| Whether this is your first time in Brisbane, you've | | | | Brisbane River |
| been here before or even if you're a local, here are | | | | Many say that Brisbane River defines Brisbane, after |
| some of the places we feel visitors must see in | | | | all, we're known as the RiverCity! A great way to |
| Brisbane to gain an insight into Brisbane and its | | | | see Brisbane is to take a ride on the CityCat - a |
| people. Please note that these are in no particular | | | | cheap and easy way to get around. Take a cruise up |
| order: | | | | and down the river, stopping where ever you like |
| Mt Cooth-tha Summit | | | | along the way - South Bank, University of |
| Take a drive to the top of Mt Coot-tha (7km west | | | | Queensland, New Farm. Another way to see the |
| of the CBD) where you'll get a spectacular panoramic | | | | sights of Brisbane is with an entertaining cruise down |
| view of the whole of Brisbane city and surrounds. On | | | | the Brisbane River on one of the Kookaburra River |
| a clear day you can see all the way to the distant | | | | Queens. |
| ranges in the south-west and Moreton Bay to the | | | | Brisbane CBD Historic Walking Tour |
| east. Here you can spend time at the cafe sipping a | | | | Brisbane hasn't had a great reputation for preserving |
| latte, cool down with a gelato ice-cream or enjoy the | | | | its heritage buildings. The drive to modernize the city |
| famous Summit restaurant on the mountaintop. For a | | | | for economic purposes saw a large number of |
| real buzz come here at night and you'll see the city | | | | historic sites torn down in the 1970's and 1980's. |
| ablaze with lights (very romantic indeed!) | | | | There are still a number of them around, particularly |
| Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens | | | | in the CBD districts, but a day or two's walking will be |
| While you're at Mt Coot-tha Lookout, visit the | | | | enough for you to see most of the really old sites. |
| Botanic Gardens. These 52 hectare gardens contain | | | | Queen Street Mall |
| subtropical and Australian flora in a setting of lakes, | | | | In the heart of Brisbane's CBD, Queen Street Mall is a |
| ponds and streams. Mt Coot-tha also hosts a | | | | busy half kilometre pedestrian open air thoroughfare |
| planetarium, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, a | | | | including al-fresco shopping and dining. With wide |
| particular favourite of children. | | | | swooping sails to provide necessary shelter from the |
| Story Bridge | | | | sun and rain, Queen Street mall draws over 26 million |
| For the more adventurous, take a two and a half | | | | visitors annually. Queen Street Mall is considered to be |
| hour climb to the top of Brisbane's iconic Story | | | | the largest retail precinct between Sydney and |
| Bridge. Here you'll experience uninterrupted 360 | | | | Singapore, and is home to an outstanding choice of |
| degree views of Brisbane, its river and surrounding | | | | high fashion labels, national and international retail |
| mountains. Dawn climbers will capture the beauty of | | | | chains, independent boutique outlets, jewelry |
| sunrise over the bay, while dusk climbers will see the | | | | designers, bookstores, shoe shops and more. If you |
| setting sun reflected in the glass and steel of the | | | | like to people-watch, come here as the mall is a hive |
| city's high-rise apartment and office buildings. If you | | | | of activity. A purpose built performance stage |
| happen to be visiting Brisbane on New Year's Eve, | | | | features regular free live entertainment, and buskers |
| one of the things to do on New Years Eve in | | | | never fail to delight passers by with their antics. |
| Brisbane is to head down to Southbank and watch | | | | There are several 24 hour eateries and bars to be |
| the fireworks explode around the Story Bridge. | | | | found along the mall's central spine for those that |
| Ale House | | | | want to party on. |
| Take the one hour brewery tour at the Ale House at | | | | City Botanic Gardens |
| Milton where you'll get a glimpse into the history of | | | | Brisbane's (original) botanic gardens stretch out to the |
| the Castlemaine Perkins brewery and its | | | | river on three sides where you can walk or cycle |
| world-famous beers. Only minutes from Brisbane's | | | | your way around to take in the exotic plants that |
| CBD, you can experience an entertaining and | | | | flourish in our sub-tropical climate. An easy and |
| interactive brewery tour, pick up some souvenirs and | | | | relaxed walk from the CBD, a must do is to take a |
| sample some ales at the Ale House bar - a true | | | | walk through the mangroves on the boardwalk. If |
| experience. And what could be more Australian than | | | | you're here on a Sunday, continue along to Eagle |
| beer! | | | | Street pier to browse the many stalls at the |
| South Bank | | | | Riverside Markets, open every Sunday from 7am. |
| It's hard to imagine Brisbane without South Bank. Just | | | | Fortitude Valley |
| across the river from the CBD, you can enjoy South | | | | Fondly known as 'The Valley' it has made a name for |
| Bank's sandy beach (Streets Beach), open grassy | | | | itself with locals and visitors alike and continues to be |
| picnic areas, shops and a plethora of eating spots. | | | | at the forefront of alternative and emerging fashion, |
| Free live entertainment, festivals and fireworks | | | | music and entertainment. Walk into any main street in |
| throughout the year add to the vibrancy you'll | | | | the Valley and you're sure to find a selection of |
| experience here. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, | | | | trendy locations for drinks, dance or food. Try James |
| visit South Bank Art & Craft Market where you'll | | | | Street, Brunswick Street, or Ann Street. There are |
| find crafts by local artisans including fashion, jewellery, | | | | dozens of venues on offer, each with their own |
| homewares, tarot, and even a massage. It's at South | | | | style and atmosphere. Some compare the Valley to |
| Bank where you'll also find Queensland's arts and | | | | Sydney's Oxford Street for nightlife. Take your pick |
| theatres. Places to visit include the Queensland Art | | | | of designer nightclubs and be sure not to miss Family |
| Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland | | | | Nightclub, recently awarded Australia's best nightclub. |
| Museum Sciencentre is popular with children. | | | | The Valley is also at Brisbane's forefront in live music |
| Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | | | | experiences. A good place to start a visit to The |
| If you are wanting to experience Australian wildlife | | | | Valley is the Brunswick Street Mall which is lined with |
| without leaving the city, then Lone Pine Koala | | | | cafes, bars and eateries. Right next to Brunswick |
| Sanctuary is for you! Hold a koala, feed a kangaroo, | | | | Street is Ann Street, with many avant garde fashion |
| hear a talk about our reptiles. You can the RiverCat | | | | boutiques which feature cutting-edge and retro |
| from the city to Lone Pine for a truly Brisbane | | | | designs. |
| experience. | | | | |
