Brisbane has over 1700 parks and a huge array of community areas that form a major part of the city landscape. Tourists get a chance to mingle with the local animals in the parks and get to know more about them. There are also the outskirts of the Brisbane city where you can enjoy Australian camping in their traditional style.
If you take pleasure in the native culture or the sports then you will see that the city of Brisbane has attractions suitable for all. There are adequate sporting facilities that are spread out all over the city and Brisbane also hosts innumerable sporting events. There are the important cultural venues that will help you be aware of the rich cultural heritage of the place.
The main attractions of Brisbane
The attractions of Brisbane are innumerable but here are some of the most popular ones-
- Queensland Cultural Centre – this is one of the finest art galleries in the whole of Australia. You will also love the State Library, the outstanding Queensland Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Complex.
- The South Bank Parklands- this parkland includes the riverbank promenade, waterways, city beach and the numerous themed attractions. You can also enjoy to a great extent the wonderful food that is served in the cafes and the restaurants. There are also a host of the other events and entertainment facilities.
- Mount Coot-tha summit - this particular lookout gives you the best view of Brisbane city scape.
- The Gold and the Sunshine Coasts - both these coasts are easily reachable from the Brisbane city proper and the beautiful beaches with their outstanding views will surely take your breath away.
History of Brisbane
How the place got its name?
A tourist should be well acquainted with the details if he is planning a tour and so the history of Brisbane is an essential feature. Know how the place got its name and its brief history.
Brisbane in Queensland, Australia was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane who was a colonial administrator and a British soldier from Aryshire, Scotland. He was the Governor of New South Wales when Brisbane was so named.
History of Brisbane: Aboriginal culture
The Jagera and Turrbal Aboriginal clans were the original settlers in Brisbane. Before the advent of the Europeans in the area the Brisbane River, its tributaries and the land supported all the life forms. The river provided food abundantly and all those areas where fishes were abundant became the areas of group activities. Both these clans hunted for food and participated in the various spiritual and social activities. The area around the Brisbane area at that time was covered in scrub forests, coastal lowlands, lagoons, rain forests, and swamps. These were enough for the clans to subsist upon. Prior to the European settlement there were about 5,000 aborigines.
The First Settlements
Brisbane was originally a gaol site chosen by the Surveyor General John Oxley. The red cliffs to the north of this place impressed him and so he decided to have this site for the new penal settlement. In 1825 the Redcliffe site was also abandoned as Brisbane had a better supply of water. This area was then opened for civilians in 1842.
The New Age
After 1842 Brisbane was given the scope top grow as a city and then elegant homes like the Newstead House and Palma Rosa at Hamilton began to come up amongst the slums and the shanties that were there. The population also began to grow from 829 to 6000 from 1846 to 1859 and then Brisbane became the capital of Queensland and not a trace of convict settlement was to be found.
Effects of the World Wars
Brisbane was the economic nerve center in the 20 th Century despite the floods, drought and the 1890s Depression. The Brisbane River was also a maritime activity hive. Brisbane had become the largest local authority after the World War I. the Depression also took its toll on the city as it was transformed into “tent cities” to provide houses for the homeless.
The threat of Japanese invasion posed a great threat and most parts were converted into military camps. This happened during the World War II. But after the two World Wars there was a marked improvement in the industrial activities.Brisbane Popular Destinations
The capital of the Australian state Queensland, Brisbane with its various beautiful sites draws an immense number of tourists. Set close to the Pacific Ocean and the Brisbane River, the place is a regular haunt of those who love water and beaches. Apart from these, there are innumerable other places to be at and exciting things to do in Brisbane.
Here are some popular sites in Brisbane that tourists never miss out on:
- STRADBROKE ISLAND: Lovingly nicknamed as - Straddie - , the Stradbroke Island is one of the largest sand islands in the world. A huge number of beach activities are awaiting you in the sunny beach.
- SUNSHINE COAST, BRISBANE: If the humid summer of the coast is troubling you, go for the cool Sunshine Coast Beaches in the towns of Maleny, Montville and Mappleton
- WYNNUM, BRISBANE: The place with its pools, playgrounds and picnic areas would amuse everyone in the family.
- ST. HELENA ISLAND, BRISBANE: Also known as the - hell hole of the Pacific - and - Queensland's Alcatraz - , the island presents you with an eerie ambience.
- SOUTH BANK, BRISBANE: Running along the southern side of the Brisbane river, this place has excellent parkland, shopping place, bougainvillea arbor and other interesting aspects.
- MOOLABALA BEACH, BRISBANE: A wonderful coastal town that offers beautiful beach and also picnic spots. It is an ideal spot for those who love to fish and surf.
- MAROOCHYDORE, BRISBANE: A holiday town, it is home to a number of surfing, fishing and boating events and various festivals.
- NOOSA, BRISBANE: It is a popular surfing spot, which is surrounded by glorious sea beaches. There is a beautiful National Park at Noosa and it also possesses many picnic spots.
- GOLD COAST, BRISBANE: The place would entertain you with its theme parks, adventurous activities, fabulous beaches and markets. The place is a small coastal area between the New South Wales boarder and Brisbane. If you are a nature lover, also explore the wildlife at the Hinterland at Gold Coast.
- SURFER'S PARADISE, BRISBANE: It is set on the Gold Coast and offers an attractive beachfront. You can play beach volleyball or surf by hiring equipments. The place is famous for its exciting nightlife and fabulous bars and restaurants.
- REDLANDS REGION, BRISBANE: The region hosts a number of scattered islands in Moreton bay and several other waterside communities. It takes one hour to reach here from Brisbane by car.
