love speed, racing and trying to beat the adults.

My tip: Allow plenty of time. This can easily turn into a half-day outing, especially when someone insists on another race to settle the score!

Check Kingston Park Raceway go-karting tickets.

Hijinx Hotel, Brisbane

We took three teenagers (14, 16 and 18) to Hijinx Hotel and tackled the 10-room challenge. I highly recommend doing all 10 rooms because once the competition starts, nobody wants to stop!

Each room has a different challenge. Some are physical and surprisingly exhausting, while others require a bit more brainpower. I actually found Hijinx easier than Prison Island, which was a relief after my spectacular failures there!

Wear comfy shoes and remember to pack your brain. (Who am I kidding? You’ve got kids. You probably haven’t had a functioning brain cell in years.)

Or just send the teenagers in to compete against each other while you enjoy the bar downstairs. Now there’s a school holiday activity I can get behind!

Best for: Competitive teenagers who enjoy a mix of physical challenges, puzzles and team games.

My tip: Book the 10-room experience. There’s enough variety to keep everyone entertained, and some rooms are much harder work than they look!

Book your Hijinx Hotel experience through Experience Oz and see if your teenagers can beat your score!

Quiz Room, Brisbane CBD

If your family is even slightly competitive, you’ll love this one! We took three teenagers to Quiz Room in Edward Street and laughed our way through a real-life game show experience, complete with buzzers, lights, sounds and plenty of family rivalry.

You play two 30-minute games, and by the second round we’d worked out what we were doing and started getting a little more strategic. The difficulty can be adjusted, so everyone can get involved, even if their general knowledge isn’t quite up to teenage standards!

And here’s where it gets interesting. You have wildcards/jokers you can use to sabotage the competition. Don’t waste them early! Work out who’s winning and save them until you can do some real damage.

We booked a morning session and headed into Brisbane CBD for lunch afterwards. A genuinely fun way to spend a few hours with teenagers, and one I’d happily do again.

Best for: Competitive families with tweens and teenagers who love quizzes and game shows.

My tip: Save your wildcards for the end of each game, when you know who’s your biggest competition and how best to use them!

Think your family has what it takes to win? Book your Brisbane Quiz Room experience through Experience Oz and let the family rivalry begin!

Adrenaline and adventure for thrill-seeking teens

Got a teenager who loves an adrenaline rush? Brisbane has plenty of ways to get their heart racing, from climbing the Story Bridge and abseiling down Kangaroo Point Cliffs to jet skiing on the river and indoor skydiving. We’ve tried most of them, and I can confirm that some are just as terrifying for the parents as they are exciting for the teenagers!

Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Brisbane

If there’s one Brisbane experience everyone should do at least once, it’s climbing the Story Bridge!

I’ve done it myself, although it was years ago and before I had a teenager to drag along. Alex and I have since tackled a bridge climb in Perth, so I reckon it’s time we gave Brisbane’s iconic bridge a go together.

There’s something pretty special about getting up above the traffic and seeing Brisbane from a completely different perspective. And it’s a great excuse to get teenagers away from their screens and doing something they’ll actually remember.

Best for: Teenagers who enjoy heights, adventure and doing something a little out of the ordinary.

My tip: The Story Bridge is undergoing major maintenance as part of Brisbane City Council’s Operation Smooth program, but the Story Bridge Adventure Climb remains open. Check the climb operator’s website for any updates before booking.

Ready to see Brisbane from a whole new perspective? Book your Story Bridge Day Climb through Experience Oz and enjoy some spectacular views from the top!

Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point adventures

If your teenager loves a bit of adventure, Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point offer everything from kayaking and rock climbing to abseiling and jet skiing. We’ve tried all four!

When Alex was around 14, he went twilight kayaking with his dad and uncle. He found the paddling harder than expected, but they loved seeing Brisbane from the water as the city lights came on. It was a great bonding experience, and thankfully nobody fell in!

We’ve also abseiled down the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and I absolutely loved it. The scariest part is stepping backwards over the edge. Once you’ve committed, the descent is surprisingly easy and great fun. The kids loved it too. What I didn’t love was climbing back up those bloody stairs to go again. Exhausting!

