Ultimate Magic Round guide: What is there to do in Brisbane for NRL Magic Round 2025
If you are heading to Brisbane for Magic Round here is your ultimate guide on how you can spend your time in the River City.
It’s the four-day feast of football set to take over Brisbane.
But even when too much footy is never enough, there comes the daunting realisation that there are still 60 hours with no rugby league over the next four days and nights.
Fear not footy fans, The Courier-Mail has you covered with the ultimate guide to a classic weekend in Brisbane.
For the 20s-40s
Howard Smith Wharves
Before the action kicks off at Suncorp Stadium, kick off the weekend with a coldie (or a room temperature glass of vino) at the spectacular Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
Sitting on the banks of the Brisbane River and underneath the iconic Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves is one of the city’s top go-tos for tourists and locals alike.
The precinct is filled with riverfront walkways and public space, as well as restaurants and bars including institutions Felons Brewing Co and Mr Percival’s.
Popular venues in the riverfront space also include restaurants Ciao Papi and Stanley.
And the best part?
The million-dollar views of the city skyline don’t cost a cent.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Before you admire the bridge from below, check it out from high above on this award-winning tourist experience.
The views are incredible and as of last month, it also boasts the world’s first wheelchair-accessible bridge climb.
Cruise the Brisbane River by boat
They don’t call it the Brown Snake for nothing, but the Brisbane River is still the major artery to the city’s beating heart so embrace the brown.
Grab your mates and take a scenic cruise along the Brisbane River with options ranging from meandering picnics to virtual floating dance parties.
The Go Boat is a relaxing way to explore the river on a picnic boat, with no boat licence required. Guests can bring their own food and drinks or pre-book snacks through Go Boat for the journey.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Yot Club, where the uber trendy crowd will make you either fit right in or feel like a fish out of water.
The Yot Club will be cruising the Brisbane River this Saturday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Guests get a free drink on arrival, before making their way to the onboard dance floor, overseen by a DJ on the decks.
For the ultimate luxury experience, there is also the option for guests to upgrade to a private VIP booth.
Hit Fortitude Valley
After watching your favourite team in action, you might feel like hitting the town, with the Fortitude Valley the renowned night spot for the younger demographic.
Referred to as ‘The Valley’ by Brisbane locals, the Fortitude Valley is the centre of Brisbane’s nightlife, with the inner-city suburb containing many bars, clubs, and music venues.
There are a wide variety of venues throughout ‘The Valley’ from classy rooftop bars to nightclubs featuring DJs and full-blown raves.
The almighty hangover breakfast
For those chasing a life-saving brekky the next morning, Bistro Suzette at the Sofitel Brisbane Central offers a world-class buffet for $54 per adult, available all weekend except Sunday.
A stone’s throw away is Newstead, Maggie May’s Bottomless Brunch is a popular weekend option, offering two hours of free-flowing drinks and mouth-watering brunch dishes from 11am on Saturdays and Sundays for $90 per person.
And for the early risers, Buttery Boy in Fortitude Valley is open from 8am, serving up decadent sweet pancakes from their 1 East Street location, perfect for a sugar hit before a big day of footy.
For the 40s-60s
The Star Brisbane/Queen’s Wharf Precinct
What better place for sports fans than the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf precinct dubbed a game-changer for Brisbane?
The first stage of the precinct includes the general casino at The Star Brisbane, the Grand Hotel, bars, restaurants, as well as the SkyDeck which boasts panoramic views of the city and South Bank.
Rugby league fans can catch all the action from the NRL Magic Round from the The Star Brisbane Sports Bar or drop into Fan Land, on the outdoor leisure deck area.
Fan Land will contain the largest outdoor sports screen in the city to watch Magic Round - a gigantic 9m x 5m 350inch LED screen, which will showcase the on field action from in high definition.
The space will also feature live halftime shows, in-game competitions, interactive experiences, as well as food and drinks.
Eagle Farm Racecourse
Make it a Super Saturday with an afternoon to kick off Brisbane Racing’s Stradbroke Season at Eagle Farm racecourse.
