The Brisbane CBD is packed with activities for families: shops, dining, movie theatres, museums, parks and more. And while our city centre is serviced by great public transport options, let’s face it, there are times when it’s easier and more convenient to drive. But taking the car can become very expensive depending on when and where you park, so avoid hurting your hip pocket by using the tips below to score great parking deals.
The CBD sees greatest demand for parking from commuters and CBD workers, meaning prices are at their peak Monday to Friday during business hours. If you’re planning a family trip into the CBD, chances are you are going on the weekend or perhaps in the afternoon/evening. This is good news for saving money on parking, as many places have special off-peak deals, making CBD parking much more affordable for a family outing.
The Myer Centre offers excellent parking rates when you pre-book online. Enter after 4pm on weekdays for $5 or after 2pm for $10. Brisbane City Council’s King George Square & Wickham Terrace car parks both offer $5 flat rate parking when you enter after 4.30pm on weekdays and exit before midnight.
A number of Secure Parking and Wilson Parking carparks offer $10 flat rate evening parking. Check their websites for rates carpark locations.
The Myer Centre’s $10 flat rate weekend and public holiday rates halve to just $5 when you book ahead online.
You can also park for $5 for the whole day at the King George Square and Wickham Terrace car parks. There’s no pre-booking required but the King George Square car park can be very popular, so best to get in early!
Both Secure Parking and Wilson Parking offer flat rate weekend parking deals from $10. Check their websites for further information.
If you’re wanting to make a day of it in the Brisbane CBD during the peak weekdays, early bird parking is a great option. These offers can be a little more restrictive, as you’ll generally need to enter before and leave after a certain time, but there are significant cost savings to be scored! Check out Secure Parking and The Myer Centre.
If you do need to head to the CBD during the week, you can still access more affordable prices by planning ahead and booking a spot online, with savings to be made on both regular casual drive-up rates and also the flat fees listed above for evening and weekends. There’s also the added advantage of peace of mind knowing there’s a guaranteed place waiting.
If you need to park during peak time, you can save up to $20 at The Myer Centre car park by booking online. As outlined above, you’ll save 50% on evening, public holiday and weekend rates by pre-booking online.
Secure Parking’s Secure-a-Spot offers rates up to 60 per cent cheaper than drive-up prices, with discounts generally increasing the longer you stay, while Wilson Parking offers its Book-a-Bayservice with special rates at selected car parks. With multiple car parks around the CBD, these providers are a great option for people wanting to park as close as possible to a particular venue.
OK, this tip might not work if you’re planning a day out with the kids. But if you’re on your own and just have a quick appointment or a few items to pick up, you can save money by using the following deals.
Brisbane City Council offers free parking at King George Square and Wickham Terrace if you can be in and out in up to 15 minutes. Secure Parking’s MacArthur Central and 140 Elizabeth St carparks have evening and weekend ‘Quickie’ deals, where you can park for up to an hour for $5.
It may seem overwhelming at first, but the logistics of navigating the CBD as a family are not as difficult as you may think. We’ve researched the best options for public transport, car parking and tips for families using prams to ensure that your next trip into the big smoke is a pleasure for the whole family in this article.
Credit – Brisbane Kids
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