We’ve also tried rock climbing at Kangaroo Point with Alex’s uncle, who’s something of an expert. I left the climbing to the kids and watched from the ground. Someone had to supervise!

But the biggest hit? Jet skiing on the Brisbane River. Alex and his dad did this when Alex was 17 and absolutely LOVED it. It was more expensive than kayaking, but they both agreed it was worth the extra money.

Best for: Adventurous teenagers, active families and older teens looking for an adrenaline rush.

My tip: Kayaking is great for family bonding, abseiling is easier than it looks, and jet skiing was Alex’s absolute favourite. If you’re abseiling, save some energy for those stairs!

You can check day time kayaking options here.

BOUNCE, Brisbane

Who says trampoline parks are just for little kids? We’ve visited BOUNCE at Hendra, Macgregor and Tingalpa, and Morayfield is next on our list, and I can confirm they’re just as much fun for teenagers and adults. Even the older ones. 😉

I always jump too! There’s something ridiculously good fun about bouncing around, attempting tricks and throwing yourself into those enormous airbags. When I am feeling brave I even do the flips!

Each BOUNCE location has different activities, so it’s worth checking what’s available before you go. Brisbane locations include Hendra (formerly Urban Xtreme), Macgregor, Tingalpa and Morayfield.

It’s a great way to burn off teenage energy, have a laugh together and prove that parents aren’t completely past it.

Best for: Active teenagers, mixed-age families and adults who refuse to grow up.

My tip: Don’t just sit and watch. Get out there and have a bounce yourself! You might surprise your teenagers. And possibly yourself.

Find out more about what activities are located inside which venue here.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Chermside

Love, love, LOVE this one! We’ve taken three kids to iFLY at Westfield Chermside and they all absolutely loved it.

If your teenager fancies skydiving without actually jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane, this is the next best thing. You get the sensation of freefall inside a giant vertical wind tunnel, with an instructor right beside you.

Our visit took around 90 minutes, including the safety briefing, getting suited up and watching everyone take their turn. The flights themselves are surprisingly short, around 60 seconds each, but the kids had two flights apiece and thought it was fantastic.

You can watch through the glass tunnel, which is almost as entertaining as flying yourself. Almost!

Best for: Tweens, teenagers and adventurous families looking for something a bit different.

My tip: Ask about adding another flight while you’re there. We were offered a discounted return flight, and once the kids had tried it, they definitely wanted more!

Fancy flying without jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane? Book your Brisbane Indoor Skydiving experience with 2 flights through Experience Oz and give your teenager something to rave about!

Gaming, arcades and entertainment

I love a good arcade, and I’m not even going to pretend I only go because the teenagers want to! Brisbane has some brilliant places for gaming, escape rooms and interactive entertainment, whether you’re battling it out on old-school arcade machines, trying to escape a locked room or getting thrown around in a 4DX cinema. We’ve tried plenty of them, and I reckon the adults have just as much fun as the kids!

Retro video game arcades in Brisbane: 1UP Arcade and Netherworld

Got a teenager who loves gaming? Brisbane has a couple of brilliant retro arcades where they can discover what video games looked like before everything required an internet connection!

1UP Arcade in Woolloongabba is packed with classic arcade machines and pinball games. It’s a dedicated, family-friendly arcade where you can pay for unlimited play, making it a great option for younger teenagers who want to spend a few hours gaming.

Netherworld in Fortitude Valley has a different vibe. It’s a quirky bar and diner with retro arcade machines, pinball, consoles and board games. Better suited to older teenagers visiting with a parent, particularly if you want to combine gaming with something to eat.

Best for: Teenagers who love video games, retro gaming and a bit of old-school nostalgia.

My tip: Choose 1UP for a proper gaming session with younger teens. Netherworld is better for older teenagers, but check its under-18 entry restrictions before visiting.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Bowen Hills

If you’re looking for fun things to do with teenagers in Brisbane, Archie Brothers is an absolute winner!

