Brisbane
Brisbane • Gold Coast • Sunshine Coast • Bundaberg • Cairns
The capital city of Queensland. It is pretty small, but it’s pretty nice.
It’s probably the most outdoors-y of the various state capitals, but they think that filling the CBD with one-way streets is a good idea, so it’s by no means perfect.
Like most developed cities, they have a fancy integrated transport ticketing system, but Brisbane’s public transport includes catamarans all along the river that they call CityKats, and that has always amused me.
South Bank
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia
A nice, long, park that most of the below items are scattered through.
On the weekends, there are often sweet “farmer’s” markets, with many tasty treats and fancy nick-knacks on offer.
In contrast with Melbourne, South Bank is two words.
State Library of Queensland
The State Library of Queensland is home to the Tree of Knowledge, birthplace of the Labor Party across the globe. There are also a number of interesting, if thinky, exhibits on various pieces of Queensland history. Not to mention every book published in Queensland since that’s what State Libraries do.
Queensland Museum/Sciencentre
The Queensland Museum is your standard museum: Home to many an exhibit, some of which are hands-on. It also includes two different Art Galleries
Streets Beach
Yes, the bastards actually put a beach in the middle of their city. I mean, technically, the beach is just a big old open-air swimming pool, but it’s the thought that counts.
The Wheel of Brisbane
One of those ferris wheel contraptions that are all too common these days, the Wheel of Brisbane is wheel-shaped and in Brisbane.
Brisbane Maritime Museum
As it says on the tin, the Brisbane Maritime Museum is home to quite a few boats. Boats are cool.
South Brisbane Railway Station
It has super ornate benches that you can sit on.
Also, it seems way too old to not have been knocked down and replaced with something sleek and soulless.
Roma Street Gardens
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia
While yes, we mention a large number of Gardenses in this rambling document, Roma Street
1) has a kiddie “train”
2) has waaaay more different types of plants than any of the others. There’s like five specific zones. It’s awesome.
There is also a lookout over the lake that is absolutely fantastic for people watching.
Often lizards and other, less cool, animals hang out there, chillin’
Just outside the gardens, at the very top of the hill is the Old Windmill, one of the city’s oldest buildings
Roma Street Gardens
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia
While yes, we mention a large number of Gardenses in this rambling document, Roma Street
1) has a kiddie “train”
2) has waaaay more different types of plants than any of the others. There’s like five specific zones. It’s awesome.
There is also a lookout over the lake that is absolutely fantastic for people watching.
Often lizards and other, less cool, animals hang out there, chillin’
Just outside the gardens, at the very top of the hill is the Old Windmill, one of the city’s oldest buildings
Redcliffe Lagoon
Website • Google Maps
It’s basically a swimming pool, but beachier and right next to the beach.
It also has great picnic/BBQ zones.
Queen Street Mall
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia
Instead of cars (aside from the cars of idiots) this street contains thousands of shoppers. There’s like 800 shops, all ready for your delicious money.
Brisbane’s major bus station deep underneath the Mall as well, if that’s your cup of public transport tea.
Mount Coo-tha
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia
A nice, tall mountain in the inner north part of the suburbs which offers your standard sweet city view.
There’s a planetarium at the bottom of the mountain too — although planets are the same no matter where you see them, to be honest.
Moreton Island
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia • QLD National Parks info page
Just over an hour from Brisbane by ferry is the world’s third-largest sand island, Moreton Island. Most of the place is a National Park, but you’re still welcome to poke around.
Tangalooma Resort lets you come up and hand-feed wild dolphins each night
 |
Brad Says: Is it a night time activity because it should be illegal? No idea, I'm not a lawyer. |
There are 90-metre high sand dunes here that are used for something called Sand Tobogganing. It sounds abrasive.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Website • Google Maps • Wikipedia
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are one of the coolest things about the Brisbane CBD. No other capital city offers you the chance to go abseiling just across the river from the CBD in your lunchbreak or whatever, but that’s just how Brisbane rolls.
They also look pretty sweet at sunset, or when you’re riding a bike along the Brisbane River.
Other things you can do here include rock climbing (obviously) and kayaking.