Exploring Brisbane

Recently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities, Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, is a great travel destination. This cosmopolitan city with lots to see and an easy-going approach to life offers cultural and historical sites, lots of outdoor activities, a busy events calendar, and hundreds of great places to eat, drink, and be entertained.

Brisbane has a superb system of public transport that makes getting around easy. Many of its neighbourhoods are highly walkable and it has a network of cycle paths that’s second to none. Throw in the fantastic year-round climate, its proximity to the Gold Coast, its role as gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and the locals’ friendliness, and you quickly see why it’s one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities and an up-and-coming travel destination.

Sights nearby

Downtown Brisbane has heritage buildings such as the Treasury Building and the Town Hall, while the ultra-modern South Bank, Brisbane’s cultural centre, hosts a concentration of notable cultural landmarks in an unmatched setting close to the Brisbane River.

- Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane

Brisbane’s 1920s-era City Hall is a civic masterpiece that brings together architectural styles from Ancient Greece and the Italian Renaissance. One of the highlights of this recently restored building is its auditorium. Once you’ve admired the views of downtown from the viewing platform atop the clock tower, check out the Museum of Brisbane on Level 3. This well-curated social history museum has both permanent and changing exhibitions, and deserves its place on any visitor’s list of must-see tourist attractions.

-South Bank Parklands

Situated across the river from the CBD, South Bank Parkland has emerged in recent years as one of Brisbane’s most popular zones for tourism. The parkland comprises lawns, rainforest, a lagoon, and attractive walkways, and is home to a number of important attractions, including the Wheel of Brisbane, Grand Arbour, Streets beach, an aquativity water park, and picnic areas. With more than 11 million visitors coming here each year, it’s a key urban venue that hosts a plethora of major festivals and public events, such as the yearly Australia Day celebrations.

- South Bank

Consisting of the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre – which houses no less than four venues devoted to a broad range of performing arts - the South Bank Complex is Queensland’s cultural hub. The complex occupies an unbeatable position close to the Brisbane River and is well served by public transport.

- Story Bridge

A famous Brisbane landmark, the Story Bridge offers visitors a unique perspective on the city. It is possible to climb up to the top of the bridge via a long walkway and admire the views from a vantage point almost 300 feet above the Brisbane River. Once you have done the climb, you can abseil down to the park below from Anchor Pier on Kangaroo Point.

- Brisbane Botanic Gardens

Covering 52 hectares, Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens include flora from environments such as rainforests and temperate and arid zones, with exhibits including a herb garden, a fern house, a Japanese garden and a tropical display dome. The gardens are located four miles from the city centre in Toowong.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Eating and dining options abound throughout this multicultural city. There’s everything from fusion food and fine dining on the waterfront to Asian street grub in Chinatown and organic cuisine in the avant garde vegetarian restaurants of West End. Head for South Bank for the best in al fresco dining with lots of fresh seafood and typical Australian tucker. When it comes to live music and nightlife, do like the Brisbanites and spend the evening in trendy Fortitude Valley or New Farm. Shopping options include malls, designer boutiques and great street markets such as the three-day Brisbane Lifestyle Market, held every weekend at South Bank. Brisbane is well provided with first-class accommodation. The Emporium Hotel and Stamford Plaza Brisbane are two fine examples in the five-star category.

Public transport

Brisbane has a well-organised and extensive public transport network. Many of its downtown landmarks can be accessed by walking. Travelers can take advantage of the free loop service that runs around the CBD. Use the high-speed ferry service, CityCat, to go up and down the river or ferries to cross back and forth. Brisbane has a bike hire scheme and lots of cycle paths. The waterfront routes are especially recommended.