Brisbane Tourism Statistics

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia's third-largest city. Visitors are drawn to its subtropical climate, local culture, and well-known destinations like the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast.

Over 9 million tourists visit Brisbane each year.

• Over 9.43 million tourists travelled to Brisbane in 2024, combining international (1.28 million) and domestic (8.15 million) visitors.
• This total shows an approximately 14% decrease in international trips from 1.48 million in 2019 and an approximately 11% increase in domestic trips from 7.33 million in 2023.

How many people visited Brisbane in 2024?

• In the year ending December 2024, Brisbane welcomed approximately 8.15 million domestic visitors, marking an 11.2% increase from the previous year and reaching 1.7% above 2019 figures.

How many people visited Brisbane in 2023?

• In the year ending December 2023, Brisbane welcomed approximately 7.33 million domestic visitors, marking a 0.7% decrease from 7.38 million in 2022 but still trailing 8.5% behind 2019 figures.

How many people visited Brisbane in 2019?

• The city saw over 8.01 million domestic visitors in the year ending December 2019.

For a typical 3-day domestic trip, visitors can expect to spend approximately $800 per person, including flights, accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

• Airfare costs for domestic travelers range from $150-$300 round-trip from Sydney or Melbourne. International flights start around $1,300-$1,600 from Los Angeles and $1,500-$1,800 from London.
• Accommodation prices average $90-$120 per night for 3-star hotels and $150-$180 per night for 4-star properties. Backpacker dorm beds are available from $30-$40 per night.
• Daily food budget should be around $50-$70 per day, with breakfast costing about $15, lunch $15-$20, and dinner $25-$40 at casual restaurants.
• Transport costs are reasonable with daily public transport (buses, CityCat ferries, trains) capped at under $10 per day. Airport rideshare costs approximately $45.
• Activity expenses vary widely, with many attractions being free (South Bank, Mt Coot-tha hiking). Paid attractions include Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ($49 adult entry) and Story Bridge climb ($130). Budget $100-$150 for miscellaneous attractions and tours.

In the year ending December 2020, Brisbane's domestic tourism visitor numbers dropped to 4.73 million, and spending fell to $2.58 billion.

• This represented a 41% decrease in domestic visitors compared to 8.01 million in 2019, with domestic spending down by 51% from $5.27 billion in 2019.

The autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) months are widely regarded as the best times to visit Brisbane.

• During these periods, the weather is warm and sunny (mid-20s °C) with low humidity, allowing visitors to enjoy outdoor attractions comfortably.
• April and May often hit the sweet spot for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
• Summer (December-February) is hot, humid, and brings tropical storms, but it's also a festive time with holiday events and New Year's Eve celebrations.
• Winter (June-August) is generally mild with daytime temperatures around 20°C and cooler nights, making it a great time for sightseeing and day trips. Brisbane hosts the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in August during this season.
• September is popular due to the Brisbane Festival featuring light shows, music, and arts events.

• Brisbane's domestic overnight visitors stay about 3.1 nights on average, while international visitors tend to stay much longer, at an average of 22 nights.

• The Great Barrier Reef: While located off the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is a frequent destination for visitors to Brisbane. It can be explored via a 30-minute helicopter flight, which also covers Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. The Reef receives over 2 million visitors annually.
• The Gold Coast: Known for its beaches, surfing spots, and theme parks such as Warner Bros. Movie World and Sea World, the Gold Coast attracts more than 12 million visitors each year.
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Home to over 130 koalas, this sanctuary allows visitors to feed kangaroos. It sees around 500,000 visitors annually.
• South Bank: A cultural and recreational area featuring attractions like the Wheel of Brisbane, Streets Beach, and numerous dining options, South Bank welcomes over 10 million visitors each year.
• Mt. Coot-tha: Offering panoramic views of the city, Mt. Coot-tha is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, drawing approximately 1.5 million visitors annually.