Brisbane Region Travel Guide

Brisbane Region Information

There is so much to see and do in Brisbane that you won't know where to start. Built along the looping reaches of the Brisbane River, the city is affectionately known as the River City. The compact CBD is neatly tucked into a loop of the river, where green spaces and cool shady parks are liberally dotted among elegant, heritage buildings, modern high-rises and office towers. Out from the CBD the landscape is full of interesting and undulating hills where the city's distinctive 'Queenslander' cottages are found catching the hilltop breezes.

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Outdoor living

A pleasant sub-tropical climate means that life in Brisbane is largely lived outdoors in leafy beer gardens, at al fresco cafés and restaurants, on breezy verandahs or in shady gardens and cool back decks. The waterways, parklands and nearby forests and national parks are home to many species of wild creatures and beautiful birds, many of which are just as likely to be found in suburban and inner-city backyards as they are in the bush.

A river city

Brisbane life centres around the river. In fact, there's an entire festival devoted to the river every September! From Brisbane's early settlement days when tall ships and cargo boats plied the river, to today's modern CityCat ferries, the Brisbane River is a great way to get around. Take a CityCat along the river from St Lucia downstream to Hamilton and see the changing river view of Brisbane. The river banks are lined with walking paths, floating walkways, cycle paths and promenades, providing a pleasant view from A to B.

No less than nine bridges span the river, linking the northern and southern sections of Brisbane. Each bridge has its own distinctive architectural style, adding to the city's character in a very unique way.

Shopping

In the city centre, the Queen Street Mall is lined with specialty shops and department stores. In Fortitude Valley, you'll find funky boutiques and one-off designs. James Street, Paddington, Little Stanley Street and the Emporium are shopping precincts a stone's throw from the CBO, with many small boutiques and large shopping centres in the suburbs. On the weekends, markets spring up throughout the city selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, gourmet condiments and coffee, bric-a-brac, art and clothes. Try the fantastic Riverside Markets held every Sunday.

Cultural arts

Brisbane has a healthy cultural and arts scene with world-class museums, theatres and galleries including the relatively new Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in the South Bank Cultural Precinct. Exhibitions, performances, shows, plays and concerts from around the globe are part of Brisbane's rich cultural tapestry.

Dining out

Brisbane's food scene is diverse and complex, taking initiative from a range of international cuisines to create a unique style. Local chefs are making distinctive and flavoursome dishes showcasing local produce, complemented by award-winning local wines, and catching the attention of food critics and patrons alike. Fine restaurants, cafés and bars in dining precincts at South Bank, Fortitude Valley, West End, Paddington, Ascot, Bulimba and Wilston, just to name a few, are establishing well- earned reputations both locally and further afield.

Nearby attractions

Once you've exhausted yourself seeing all that Brisbane has to offer, look just beyond the city for more exciting things to see and do. Right on Brisbane's doorstep are many beautiful attractions and locations, all within easy reach of

the city.

Barely beyond the suburbs lie the largely untouched bush lands of Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious, the conservation sanctuary at the Boondall Wetlands, and not one but two magnificent coastal regions within an hour of the city centre. From majestic Fraser Island and the wonderful Moreton Bay, to the rugged grandeur of the Scenic Rim and the Lockyer and Brisbane valleys to the west-there is plenty to see and do in the Queensland capital.

Get in the know

Feel like taking full advantage of the Sunshine state's gorgeous weather? Pack a picnic basket and head for some of Brisbane's lovely parks and picnic spots. Start with the Kangaroo Point cliffs - a big favourite with the locals for the stunning vista they present: towering sheer rocky cliffs stretching along a length of the Brisbane River across from the city and beside the Story Bridge. There are free- to-the-public barbecues dotted along the park in front of the cliffs, as well as public restrooms and children's playgrounds. This is also a great place to visit at night, when the cliffs are lit with a beautiful orange light and the city lights are reflected in the river.