THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND BRISBANE

During July, the weather in Brisbane is usually dry and sunny, with daytime temperatures of 20-23˚C.  It is an ideal time of the year to explore the city, visit the many interesting attractions and find out why Brisbane is one of the world’s most liveable cities.

WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION CENTRE

South Bank Parklands

South Bank is unlike any other lifestyle precinct in the world.  This vibrant location attracts more than eleven million visitors annually and is Brisbane's number one tourist destination and "people place". Amongst 17 hectares of lush lawns and gardens you will find a swimming beach, a promenade along the Brisbane River, barbecue areas and many restaurants and food outlets.  A 1 km Bouganvillea-covered arbour provides easy access to all attractions.  On Friday evenings and over the weekend, the South Bank Art and Craft Market is an ideal place to find handcrafted gifts, gourmet foods, jewellery, clothes and artworks.  www.visitsouthbank.com.au

Queensland Museum

The Museum is an important source of education, entertainment and research on Queensland’s social, technological and natural history. Free entry.  Cnr Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Bank.  www.qmuseum.qld.gov.au

The Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art

These galleries house a collection of more than 10,000 works of art including paintings, sculpture, prints, photography and videos. Free entry, except for special exhibitions.  Cnr Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Bank.  www.qag.qld.gov.au

Queensland Maritime Museum

Located on the Brisbane River at the southern end of South Bank parklands (near the Goodwill Bridge), the museum preserves the maritime history of Queensland, including locally-built craft such as the HMAS Diamantina. Admission charges apply. www.maritimemuseum.com.au

WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF CITY HOTELS

City Botanic Gardens

Attractions at Brisbane’s original Botanic Gardens include Bamboo Grove, Weeping Fig Avenue, Mangrove Boardwalk and Ornamental Ponds. Access is via the Goodwill Bridge from South Bank, a 10 minute walk from the city centre, or a ferry ride on a CityCat.

Roma Street Parkland

The world’s largest urban subtropical garden is a garden-lover’s paradise.  Distinct precincts show off a diversity of plants – from arid climate succulents to rainforest ferns, coastal wetland species and a spectacular, ever-changing display of annuals in the aptly named Spectacle Garden.  Only a few minutes walk from the city centre, it has wide open spaces, picnic and barbecue areas, children’s play stations, unique artwork and fabulous city views.  www.romastreetparkland.com

Museum of Brisbane

Located in City Hall on St. George Square, the museum specialises in the history of Brisbane.

St. John’s Cathedral

The foundation stone for this Gothic-style cathedral was laid in 1901 but the building was never fully completed due to lack of funds. A building appeal (which has raised more than $27 million since 1988) has allowed construction to re-commence.  This is the only cathedral in the world that is currently under construction using traditional medieval building techniques.

Story Bridge

The Story Bridge is one of Brisbane’s most recognizable landmarks. Climbing tours take you to a platform about 80 metres above sea level, where you experience an awe-inspiring 360 degree view of Brisbane, its river and the surrounding mountain ranges. www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au

INTERESTING TRIPS WITHIN THE BRISBANE AREA

Cruise the river on a CityCat

A great way to see Brisbane is to ride a CityCat.  These sleek, modern ferries depart every 10-15 minutes from many convenient locations.  Cruise up-river to the parkland setting of the University of Queensland campus or get off for a beer at the Regatta Hotel. Travel down-river to the Riverside Centre, the site of Brisbane’s largest Sunday market or to New Farm Park, one of Brisbane’s gathering places. Take in a cutting-edge performance within the historic old Powerhouse, or simply buy a bottle of wine at the adjacent restaurant and sit and watch the river flow by.

Mount Cootha Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1970, the Gardens are located about 7 km from the city centre and occupy over 52 hectares.  Arid, tropical and temperate plants are arranged in thematic and geographical regions. Attractions include a Tropical Display Dome, a Japanese Garden, a Bonsai House and Fern House. The Australian Plant Communities section occupies over half the total area and provides an opportunity to view Australian native plants in natural communities. Entry is free.

Mount Cootha Lookout

Just above the Botanic Gardens is a popular lookout with outstanding views of Brisbane and Moreton Bay. Have a meal at the restaurant or enjoy the view over a cup of coffee. 

Treasury Casino

Set in a beautiful 19th century sandstone building in Queen Street, you can enjoy a gaming experience like no other.  A magnificent four-storey atrium features coconut palms set amongst the gaming tables, with a sky blue ceiling and starry nights.  www.conrad.com.au/treasury

Newstead House

This house dates from 1846 and is Brisbane’s oldest surviving residence.  It sits on the river at Newstead and is now a picture of elegance, with manicured gardens, a wide wraparound veranda and a paved driveway. Furnished in the style of the Victorian period, Brisbane’s best loved historic site provides a wonderful experience for people wanting a slice of Brisbane history.  www.newsteadhouse.com.au

Lone Pine Sanctuary

This is the world's largest koala sanctuary. Cuddle one of 130 koalas anytime of the day, feed kangaroos and wild lorikeets and see a variety of Australian animals. Don't miss out on Lone Pine's new Sheep Dog Show, held 3 times a day. Only 11kms from the centre of Brisbane and easily accessible by bus or ferry, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is an Australian wildlife experience not to be missed.  www.koala.net

Fortitude Valley and Chinatown

This area is the multi-cultural core of Brisbane. The food is diverse, the music scene is lively, the arts community vibrant, the people are fascinating and the shopping fabulous! The ornate Chinese arch in Chinatown Mall is a portal into a microcosm of Asia. Fortitude Valley is also the home of many of Brisbane's live band venues.

