Joanna James
Affectionately known by the Aussies as the 'Sunshine State', Queensland's Brisbane is one of those cities with so much of heritage and beauty to offer, capturing the hearts of those who visit her.
There would hardly be anyone who has seen a photo of a Koala bear and hasn't wished to get a chance to hold that cuddly animal in your arms at least once in your life. This dream can only come true at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary located on the Brisbane River banks, in Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket of Queensland. This park is not only home to Koalas, but it also has Australia's other iconic animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats. There are many interesting activities that you can take part in. All Platypus feeding, sheepdog and shearing shows, and encounters with barn animals are all-time favourites. You can also pose for a photo with a slithery snake or a tiny crocodile.
Located on the Mount Coot-tha Road, approximately seven kilometres away from the city, the Brisbane Botanic Garden gives a chance to witness the beauty of nature in one glance. The garden is spread over 128 acres of land with dedicated sections for Australian indigenous plants, fragrant plants, bamboos, and cactuses. It also houses the largest collection of Australian rainforest trees. The Japanese garden section is one of the most popular attractions in this place. A chance to capture a panoramic view of the city surroundings from the Brisbane Lookout Mount Coot-tha is an added advantage of visiting the garden. What is more attractive is that the entrance to the garden is free.
The Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art are two adjoining buildings in South Brisbane, featuring a collection of more than 1700 artworks from different parts of the world. Australian masterpieces are displayed with a prominence, with a special focus on indigenous art. They host permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions featuring a wide range of artwork including paintings, sculptures, and photography.
Chances are high you have seen a colourfully lighted up huge Ferris wheel featured on many photographs of Brisbane. This is the 'Wheel of Brisbane', which was put up in 2008 as a memorial to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Queensland state, located on the Brisbane South Bank. Many tourists come over to see this amazing creation. The South Bank also has a lagoon, fitness centre, many parks, plazas, and restaurants.
If you're here for the shopping, the best place you can be is at the Queen Street pedestrian mall. With more than 700 retail shops and six major shopping centres, it's the most visited shopping area in the whole of Queensland. Not only the leisure travellers but also business travellers will not forget to make a stop here to grab a few take-home items. If you are looking for a Brisbane hotel or apartments with facilities for both leisure and business, you might want to check out places like the Oaks Charlotte Towers.
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