Brisbane is the sunny, laid back younger sibling of the Australian cities, and it has a positive and creative vibe which is making it more and more a progressive new-world city. It is in Queensland, one of the northern states, and enjoys warmth year-round. The city is packed full of things to do, and different neighborhoods and districts which make visiting a great and fun-filled experience.
The CBD is situated in a bend of the Brisbane River, with the suburbs and other districts spread out along more loops and twists of the river. In the CBD you will find businesses alongside great shops and malls, historical sites, parks and the Botanic Gardens. A must-visit is the Queen Street Mall, Queensland’s premier shopping destination. Across the river is the South Bank, an edgier part of the city with ethnic eats, trendy coffee places and more. The West End district is even more so- alternative bookstores, cult video shops and quirky locals. Chinatown and great nightlife are found in Fortitude Valley, and for a scenic drive or walk head up Mount Coot-tha, a hill not far from the center of the city. Port side Wharf is where the cruise ships dock and Paddington is another boutique shopping destination.
Behind the current city of Brisbane there is a rich history of in habitation. Aboriginal peoples have lived in the area that the modern city now occupies for thousands of years. John Oxley was the first European explorer in the area, in 1823, and it was selected as the location for a new remote jail for dangerous prisoners! The settlement was originally named Edenglassie, then Brisbane, and non-convict immigrants began arriving in 1838. Queensland was named a separate colony in 1859, with Brisbane chosen as its capital.
So, what to do beyond shopping and eating? Brisbane is the gateway city to one of Australia’s biggest draw cards, the Gold Coast. About an hour’s drive from the city will bring you to the beaches, waterways, high rises and surf of Surfer’s Paradise, South port, Broad beach and the other neighborhoods of the Coast. Behind these lay the Theme Parks the area is well know for- Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet n Wild can be found in Oxenford and Coomera.
Brisbane has other attractions too- the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a good one for the kids, located in the Botanical Gardens. For a day trip, Moreton Island is a popular place to visit to go kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, diving, fishing or quad biking. You can take an informative and relaxing cruise on the Brisbane River, Best CBD Oil For Anxiety UK