DAY TRIPS FROM BRISBANE

Sunshine Coast

Where else could you find 100 kilometers of pristine coastline and a lush hinterland within 90 minutes of a city of 1.5 million people?  The Sunshine Coast means sun-drenched beaches, sparkling water and year-round swimming in temperate waters. But it has many other attractions.  The dramatic volcanic crags of the Glass House Mountains are ideal for scenic drives, bushwalking and adventure rock climbing. In Kondalilla National Park, the waterfalls cascade almost a kilometre into a rainforest valley, while Cooloola National Park is an unspoilt haven of ancient massive dunes, mangrove ecosystems, rainforest, fragrant wildflower plains and eucalyptus forest.  You may prefer to dive with sharks and stingrays at Underwater World at Mooloolaba, or gasp as the keepers feed the crocodiles at Beerwah’s internationally renowned Australia Zoo.  www.sunshinecoast.org

One hour south of Brisbane is the Gold Coast, a dynamic city of nearly half a million people. With average water temperatures of 22 degrees, conditions are always ideal or swimming or surfing, but its many other attractions should not be missed.  There are several major shopping centres, numerous boutiques and specialty shops, more than 500 restaurants, an exciting range of nightlife entertainment and a range of Theme parks, including Movie World, Dream World, Sea World and Wet ‘n ‘ Wild.  www.verygc.com.

The scenic rim

Just 90 minutes from Brisbane, due west from the Gold Coast, the World Heritage-listed rainforest of Lamington National Park sprawls like a rich emerald carpet across the spurs and valleys of the McPherson Ranges. You might like to wander along one of the many bushwalking tracks, take a guided eco-tour, stay at a rainforest retreat or simply marvel at the grandeur of nature.  www.binnaburralodge.com.au.  www.oreillys.com.au.

Whale watching

Southern humpback whales migrate to and from Antarctica every year and can be seen along the Queensland coast from July to October.  Take a day trip from Brisbane and watch them feed, mate and play in the clean, clear waters of Moreton Bay.  www.whalewatching.net

SPORT AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Brisbane Forest Park

The walking tracks and picnic areas of Brisbane Forest Park are right on Brisbane’s doorstep. You can enjoy open eucalypt woodlands, scribbly gum forests and lush subtropical rainforest, or walk through cooler mountain areas that are a mass of ferns and mosses.  Endangered Giant barred frogs inhabit the streams while yellow-bellied gliders are active in the open forest at night. The park provides excellent bird-watching opportunities and bell miners can often be heard throughout the forest.  The Information Centre is located on Mt Nebo Road at The Gap, only 12km from the city centre.  www.brisbaneforestpark.qld.gov.au

River walk

More than 20 kilometres of pathways enable you to take an easy walk or ride alongside the Brisbane River. RiverWalk connects to Brisbane’s network of bikeways, provides access to CityCats and ferries and is a good way of accessing a range of riverside parks and maritime features. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Abseiling and rock climbing

Kangaroo Point (opposite Brisbane's CBD), provides a convenient opportunity for you to enjoy an introduction to the vertical world.  Take a short course in abseiling, learn the safety aspects, become familiar with the equipment and then tackle the training slopes and main cliffs. www.adrenalin.com.au/experiences_details

Golf

With its wide open spaces and great climate, it is not surprising that south-east Queensland consistently produces world-class golfers (e.g. Greg Norman, Wayne Grady and Adam Scott), and is the home of most of the great resort courses in Australia.  To find a course that suits your proficiency and budget, go to www.ausgolf.com.au

Football

Join more than 40,000 fans at the famous ‘Gabba’, cheer for the Brisbane Lions and marvel at the speed and skill of our Aussie Rules footballers.  Or take a short walk to Lang Park and watch the Brisbane Broncos play in the strongest club Rugby League competition in the world. Game dates and times will be announced once 2008 programs are available.

DINING OUT

Brisbane restaurants reflect the exciting and innovative personality of the city. There are all sorts of cuisines, fantastic indoor or outdoor dining locations and venues to suit every occasion. There are too many options to mention specifically, but a good place to start is in Little Stanley Street or South Bank, which are both within 2 minutes of the Convention Centre. Here you will find a fine selection of restaurants that cater for all tastes.  Noted suburban dining areas include Park Road at Milton and Oxford Street at Bulimba. www.diningout.com.au