Joanna James
Brisbane's diversity does not reflect only in culture and language. It is also diverse in terms of what it offers its tourists – the city is known to everybody as a treasure trove of attractions.
Brisbane is home to many ethnic groups of the most mixed variety, and it is evident in some parts of the city. Chinatown, for example, is quite the Chinese milieu – it has the vibe of a real Chinese town. The place has many restaurants where you can sample Chinese food and boutique shops that sell souvenirs and gift items.
There's no better place to explore Brisbane culture than the Museum of Brisbane. There's a fascinating collection of artworks and historical ceramics – the total number of items the collection holds is 5,000. The museum is located in the City Hall, and the staffs here are known for their expertise and knowledge. Visiting is possible every day between 10.00 and 17.00. You can take the bus from King George Square or hop on a train at Central or Roma Streets.
The garden is located 7kms away from Brisbane – easy to travel from most of the hotels Brisbane CBD. Since the garden is a major attraction, hotels such as Oaks 212 Margaret and many restaurants flank the spot – so, you won't have to go out of your way if you want a place to stay or grab a bite. The gardens stretch over a space of 52 hectares. Among many treasures, the gardens feature are the Japanese Garden, Fern House, Exotic Rainforest, National Freedom Wall as well as a lagoon and a bamboo grove.
Exploring the local market is the best way to get a feel of Brisbane day to day life. You can see a farmer's market in every suburb of the city. Locals flock at the markets on weekends to buy the freshest produce: artisan goods, flowers and meat. On Saturdays, you can go to Davie's Park Market and on Wednesdays – go to Brisbane city markets.
If you are looking for something interesting to do, go to Queen Street Mall, Post Office Square, or South Bank to enjoy live performances of touring bands.
The farm is loved and visited by everybody. Located on the bank of the river, New Farm Park offers a nice velvety green lawn for you to lie on. An ideal spot for a picnic lunch for you and your family – you can sit on the grass and watch boats cruise up and down while enjoying the soothing river breeze.
Drop in at Queen Street Mall from 12 to 1 pm to watch aboriginal people express their culture by way of dancing. Each week features a different group that models their culture through traditional and contemporary dance.
The centre is located south of Brisbane within the Daisy Conservation Park. The centre shelters koalas that are not in fit form to be released back into the wilderness.
A favourite spot among tourists and locals, Streets Beach, is a man-made marvel where you can go for a dip in the middle of the day. You can let your kids splash about while you try the Boat Pool.
Do some shopping at South Bank located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. You can shop at the many shops there and have something to eat enjoying the views across the river.
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