Brisbane Travel
5 Things To Do In Brisbane
City Botanic Gardens
A visit to the city’s Botanic Gardens is essential to anyone spending time in Brisbane. The gardens are a mere 10 minutes walk from the Central railway station, and one can easily spend a whole day exploring the gardens on foot, with plenty of grassy open space for picnics and ball games. There are also a number of different attractions within the gardens, including the Bamboo Grove, Mangrove Boardwalk and Weeping Fig Avenue. Monday through to Saturday you can find a free guided tour, starting at the Alice Street entrance for 11am or 1pm. It’s also a great idea to hire a bike at the Alice street entrance from the Gardens Cycle Hire and explore the many attractions on wheels. Special events are also often held in the gardens, including exhibitions, shows and musical concerts – these can often be found at the Riverstage, which is overlooked by a lovely grassy hill that acts a perfect view point for the action.
South Bank
South Bank is the recreation, culture and entertainment precinct located on the banks of the Brisbane River. There are more than enough restaurants, cafes, bars and boutique shops to keep you busy. If it’s a nice relaxing time you’re after head to the Streets Beach, a truly unique man-made beach featuring white sand and chlorinated water, decorated with palm trees. If you’re wanting a bit of culture, head to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or Queensland Theatre Company where you can catch a range of musicals, plays, operas and ballets. The Queensland Art Gallery is home to nearly 10,000 paintings, prints and sculptures while The Gallery of Modern Art exhibits some of the finest contemporary installations. The Queensland Museum is also worth a visit – displaying scores of items and specimens relating to Australian and European history.
Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay is around a half hour drive from Brisbane’s central business district. It’s the perfect place to go to get away from the hustle bustle of the inner city. Take a leisurely stroll along one of the coastal villages, or kick back on the white sandy beaches and enjoy the crystal clear waters. If you’re feeling adventurous, Moreton Bay has more than enough action-packed activities available – take part in some of the world’s best diving, surfing and sand tobogganing, or head to Moreton Island where you’ll have the rare opportunity to hand feed wild dolphins.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs extend across the river and are another great place to visit whether you want to relax or be active. The Cliffs are a popular picnic spot, offering plenty of eating spots and well-maintained gas barbecues. Venture along the river’s edge by foot or bicycle, and take shelter from the heat in one of the many pavilions along the way. If you fancy something a bit more daring, try some rock climbing or abseiling on the Cliffs themselves. This is a particularly great activity to do early morning or late evening, allowing you to take in the breathtaking views of the city across the river.
Shopping
For some serious retail therapy head to the Queen Street Mall. Located between Edward Street and George Street, it offers the perfect retail experience with over 500 stores and eateries to satisfy your every need. The Wintergarden Shopping Complex offers everything from designer fashion, footwear and jewellery from all major international labels. Brisbane’s largest shopping centre, The Myer Centre, is located at the top of the mall. Here you’ll find no less than five levels to explore, offering a wealth of eateries, supermarkets and even cinemas. Gold card, or rewards card holders could even find themselves benefiting from money off items in selected shops or restaurants.