Brisbane, State Capital of Queensland,
Brisbane, State Capital of Queensland, is one of those rare cities built around people and lifestyle. - The sub-tropical climate, with bright sunny days and balmy nights, is reflected in the warm welcome visitors receive from the million or so people who live in the greater Brisbane area. In the vibrant city centre, glass office towers and sandstone heritage buildings share broad, tree-lined streets or front the river. Alfresco cafes, parks, riverside walks and the central pedestrian mall give the city a very human scale.
A curiosity for many visitors are our 'Queenslander' style homes. With their corrugated iron roof, weatherboard walls and sprawling verandas, they are often set high on stumps or poles. You'll find all sizes from quaint cottages to elegant homesteads.
Within an hour of the city centre are the fishing and sailing waters of Moreton Bay, scenic country drives, and the beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Brisbane is Australia's fastest growing city, and becoming a major cultural, business, sporting and scientific centre in the Asia Pacific region.
Moreton Bay and Islands - With its dozens of islands, Moreton Bay is Brisbane's water playground for both visitors and the local marine life including bottle-nose dolphins, dugongs, loggerhead turtles, migratory birds and humpback whales during their migration season (July thru October). Islands in Moreton Bay include Moreton Island, famous for its huge sand-dunes and a pod of wild dolphins who visit the shallows near the resort each night; North and South Stradbroke (Straddie to the locals); Bribie; Coochiemudlo and St Helena Island, a former colonial prison which closed in 1932.
Open Air Markets - Brisbane city comes alive with weekend open air markets which provide a wonderful opportunity to not only find original gifts but to mix with locals.
Southbank host lantern markets on Friday nights and continue on Saturday and Sundays with day markets under colorful canopies. On Sundays, Aladdin's cave of market stalls fill the riverside terraces of Eagle Street while still more markets are held in Fortitude Valley's mall on Saturdays.
Brisbane's Southbank Parklands - From the city centre, it's a five minute stroll across the bridge past the Treasury Casino to Southbank Parklands. The 16 hectares of riverside parklands and tropical gardens is a local favorite and a hive of activity with cafes, restaurants, weekend markets, cycle paths, walkways and even a beach and crystal clear swimming lagoon.
The Southbank precinct also includes the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Maritime Museum, State Library and the Performing Arts Centre.
Meet a True-Blue Aussie - Southern Queensland offers some of the most accessible wildlife in Australia. In addition to the multitude of birds and animals in the hinterland (rainforest), Australia's native fauna is a feature of numerous wildlife reserves and parks located around Brisbane. Cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and get to know other true-blue Aussies like wallabies, emus and wombats.
Heritage Trail - Brisbane's grand colonial architecture is reflected in the mirror glass of today's modern towers. Discover the highlights on a City Sights Tour, on guided walks or at your own pace on the Heritage Trail.
The Heritage Trail begins at City Hall and includes such historic sites as the convict built Old Windmill, the beautifully restored Customs House on the riverbank, Old Government House, Parliament House, a magnificient collection of heritage buildings and some of the city's finest churches.
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