Bigger than Queensland’s – rather vulgar but fantastically located – tourist capital, Cairns, but smaller than the metropolis that is Sydney, Brisbane is a perfectly formed urban city that has that all-Aussie laid back vibe.
Before arriving, I had decided to spend only 2-3 days in the city as many travellers I had met along the way didn’t have all that much to say about it. But instantly fell for the city and I ended up spending 10 days of my East Coast trip in Brisbane.
Here are some of my top tips for visiting this popular city.
Getting from Brisbane Airport
Brisbane airport is located 13 km north-east of the city. There is a train service connecting the airport to Roma Street or there are coaches to take you to the city, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and major hotels. A taxi to the city will cost around $35 and takes about 35 minutes.
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Brisbane
Of course there are many more than 5 things to see and do in Brisbane but here is just a rundown of my personal favourites.
1. Stroll along the South Bank
Not that I’d exactly recommend wandering around a strange city on your own at night like I did, but in the dark the views along the South Bank between the Queensland Cultural Centre and Little Stanley were breath-taking.
The city’s skyscraper towers that line the Brisbane River (above left) were lit up like Christmas trees which reflected in the water like fireworks. The pedestrian Kurilpa Bridge (above right) behind the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art is a piece of art in itself, with its colourfully lit frame glowing against the darkness of the night.
Then there is the London-Eye style Wheel of Brisbane (above centre) which stands against the dark sky like a skeletal spaceship. Just remember to be armed with your camera. Also in the day if the weather is good head to the city beach for relaxation.
2. Visit the Queensland Cultural Centre
I’m not exaggerating when I say I must have visited this collection of art galleries, museums, theatres and libraries every of the 10 days I spent in the city. The Queensland Art Gallery (free entry, above left and centre) is possibly the best I visited in Australia, offering a vast selection of Australian, Aborginal, international and modern artworks in a perfectly presented and spacious gallery.
There is free internet and wi-fi in the State Library of Queensland where students, backpackers and city-workers all congregate to take advantage of this novelty, and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (free entry, above right) always has some controversial pieces to provoke visitors’ reactions as well as some modern pieces of Aboriginal art.
3. Listen to some live music in the West End
The bars that line the West End’s Boundary Street are pumping out alternative and live music every night of the week. An American-traveller friend and I spent a very enjoyable evening in the appropriately named The Musik Cafe! where a collection of live accoustic and rock acts kept us entertained whilst we tucked into our $1 tacos.
4. Check out the independent art exhibitions
Despite Melbourne being known as the Australian capital of creative arts, I was chuffed to keep stumbling across some independent and smaller art exhibitions dotted throughout Brisbane.
I particularly enjoyed the exhibitions held at the QUT (William Robinson), the State Library of Queensland (vintage music records, above centre) and the Museum of Brisbane (Robert Brownhall) which whilst change periodically, all offer excellent exhibitions celebrating their national artists and, even better, are all free.
5. Get lost!
There’s no better way to really get to know a city than by setting off with nothing but your camera and a sense of adventure. I was given a city map by the hostel I was staying in, so with this safe in back-pocket ‘just in-case’, I spent many days just aimlessing wondering through the streets and along the river banks.
One of my favourite finds was the Aladdin’s cave that is Archives second-hand book shop (above left) on Charlotte Street where I could not only buy ‘cheap’ books (second-hand books in Australia unfortunately cost the same as new ones in the UK; books are extortionate abroad!) but also trade in for cash or exchange any books I’d finished with.
I also came across the City Botanic Gardens (above centre) where I whiled away an hour people watching and the Old Government House (above right) where I was just in time for a free guided tour to learn all about Australian politics; sexy, I know!
Related Destinations
• Melbourne travel tips
• Sydney travel tips
• Perth travel tips