We went with three adults and three kids aged 12, 14 and 16, and spent a fantastic 2½ hours playing arcade games, bowling and eating pizza.

There’s loads to do, including arcade games, ten-pin bowling and karaoke. We went on a Friday after school, had dinner there and were home by 8.30pm. Everyone had a brilliant time, adults included!

My personal recommendation? Try the dance mat. Absolutely hilarious! And if your family enjoys a little friendly competition, there’s plenty of opportunity to embarrass yourself in front of your teenagers. You can read my full Archie Brothers review for more photos and details of our visit.

Best for: Tweens, teenagers and families who love arcade games, bowling and a bit of competition.

My tip: Combine arcade games with bowling and dinner for an easy afternoon or evening out. And seriously, don’t skip the dance mat!

Think you can beat your teenagers at bowling or the arcade? Book your Archie Brothers Arcade Game Card and Bowling experience through Experience Oz and let the family competition begin!

Escape rooms in Brisbane for teenagers

Want to lock your teenagers in a room for an hour? Legally?

Escape rooms are brilliant fun for teenagers, especially those who love solving puzzles, finding hidden clues and proving they’re smarter than their parents.

We’ve done escape rooms as a family, and I love how everyone brings different skills to the challenge. Although the kids usually seem to solve the clues while I’m still figuring out what we’re supposed to be doing!

There are plenty of escape rooms around Brisbane, so here are some options worth checking out:

• Escape Hunt, West End has themed adventures including pirates, magic and mysteries, with options suitable for younger teenagers.
• Fox in a Box, Brisbane CBD offers everything from prison breaks to spooky mysteries, with different difficulty levels.
• Escape Manor, Brisbane CBD has atmospheric escape rooms for teenagers who enjoy a challenge and a little suspense.
• Quest Room, Summer Hill offers immersive mysteries and puzzles, with some themes better suited to older teenagers.
• Strike Escape Rooms, Wintergarden lets you combine an escape room with bowling, laser tag or karaoke.
• Puzzled Room Escape, Holland Park West is a suburban option for families who enjoy solving clues together.
• Arcadium Adventures, Summer Hill combines escape-room adventures with a quirky bar setting.
• Mystic Escape, South Brisbane offers darker, mystery-themed experiences that may appeal to older teenagers.
• Red Lock Escape Rooms, Chermside and North Lakes has themed adventures ranging from bank heists to spooky challenges, with options for first-timers and experienced players.

Best for: Teenagers who enjoy puzzles, mysteries, teamwork and a little family competition.

My tip: Check the difficulty level, scare factor and minimum age before booking. Some rooms are much harder or creepier than others, and nobody wants to spend an hour completely baffled!

4DX Cinema at Event Cinemas Chermside

Forget sitting quietly in a cinema watching a movie. In 4DX, you’re practically IN the movie!

We took the family to see the original Raiders of the Lost Ark in 4DX at Event Cinemas Chermside for Father’s Day, and it was EPIC!

The specially engineered seats move, roll, twist, heave and shake along with the action on screen. There are even little kicks in the back of your seat! Add gusts of wind and sprays of water, and suddenly those explosions and chase scenes feel a whole lot more exciting.

We absolutely LOVED it. Five stars, no notes, will definitely be doing it again!

Best for: Teenagers who love action movies, big-screen thrills and experiences that are a bit different from an ordinary trip to the cinema.

My tip: Choose an action-packed film to get the most out of the moving seats and special effects. Raiders of the Lost Ark was absolutely perfect! Check the Event Cinemas events and festivals page for upcoming special screenings.

FEEL the action in a 4DX cinema near you.

Food and shopping: Always a winner with teenagers

Sometimes the easiest way to convince teenagers to leave the house is to mention food or shopping. Preferably both! And I’ve learnt that shopping isn’t necessarily about buying anything. Teenagers are often perfectly happy spending hours browsing the shops, grabbing bubble tea and hanging out with their mates. It’s as much about having somewhere to go and a bit of independence as it is about spending money.

