Brisbane

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Slip on a sunshirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, and visit Brisbane!!

It is a city characterised by its Queenslander style weatherboard homes with tin roofs; its modern city skyline; its extremely curvy river; the people's relaxed attitudes; and its long hot summers and moderate winters.

Brisbane offers plenty to do, within the city as well as nearby. Take the kids to cuddle a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Catch a speedy City Cat to travel the river. Check out the food at one of West End's cafes, and afterwards stroll through the Art Gallery, Museum and Theatres of the Cultural Centre. Dine at one of New Farm's contemporary eateries, and drink some Merlo coffee, locally made, and delicious!

Less than an hour's drive will take you to the beach! And an hour's flight takes you to Sydney- check the fares with Virgin Blue Airlines- at the time of writing you can get a $66 special fare. But maybe you just want to undertake the most relaxing of Australian pastimes- relax on the deck with a tinnie. (Or you might understand that as relaxing on your porch with a cold can of beer!)

EATERY

Two eateries which never fail to impress:

e'cco, 100 Boundary St, Brisbane- scrumptious Italian food cooked in a contemporary way.

Arc, 561 Brunswick St, New Farm- delicious Qld Bugs (seafood, not insects!) are especially yummy.style menu- the Moreton Bay

OUTDOORS
New Farm Park must be visited to enjoy the ancient and enormous curtain fig trees which are part of the kids' playground, the jacaranda avenue, and the historic rose gardens, all alongside the Brisbane River. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs, just across the river from the city are for abseiling- or in my case watching others abseil!

SHOPPING
Stones corner shopping area, which has lots of designers seconds and samples stores. Fashion on a budget!

MUST SEE
Southbank Parklands: a 5 minute walk from the CBD, these parklands are on the Brisbane River and they have a lifesaver-patrolled man-made stillwater beach, BBQ and picnic areas, great weekend markets and good eateries.

NIGHT SPOT
The Powerhouse, completed in 2000, is a great venue of all sorts of cultural activities, like theatre, dance, art exhibitions. Phone to see what's on, or pop in to enjoy the riverside restaurant, 'Watt".

FREEBIE
Mt Cootha Lookout is a great mountain from which to view the whole of Brisbane, and at its base you'll find the lovely Botanic Gardens. 52 hectares of tropical and subtropical gardens located just 7 km from the city centre. Volunteer guides give free tours.

DAYTRIPS
The Gold Coast is less than an hour's drive away. We love Burleigh Heads with its National Park, shopping areas, and family friendly beaches. If you're into theme parks, Sea World and Dreamworld are our kids favourites. Currumbin Wildlife Sactuary started off with birds, but now they have 'roos, koalas and all sorts of Aussie animals. In the Gold Coast hinterland, a short drive on, is Binna Burra, a National Park with extensive areas of rainforest and views of the coast. The Sunshine Coast is an hour and a half away by car- Noosa is a fun day out for fashion,food and beach. Underwater World at Mooloolaba is a cheaper and very interesting theme parky sort of place. Nearby in the Hinterland visit Montville for its art galleries, cafes and shops.

WILD PLACES

Brisbane Metropolitan area:
Brisbane Forest Park begins at Mt Cootha and covers 28,500 ha. The Park Headquarters are 15 km west of Brisbane GPO, and there are 16 separate recreation areas, including picnic areas, walking tracks,and a visitor centre.

Within 100 kilometres:
Many islands, national parks and state forests.

Burleigh Heads National Park on the Gold Coast is 100 km south of Brisbane GPO. It has picnic areas, public conveniences, walking tracks, brush turkeys and ocean views.

Moreton Island is a large sand island "wilderness", with dense vegetation over its 38 km length and 9 km max. width. Its closest point is 22 km to the Brisbane GPO. It is an hour by launch or two hours by vehicular ferry, and there is camping and walking tracks.