Brisbane, or ‘Brizzy’ to the locals, is the state capital of Queensland and is the third largest city in Australia, 570 miles (916kms) North of Sydney on the East Coast.

Founded in 1825, Brisbane is somewhat of a ‘Business City’ so there isn’t as much to do here when compared to cities like Sydney or Melbourne. It’s the kind of place where people work on weekdays, and then they leave to go to the coast on weekends.

Most people visit Brisbane on their way to the Gold Coast, an hour South. I flew domestically with Qantas from Sydney that took an hour and twenty-five minutes.

While it’s not my all time favourite city in Australia, Brisbane has some sights to see. It’s a really good city with a high quality of life. South Bank has some nice restaurants as well as some good pubs. I certainly found the city prettier by night than by day.

ACCOMMODATION

Like all major cities Brisbane isn’t short on places to stay. Again the idea is to figure out what activities you wish to do then plan your stay. I stayed in Brisbane over a weekend thinking the city would be a hive of activity but as mentioned earlier it appears Brisbane is a ‘working’ city and the CBD especially is rather absent of people.

I stayed at the 4* George Williams Hotel in the CBD. Prices are roughly AU$158 (GB£91) for a standard room. If you are driving the city is fairly expensive to park however I did find the cheapest car park 700 yards from the hotel that cost AU$20 (GB£12) for the weekend; Located at 140 Elizabeth Street.

The 5*Meriton Suites Herschel Street is extremely cheap for its location along the Brisbane River. Prices are roughly AU$168 (GB£96) for a standard room. Staying at this venue means crossing the river to the South Bank, where a lot of the action takes place over weekends, is only a short 10 minute walk.

What Can Brisbane Offer

KOALA SANCTUARY

Brisbane is home to the world’s largest Koala sanctuary, Lone Pine, 7 miles (12kms) South of the city; has over 130 Koalas. You can even watch them being fed at displayed times and have your photograph taken holding one.

For me one of the biggest highlights of the park is being able to feed the Kangaroos that hop about the sanctuary. You can purchase a brown paper bag with Kangaroo feed for AU$2 (GB£1). I was so surprised how gentle they were nibbling the feed from your hand.

The sanctuary additionally allows you to hold local snakes, and see some of the country’s beautiful fauna, such as Wombats, Echidnas, sleepy Tasmanian Devils, and even Dingoes. The sanctuary is open daily from 9am-5pm and costs AU$49 (GB£28). The park is definitely worth the visit!

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SOUTH BANK

If you walk across the river Brisbane from the CBD is an area called South Bank featuring a stunning inner city beach, miles of tree lined walks, fabulous shopping, and plenty of restaurants, South Bank is the one place you do have to see in Brisbane.

I love walking the river, people watching over a drink, or getting something to eat. Do not head for the first restaurant you see. If you walk a block back from the river you will stumble upon an entire street lined with all kinds of restaurants from pub food to Italian to Asian. You often see musicians and outdoor dance classes too.

If you like wholesome pub food then consider the Mansfield Tavern offering all kinds of classics and cold beers.

WHEEL OF BRISBANE

If you want a view of the city, hop on this 60-metre Ferris Wheel and go for a spin! The ride takes places in an enclosed, climate-controlled gondola and lasts around 15 minutes. It operates 10AM-10PM daily, and adult tickets are AU$19.95 (GB£10.45). Discounts are available for students, kids, and families as well.

BRISBANE CITY HALL

This historic site is a must see in the heart of Brisbane. The hotel I was staying at (George Williams Hotel) was less than 5 minutes walk away. Inside is a free art gallery to stroll around and if you are organised the City Hall offers free daily tours at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm. You can go up the famous City Hall Clock Tower for a stunning view, then stick around to checkout the Museum of Brisbane.

CHURCHES AND CATHEDRALS

If churches and intricate architecture are your things, be sure to check out the handful in the area: St Stephen’s Cathedral, St Stephen’s Chapel (adjacent to the cathedral), St John’s Cathedral, and Albert St Uniting Church are all noteworthy stops and worth visiting.

GETTING AROUND BRISBANE

Buses – Most bus routes in Brisbane have their own lanes, making bus travel an easy and efficient way to get around the city.

Brisbane also has free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop bus services in the city centre. They run every 10 minutes from 7am-6pm, and will take you to some of the city’s key attractions.

Trains – Brisbane’s rail network is excellent and will take you to attractions all across the city and the surrounding suburbs. Central Station and Roma Street Station are two of the biggest stations in town.

The Airtrain will also take you to and from the airport in about 20 minutes, with services running every 15-30 minutes. You can use your Go Card; otherwise, tickets cost AU$20 (GB£11.50) one way.

Ferries – Ferries are a popular way to get around because the Brisbane River cuts right through the city centre. The City Hopper ferry is free and runs between the Sydney Street and North Quay terminals.

Taxi – Taxis are expensive here and should be avoided.

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