Eat Street Northshore, Hamilton

If your teenager loves food (and let’s face it, what teenager doesn’t?), Eat Street Northshore is a brilliant place to spend an evening.

Alex and I have been loads of times, and we love the atmosphere. There are food stalls serving dishes from around the world, live music, colourful lights and plenty of places to sit and soak up the atmosphere.

Our favourite way to do Eat Street is to order lots of different dishes and share everything. That way, everyone gets to try something new, and nobody has to commit to just one meal.

One warning though: if you actually want to have a conversation, don’t sit too close to the stage! The live music is fantastic, but it can get LOUD.

Eat Street also hosts special events around Halloween and Christmas, so it’s worth checking their Facebook page before you go to see what’s happening.

Best for: Hungry teenagers, families who love trying different foods and a fun Friday or Saturday night out.

My tip: Arrive early to beat the crazy crowds, order several different dishes to share and check the weather before you go. Much of Eat Street is open-air, so it’s worth planning around the forecast!

Explore Sunnybank’s Asian food scene

If your teenager loves Asian food, bubble tea, dumplings or noodles, take them to Sunnybank for a food adventure!

We’ve eaten in Sunnybank regularly over the years, and it’s one of my favourite Brisbane areas for exploring different Asian cuisines. Around Sunnybank Plaza, Sunny Park and Market Square, you’ll find everything from Chinese dumplings and Japanese ramen to Korean BBQ, hotpot, Taiwanese snacks and bubble tea.

We also took the family to Sunnybank for a Chinese New Year celebration, where we followed the food trail, sampled different dishes (which were only a couple of dollars each!) and watched the fireworks from the top of the car park. Such a fun night! Sunnybank is worth visiting any time of year, but keep an eye out for special events like the Sunnybank Food Trail, which makes exploring the local food scene even more fun.

Best for: Teenagers who love Asian food, adventurous eaters and families looking for something different from the usual food court.

My tip: Go hungry, order different dishes to share and leave room for bubble tea or dessert. Market Square is particularly good for wandering around and seeing what takes your fancy!

Eat your way around South Bank, Brisbane

Sometimes the easiest way to get teenagers out of the house is to promise them food. And South Bank is one of our favourite places to take the kids for lunch or dinner, especially after a swim at Streets Beach.

We’ve eaten our way around plenty of South Bank restaurants over the years, and there’s something for everyone.

For Turkish food, we love Ahmet’s, while The Yiros Shop is always a winner when the kids want something quick and filling. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers is great for pasta lovers, and Baba Ganouj is another favourite for Lebanese food.

If we’re after an easy pub meal following a swim, The Plough Inn or Pig ‘N’ Whistle are good options.

And if you fancy something a little more sophisticated, try Ovello Bar & Kitchen on Grey Street. We went with three adults and three teenagers and absolutely loved the Italian-inspired food. Alex was particularly impressed with the prosciutto and peach salad! You can read our full Ovello restaurant review for more details.

Best for: Hungry teenagers, families looking for somewhere to eat after swimming at South Bank, and teens who love trying different cuisines.

My tip: Let the teenagers choose somewhere to eat, then wander along the river afterwards. It’s an easy way to turn dinner into an outing without having to organise anything complicated!

Best Brisbane shopping centres for teenagers

If all else fails, never underestimate the appeal of a shopping centre when you’ve got teenagers! Wandering around with their mates, trying on clothes they’ll probably never buy, checking out sneakers, grabbing bubble tea and hanging out in the food court can keep them happy for hours. And if shopping gets boring, some of Brisbane’s biggest centres have plenty of entertainment too.

Westfield Chermside is a fantastic all-rounder, with Event Cinemas (including 4DX), Kingpin bowling and arcade games, Hijinx Hotel, Holey Moley mini golf, iFLY indoor skydiving and loads of places to eat. You could easily spend a whole afternoon or evening here without running out of things to do.

