Oceania > Australia > Brisbane (BNE)
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Brisbane can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Brisbane ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Brisbane ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Brisbane?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚆 Exploring Brisbane Without a Car Works Well
Brisbane is one of Australia’s most straightforward cities to enjoy without driving.
You can use:
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CityCat ferries along the river
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Trains to major districts
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Buses that fill in the gaps
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The tram around Southport (if you continue to the Gold Coast)
Moreover, walking is pleasant in South Bank, the CBD, and New Farm. Because most hotels sit near transport, getting around feels easy. You can move between museums, the riverfront, breweries, and gardens with little effort.
➡ For a city-focused trip, you won’t need a car.
🏖️ Public Transport to Beaches and the Gold Coast
You can reach the Gold Coast by train from Brisbane in just over an hour. Once there, local trams and buses take you to Surfers Paradise, Southport, and Broadbeach. However, reaching several beaches in one day becomes difficult without driving.
The Sunshine Coast is also reachable by train and bus, yet connections take longer and often require advance planning.
➡ Transit works for simple beach trips, but it limits flexibility.
🌊 On the Water in the Gold Coast — Because It’s More Than Just Beaches
Getting to Gold Coast from Brisbane by train is pretty straightforward, and once you arrive you’ll find that the cityscape—full of rivers, canals and Broadwater inlets—really invites you to swap wheels for watercraft. In fact, one of the best ways to enjoy the Gold Coast is to hop aboard a boat rather than navigate on roads.
For example, Surfers Paradise River Cruises offers a range of trips: morning, afternoon, sunset or city-lights cruises, all taking you through the canals around Surfers Paradise and onto the Broadwater. You glide past lavish waterfront homes, yachts, marina moorings and shimmering city lights — often with a beer or cocktail in hand and maybe even dolphins to spot along the way.
If you want to see more and combine travel + sightseeing, consider the hop-on hop-off ferry service operated by HOPO Gold Coast Ferries. It links key spots such as Surfers Paradise, Marina Mirage, Broadwater Parklands, Sea World and HOTA — letting you skip the traffic and move along the waterways instead. Hopo+1
For something a bit different, there are also charter boats, fishing or private-group cruises, and even special-occasion or party-style boat rides around the canals and Broadwater. These add more flexibility if you want to explore remote coves, beaches or hidden waterways that you might not reach easily by land.
👉 In short: once you hit the Gold Coast, it’s worth thinking beyond trains, trams and cars. The water is a genuine part of the city’s fabric. Cruises, ferries or charters often give better views, less stress and a more relaxed vibe.
🚗 Why Renting a Car Can Help
A car becomes useful if you want to explore beyond the main coastal strips.
It allows you to reach:
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Tamborine Mountain
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Springbrook National Park
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Noosa and the hinterland
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Waterfalls and lookouts hidden inland
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Smaller coastal towns with fewer buses
Because these areas have infrequent services, driving gives you more options and more freedom.
➡ Choose a car if your plans include national parks or rural day trips.
🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Brisbane?
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❌ Skip the car if you plan to enjoy Brisbane’s riverside districts and rely on ferries, trains, and buses for an easy, relaxed city break.
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❔ Consider renting a car in Brisbane if you want to see rainforests, mountain viewpoints, quieter beaches, or the wider Sunshine Coast and hinterland.
