Brisbane Full of Culture and Adventure
Brisbane, Australia offers a wealth of arts-related activities as well as plenty of fun in the sun.
The capital of Australia's northeastern Queensland region, Brisbane has slowly made a name for itself as not only the cultural capital of the region but also a place to have fun pursuing outdoor activities and enjoying the abundant sunshine.
Brisbane is a pretty city – lined with trees and full of attractive colonial-era architecture, making it a lovely place to explore on foot. Natives are friendly and sure to offer their opinions on must-see activities and sights for you and your companions.
What to Do
The sun almost always shines in this wonderful city near Australia's eastern coast, so for many that visit here, playing outside is the name of the game. In and around the city, there's a wealth of activities to enjoy.
Head to Streets Beach, one of the few beaches in the world located in the middle of the city. This man-made beach overlooks the beautiful Brisbane River and is quite close to the city's central business district.
Just like any other beach, you'll find plenty of water, powdery white sand, and palm trees for shade. The one thing that is missing, however, is waves, making this the ideal family beach, especially for those with little children who may be worried about the surf.
While bushwalking was once a necessity of life for aborigines in Queensland and beyond, for visitors, bushwalking is a fun and adventurous activity. Join any of the many bushwalking clubs organized throughout the city for an invigorating walk through Australia's backcountry.
The expansive Brisbane Forest Park, just a short drive from the city, offers waterfalls, rainforest, and bush for all to explore. Hiking trails here are many and several are quite long and challenging.
If you're an avid angler, you'll find that the waters of the South Pacific Ocean are ideal for honing your fishing skills. The tropical and temperate seas mix near Brisbane, meaning you'll be able to hook quite an interesting array of fish here.
Rappelling, otherwise known to Australians as abseiling, is a popular sport around the city. Check out the cliffs by the Story Bridge, a great place for beginners to try their hand at the sport.
When one mentions climbing, most individuals think about rocks. But in Brisbane, like in Sydney and Auckland, you can go bridge climbing. The view from the top of the Story Bridge is spectacular and anyone over the age of 11 can make the trip.
The city of Brisbane offers miles and miles of bike trails, often used by in-line skaters as well. They're a great way to explore the city, either on your own or with an organized bike tour.
What to See
Brisbane is considered the cultural capital of the Queensland region, offering heritage trails, museums, cathedrals, and fun family activities.
Both children and adults will love a trip to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, one of the few places in the country where you can still hug a koala. Because the koala is an endangered species, rules about holding the animals are strict but you can indeed cuddle one of Lone Pine's 100+ koalas and enjoy a wealth of other native animals as well.
Recently opened, the Museum of Brisbane isn't huge but it does offer visitors a good insight as to the history of the area and is a good first stop in the downtown area.
The Queensland Cultural Centre, located near the river, is home to a number of excellent performing arts venues, the wonderful Queensland Art Gallery and new Gallery of Modern Art, and the somewhat quirky Queensland Museum.
A long time in the making, St. John's Anglican Cathedral is nearing completion, after a century of construction. This magnificent structure is worth a stop, especially for those who love Gothic architecture. Fans of wonderful architecture should also check out the town's magnificent turn-of-the-century Victorian homes.
Brisbane's Botanic Gardens are magnificent, full of native plants that are difficult to find elsewhere in the world. Near the base of Mt. Coot-tha, the gardens are often the site of craft displays and other special events. A planetarium is also located here.
When to Go
Temperatures are almost always pleasant in Brisbane, Australia and the sun seems to shine most every day. Australia's winter months of June through August are the nicest time to visit, as the humidity is low, but if you want to avoid the crowds, choose a different time of year.