Joanna James
Australia's sunny state 'Brissie' as locals call it is a beautiful city, with a history that dates back to 1824; it's a place where modern and vintage facades blend seamlessly along the Brisbane River.
Be charmed by the experience of cuddling a soft and sleepy koala; the classic Aussie experience is yours to savour at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. A good place to start your 'Australian' experience, the sanctuary is also home to a number of local critters such as, wallabies, wombats, snakes, crocodiles, and those lazy kangaroos that seal the deal for any first time visitor to Australia. Kids will love the daily encounter experiences on offer, these include, Tasmanian devil talks, sheep shearing sessions, platypus feeding and encounters with barn animals. Easy to reach from many serviced apartments in Brisbane CBD the likes of Oaks 212 Margaret the sanctuary is ideal for a family outing.
This district located in South Bank is situated along the Brisbane River. A heritage-listed site the Cultural Precinct is recommended for a fun family day out, under sunny skies. There you are treated to a collection of galleries, museums and performance venues to witness the talents of local artisans. The architecture in the region is to be admired while the surroundings, emulating a pretty parkland, located along the river, are highly conducive for a night of rest and relaxation.
Enjoy a bird's eye view of the city below, by heading over to the city's favourite lookout point. The Mount Coot-tha gardens are just seven kilometres from the city and are not the same as the Brisbane Botanic Gardens located in the city. The Mount Coot-tha gardens offer one a chance to enjoy a picnic in scenic surroundings spread across 128 hectares of land divided in into varied themes, such as Japanese Gardens, cactus nurseries, bamboo groves, fragrant plants, Australian rainforest trees and much more. Guided tours and programmes aimed at kids make this an enjoyable family outing destination.
Located along the South Banks Cultural Precinct these two galleries are housed in opposite buildings and are free to explore. They're a collection of artworks, from across the globe, numbering over 1700 are put up on display. Special attention is given to Australia, the Asia Pacific region and Asia. There you can witness the permanent exhibits which cover a range of mediums from sculpture, to videos and paintings to photography.
No visit to Brisbane is complete without a river cruise. The CityCat is your ticket to a scenic and exciting scout of the city, from the water. CityCat together with City Ferries offer visitors a 24-hour hop on hop off service for exploring the most interesting points along the river. There are many historical sites along the river, which are well worth a look at; a river cruise will offer you a good perspective of the city's iconic landmarks and attractions, such as, Story Bridge as well as the wildlife, riverside mansions and Kangaroo Points Cliffs.
Here is a chance to witness Australia's longest cantilever bridges! This heritage-listed bridge spans the Brisbane River and it carries pedestrian traffic, vehicular and bicycles between southern and northern suburbs of Brisbane. If you are looking for some adrenaline fun and not afraid of heights, this will be an ideal place to spend some time. Spare your time to walk atop this iconic bridge to soak up breathtaking panoramic views.
Are you a food lover and yearn to savour different food around the world? You will not regret visiting the Eat Street Market to have some of the finest varieties you've ever tasted. Located in Macarthur Avenue in Hamilton, these markets are opened during every weekend. After a hectic day of exploring the city, head over to one of its night markets to entice your taste buds. From South American grilled meats, mega crepes, Greek dishes to churros, you will find a variety of mouthwatering dishes to try out.
What better way to beat the summer heat, than soaking in a beach. Those arrive at South Bank will witness a massive beach-style lagoon overlooking the city skyline and Brisbane River. Undoubtedly an ideal place for a family gathering especially for kids! You can find a range of fast food options and picnic spots here.
Your journey to Brisbane is incomplete if you don't visit one of its malls to do some shopping. The surrounding areas of Queen Street are lined with many shopping arcades and shopping centres. From department store goods, bespoke jewellery, high-end fashion brands to delicious food, there's something exciting for everyone who visits Queen Street Mall.
Those who are enough of seeing the bustling concrete jungle can spend some relaxing time in one of the two lovely parks in the city centre. City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parkland are two splendid escapes to explore. If you've chosen City Botanic Gardens, you can have a leisurely stroll in its scenic walking trail that sits along the Brisbane River.
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