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11 fun things to do on Boxing Day in Brisbane

From water sports to day cruises, here’s what you can get up to this Boxing Day.

Boxing Day... it's the day after Christmas and chances are you're looking to recover from that epic food coma.

The great news is that Brisbane is very much open for business on 26 December.

To make your life easier, we've brought our favourites into a single place for you.

Top things to do on Boxing Day in Brisbane

1. Take to the water

We would put our bottom dollar on everyone flocking to the beach come 26 December. But if you still want to head out onto the water (without the crowds), why not try a kayak tour, a private lesson in kiteboarding or rent a stand-up paddleboard?

With most of these experiences taking only a couple of hours out of your day, you'll still be able to catch some waves by the shore once crowds have cleared.

2. Learn a new craft

Who says you need to wait until New Year's Day to start learning a new skill or craft? Loads of workshops are available on Boxing Day for you to find your new favourite hobby or side hustle.

Resin Jewellery Making Class Using Moulds
Resin Jewellery Making Class Using Moulds

Classbento

Wire Wrapping Jewellery Making Class for Christmas
Wire Wrapping Jewellery Making Class for Christmas

Classbento

3. Make art (or just play with paint)

Get the brushes out and the creative juices flowing at an art class or painting workshop. Or, if the kids are in play, turn that art attack into a splatter and splash fun day out where they get to be as messy as they want.

Resin Art Class: Chopping Board or Wall Art
Resin Art Class: Chopping Board or Wall Art

Classbento

Resin Art Class: Make Your Own Charcuterie Board
Resin Art Class: Make Your Own Charcuterie Board

Classbento

Interactive Painting Workshop: Splatter and Splash Room
Interactive Painting Workshop: Splatter and Splash Room

Classbento

4. Get cruising

Put the organising into someone else's hands with a cruise this Boxing Day. Make it a romantic occasion with live music as well as lunch. Or, bring the whole family along for a day of spotting and feeding a dolphin.

Dolphin Cruise to the Tangalooma Wrecks
Dolphin Cruise to the Tangalooma Wrecks

RedBalloon

Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise with Lunch
Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise with Lunch

RedBalloon

5. Have fun with the family on a group activity

These are sure to keep everyone entertained this coming Boxing Day. If you've got little ones, you can hang with cuddly koalas at Lone Pine.

For adult families and visiting relatives, why not sign up for a private tour or test your smarts in an escape room?

Recreational Fishing Charter with Food and Drinks
Recreational Fishing Charter with Food and Drinks

RedBalloon

6. See Brisbane from the skies

Want to end the year on a high? From catching the sunrise in a hot air balloon to whisking across the city in a private helicopter, you can't go wrong.

Enjoy a brief moment in the blue skies and follow it up with a picnic in the park.

See Brisbane from Above with Flight Training Experience
See Brisbane from Above with Flight Training Experience

RedBalloon

7. Get your wine on

2023 has been a big year and we think you deserve a glass of wine to celebrate post-Christmas. From the finest reds to your favourite whites, take your pick of a Mount Cotton tour, indulge in views of the ocean or sip on the wines at Mount Tamborine.

Mount Cotton Winery Tour and Tasting Session
Mount Cotton Winery Tour and Tasting Session

RedBalloon

Full Day Wine Tasting Tour with Two Course Lunch
Full Day Wine Tasting Tour with Two Course Lunch

RedBalloon

8. Tour the city

Is there a better way to see your own city than to be a tourist for a day? From having the itinerary planned for you to segwaying your way through Brisbane CBD, this is a hit for those of you looking to get out and about.

Guided Sydney Harbour Self-Driven Boat Tour
Guided Sydney Harbour Self-Driven Boat Tour

RedBalloon

Brisbane City Sightseeing Afternoon Tour
Brisbane City Sightseeing Afternoon Tour

Experience Oz

9. Pamper yourself

You really can't go wrong with a good massage, so take your pick between stone relaxation, aromatherapy or a sauna experience.

Floatation Therapy, Massage and Infrared Sauna
Floatation Therapy, Massage and Infrared Sauna

RedBalloon

10. Go to new heights with a bridge climb

See the iconic Story Bridge from a whole new angle. With daytime, twilight and night climbs available on 26 December, it's the perfect way to start or end your day.

11. Hit the sales

Whether you're ready to battle the crowds for a bargain or looking to do some sneaky shopping online, Boxing Day is one of the best days for it. Here's everything you need to know about the Boxing Day sales this year.

Where can I book Boxing Day activities in Brisbane?

Name Product AUFTR-EXP Voucher validity Is there a sign up discount? Is price matching available? Can I book exclusive experiences? Where to book
RedBalloon
RedBalloon - Things to Do in Brisbane
5 years
$10
Yes
Yes
Amazed
Amazed - Things to Do in Brisbane
1 year
No
Yes
Yes
Experience Oz
Experience Oz - Things to Do in Brisbane
3 years
$10
Yes
Yes
Adrenaline
Adrenaline - Things to Do in Brisbane
5 years
$10
No
Yes
Groupon
Groupon - Things to Do in Brisbane
Depends on the individual experience
No
Yes
Yes
Klook
Klook - Things to Do in Brisbane
Depends on the individual experience
No
Yes
Yes
Wotif
Wotif - Things to Do in Brisbane
Depends on the individual experience
No
Yes
Yes
Viator
Viator - Things to Do in Brisbane
Depends on the individual experience
No
Yes
Yes
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What's open on Boxing Day in Brisbane?

Looking to head into the shops on 26 December? We have you covered with all the opening hours with our guide to Boxing Day in Brisbane.

Attractions

AttractionsOpening hoursWhere to get tickets
Australia Zoo9am–5pmRedBalloon
Tangalooma Wrecks9:30am–5pmRedBalloon
The Wheel of Brisbane10am–9pmExperience Oz
Story Bridge Adventure Climb5:40pm–8pmAmazed
Daisy Hill Koala Centre10am–4pmDaisy Hill Koala Centre
Brisbane Botanic Gardens8am–6pmEntry is free
Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre9am–4:15pmWalkabout Creek Discovery Centre

Restaurants, bars and cafes

VenueBoxing Day hoursWhere to book
Sassy Spoon5pm–8:30pmGroupon
Crazy Saloon5pm–9pmGroupon
Oxley Cafe10:30am–1pmGroupon
Miss Kay's Mitchelton11am–8:30pm
Green Beacon Brewing Co2pm–9pm
Coffee Head Co6am–4pm
Dicki's6am–2pm
Mary Mae's8am–3pm
Huskk9:30am–5:30pm
Brew Cafe and Wine Bar7am–11:45am
Felons Barrel Hall11am–9:30pm
Hachi Yakiniku5pm–8pm
Milano7am–9pm
Pochana11am–2:45pm and 5pm–9:45pm
Roti Place11:30am–8:30pm
Joedy's7am–3pm
Istanbul 19234pm–9pm
Streetcorner Jimmy12pm–late
Ze Pickle5pm–9pm
Grassfed11:30am–2:30pm and 5pm–9pm
Lokal + Co6am–2pm
Okuman Karaage and Ramen Bar11:30am–2:30pm and 5pm–9:30pm
The Charming Square11am–10pm

See the latest Boxing Day activities deals for Brisbane

Momondo Momondo

Brisbane car hires from $26/day

Tamara Medojevic's headshot
Writer

Tamara Medojevic was a travel writer at Finder. She graduated from the University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Journalism. Her passion for travelling began at an early age, with frequent overseas trips to Europe and across Australia. Tamara believes that travelling is an experience that can be enjoyed on all budgets and she works to make sure you’re getting the most for your dollar. See full bio

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