A trip to Brisbane is a time to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Brisbane has a rich history with all the attractions of a large city without the busy hustle and bustle of other major cities. Here are some must-see attractions when visiting Brisbane.
• South Bank
South Bank is a beautiful parkland with a lake and landscaped pathways. It also has a unique beach set between the park and the tall city buildings in the background. The South Bank beach is packed with locals in the summertime. There are also restaurants and markets in South Bank.
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world’s first and biggest koala sanctuary, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has people lined up waiting to hug a cute koala and to snap a photo. You can even feed the kangaroos and wallabies. There are several other local animals in Lone Pine including the crocodile, emu, Tasmanian devil, and the wombat.
• Mt Cootha
Mt Cootha Lookout Point has the best views of Brisbane and Moreton Bay. A bus leaves every 30 minutes to take you to the top. So, if you have a couple of hours to spend day or night, you simply must see the exhilarating views from Mt Cootha.
• Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo
We’re all familiar with Steve Irwin’s love for Australian wildlife – especially the croc. Only 45 minutes north of Brisbane is the Australia Zoo, filled with all of the native animals, reptiles, and birds. This is an all day event so dress accordingly.
• CityCat
The CityCat is a sleek ferry boat that takes you up and down the Brisbane River. You can hop on and off at the several tourist attractions along the way including Southbank, Kangaroo Point, or the Botanical Gardens. You’ll see million dollar homes and it’s a great way to see the sights from the water.
• Treasury Casino
At the end of Queen Street Mall the Treasury Building holds a three-level casino. There are also some great restaurants inside! So enjoy an evening at the Brisbane Treasury Casino.
Dining in Brisbane can be a lot of fun – not only for the wide selection of cuisine but for the pleasant outside dining almost anytime of the year. Here are some top picks for eating out in Brisbane.
• Restaurant Two
Overlooking the Botanic Gardens, Restaurant Two is fine dining at its best! Voted Best Restaurant of the Year, it has excellent food, attentive staff, and a beautiful location.
• The Point Restaurant
Serving Australian cuisine, The Point Restaurant is one of the best alfresco dining spots in the city. You sit overlooking the South Bank Parklands and the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night tapas.
Although transportation in and around Brisbane is not as easy as some larger cities, there are ample ways to get around town.
• Ferries and CityCat
The ferries or CityCat boat will take you throughout Brisbane on the River. This is a fun way to get around the city and your tickets are interchangeable with the bus and train as well.
• CityTrain
The Train will take you up to the Australia Zoo, to the Airport, or even throughout the city of Brisbane. Use your Translink tickets to ride the train, bus or ferries.
Brisbane has so much to offer, it’s hard to know where to start. If this is your first trip to Australia you may want to consider those things that can only be done here – hold a koala, feed the kangaroos, feast on traditional Australian cuisine, and stroll through South Bank. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget! Check last minute Brisbane hotels for cheap accommodation.
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July 3rd, 2008 at 5:33 am
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