Footy fans are encouraged to wear their club colours to the race track and enjoy a drink with Broncos legend Allan Langer in the XXXX Sideline Beer Garden.
For those heading to the footy in the afternoon there will be free transport to Suncorp Stadium from 4-5.30pm.
Hit the green ... it can even be virtual
Swap your passion for footy clubs for golf clubs with a morning round at one of Brisbane’s elite championship courses.
Royal Queensland takes the crown, with members of the public allowed to hit the hallowed fairways – set to host the 2032 Olympic golf competition, four days a week, with Friday and Monday the best opening for footy fans here for Magic Round.
The River City is also home to several golf simulators including The Golf Bunker at Hamilton and X-Golf at South Bank while Victoria Park putt putt is one for the families.
Breweries and pubs
You’ll never go thirsty in a city which has delivered some of the country’s top beer brands.
The most iconic brewery in Brisbane, the XXXX brewery at Milton is just a decent drop kick from Suncorp Stadium and a tour takes you through more than 145 years of history, where you will learn about your favourite brews, world-class brewing methods, and how to pour the perfect beer.
Top breweries in Brisbane include the likes of Brisbane Brewing Co (Woolloongabba/West End), Caxton Street Brewing Co (Petrie Terrace), Felons Brewing Co (Howard Smith Wharves), Stone and Wood Brisbane Brewery (Fortitude Valley) and Steven Bradbury’s Last Man Standing Brewery (Milton).
Amongst Brisbane’s most popular pubs are the Breakfast Creek Hotel (Albion), the Pineapple Hotel, Story Bridge Hotel, (Kangaroo Point), The Paddo Tavern, Hope and Anchor (Paddington), Normanby Hotel (Red Hill), Regatta Hotel (Toowong), Pig N Whistle, the Port Office Hotel, Stock Exchange, (CBD), The Plough Inn (South Bank), and Morrison Hotel (Woolloongabba).
Closer to Suncorp, the Lord Alfred, Beetson Hotel, and legendary Caxton Hotel are all as synonymous with a day at the footy as the stadium itself.
If you like your booze a bit more refined, Nosferatu Distillery boasts an intimate setting to enjoy delicious gins, whiskeys and liqueurs made from quirky Queensland ingredients while the Milton Rum Distillery celebrates one of Queensland’s favourite spirits within earshot of Suncorp Stadium.
Dine the day away
For a hearty, all-you-can-eat experience, Hanwoori on Mary St dishes up Korean BBQ with top-tier meats, fresh seafood and a buffet-style veggie bar you can grill yourself. It’s open for lunch (11.30am–3pm) and dinner (5–10pm, or until 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays), ideal for a post-game feast or hangover recovery meal.
If you prefer Japanese, On Adelaide Street, Nonbei delivers a high-end Japanese barbecue experience with all-you-can-eat wagyu, Angus steak, karaage chicken and pork belly for $85 per person. It operates from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
Nearby, Shabuhouse offers hot pot and sushi in an all-you-can-eat format, with service from 11.30am to 3pm and again from 5pm to 10pm.
For dinner with a party vibe, head to Pochana on Elizabeth St — a lively Thai spot famous for its flavoursome dishes and giant fishbowl cocktails.
Late-night cravings can be satisfied at Pancake Manor on Charlotte Street, a 24-hour Brisbane institution offering not only pancakes, waffles and crepes but also burgers, steaks and salads around the clock.
For the ones who brought the kids
Bluey’s World
This is one time it’s actually ok to cheer for the blues in Queensland.
A one-of-a-kind attraction in Bluey’s hometown of Brisbane, Bluey’s World is a theme park-styled shrine to Queensland’s favourite blue heeler family.
Bluey’s World offers visitors a chance to step into iconic locations from the Heeler family’s home, including the living room, the girls’ bedroom, the playroom, kitchen, and backyard.
The experience at the Northshore Pavilion in Hamilton includes interactive activities like “Keepy Uppy” and “Magic Xylophone,” a playground inspired by Bluey’s Brisbane neighbourhood.
Bluey’s World was originally expected to wrap up in September, but due to its popularity, the attraction will remain in Brisbane until at least next February.
