Joanna James
Enjoying more than 280 sunny days a year, Brisbane is no ordinary tourist hotspot Down Under. Here are some of the most enjoyable activities to experience during a holiday in the region.
Regarded as one of the best ways to uncover the Brisbane skyline and the many landmarks lining its river's shores, a cruise on the Brisbane River is a must for first time travellers. Brisbane dinner cruises are offered by a host of local tour operators and feature a contemporary Australian buffet spread as well as on board entertainment. Setting out around 7 pm from the enchanting Eagle Street Pier, this one of a kind cruise experience is the perfect way to start one's sightseeing tour of the city.
Nature lovers heading to Brisbane should not miss a chance to explore the wild and wondrous terrains of Mount Coot-tha on a hiking expedition. As one of the most popular tourist pits stops in the city, this captivating mountain which towers over the surrounding landscape at a height of 287m is a treasure trove for those who like to navigate bush trails and long hikes with panoramic views at every turn. Adventurous tourists can also sign up for the 10km running tour of Mount Coot-tha.
Regarded as one of Brisbane's best loved wildlife sanctuaries, a tour of the iconic Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a treat for holidaymakers with a love of the furry marsupials. Home to a large number of koalas and kangaroos, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary provides a safe haven for rescued and injured animals. While there are opportunities to see koalas in the wild at Brisbane's Stradbroke Island, the wildlife enclosure provides tourists with a safer environment in which to interact with these magical creatures.
Brisbane's bustling CBD is a shopaholic's dream come true with a host of sky piercing department stores and malls lining its trendy streets. If shopping is one's passion, then the Central Business District is the place to be. Some of the retail hotspots in the area include the Queen Street Mall and Wintergarden while The Myer Centre and the Brisbane Arcade are equally enticing shopping venues. Shoppers will find everything from globally recognized brands to original Australian designer labels in these chic retail hubs where one can pick up clothing and accessories as well as tasteful souvenirs.
As the largest planetarium in all of Queensland, an afternoon at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a great way to spend one's time in Brisbane. With displays dedicated to the world's most ancient fragments of asteroids, this educational point of interest also offers star shows and star gazing opportunities to visitors at The Cosmic Skydome. This free highlight is a popular pit stop for those based at Oaks Mews and many of the other hotels in Bowen Hills.
Arguably the greenest space in all of Brisbane, a picnic lunch at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is a memorable way to spend one's time in the city. With a hundred blooms of myriad hues at every turn, the thematically divided garden is one of the city's oldest and most breathtaking corners.
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