Westfield Mt Gravatt is another great choice, with Event Cinemas, Timezone, Zone Bowling, laser tag, Holey Moley, Hijinx Hotel and karaoke. There’s also plenty of shopping, bubble tea and casual dining around Town Square.

Westfield Carindale has Event Cinemas, Funhouse Entertainment for arcade games, laser tag and mini bowling, plus plenty of fashion stores and restaurants. A good option for teenagers who want to combine shopping, a movie and something to eat.

Indooroopilly Shopping Centre is a popular western-suburbs option for fashion shopping, browsing beauty and tech stores, catching a movie and grabbing something to eat. Great for a relaxed afternoon hanging out with friends.

DFO Brisbane at Skygate is the one for teenagers who love hunting down bargains on sneakers, sportswear and fashion. With outlet stores including Nike, Adidas, Converse and New Balance, it’s particularly appealing to teens who have expensive taste but a less impressive budget!

Things to do in Brisbane at night with teenagers

Teenagers don’t suddenly become less bored when the sun goes down! Thankfully, Brisbane has plenty to keep them entertained after dark.

We’ve enjoyed evenings at Eat Street Northshore, twilight kayaking on the Brisbane River, arcade games at Archie Brothers and some fantastic concerts and live sporting events. There are plenty of other options too, including bowling, mini golf, movies and even climbing the Story Bridge at twilight.

Some of our best outings with teenagers have been after dark, so I’ve put together a separate guide to things to do in Brisbane at night with kids and teenagers with lots more ideas for evenings out, whether you’re entertaining younger teens or older teenagers who are increasingly difficult to impress!

Cheap and free things to do with teens in Brisbane

Keeping teenagers entertained doesn’t always have to cost a fortune. Brisbane has some brilliant free activities, from swimming at South Bank’s Streets Beach and exploring GOMA to riding along the river, checking out the city from Mt Coot-tha Lookout or discovering the Museum of Brisbane and its Clock Tower. And sometimes a walk along the river with their mates and a stop for bubble tea is all the entertainment they need! I’ve rounded up plenty more ideas in my guide to free things to do in Brisbane, including outdoor adventures, museums, galleries and activities for the school holidays.

Fun things to do in Brisbane for older teenagers and young adults (16–21)

Once teenagers get a bit older, the things they want to do change. They’re not necessarily interested in being entertained for a couple of hours anymore. They want good food, live music, somewhere interesting to go and, increasingly, the freedom to make their own plans.

Howard Smith Wharves and a riverside walk to Brisbane Powerhouse

If you’re looking for somewhere to take older teenagers or young adults for a relaxed afternoon, Howard Smith Wharves is hard to beat.

Eat at Felons Brewing Co. under the Story Bridge and enjoy the views across the Brisbane River – they are fantastic. It’s a great spot to grab lunch, enjoy the atmosphere and watch the world go by.

They also host live music and special events, including Sunday family activities, so it’s worth checking their What’s On calendar before visiting.

One of our favourite things to do afterwards is walk along the river to Brisbane Powerhouse at New Farm. It’s a lovely riverside walk and a really easy way to turn lunch into a whole afternoon out.

Best for: Older teenagers and young adults who enjoy good food, river views and a relaxed afternoon with friends or family.

My tip: Make a Sunday of it! Start with lunch at Howard Smith Wharves, check whether there’s live entertainment happening, then wander along the river towards New Farm and Brisbane Powerhouse. Check individual event age restrictions if you’re bringing under-18s.

Live music and concerts in Brisbane

Was this section of the article added so I could brag about the concerts we have been to… little bit! 😉 We’ve seen P!nk, Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran at Suncorp Stadium, Kylie Minogue at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Benson Boone at Riverstage. (And Taylor Swift in Sydney!)

Full disclosure, we don’t go together very much anymore. He’d much rather go with friends and to be honest, my bank account is thanking him for that decision…

Brisbane has some fantastic concert venues, including Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Riverstage and The Tivoli. Keep an eye on their upcoming events calendars to see who’s coming to town.

Best for: Music-loving teenagers, young adults and families who enjoy a big night out together.

