Brisbane

Famous for its great weather, exciting events and cultural scene, Brisbane has a sophisticated, warm and friendly charm, which will more than surprise.

Brisbane is the State Capital of Queensland and is one of those rare cities built around people and lifestyle.

The sub-tropical climate, with bright sunny days and balmy nights, is reflected in the warm welcome visitors receive from the million or so people who live in the greater Brisbane area.

Within an hour of the city centre are the fishing and sailing waters of Moreton Bay, scenic country drives, and the beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Inner City
In the vibrant city centre, glass office towers and sandstone heritage buildings share broad, tree-lined streets or front the river. Alfresco cafes, parks, riverside walks and the central pedestrian mall give the city a very human scale.

The most spectacular way to discover Brisbane is from 80 metres above the Brisbane River. Take a Story Bridge Adventure Climb at Kangaroo Point and you’ll be exhilarated by the panorama of Brisbane and it’s surrounding natural beauty. After the two and a half hour climb to the very top of the iconic Story Bridge, the breathtaking view is all the reward you need.

Or discover Brisbane with one of Riverlife’s dynamic adventure tours. Kayak adventures along the Brisbane River are for beginners to experienced and offer paddlers the chance to view Brisbane’s CBD, Botanical Gardens, Cliffs, Southbank and other local landmarks.

Open Air Markets
Brisbane city comes alive with weekend open air markets which provide a wonderful opportunity to not only find original gifts but to mix with locals.

Southbank hosts lantern markets on Friday nights and continue on Saturdays and Sundays with day markets under colorful canopies. On Sundays, Aladdin's cave of market stalls fill the riverside terraces of Eagle Street while still more markets are held in Fortitude Valley's mall on Saturdays.

Dining and Nightlife
Brisbane has a fine reputation for dining out, having developed its own unique cuisine that matches the climate perfectly. Inventive and imaginative, the gastronomic creations starring at some of the finer establishments simply won't be found on any other tables.

Reflecting this is the fact that some of Australia's most awarded chefs can be found in the kitchens downtown, having been attracted by the inquisitive attitude of its proprietors and patrons alike. And don't worry if your tastes or budget are a little more modest - there are restaurants catering for every kind of cuisine, budget, view, pace, style and flavour.

For those who love to party, Brisbane's superb selection of nightlife venues will keep you more than entertained. Cool, sophisticated bars boasting the very latest in design and decor are sprinkled right throughout downtown Brisbane, as are energetic pubs, pumping nightclubs and intimate live music venues.

Or, for something a little more cultural, there are musicals, live theatre, galleries, museums, and even guided walking tours of downtown's historical sites.

Brisbane's Southbank Parklands
From the city centre, it's a five minute stroll across the bridge past the Treasury Casino to Southbank Parklands. The 16 hectares of riverside parklands and tropical gardens is a local favorite and a hive of activity with cafes, restaurants, weekend markets, cycle paths, walkways and even a beach and crystal clear swimming lagoon.

The Southbank precinct also includes the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Maritime Museum, State Library and the Performing Arts Centre.

Heritage Trail
Brisbane's grand colonial architecture is reflected in the mirror glass of today's modern towers. Discover the highlights on a City Sights Tour, on guided walks or at your own pace on the Heritage Trail.

The Heritage Trail begins at City Hall and includes such historic sites as the convict built Old Windmill, the beautifully restored Customs House on the riverbank, Old Government House, Parliament House, a magnificent collection of heritage buildings and some of the city's finest churches.

A curiosity for many visitors are our 'Queenslander' style homes. With their corrugated iron roof, weatherboard walls and sprawling verandas, they are often set high on stumps or poles. You'll find all sizes from quaint cottages to elegant homesteads.

Moreton Bay and Islands
With its dozens of islands, Moreton Bay is Brisbane's water playground for both visitors and the local marine life including bottle-nose dolphins, dugongs, loggerhead turtles, migratory birds and humpback whales during their migration season (July through October).

Tours and activities cater for all types, including adventure and ecotours. Here you can throw yourself into adventure sports such as sailing, surfing, quad biking and sand tobogganing. Or you can take things a little easier, with a wide range of more relaxing activities, like fishing, feeding the dolphins or lazing by a blue lagoon admiring the birdlife and wildflowers.

There are all kinds of accommodation options, from beachside resorts through to boutique Bed & Breakfasts and campgrounds.

Islands in Moreton Bay include Moreton Island, famous for its huge sand-dunes and a pod of wild dolphins who visit the shallows near the resort each night; North and South Stradbroke (Straddie to the locals); Bribie; Coochiemudlo and St Helena Island, a former colonial prison which closed in 1932.

Meet a True-Blue Aussie
Southern Queensland offers some of the most accessible wildlife in Australia. In addition to the multitude of birds and animals in the hinterland (rainforest), Australia's native fauna is a feature of numerous wildlife reserves and parks located around Brisbane. Cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and get to know other true-blue Aussies like wallabies, emus and wombats.