- HASTINGS STREET: Enjoy the exciting lifestyle of Hastings street and enjoy the fabulous view of the meandering Noosa river.
- BRISBANE COASTAL DRIVE: This is a wonderful drive route from Sydney to Brisbane with plenty of exciting things to see on way. Watch out locations like Newcastle, Port Stephens, Tea Gardens, Tweed Heads and others.
- TREASURY CASINO, BRISBANE: Brisbane Casino is known as the 'Treasury Casino' because it is located in the old Treasury building at the top of Queen Street Mall. It is one of Brisbane's historic buildings and is open 24 hours.
- CAPALABA, BRISBANE: Go to Capalaba to see the Redlands Indigescapes Centre that is Australia's first native botanical garden.
Visit Brisbane and discover more about these amazing sites. Brisbane's Popular Destinations are certainly tourist's paradise!
Brisbane Parks & Gardens
Brisbane owes its popularity primarily to its lush green gardens and parks that entertain its visitors with their innumerable recreational facilities. The Brisbane Parks and Gardens provide everything from fun rides to solitary mangrove walks, rainforest areas for exploration and beautiful waterfalls. Also, there are playgrounds and picnic spots where you can relish a fine sunny day with all the members of your family.
Check out the names of some of the significant parks and gardens that tourists repent missing out!
- Mowbray park, Brisbane: It is one of the oldest parks in Brisbane and provides excellent picnic spots. Also, the park is the ferry stop for Brisbane's famous sports venue - The Gabba - which is the home of all eventful games in Australia that includes football, cricket and even rugby matches.
- Roma Street Park, Brisbane: The Roma Street Park or the Roma Street Parklsnd which is close to the Roma Street Station is the largest subtropical garden in the world that is located at the centre of a city the park constitutes themed gardens, picnic areas, green pathways, cascades and also a display of splendid artworks by local artists.
- City botanic gardens, Brisbane: Previously known as the - Queen's Park - , the gardens not only range a wide variety of flowering plants but also serve as a relaxing place for those who want to spend some time of contemplation. Also, it is a frequently used as a venue for wedding ceremonies.
- New Farm Park, Brisbane: Located in new Farm, this beautiful historical garden is famous for its roses. There are a large variety of roses and also many other flowering plants. The place is a popular wedding venue.
- Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha: The gardens are situated at the foot of Brisbane's tallest mountain, Mt. Coot-tha. It sports several interesting features like Japanese Garden, Bonsai House, Rainforest Zone, scented garden and much more. The gardens are located 7 kilometers from the city of Brisbane.
- Beth Boyd Park, Brisbane: The Beth Boyd Park in Brisbane is located on the Queens Esplanade in Thorneside and is one of the significant destinations of the Koala coast Trails. The Park also offers skating facilities.
- William Taylor Park, Brisbane: The William Taylor memorial Park is located on Wellington point in Queensland and remains open everyday from 6.30am to 6.30 pm.
Find recreation for your entire family! The greenery and beauty of the Brisbane Parks and Gardens will sooth your tired self and take you away into a world filled with fun!Brisbane Festivals & Events
Brisbane is the capital of Australia and it is also the most populous city of the country. The city boasts of a diverse culture and the cultural scenario of the city bustles with activity throughout the year. Brisbane Festivals and Events are an integral part of the culture of the city. Numerous festivals and events are celebrated with a lot of fanfare and enthusiasm in Brisbane.
One of the major festivals of Brisbane is the Brisbane Fine Wine Festival, which is celebrated in the month of July in Queensland. The festival is celebrated for three days and during the festival, you can get a taste of the best quality wines produced by Australia. A visit to the Chelsea Ballroom at the Mercure Hotel, which is the venue for the festival, will enhance your knowledge of wine and winemaking. The festival allows you to savor over 600 wines, avail wines at discounted prices and also meet with the winemakers.
River Festival is another significant festival of Brisbane. The festival celebrates water and promotes environmental sustainability. It is extremely popular in the city and has achieved iconic status. River Festival is held at the end of August and continues for a period of ten days. The festival features a wide array of activities that include spectacular fireworks, extravagant outdoor feast, local music and performance and an international conference on river management.One of the major festivals and events of Brisbane is the Brisbane Festival, which is being celebrated ever since the city came into existence. In the 2006 edition of the festival, a colorful program was held that showcased the finest talents from all over the world. During the festival, a wide spectrum of activities were held, which included theatre, dance, opera, circus, music, multimedia, comedy, cabaret, visual art, fringe theatre, conversation, political satire, an exclusive program of free community events and a seminar on resource management and sustainable development.
How to Get in
Brisbane is positioned on the East Coast of Queensland about one hour drive from north of the Gold Coast. Being one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Australia, the city is well connected to other parts of Australia and the world. Getting to Brisbane is most convenient for tourists coming to Australia.
Brisbane Airport is Queensland's premier gateway providing direct service and connections to several domestic and international destinations. All major international and domestic airlines run services to and from the city. Airport transfers are readily available from the airport and there is a regular train and bus service straight to the city. Visit the Information Desk found in both the International and Domestic terminals for help with transfers.
Intercity trains, including trains from the airport, arrive regularly at Central Station.
Trains do run from the Gold Coast, which is a 90-minute trip. Busses arrive in Brisbane regularly at the main bus terminal at the Transit Centre on Roma St. Bus Depot located at Central station on Anne Street and can offer a convenient, budget way of getting to Brisbane from other destinations within Australia. Most bus companies have ticketing offices located at the Bus Depot at Central Station. Approach Brisbane by car from Sydney by the Pacific Highway.Hotels in Brisbane
