Hotels in Brisbane

Exploring Brisbane

Queensland’s dynamic capital, Brisbane, is an easy-going city with lots of cultural and historical landmarks, some great parks and waterways, and plenty of super options when it comes to dining and drinking. Given its year-round warm climate, cosmopolitan ambience, and proximity to major resorts on the spectacular Gold Coast, it’s no surprise Brisbane is a popular travel destination.

Brisbane combines a number of heritage buildings, such as the Town Hall, with cutting-edge architectural gems. such as the Gallery of Modern Art. North of the Brisbane River, the main highlights are the districts of Fortitude Valley, Newstead, New Farm, and the West End. The South Bank serves as Brisbane’s cultural centre and it’s here you’ll find the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and other notable cultural institutions. With plenty of green spaces and an enviable public transport system, Brisbane is an unbeatable vacation destination.

Sights nearby

The city centre is where Brisbane’s key cultural and commercial attractions reside, along with a nice smattering of natural areas where tourists can kick back and relax.

- Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane

Dating back to the early 1920s, Brisbane’s highly impressive City Hall stretches almost 300 feet up into the sky. One of Brisbane’s finest architectural gems, the City Hall features elements of both Greek and Renaissance styles. The auditorium is a must-see. The building has recently been extensively restored. The Museum of Brisbane has a purpose-built setting on Level 3. It’s a well-maintained social history museum with both permanent and changing exhibitions that deserve to be on any tourist’s list of must-see attractions. Good views of downtown Brisbane can be had from the viewing platform above the tower clock.

- South Bank Complex

The State of Queensland’s cultural hub, the South Bank Complex, comprises the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre – which houses four performing venues and a gallery, and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Situated near to the Brisbane River and the splendidly landscaped Parkland, the complex is well served by public transport and is surrounded by lots of eateries and cool cafés.

- Wheel of Brisbane

Situated in the South Bank Parkland, the 180-foot tall Wheel of Brisbane was erected in 2008 to commemorate Queensland’s 150th anniversary. Offering visitors a panoramic view of the city, and especially attractive at night when it is lit up, the wheel has rapidly become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The world’s oldest koala sanctuary is located in the district of Fig Tree Pocket, in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Home to koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, reptiles, and a variety of birds, it is one of the few sanctuaries in the world where it is possible for visitors to hold a koala in their arms.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Brisbane has superb options when it comes to eating out, having a drink, and shopping. The range of restaurants in Brisbane rivals that of its fellow cities in Australia. Here, you can find everything from fine dining on the waterfront to all sorts of Asian street food in Chinatown or succulent Queensland meats served up on a BBQ in typical Aussie style.

Shopping options downtown are very good in the vast Queen Street Mall, or head for other neighbourhoods, such as Paddington and Rosalie, which are famed for their designer boutiques. The neighbourhoods of West End and Fortitude Valley are full of great bars, cafés, and a huge array of restaurants covering all types of cuisine. Head here for the best nightlife. The city has a great range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, including luxury hotels in unbeatable riverside settings, boutique hotels distributed around the city, and backpacker hostels in the New Farm district. Mantra on Queen and Watermark Hotel Brisbane are two good options.

Public transport

Brisbane has an extensive and well-run public transport system consisting of a range of public and private bus, and suburban train and ferry services. In fact, the city centre is small enough that many of the landmarks and tourist attractions can easily be reached on foot. CityCat, a high-speed ferry service, is practical for getting to spots along the river and offers great views of the city. With its well-maintained network of bicycle paths, Brisbane is a great destination to explore on two wheels.