VISIT BRISBANE - AUSTRALIA
Brisbane is the third largest city in the country and the capital of the state of Queensland. With a population of nearly 2.5 million, the city is a real success for local and international tourists. Enjoying pleasant weather all year round, it offers an ideal living environment. Its climate allows you to visit Brisbane during all months of the year. So don’t miss this rich and welcoming destination that easily sums up the soul of Australian culture.
What to do in Brisbane?
Discover the different neighborhoods
The city of Brisbane (Brisbane City Council) covers more than 6,000 km²! A surprising figure because it contrasts strongly with the size of its city center, rather small. Brisbane is made up of a city center (known as the Central Business District – CBD) and many suburbs (suburbs). Australians live mostly in the suburbs and some never travel to the city center because they have shopping centers nearby. In the suburbs, there are also many administrative and medical services: post office, bank, doctors, etc. As a result, it is very common for people to stay in the suburbs without finding the need to go to the center.
The city is crossed by a river, and the city center is on the left bank. It is built around a business district (CBD), a large shopping street (Brisbane Mall), and a botanical garden.
The business district is very modern and there are large towers. You can walk along the quays (Eagle Street Pier and Howard Smith Wharves) where you will also find restaurants and bars. The neighborhood is very lively on Thursdays and Fridays at the time of after-work parties. On Elizabeth Street, take time to visit Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and its Gothic Revival style. You can admire the statue of Mary MacKillop (1842-1909), the first Catholic saint in Australia.
Admire monuments and parks
Just steps from Queen Street, you can admire City Hall at King George Square. This is the largest city hall in Australia! Built between 1919 and 1930 and inspired by New York art deco, the building has been the pride of its inhabitants for many decades. It also houses the city museum.
For those who would prefer a little more greenery, the botanical gardens of the city center offer a relaxing setting on 20 hectares. Also along the river, you can take a nice walk while meeting curious creatures like the Australian water dragons, and large lizards. There is also the QUT University Campus (open to all if you are interested in visiting) and the Queensland Parliament, which is open for free on Mondays and Fridays throughout the year. A 10-minute walk from the center, Roma Street Parkland covers 16 hectares. It is a popular destination for its green vegetation, picnic areas equipped with barbecue facilities for free use, and playgrounds. Many birds can be seen there.
Of course, we should not leave Brisbane without having met kangaroos and koalas! Brisbane’s Lone Pine Sanctuary is the largest koala reserve in the world. We can even take them in our arms and feed kangaroos. We can get there by bus from the city center. Take the 430 bus from Queen Street Station or the 445 bus from Adelaide Street. You can also get there by boat by joining a river cruise. Mirimar Cruises will allow you to enjoy a scenic cruise on the river before joining the wildlife park for an incredible day.
Enjoy the artificial beach
When you cross the Victoria Bridge, you’ll be on the right bank at the South Bank Parklands. It’s a must-see. This landscaped shore will delight young and old alike! There is a Ferris wheel, a Nepalese Pagoda, the Queensland Museum, and the Modern Art Gallery.
But the most popular attraction is The Lagoon, a huge artificial beach with turquoise water! Because, unlike Sydney, there are no beaches in Brisbane. Very well appointed, you can relax there with your friends or children. The place is lined with sand and lawns where picnic tables and playgrounds follow one another. For those who don’t want to get wet, Grey St and Stanley St, just a stone’s throw away, offer a wide selection of trendy restaurants and bars.
Shopping
Along Elizabeth Street, you will find a large pedestrian street lined with department stores. This is Queen Street and its open-air Mall, dominated by the Casino of Brisbane. The majority of the shops are concentrated around the Mall and on parallel streets. You will find big brands, small shops, souvenir shops, food courts, etc… If you wish to visit the outlets, you will have to head to the suburbs. For example, DFO, which has hundreds of major outlet brands, is located in the northern suburbs, CLOSE to the airport.
Shops usually open at 9 am and close at 5.30 pm. But a night is organized every Friday evening, in the city center only, until 9 pm. For suburban shopping centers, nightlife takes place on Thursdays. In Australia, shops open on Sundays, usually from 10 am to 4 pm, and also on public holidays (only a few hours).
Discover the points of view
On the same side of the shore, you can access Kangaroo Point and enjoy its health course, while admiring its small cliffs that delight climbers. At the far end of the pier, you can see the incredible steel structure of the Story Bridge and even climb it if you don’t suffer from vertigo.
