Brisbane

Enjoy South Bank’s beautiful riverside gardens, bustling markets and its swimming lagoon. Ride a bike through the City Botanic Gardens and abseil the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. Take a paddlesteamer down the river or catch a ferry to intoxicating spots like Bulimba village and New Farm. For culture, stroll the art galleries and museums, see a show by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra at the state of the art theatre in the powerhouse. At Moreton Bay and Islands, swim, use a sea kayak or snorkel the coral reefs. Toboggan down the slopes of the world’s tallest sand dune or hire a boat and try your luck with a marlin.


Meet a koala and other famous Australian animals

Ride a bike or roller blade inside the city’s luscious Botanic Gardens. Cruise the river in a paddlesteamer and take in the bird and water life around you. Relax and take a picnic in South Bank’s riverside gardens. Right here you take a dip in the lagoon and the surrounding beach. Take a look at the markets and visit a warm outdoor cinema and eat alfresco. Go on the indigenous art trail in the Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, here you can spot native wildlife and awesome city views. At the foot of the mountain, take in the serenity of the tropical zone, rainforests and Japanese gardens. Hold a koala and encounter possums, kangaroos, wombats, emus and lyrebirds at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near the city.


Classic style architecture meets modern city

See a fully made up skeleton of a Queensland dinosaur in the Queensland Museum and check out some of Australia’s finest artists at the Queensland Art Gallery. Both of these are located in the Cultural Centre on South Bank. Go to the new architectural feat-the Powerhouse and watch a performance by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra, have a look at art galleries and dine out at this superb sprawling space. Brisbane is also home to many cultural institutions such as Customs House, the Old Mill, the Commissariat Store and the Brisbane City Hall. In Brisbane the classic style cathedrals and houses and the towering skyscrapers of the city blend together effortlessly


Kayak around Islands and toboggan down the world’s tallest sand dunes

Brisbane offers you a range of outdoor and waters sports from Sea Kayaking off North Stadboke Island and Moreton Island, deep-sea fishing from Scarborough, Raby Bay, Bribie Island or Manly. Take to the waves off Redcliffe Peninsula for Jet skiing and windsurfing or kite-surf on Wellington Point. Get to Moreton Island and zoom down the world’s tallest san dunes on a toboggan. At Cowan’s Artificial Reef, Flinders Reef and in the Tangalooma experience the beauty of ocean life as you scuba dive amongst tropical fish, crustaceans and turtles. You can spot humpback whales between July and October and see dolphins all year round. See whole colonies of koalas in Victoria Point and meet hundreds of wading birds at the Egret Colony and Boondall Wetlands. Go off road in Moreton, North Stradbroke and Bribie Islands for stunning views of the turquoise water and beaches.


Feast on tasty cuisine and visit the transformed Powerhouse

Feast on dumplings in Chinatown, Shop till you drop in the outdoor mall and listen to music at Brisbane’s cultural core. Next, in New Farm, treat yourself to a coffee and some gourmet food at one of the trendy cafes, famous deli’s or just relax and have a picnic on the riverside. Eat out the converted warehouse restaurants and discover the transformed industrial space of the powerhouse, a buzzing centre for the arts. A citycat cruise takes you to Bulimba by river, from there; you can visit stylish Paddington and go from hip bars, popular cafes and restaurants. Across the river you’ll find the fabulous art house theatres of the West End, the Stones Corner and the brewery of Queensland’s most iconic beer.


Climb the story bridge and explore glow worm caves

At sunrise or at night when the city is lit up, abseil or rock climb the Kangaroo Point Cliffs for a memorable adventure. Climb the Story Bridge and behold the 360 degrees views. Zoom through the sky on a free fall tandem sky dive, or go by hot air balloon and look down over the city. Head down the Brisbane River on a gondola, paddlesteamer or wildlife cruise. Go on a luxurious whale-watching cruise from the Redcliffe Peninsula. Don’t miss the opportunity to Bushwalk, swim, four wheel drive and explore glow worm caves on an eco-tour to Springbrook and Lamington National Parks. See the city’s attractions in style on a roaring Harley Davidson or go horse riding in the rugged bush just out of the city.