Things to See and Do

Listed below are some of the amazing things to see and do in and around Brisbane.

1. Visit Southbank Parklands
Featuring a stunning inner-city beach, miles of tree-lined walks, fabulous shopping and restaurants, Southbank is the one place you have to see in Brisbane. Located a short hop over the river from the CBD, it's easy to get to and easy to spend a full day amongst the many attractions. Don't forget to jump on the Wheel of Brisbane to get a birds-eye view of the city.

2. Cruise the River
There are a number of cruises you can take on the Brisbane River, from simply using the public transport system to catch a CityCat; to enjoying a seafood buffet at sunset aboard the paddlewheeler Kookaburra Queen; to cozying up to someone special in a unique gondola. There's also general sightseeing tours as well as lunch cruises - definitely a great way to see the city. You can also cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and combine two must-do's in the one trip!

3. Cuddle a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has over 130 koalas for you to spy. If cuddling a national icon isn't your thing, you can feed the rainbow lorrikeets and kangaroos, or even hold a snake! See beautiful Australian fauna like wombats, echidnas, tasmanian devils, dingoes and much more.

4. Enjoy the view from Mt Coot-tha
Mt Coot-tha (pronounced Mount Cootha) has breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane city with views out to Moreton Bay by day. A favourite for locals and visitors alike, enjoy a meal or just a coffee looking out over the city and its surrounds. Catch the local 471 bus from the city or buy a pass for the hop-on, hop-off CitySights bus.

5. Expand your horizons in the Cultural Precinct
The best cultural spaces are grouped together near Southbank in an area called the Cultural Precinct. Just across the river from the CBD, this area features the largest gallery of modern art in Australia (Gallery of Modern Art), the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland College of Art, Queensland Conservatorium, Queensland Museum (incorporating the kids' favourite - Sciencentre), Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the State Library of Queensland. There's always something new and exciting to see and many of the exhibitions are completely free.

6. Taste the local seafood
You've heard of Moreton Bay bugs before, so head to one of Brisbane's fine seafood restaurants to taste the real thing amongst the other delicious local delicacies. Wilson's Boathouse, Gambaro's, Brett's Wharf and Jellyfish are just a few of the award-winning dining establishments around Brisbane.

7. Revisit Brisbane's History
Even though Brisbane is young by world standards, it still has a lot of history bound up in its streets. Start by visiting City Hall (a view from the Clock Tower observation deck is a must) and the Museum of Brisbane before heading out on your own self guided walking tour. Don't miss the Commissariat Store or the Old Windmill (both built by convict labour), or revisit Brisbane's history in style at Newstead House - Brisbane's oldest residence. Want something out of the ordinary? Consider a Ghost Tour of Brisbane's streets. Guaranteed spookiness.

8. Go native in the Gardens
Brisbane has an abundance of parklands and gardens to enjoy - whether you want to study the flora, have a family BBQ or simply to relax and enjoy your surroundings. The City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parkland are both within walking distance of the city centre. The Roma Street Parkland is the world's largest subtropical garden in a city centre. Don't miss the wonderful Wollemi Pine Grove - one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species.The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha cover 52 hectares and features an extraordinary tropical dome and beautiful Japanese garden. A must-see for the botanically inclined!

9. Get sporty
Whether you want to get in the action and be sporty yourself, or just observe from a safe distance, Brisbane has you covered. The local sporting teams are: the Lions (AFL), Broncos (rugby league), Reds (rugby union), Bulls (cricket), Firebirds (netball) and the Roar (soccer). Matches are played all year round. Adventurous types can try abseiling or climbing the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, climbing the Story Bridge, kayaking, hot air ballooning over the city, rollerblading, biking and so much more.

10. Go further afield
With so many natural wonders on Brisbane's door step, the only real problem is fitting everything in! Here are just a few of the amazing attractions to enjoy:

North Stradbroke Island
See some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and one of Australia's most famous pubs. There are 3 townships to stay at, with most visitors choosing the eastern township of Point Lookout where dolphins and other marine life are regularly seen. The north facing patrolled beach of Cylinder is usually calm and family friendly with several cafes and eateries within walking distance. 'Straddie' is only a 50 minutes ride from Cleveland on the car ferry or a 20 minute ride by water taxi.

Moreton Island
So much to see and do - hand feeding dolphins, sand tobagganing, whale watching, swimming, snorkelling, fishing - and only a short boat trip from Brisbane!

Mt Mee National Park
A picturesque one hour drive north of the city centre this is one of Australia's best kept secrets. Beautiful rainforest, gorgeous waterfalls and wateringholes and some great camping and picnic grounds. The nearby rural villages of Dayboro and Samford are also steeped in history and worth a visit along the way.

Theme Parks - Dreamworld, MovieWorld, Wet n Wild Water World, SeaWorld
A perfect family day out which ever park you choose to visit, only an hour south of Brisbane.

Australia Zoo
Consistently ranked among the top things to do in Australia, Steve Irwin's legacy lives on in this amazing zoo.

Fraser Island
The world's largest sand island and a stunning sight to behold. An absolute must on the backpacker circuit or anyone looking for natural beauty.

Alma Park Zoo
A wide range of animals including red pandas, lemurs and all of the usual Australian crowd.

More Information
Brisbane is just a glimpse of the beauty that the state of Queensland offers. The Gold Coast is just one hour south of Brisbane and is famous for its beaches, surf, theme parks, shopping, nightlife and hinterland. Heading one hour north of Brisbane is the Sunshine Coast with lots to discover and explore including coastal beaches, waterways, scenic hinterland and national parks. Tropical North Queensland, a 2.5 hour flight north of Brisbane offers the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest experiences, combining adventure and relaxation within some of the greatest environmental wonders of the world. This is the only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed areas meet.

More information about things to do in and around Brisbane and Queensland can be found on the following websites:

http://www.bluewaterfestival.org.au/news/6-news/32-our-brisbane.html
http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au
http://www.tq.com.au

Australia
A trip to Australia isn't complete without experiencing its iconic and beautiful sites and cities. More information about Australia can be found at:
http://www.australia.com

Suggested airlines to travel around Australia are:
http://www.qantas.com
http://www.jetstar.com
http://www.virginaustralia.com