Things To See And Do In Brisbane, Australia

The city of Brisbane is renowned for its huge metropolitan area and there are many areas to explore.Brisbane hotels and apartments are modern and plentiful and offer both traditional and boutique lodging choices . Motels and motor inns are plentiful throughout the city fringe areas.

Brisbane is the most common gateway city for visitors in transit to the popular Queensland beach side holiday destinations of the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast

The city Heritage Trail tour includes Brisbane's oldest church, St Stephens, then St John's Cathedral and Customs House with its copper dome located on the banks of the Brisbane River.  In addition there is the old windmill, dating from the original convict settlement, as well as the old Commissariat Store. Old Government House with its distinctive sandstone construction is well worth seeing as is Parliament House .

Newstead House overlooks the Brisbane River and is  an impressive, beautifully restored and preserved historic homestead which reflects the lifestyle of affluent people during the mid 1800's. Built in 1846, it is the oldest building in Brisbane. Located in Moreton Bay at the mouth of the Brisbane River is St Helena island. Built in 1866 as a quarantine station , it became Queensland's first maximum security prison for males from 1867. It was abandoned in 1933, but glimpses of its eerie past remain.

Any Brisbane visit should include the modern buildings of the Queensland Cultural Centre, the Performing Arts Complex, the Museum and the Art Gallery.   Relax with some entertainment at the Southbank Parklands where you will find a variety of eateries available .  On the northern side of the river, there is the casino with its original sandstone facade of the Treasury Department building .

Great views can be had across the entire city from Mt Cootha, definitely to be included in your Brisbane tour. There is also a planetarium and a magnificent 57 acres   of the botanic gardens with its subtropical and Australian flora, lakes and streams.

Located near the Brisbane airport visitors will find the Kingsford Smith Memorial.  The Fokker aircraft "Southern Cross" used by Sir Charles Kingsfrod Smith and his crew in the first trans Pacific flight from the United States of America to Australia in 1928.

For the more adventurous , try hotair ballooning, or abseil the rock faces along the river. There are numerous open air markets held on weekends, or discover the wildlife attractions at Alma Park Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and a a bit further north from Brisbane , the Australia Zoo, which was the home of the legendary Crocodile Hunter.

Don't forget to try the paddlewheel cruise on the Brisbane River.  Take a ferry ride to Moreton Island or North Stradbroke Island . Feed wild dolphins at Tangalooma Island.  Drive north to Bribie Island and enjoy a dip in the ocean or try some fishing in the Pumicestone Passage.  

If hiking is your passion, there are many trails, bushwalks and picnic areas in and around Brisbane .    The Brisbane Forest Park Information Centre will assist and give advice on areas such as Camp Mountain State Forest Park, Bellbird Grove, Manorina National Park, Lomandra, Mr Nebo and Mt Glorious, to name a few.