The Rise Of The Side Quest: 7 Of The Best Hobbies To Get Around In Brisbane Right Now

If it seems everyone in Brisbane is in their hobby era right now, that’s because they are. Whether it’s baking sourdough bread, making our own clothes or collecting BookTok bestsellers, passion projects are taking over our spare time.  

The only downside? The cost of hobbies can add up quickly, especially once you start collecting the tools, equipment and extras that come with levelling up your skills. So, we’ve teamed up with Cash Converters to help you chase more side quests in 2026. 

Whether you’re trying something new or investing in an existing passion, Cash Converters lets you buy into a hobby more affordably, then sell or trade up as your interests evolve. They also buy goods for on-the-spot cash, so once you move on from your latest obsession, you can get some coin back to fund your next project. From creative crafts to active pursuits, these are the hobbies Brisbane locals are getting into right now.

City Photography 

Photography is the best excuse to explore your hometown with fresh eyes. Whether you’re capturing hidden laneways, weekend markets, local cafes or the city’s changing seasons, picking up a camera can turn everyday walks into creative adventures.

You don’t need the latest gear to get going, either. Try your hand at photography and shop a preloved camera, lenses or accessories in-store or online, before upgrading as your skills and interests grow. 

Jump On The Tools 

Furniture flipping is for the people who can't walk past a verge collection without slowing the car down. All across Brisbane, eagle-eyed DIYers are spotting solid timber beneath scratched varnish and seeing potential where others see landfill.

Armed with the right tools and an eye for untapped potential, forgotten furniture is being sanded, stained and styled into pieces worthy of a second life. It’s better for the environment, kinder on your bank balance and surprisingly addictive. 

Put A Fresh Spin On Things

Anyone who’s dabbled in the vinyl revival will tell you that it rarely, if ever, stops at just one record. Blame the oversized album artwork, the thrill of the find or the stories hidden behind every sleeve. Whatever the reason, vinyl has found its groove again, with collectors happily spending hours hunting for old favourites and unexpected new discoveries. Of course, no respectable vinyl collection is complete without a quality turntable and speakers to match. 

And, like all great relics of the past, CDs are back in a big way, following the same trajectory as vinyl before it. Young music fans are getting back into physical albums, and you can find a whole heap of them here. 

Get Into Gaming

Whatever mum said when you were a kid, gaming is absolutely a hobby. There’s a simple pleasure to beating your personal high score on the morning commute, mastering a virtual sport or escaping into a fantasy world to wind down. Good gaming takes time and skill, but it doesn’t have to be the newest top-of-the-line device for you to have fun. You never know which portable, VR and console devices you’ll find, or what preloved video games are up for grabs.

Get Noisy 

Some hobbies are easier on your housemates than others. Learning an instrument definitely isn’t one of them. 

But whether you’ve always wanted to learn guitar, tick piano off your bucket list or finally sharpen your school music lessons, picking up an instrument is one of the most rewarding side quests going. The first few practice sessions might sound a bit…optimistic… but stick with it, and with a little patience and practice, your favourite song will eventually start to sound like, well, your favourite song. When you’re ready to make some noise, Cash Converters has quality musical instruments and audio gear to help you hit all the right notes. 

Create An At-Home Cinema 

The cinema experience is getting a homebody upgrade. Creating your own movie night setup has become a hobby in itself, whether that means collecting classic films (yes, we mean physical copies), building a cosy projector setup or curating themed viewing nights with friends.

Start small with high-quality used speakers, projectors, screens or Blu-ray collections and slowly build your dream home theatre (the Cashies 90-day warranty protects you if an item becomes faulty—T&Cs and exclusions apply, ask their friendly team for details). It’s the perfect side quest for anyone who loves movies but also loves staying in.  

Sew And Stitch 

Slow fashion is having a major moment in Brisbane, and the best way to get involved is by having a crack at making your own clothes. If you don’t know where to start, picking up a second-hand sewing machine is a great way to test the waters without investing hundreds upfront. 

Once you’ve got the basics down, join Brisbane’s Pattern and Pour. The garment sewing club hosts monthly events where you can meet fellow sewists, swap fabrics and chat about all things patterns over a glass of wine. 

Beyond sewing, there are plenty of textile crafts to explore for your next side quest. Knitting, crochet, embroidery and cross stitch are all creative ways to slow down and make your fashion wishlist come to life with your own hands.  

Ready to find your next obsession? Head in-store or online at Cash Converters to kick-start your next side quest with quality pre-loved gear. Find your nearest store here. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Cash Converters and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Supplied.