Eat Street Northshore
Just down the road from Bluey’s World sits Eat Street Northshore at Hamilton, an open-air market with food traders and market stalls housed within shipping containers.
Boasting over 70 traders, five bars and shops, Eat Street Northshore features meals from across the world and beats the hell out of hot chips and meat pies at the footy.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket has been delighting families – and the odd international sporting celebrity, for generations.
Koala cuddles have been phased out but kids can still get up close and personal to the cute critters calling the sanctuary home.
Spanning 18 hectares, it houses over 100 koalas and more than 75 species of Australian native animals, including kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, and platypuses.
South Bank Parklands
Straddling the Brisbane River, the South Bank Parklands are a godsend for families in the city.
With plenty of green open spaces, cultural sites and Brisbane’s best swimming lagoon, South Bank is the perfect place to soak up the sun before heading across the river to Magic Round.
People on the Gold and Sunshine coasts may snigger, but Streets Beach is the best beach for miles with its sandy shoreline and skyline views a magnet for visitors of all ages.
For visitors who like a bit of culture with their fix of footy, the Queensland Art Gallery and Queensland Museum are also in the hub.
Girls’ weekend away
Bars
Let’s get straight into the fun stuff ladies — from classy rooftop establishments to trendy cocktail venues, Brisbane has a girls’ weekend covered.
Top picks include Cobbler (West End), Maya Mexican Restaurant, Savile Row (Fortitude Valley), Gresham Bar (CBD), Fiume Rooftop Bar (CBD), Velveteen Rabbit (Petrie Terrace), Lina Rooftop (South Brisbane), Terrace Rooftop Bar (Emporium Hotel South Bank), and Mr Percival’s (Howard Smith Wharves).
There are also several hidden laneway bars in Brisbane including Next Episode (South Brisbane), Mrs J Rabbits (Woolloongabba), and The Mermaid Lounge (Petrie Terrace).
Bathhouses
With the continuing crackdown on high tackles, plenty of players face the prospect of an early shower this weekend, but girls can soak in style at some of Brisbane’s best bathhouses.
Well-known bathhouses in Brisbane include the aptly-named The Bathhouse Albion (Albion), Aquarius Health and Medispa (CBD), Contro Wellness (Lutwyche), Iremia Recovery (Sandgate), Merse Wellness (Virginia), and rooftop-offering Soak Bathhouse (West End).
Live music
If live music is your jam, Brisbane has you covered this weekend.
Across the road from Suncorp Stadium, Lefty’s is country music central, while music venues in Fortitude Valley such as The Tivoli, Crowbar, and The Brightside will feature live acts this weekend for those ready to kick on after the footy.
Live music will also feature at LiveWire within The Star Brisbane/Queen’s Wharf precinct, where a packed line-up of free live music will run from Thursday to Sunday.
Headlining the entertainment is Australian pop-rock group Rogue Traders, who will take the stage at 8.30pm on Sunday.
For those who like to belt out their own tunes, popular karaoke joints include Blute’s Bar, Ric’s Bar, (Fortitude Valley), Fat Louie’s, and Music City (CBD).
Shopping
From major malls to boutique stores and markets, Brisbane is an easy place to shop away the day before heading to the footy.
Popular shopping malls featuring well-known brands in Brisbane include Westfield Carindale and Westfield Chermside in the suburbs while Queen Street Mall in the heart of the city is within walking distance of hotels and Suncorp Stadium.
If you prefer boutiques, James St in the Fortitude Valley is your go-to destination, with the precinct featuring renowned fashion labels.
The River City also hosts plenty of markets including the Jan Powers Farmers Markets, South Bank Young Designers Markets, as well as the South Bank Collective Markets.
Paint and Sip
For a slower pace than a Deine Mariner break, paint and sip is more of a Payne Haas kind of speed.
More Coverage
Brisbane has plenty of art studios and venues that allow for paint and sip sessions including Brush and Barrel Studio, Pinot and Picasso, Wesley Taylor Art Studios, and Peaceful Palette.
Originally published as Ultimate Magic Round guide: What is there to do in Brisbane for NRL Magic Round 2025
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