Visitors

About Brisbane

Moreton Island

Clear skies, warm sunny days and mild nights create a tropical ambience that is perfect for soaking up Brisbane's outdoor lifestyle. Brisbane offers the excitement and diversity of a big city; yet peaceful bush and rainforest hinterland, the islands of Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are all within an hour's drive. Brisbane's inner suburbs display excellent examples of Brisbane's early architecture. Typical Queenslander weatherboard homes with corrugated iron roofs and shady verandahs balance on wooden stumps in the hilly streets and terraces of the city.

Culture

The cultural heart of Brisbane is the Queensland Cultural Centre at the South Bank Precinct. Here you will find the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Art Gallery and the new Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

The Brisbane Powerhouse at New Farm provides options for evening events. Built on the site which once powered the city's tram system, the Powerhouse offers a mix of theatre, workshops, site tours, public art programs, performances, forums, lectures and readings.

Parks and gardens

Brisbane is home to two world class botanic gardens, the City Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The City Gardens, located on the banks of the Brisbane River adjacent to Parliament House, were established in 1855 and are popular with visitors and city workers alike.

Roma Street Parklands

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens are located at the base of Mount Coot-tha in the historic inner suburb of Toowong. The sixteen-hectare Roma Street Parkland, opened in April 2001, is Brisbane's newest public park. The parkland is a green oasis of subtropical plants surrounding a one-hectare lake located in the heart of the city.

The Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens are within easy walking distance from the Central Business District.

Sport and the outdoors

Australians love their sport and there will be plenty of options for you to either participate or observe!

If the outdoors is your passion, the Kangaroo Point cliffs offer excellent rock climbing and abseiling. The cliffs are floodlit for night climbing if you're really keen.

South Bank arbour

< If relaxing poolside is more your style, Brisbane offers many public swimming pools and waterslide parks, or you can take a dip at South Bank's Breaka Beach, Brisbane's own beach in the heart of the city.
Golf enthusiasts are well catered for with two public golf courses, both close to the city. /p>

In May, the football season will be in full swing. You will have the option to see Australian Football League [Australian rules], National Rugby League [rugby football], Australian Rugby Union [rugby union], A League [soccer].

Dining

So much activity is bound to make you hungry and Brisbane offers a diverse array of dining options to satisfy your appetite. Choose from sipping coffee and people-watching from an alfresco café, gazing at the views from a gourmet riverfront restaurant, tasting local delicacies at the weekend riverside markets or enjoying a relaxed meal at one of hundreds of superb restaurants located around the city and suburbs.

More information on visas, banking, language...

Information about Australia...

For further information visit: www.ourbrisbane.com.au and www.brisbanevisitorsguide.com.au

Last updated: 5 November 2008