Those of you that follow my Instagram likely saw my post yesterday about Brisbane and how its one of my favourite cities in Australia. I mean, I get it, that is surprising because Brisbane, Australia is not a city that most people add to their list of places to visit.
However, it’s a vibrant city with a lot of exciting things to do. It’s also near to some excellent wildlife sanctuaries, unique cultural attractions, and one of the oddest shipwrecks. With cities like Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and Noosa within a half day’s drive, it’s also a great place to base for the lower Queensland coast.
Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane is on Australia’s east coast, about an eleven hour drive north of Sydney and twenty south of Cairns. It is the capital of Queensland. It is also the only Australian city to not lie directly on the coast; it’s about 40 minutes inland.
However, the city has a thriving riverfront scene, so it’s likely that you won’t notice the lack of beaches. Don’t miss the wonderful South Bank precinct, right on the Brisbane waterfront. This is where you’ll find the Queensland museums, music venues, and more. The Gallery of Modern Art is the largest modern art museum in Australia and hosts several Asia-Pacific shows.
South Bank is also home to some of Brisbane’s best restaurants, although both the West End and Fortitude Valley could claim that title too.
What to do around Brisbane
If you feel like getting out of the city, Brisbane has got plenty to do within a short drive. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is only about 30 minutes from the CBD (central business district) and is the world’s first koala sanctuary. While animal tourism has gotten some bad rep over the years, Lone Pine strives to ensure their koalas are not overstimulated by human interaction.
I personally love the water, so my adventure of choice in Brisbane was the Tangalooma wrecks. These are man made shipwrecks near Moreton Island; a local man wanted to build a barrier reef. Today it is a thriving reef home to tons of brightly coloured tropical fish, sharks, and turtles. Tours go from the port of Brisbane; some offer hotel pick up and others require you to get there yourself.
To get the best view of Brisbane, head for Mt Coot-tha, the tallest bit of land around. I went for sunrise, although it was tricky because it was cloudy. Still, its a nice view out across the city, the river, and the far off coast.
Further afield, Byron Bay (3 hours south), Gold Coast, and Noosa (3 hours north) are popular destinations in the summer. The towns and the beaches are all relaxed, casual, and fun. Byron tends to be more relaxed than the rest and is popular with backpackers and hippies while Noosa has more of a family vibe.
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If Australia is on your bucket list, please get in touch with me! I love the country and I think it’s the perfect destination for families, young couples, retired couples, and solo travellers! Let’s chat!
Sydney || Canberra || Melbourne || Darwin || Perth || Adelaide || Hobart
