Brisbane

It may be the continent’s third-largest city, but for the longest time Brisbane was seen as something of a poor cousin to Sydney and Melbourne – a sleepy country town hiding behind a big city façade. In recent years, however, Brisbane has stirred from its slumber and is casually emerging as one of the most desirable places to live in Australia.

Of course locals, who refer to the city as “Brissie” know that it offers the perfect lifestyle and it doesn’t take visitors long to understand why. Despite the transformation into a sleek, cosmopolitan city complete with world-class art galleries, a booming live music scene and a fabulous café culture, Brisbane still retains the laid-back, easy attitude of a small community.

A good way to get your bearings when you first arrive is to explore the city by foot, by river cruise or by a speedy ferry. Take in the sights and discover why the river is so central to Brisbane life. For a wider view, take a champagne breakfast balloon flight over the city, or join a day bus or 4WD tours. More unusual tours include historic walking tours, specialist art tours with fine food and wine, adventure tours, ghost tours and eco tours.

Travel to Brisbane, southeast Queensland and your holidays will include attractions such as galleries, wildlife parks, museums, markets and adventures. Relax at endless white sand beaches and explore the river, bay, parklands, forests and mountains. There are festivals and events galore, too.

Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland and the largest city in the state. The city is centered along the Brisbane River, and its eastern suburbs line the shores of Moreton Bay. The greater Brisbane region is on the coastal plain east of the Great Dividing Range. Brisbane has a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and dry, mild winters.

There are a myriad number of ways to enjoy Brissie through festivals, shows, art galleries and museums and laid-back café culture. Some highlights include hot air ballooning over the city, tours of the city by night, attend a sporting event at the Gabba or river cruising and bicycle tours through the city. Bulimba is a picturesque inner-city riverside village within Brisbane. Oxford Street is the suburb’s bustling retail and cafe centre with an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars, homeware and fashion stores.

Brisbane has a range of retail precincts, both in the CBD and in surrounding suburbs. The Queen Street Mall has a vast array of cafes, restaurants, cinemas, gift shops and shopping centers including Wintergarden, Broadway on the Mall, Queens Plaza, Brisbane Arcade, Queen Adelaide Building and the Myer Center.

Start in the Queen Street Mall – almost a kilometer (half-mile) of shoppers’ paradise. Then stroll along to the City’s chic shopping strips and arcades before heading to the bohemian precinct known as The Valley, where you’ll find the edgiest young designs, jewellery and fashions imaginable. South Bank’s Little Stanley Street should be next on your shopping list, for a little urban sophistication right by the river. And last but not least, dig your way through downtown’s weekend outdoor markets

Tourism plays a major role in Brisbane’s economy, being the third-most popular destination for international tourist after Sydney and Melbourne. Popular tourist and recreation areas in Brisbane include the South Bank Parklands, Roma Street Parkland, The Botanic Gardens, Brisbane Forest Park and Portside Wharf. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in 1927 and was the world’s first koala sanctuary. The Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as The Gabba, is a major sports stadium. It is named after the suburb of Woolloongabba in which it is located.

The CBD is the central hub for all public transport services with services focusing on Queen Street Bus Station, Roma Street and Central railway stations, and various city ferries wharves. Brisbane’s CityCat, high-speed ferry service is popular with tourists and commuters alike.

Brisbane’s main airport is about 16kms (9.6 miles) northeast of the city center at Eagle Farm and has separate international and domestic terminals.

A bit of Brissie history

Brisbane was inhabited before, it was settled by Europeans, by the native Turrbal people whose ancestors migrated to the region from across the Torres Strait. They knew the area as Mian-jin, meaning ‘place shaped as a spike”.

Brisbane is named after the river on which it sits which, in turn, was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor of NSW from 1821 to 1825. Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony on 6 June 1859 with Brisbane chosen as its capital. The year 1930 was a significant for Brisbane in that gained some landmarks which would define the identity and character of the city. The Story Bridge and City Hall the city’s tallest buildings, were both completed.

Culture

Brisbane has a growing live music scene, both popular and classical. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) which is located at Southbank consists of the Lyric Theatre, a Concert Hall, Cremorne Theatre and the Playhouse Theatre. The Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, Queensland Theater Company and other performance art groups stage performances in the different venues.

t is also the major performing venue for The Queensland Orchestra, Brisbane’s only professional symphony orchestra and Queensland’s largest performing arts company. The Queensland Conservatorium, in which professional companies and Conservatorium students also stage performances, is located at the South Bank Parklands.

The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is one of the latest additions to the South Bank precinct and houses some of the most well-known pieces of modern art from within and outside Australia. GOMA is the largest modern art gallery in Australia.

If you’re in too raising your adrenaline level, then you can indulge in motorcycle and bike tours, rainforest treks, zooming along beaches in a 4-wheel drive, doing a 12-hour nighttime biking event, tandem skydive, bridge climb, surfing or a variety of pinnacle sports.

A stunning wide expanse of sheltered blue waters, Moreton Bay is Brisbane’s own aquatic playground and marine sanctuary. Dotted with unspoilt islands – including one of the world’s largest sand islands – you’ll discover it’s also one of Brisbane’s favourite getaway spots.

Brimming with natural wonders, Moreton Bay is ideal for spotting dolphins, whales, turtles and manta rays, as well a vast array of birdlife.

Many of the coastal villages surrounding Brisbane including Caboolture, Redcliffe, Sandgate, Wynnum-Manly and Cleveland have a rich cultural history with heritage trails, art galleries and events to commemorate their significance. Check out the Cleveland Markets held every Sunday on Bloomfield Street, featuring local arts and crafts. Art lovers should also visit the Redland Art Gallery.