Brisbane is a fun, relaxed and carefree city where you can become close to nature. Located above Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Brisbane has higher than average temperatures almost all year round.
The Brisbane River is the central icon with various sights and sounds to see along the banks such as parks, walking and bike trails, picnic areas, cafes and restaurants, markets, pontoons and fishing facilities. You can even short cut your journey by taking a fast and cheap CityCat ferry down the stream. Or even try the River Queen paddle wheelers or Gondola cruises to provide a serene and leisurely sightseeing experience. There is even the Mirimar Wildlife Cruise where you will be taken to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Brisbane is unique as it has cycling tracks all throughout the city, so you can even go exploring while staying fit with a road bike.
Some star attractions to visit include the 19th century sandstone building of the Conrad Treasury Casino, the famous Gabba Cricket Ground to watch the Cricket or Australian Rules football in action as well as the South Bank Village and The Riverside Markets for those who enjoy shopping. You should endeavour to visit the Mt Cootha Lookout and Botanic Gardens which are five minutes from the CBD, which are filled with beautiful trees that date as far back as 1828!
The South Bank, or The Parklands, is another highlight which is the heart of Brisbane’s cultural, recreational and entertainment scene. You will find over 20 eateries across the food spectrum. You will even find the Breaka Beach, an amazing man made lagoon beach! Where else will you find a beach experience in the heart of the city? You can find sailing, surfing, sea kayaking and scuba diving tours in Brisbane. If you want to extend your water adventures, travel up north for an hour until you hit the Gold Coast which holds several dazzling beaches, water theme parks and scenic rivers. These include Australia Zoo, Ginger Factory, the Big Pineapple, Underwater World as well as the theme park clutter of Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild.
You will find the Queensland Cultural Centre that is adjacent to the South Bank. This is home to the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland State Library and the Performing Arts Complex for you to enjoy at either a free or low price. Last, but not least, Brisbane showcases great shopping in the Queen Street Mall or nearby suburbs of Paddington and Milton. So as you can see, Brisbane has a lot to offer for the active traveller!