Joanna James
As Queensland's free-spirited mecca of nature, art, and history, Brisbane thrives on out-of-the-box experiences and personalised adventures that keep expanding. Here are some unmissable allurements for every calibre of traveller.
Brisbane is a city of contrasts, sporting a jewelled-toned skyline immersed in the Great Outdoors and holding on to the proud vestiges of its rich heritage. From vibrantly theatrical walks like HerStory that take you through the unique lives of the city's pioneering women to deep-diving into gruesome true crime investigations and exploring eye-opening colonial monuments, these themed strolls are an excellent time travelling exercise. If you prefer more conventional guided strolls, the City Essentials small-group tour introduces visitors to Brisbane's most iconic sights, such as the Story Bridge, Botanic Gardens, and King George Square.
You can't visit Queensland's verdant Capital without a soul-stirring escape in nature. If traditional hands-on 'roughing out' in the Great Outdoors sounds intimidating, Brisbane has an abundance of luxurious glamping sanctuaries, complete with dreamy pavilion or safari tents fitted with avant-garde amenities and immersed in untouched Redlands, volcanic plateaus, serene valleys, or velvety tree canopies.
You can get acquainted with Aussie's adorable furry celebrities, namely, kangas and koalas, as well as all manner of fascinating critters at the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary, which is located close to Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites. From snow-white owls imperiously landing on your arm to discovering the secret life of the bizarre platypus, there's plenty to learn and enjoy here. So, don't forget to pay a visit to this place during your holiday at one of the holiday apartments in Brisbane.
Follow the ancient and primitively beautiful aisles of the Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, such as Spicer's Scenic Rim Trail, savouring the freshly spicy forested mountain air and taking in the properties and characteristics of the native fauna and flora. Here, you can drink in diverse landscapes: watching the sunrise from a breathtaking escarpment and descending into dusky pine valleys.
If your itinerary doesn't allow for unwinding in Brisbane's surrounding nature-kissed getaways, the cityscape still has plenty of scenic marvels to enjoy. Watch the mesmerising sunset unfold as you glide across the storied Brisbane River on a kayak, the city lights spilling fireworks of colours across the darkening water. You can end the perfect night with a decadent seafood meal, courtesy of Paddle and Prawns.
For an adrenaline-fuelled workout within the metropolis, this legendary cliffside offers a quadricep-burning hiking experience rewarded with an epic view of the picture-perfect city and its gracious mountain-clad precincts. And the best part is abseiling down to the riverside for a hearty picnic.
From Northshore Eat Street hawking delectable multi-cultural delights with a gourmet twist, such as lusciously topped Japanese Pizza and deep-fried Greek honey puffs to Fish Street with its audaciously creative assortment of high-end eateries, Brisbane is an unparalleled treat to the taste-buds. Another dinnertime hotspot is the Howard Smith Wharves- yet another exquisite blend of riverscape greenery, old-time buildings, and artistic bon-vivant dishes.
From tobogganing down gargantuan sand dunes at 60 km/h and exploring sunken wrecks to feeding wild dolphins at sunset and 4WD races across flawless coastlines, the Islands dotting Moreton Bay are idyllic for every brand of thrill-seeker.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
