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Guide to Brisbane, Australia
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Brisbane
Brisbane, once a destination for convicted criminals, is now one of the liveliest and most enjoyable of Australias cities. Entertainment, shopping, restaurants, and culture are a few aspects of Brisbanes character. The weathers good, the foods good, and the people are even better.
How To Get There
Brisbane Airport is a centre for international flights from all over the globe including Asia, Europe, North America and New Zealand. On arrival there are several ways of getting to your onward - shuttle buses, taxis, Airtrain, or car rental. The airport isnt far from the city centre so its a quick and easy ride.
Travelling Around
Getting around Brisbane is simple. City buses are available, as well as the CityXpress which will take you to the outskirts of Brisbane. There is a ferry service on the Brisbane River.
When To Go
Brisbane is a humid city, especially in summer, so we recommend planning your visit for the winter months. The humidity drops significantly and the weather is warm enough to go swimming but cool enough to be comfortable. Unsurprisingly this is the busiest time of year. Australians and tourists flock to Queensland in the winter, so visit during the end or beginning of the season to avoid the mayhem.
What To See
Brisbane city centre may seem like an ordinary downtown at first, but if you look closely youll notice a footpath made of golden arrows guiding you to various historical buildings in the area. Notable sights are the Mansions and Harris Terrace, Old Government House and Parliament House located on George Street. The golden arrows also take you to the Old Windmill & Observatory which was first used as a grain silo.
Rent a bicycle and ride along the path through the botanical gardens on the scenic route which is only accessible by bicycle.
Visit the South Bank Markets at the weekend to pick up craftwork and clothing. Every Sunday theres a market on Eagle Street Pier which has hundreds of stalls selling everything from glass blown items (some done on the spot) to weaving.
For spectacular views of the city, head to the lookout area on Mount Coot-tha. Youll get incredible views on a clear day and there are some good hiking paths. One leads to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens which are enclosed in a tropical dome.
Brisbane has some great culture, and all major centres are located in one complex. The Queensland Cultural Centre houses the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum, the State Library, and the Performing Arts Complex. The Museum has a dinosaur garden and a whale exhibition which are popular with children. The art gallery has one of the largest collections of Australian art in the world.
Fans of the local brew shouldnt miss the Castlemaine-Perkins tour where animated character Mr-XXXX guides you through the beers 125 year history including some samples!
Hotspot
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the largest koala sanctuary in the world. Over 130 koalas live in lush parklands by the river, along with dingoes, kangaroos and wombats. You can get close to the animals feed tame kangaroos, and even hold the koalas for a fee. This is a great day out for adults and children alike.
Night Life
Downtown Brisbane has lots of bars and clubs. The after-work crowds congregate in the CBD, while the bars and lounges of Paddington, West End and New Farm are more chilled. Fortitude Valley (known as the Valley) is a great place for a night out with its casual vibe, especially the bars on James, Brunswick and Ann Streets. Brisbane hosts a wide variety of theatre. Many performing arts events are held at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in the Queensland Cultural Centre. The city also has a thriving independent theatre scene.
fast facts
- the city is often nicknamed Brizzy, Bris Vegas and Brisneyland
- Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia
- the city is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane who was Governor of New South Wales between 1821 and 1825
- Brisbane has seven sister cities including Shenzhen and Auckland.
Quick HistoryBefore John Oxley sailed his exploration party up the Brisbane River in 1823, the area was inhabited by the Turrbal Aborigines. In 1824 a penal colony was set up at what is now Redcliffe, and moved south to a peninsula on the Brisbane River which is now Brisbanes business district. Non-convict European settlement of the region started in 1838.Queensland was declared a separate colony in June 1859 and Brisbane was chosen as the capital, but had to wait until 1902 to become a city. 1925 saw over twenty municipalities and shires amalgamated to form the City of Greater Brisbane.Brisbane played an important role in World War II when the AMP Building (now MacArthur Central) was used as the South West Pacific headquarters of the chief of the Allied Pacific forces. The T & G Building was the headquarters of the American troops during World War II.Brisbane put itself on the world map with the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the World's Fair of 1988, events which brought economic growth to the state of Queensland. Today Brisbane is one of Australia's fastest growing cities.
Money
Up-to-date exchange rates can be found on this currency converter.
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