Is Brisbane Safe in September 2026?

Scalpers and fraudsters outside Suncorp Stadium, Riverstage, and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre sell fake, invalid, or cancelled tickets to concerts and sporting events. Tickets are often high-quality counterfeits or genuine tickets already used or transferred. Sellers are particularly active for AFL, State of Origin, and major international concert events.

How to avoid: Buy tickets only from the official venue box office or the primary ticketing platform (Ticketek, Ticketmaster). Never purchase tickets from individuals on the street or via Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree without verifying they are transferable and valid. Use digital tickets where possible, as counterfeiting physical tickets is easier.

During major Brisbane events — State of Origin, Schoolies Week, New Year's Eve, and increasingly in the 2032 Olympics buildup period — accommodation prices on unofficial platforms and short-term rental listings spike far beyond normal rates. Some landlords list properties at grossly inflated prices then pressure guests to confirm immediately or lose the booking. A small number of listings are fraudulent, with no actual property behind them.

How to avoid: Book well in advance for any major event period through established platforms with clear cancellation policies. Set a price alert for your target property months before your visit. If a price seems extreme even for event season, search for the property on alternative platforms to check its normal rate.

Fraudulent drivers waiting at Brisbane Airport's rideshare pickup zones claim to be the Uber or Lyft driver that a traveller has ordered. They direct the passenger to their unmarked or privately registered vehicle and charge inflated rates or attempt further fraud once the passenger is in the vehicle. The scam exploits the unfamiliar pickup zone layout at the airport.

How to avoid: Always verify the driver's name, vehicle make, colour, and licence plate in your rideshare app before approaching any vehicle. The vehicle details displayed in the app must match exactly. Do not accept a ride from anyone who approaches you rather than waiting for you to come to them.

Unofficial third-party websites and social media listings offer Brisbane accommodation at below-market rates, collecting payment without a genuine booking being made. Travelers arrive to find no reservation at the property or that the listing was entirely fictitious. This is more common for extended-stay apartments and holiday rental properties than for hotels.

How to avoid: Book accommodation through established OTAs (Booking.com, Airbnb, Hotels.com) or directly through the property's official website. Confirm your booking by phone or email with the property before travelling. Payments should always go through a platform with buyer protection, not by direct bank transfer.

Tour operators in Brisbane city centre sell Great Barrier Reef day trips at inflated prices compared to booking directly through Cairns or Port Douglas operators. Some Brisbane-based sellers add significant markups by acting as intermediaries without disclosing this, or sell trips to reef sites that are not part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (such as Moreton Bay reef systems, which are different ecosystems).

How to avoid: Book reef tours directly through operators based in Cairns, Port Douglas, or the Whitsundays, which are the genuine Great Barrier Reef access points. Brisbane is not the departure city for Great Barrier Reef tours — any operator selling these from Brisbane is acting as a reseller at a markup. Verify the departure port and reef site before paying.