If you want to get a little height, we recommend going to Mount Coot-tha. Located a few kilometers from the city center (15min by car or a good hour walk). Its highest point is 300m high and the walk will take you barely 30 minutes. A great opportunity to observe the city under sunset for example! Overlooking the city and its suburbs, the Mount Coot-tha viewpoint offers its visitors a stunning panorama of the entire city. We also like to admire the stars. A café and a restaurant are at the top. During the day, the site allows hiking. A little further down, you can stroll through the sumptuous botanical gardens of Mount Coot-tha and visit the Sir Thomas Brisbane planetarium.
Where to go?
The city of Brisbane is modernized from day to day and restaurants are not lacking!
Downtown, the locals greatly appreciate Eagle Pier for its many trendy restaurants and bars and its incredible views of the river and Kangaroo Point. The Howard Smith Docks have recently been rehabilitated and provide a striking backdrop beneath the Story Bridge. From the chic restaurant to the pub, every purse will find something to eat. The places are lively from Thursday evening to the time of the afterworks.
On the other side of the shore, South Bank, Grey Street, and Stanley Street are lined with restaurants and bars for all budgets. Boundary Street in West End also offers a wide selection of more casual restaurants.
The Fortitude Valley and China Town area is a 20-minute walk from the city center and is full of cheap restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It is an unmissable place for party-goers. From 10 pm, the neighborhood comes alive.
Eat Street Markets in Portside Wharf is a must. Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, immerse yourself in a colorful and festive atmosphere to discover Queensland’s multicultural cuisine. With a view of the Brisbane River, lose yourself among the many food trucks and other stands.
Note that large shopping centers such as Chermside or Garden City have short food courses open at night. Remember that Queenslanders usually dine early and like to meet around 6 pm-7 pm.
Where to stay in Brisbane?
Stay in Brisbane, this city has the serious advantage of being cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne. Rents remain affordable.
For short stays, the hotel, youth hostel, Airbnb, or Couchsurfing are all possibilities. The offer is not lacking and you should find it very quickly. Count 120-150 $ minimum for a hotel room. One of the best hostels in Brisbane is the Quarters Inn (close to the center, quiet, super clean)!
Less known in France, subletting is common here. In other words, you rent a room from a person who is absent for a period ranging from a few weeks to a few months. The solution is advantageous but still precarious. To find them, use Gumtree or Facebook. There are many francophone groups where ads are posted regularly.
Choose the following areas if you want to stay close to the city center: CBD (of course!), South Bank, South Brisbane, West End, Woolloongabba, Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong, Paddington, New Farm. Remember to use Google Maps to estimate your trip times.
For longer stays (more than 6 months), it is possible to rent an apartment or more easily a shared room. Rental in Australia is rather flexible compared to France. Sites such as realestate.com.au or domain.com.au will help you make the rounds of available ads. For a two-bedroom apartment in the suburbs, count at least $380 per week. For shared rooms, prices usually start at $150 per week. If you are a couple or rent furnished, the rent increases. Expenses are sometimes included but most often shared according to the number of roommates. Remember that the apartment share in Australia is rather developed at all ages of life.
road trip routes from Brisbane
Departing from Brisbane, you can choose between going north and its incredible beaches, going south to Sydney, or a road trip inland to discover the Outback.
Brisbane -> Cairns
For those who are not used to road trips, who love the ocean this route is perfect. Along the coast on Bruce Highway, you can discover the beauty of the East Coast with Fraser Island, the Whitsunday Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. The tropical and green forests of the North are also not to be missed.
If you drive directly from Brisbane to Cairns, the journey will be about 1700 kilometers. Most of the amazing places to visit are within 50 kilometers of each side of the highway. Of course, these extra detours add time and distance to your journey, making it difficult to integrate everything. But rest assured: no matter how much time you have, you’re sure to see some incredible sights on your holiday from Brisbane to Cairns.
Brisbane -> Sydney
This small road trip of 909 km will be done via the Pacific Highway. Heading south, one of the first stops will be to discover the Gold Coast, famous for Surfers Paradise and its large beachfront buildings. Large skyscrapers, shopping malls, and numerous water sports activities are grouped on-site. Don’t miss Ballina or Byron Bay, Australia’s iconic hippie city. Then comes Port Macquarie with its koala's refuge, an ideal place to observe them and learn more about the population in the country.
Further south and if you are a fan of snorkeling, head to Port Stephens and its turquoise waters! From Nelson Bay, book a 2h30 cruise to observe dolphins (all year round) and whales (May to November) in their natural habitat. You can also head to the Tomaree Head Summit. This 2.2 km round trip (about 1h) hike offers panoramic views of the coast.
Comments
Post a Comment