My tip: Plan ahead! Popular concerts can sell out quickly, especially if you want good seats. Check the age restrictions before booking, particularly for smaller venues where some performances are 18+ only.

Musicals, theatre and comedy shows in Brisbane

If your teenager enjoys music, dancing and a bit of drama (the theatrical kind, not the usual teenage variety!), Brisbane has some fantastic theatres offering everything from blockbuster musicals to comedy and live performances.

Alex and I have seen SO many shows together over the years, including Hamilton, Beetlejuice, Pretty Woman, Wicked and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Hamilton was our absolute favourite, although we’ve honestly loved them all!

Here are some Brisbane venues worth checking for upcoming shows:

• QPAC, South Brisbane is our favourite for big musicals, touring productions, ballet and theatre.
• Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm hosts comedy, theatre, festivals and contemporary performances, including shows that appeal to older teenagers.
• La Boite Theatre, Kelvin Grove offers contemporary theatre and thought-provoking productions, particularly suited to older teens interested in drama.
• Queensland Theatre stages a range of Australian and international plays, with performances at different Brisbane venues.
• The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba hosts live music, comedy and other performances in a beautiful historic theatre.

Best for: Older teenagers and young adults who enjoy musicals, comedy, theatre and live entertainment.

My tip: We always listen to the soundtrack before seeing a musical. It gives us a feel for the music, and it’s so much more fun when you already recognise the songs! Check individual show age recommendations before booking, particularly for comedy performances.

Live sport in Brisbane

If your teenager follows a sporting team, watching a game live can be a brilliant way to spend an afternoon or evening together. Brisbane has plenty of options, whether they’re into basketball, rugby league or Australian rules football.

Catch the Brisbane Bullets in action on the basketball court, cheer on the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL, the Queensland Reds playing rugby union, or watch the Brisbane Lions play AFL. Depending on the season and fixture, games can make a great night out with friends or family.

The atmosphere is a big part of the experience, especially when the crowd gets behind the home team. Even if your teenager doesn’t follow every game on television, they might enjoy the excitement of seeing professional sport in person.

Best for: Sport-loving teenagers and young adults who enjoy live games and a lively crowd.

My tip: Check the season draw and fixture times before making plans. Evening games are great for a night out, but weekend matches can be easier to fit around school, work and other commitments.

Immersive experiences and pop-up exhibitions in Brisbane

If you’re looking for something a little different to do with older teenagers or young adults in Brisbane, keep an eye out for immersive experiences, pop-up exhibitions and special events. Some of the best experiences we’ve had together have only been in Brisbane for a limited time!

Alex and I have been to a Taylor Swift-themed Candlelight Concert and Horizon of Khufu: Journey in Ancient Egypt, a virtual reality experience that transported us back thousands of years to explore the pyramids. I’ve also visited The FRIENDS Experience and a Banksy art exhibition in the city.

These are the sorts of experiences that make a great afternoon out, especially when your teenager has already done the usual Brisbane attractions. The events change regularly, so there’s often something new to discover.

I like checking Fever’s Brisbane events calendar to see what’s coming. You’ll find everything from immersive exhibitions and virtual reality adventures to candlelit concerts and unusual live entertainment.

Best for: Older teenagers and young adults who enjoy technology, music, pop culture and experiences that are a little out of the ordinary.

My tip: Keep an eye on upcoming events rather than waiting until the school holidays. Some exhibitions are only in Brisbane for a short time, and popular sessions can sell out. Always check the age recommendations before booking.

Even more QLD school holiday ideas:

If you are heading north these Queensland school holidays check out our other articles:

• Cairns school holiday activities
• Townsville school holiday activities
• Mackay school holiday activities
• Rockhampton school holiday activities
• Gladstone school holiday activities
• Bundaberg school holiday activities
• Hervey Bay school holiday activities
• Sunshine Coast school holiday activities
• Brisbane school holiday activities

If you are heading south these QLD school holidays, these holiday ideas might help:

• Gold Coast school holiday activities
• Byron Bay School holiday activities
• NSW School holiday ideas

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