Key facts
- Brisbane is a modern cosmopolitan city famous for its friendly charm, marked by the winding Brisbane River and the iconic Story Bridge, the city’s most recognisable landmark
- The relaxed, sub-tropical flair of Brisbane and the surrounding region of surf beaches, mountain ranges and pristine subtropical rainforest make it a diverse holiday destination.
- As Queensland’s thriving capital city, Brisbane offers the very best in food, wine, arts, entertainment, shopping, and sporting events, all celebrating the city’s outdoor lifestyle.
- Easily explored on foot, Brisbane’s streets are laid out in a grid system.
Full story
From riverside parkland sanctuaries and bustling shopping precincts, Brisbane is compact with major attractions clustered around the river peninsula.
There’s so much to see and do, from cuddling a koala to the adrenaline rush of abseiling down the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. For something different experience the view from the skies, with a champagne breakfast and balloon flight over the city.
Brisbane is an ideal stepping-off point for day tours to glorious places like the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
Close to the city is Brisbane’s own aquatic playground – Moreton Bay and Islands, the perfect place for water sports – or head into the surrounding hinterland and wake up to the beauty of lush green forest and the warm hospitality of south-east Queensland country.
Key Attractions
- South Bank Cultural Precinct: If art is your thing, your first port of call should be the Queensland Art Gallery at South Bank. Aside from the excellent exhibitions, including a permanent collection, the price tag is also attractive as visiting is free. After the Art Gallery, be inspired by the ever-changing displays at the museum located right next door. The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is Brisbane’s premier visual arts institution and the newest in the cultural precinct.
- The Brisbane River: Riding on a high-speed City Cat is an excellent way to see a different side of the city. The cats cruise 19 kilometres from St Lucia to Hamilton on the Brisbane River and, for just a few dollars, you can ride with the wind in your hair for as long as you like. Kayaks and canoes are available for hire too.
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: There’s no need to leave the city to get close to Australian wildlife. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, with over 130 koalas, is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. Hold a koala and have your photograph taken, hand feed kangaroos, and experience an Aussie outback farm with the sheep dog show. Include Lone Pine as part of a coach tour or cruise down the Brisbane River on the fully commentated historic MV Mirimar.
www.koala.net
- Australia Zoo: The Crocodile Hunter’s Australia Zoo is just north of Brisbane, and offers a unique and exciting experience with a full day of wildlife action and adventure. Get your adrenalin pumping as you watch crocodiles launch a strike from the water’s edge in their awesome 5,000-seat Crocoseum, catch the thrilling free flight bird show and get hands on with the wandering wildlife as their keepers introduce you to koalas, snakes, wombats, dingoes, alligators, tortoises and more. Australia Zoo holds firm their commitment to achieve conservation through exciting education.
- Story Bridge: Brisbane’s Story Bridge links the inner city suburbs of Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point. A guided Story Bridge Adventure Climb or an abseil will give you a different view of our city and get your adrenalin pumping.
- South Bank Parklands: Walk through the 17-hectare South Bank Parklands next door to the Queensland Art Gallery and you will find the perfect spot to revel in our relaxed city. Tandem bicycles, available for hire, are a great way to get around the park or you can take a spin on the Wheel of Brisbane, a ferris wheel that allows 360 degree views over the city. Cool off at Streets Beach, the only inner city beach in Australia.
- City Botanic Gardens: Laze on the lawns with a good book, walk through the mangroves on the boardwalk, or enjoy a leisurely lunch in the licensed cafe at the City Botanic Gardens. If you have energy to burn, grab some rollerblades or hire a bike and get some exercise in the fresh air.
- Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens: The Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens are only seven kilometres from the CBD and feature a magnificent tropical display dome, Japanese gardens, themed gardens on 52 hectares and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
Entertainment and Dining
Contemporary cuisine and dining diversity - Brisbane has it all. The atmosphere is alfresco with an emphasis on original menus focusing on fresh food and wines. You’ll find cafes, fast and fun noodle bars, and fine dining, featuring Moreton Bay bugs (seafood), fresh tropical produce, exotic Asian delights or simple Mediterranean meals and traditional European fare. After dark, there is plenty of entertainment in Brisbane. Aside from the 24-hour casino, there are nightclubs, pubs and wine bars to socialise in and meet some friendly Brisbane locals. For staged performances, the Performing Arts Complex hosts theatre, opera and musical productions. Smaller theatre venues are dotted around the city.
- The City: The Queen Street Mall’s many alfresco restaurants offer European, Asian and modern Australian menus. Many of these eateries are open late and are licensed. On Albert Street, the indoor and outdoor dining spaces offer everyday prices and cosmopolitan style. Eagle Street Pier and Riverside offer fine dining as well as slick new bars and casual pubs. Cafes are thriving throughout the city, and are perfect spots to take a rest between shopping expeditions.
- Fortitude Valley: Fortitude Valley is renowned for its restaurants, lively bars and nightclubs. Just north of the city, you can enjoy everything from elegant restaurants, wine and tapas bars to cheap and cheerful food options. Fortitude Valley is home to Brisbane’s Chinatown and a vast range of restaurants and cafes featuring Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Malaysian food. Eateries stay open late and there are great spots for breakfast and brunch.
- New Farm: One of the city’s oldest districts, New Farm, has undergone a revitalisation in recent years and is now youthful and vivacious. Brunswick and James Streets are the places to dine. New Farm is also home to the Powerhouse, a centre for performing arts that features entertainers from Australia and overseas.
- Milton: Clusters of cafes have emerged in the city and surrounds. Under the miniature Eiffel Tower at Park Road, Milton is one of the first cafe suburbs in Brisbane, where locals gather for coffee.
- Eagle Street Pier: Hugging the river’s northern banks and a few steps from the Queen Street Mall, Eagle Street Pier has some of Brisbane’s most awarded restaurants and talented chefs. The decor of the restaurants is stylish and elegant, and there are spectacular river views.
- Caxton Streets and the Barracks: A cluster of alfresco eateries are set near the Suncorp Stadium, which hosts regular Australian rugby league matches, while culinary hotspots are tucked within the heritage hub of The Barracks in Paddington.
- South Bank: Cafes and restaurants line the Promenade and Little Stanley Street. You can also cook your own food at one of the barbecues set in tranquil landscaped grounds. The new foodie precinct at Riverbend features a number of excellent options with unrivalled river views.
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