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The third largest and fastest growing city in Australia, Brisbane is the capital of the famous province of Queensland. It is home to many famous sites and the world famous story bridge. With over two million people, Brisbane demands attention from the rest of the world and has been working furiously to bring itself up to par with the other powerhouses. Dubbed the “new world city”, this city knows the right combination to success; a bright attitude and a lot of fun. With one of the most vibrant and laid back atmospheres, Brisbane has propelled itself into one of the most sought after vacation destinations. There are many different cultures that come into one in a unique melting pot here that creates a fun energy that no one could turn down. Book your cheap ticket right now with us!

Brisbane Pictures

Things to do in Brisbane

Being right on the water allows Brisbane to have an excellent beach and water sport activities. Take a short ferry to Bribie Island or the Southern Bay Islands and enjoy the stretches of gorgeous and pristine beaches. Water sports here are quite unique and a little different then home. Here you can take a group tour sand tobogganing or maybe four-wheel driving for more speed! There are also diving and snorkeling. You can even go marine watching and spot turtles, dolphins, and dugongs in the water; maybe even a whale. Cruises are available daily that go up and down the river with excellent sites of the city and banks. If you are looking for a land activity head over to Mt Coot-tha. This cool mountain is popular for its make-out spots, but more importantly has an amazing view of the city from above. The Brisbane Botanical Gardens and Planetarium are here as well. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is only a fifteen minute bus ride from the city. This koala sanctuary is a one of a kind experience. It is the World’s first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. There are also kangaroos here that you can buy food and feed right out of your hand. There is much more wildlife here. Take a walk through the premises and experience the true outback feel with beautiful scenery. If you are looking for the historical roots to Brisbane go to Brisbane City Hall and King George Square. Located right next to each other, you can walk around the square and see the most famous architecture in the city. There are tours of City Hall. You can also take a free lift ride to the top of the clock tower for a great aerial view.

Nightlife in Brisbane

Brisbane’s nightlife is crazy; period. In addition to the pulsating nightclubs and bars, there are festivals, concerts, and great events throughout the year. With the nice weather year round here many of these events are outdoors, which makes for a nice atmosphere. The Queensland Orchestra performs about thirty times a year in Brisbane. This experience is definitely worth looking into if you are searching for a different experience. Most bars in this city offer outdoor beer gardens that are perfect for a night out with some friends. If you are coming during spring break there is always something fun going on during the week(s). There are a few historic pubs in Brisbane that attract tourists year round. The Story Bridge Hotel’s bar was built in 1886 and redone in 2003 so that the bar literally collides into the Story Bridge. There is a great beer garden directly under the bridge. It’s quite the fun night out. Breakfast Creek Hotel is the most famous hotel and beer garden in the city. This is where you will want to go for a nice steak and beer. If you are the clubbing type check out Her Majesty’s Basement. This fine establishment is known for crazy parties and good music. However, there is also usually a cover charge to get in. Rosie’s and Anise have dress codes to watch out for and at Anise you can try out different kinds of French, Spanish and Swiss absinthe.

Dining in Brisbane

Many of the bars in the city double as great, casual restaurants before the nights really get going. Places like Belgian Beer Cafe, which is known for its food as well as beer is perfect for a later dinner or an early night out for a couple drinks. Go to Breakfast Creek Hotel for a nice steak (as mentioned above) and a cold, large beer. Sit outside and soak up the culture as you dine with your college buddies reminiscing about the good times. Besides beer, Belgian Mussels are the specialty here. Merthyr Street in New Farm has a lot of cafes and bistros to meet any palette. There are also many Asian inspired and Mediterranean restaurants thanks to Australia’s proximity to Asia and the European influences. Green Papaya has excellent Vietnamese food. China Sea and Royal Thai Orchid are also notable for their cuisine. A Salt ‘n Battery is definitely where you will want to go for that authentic Australian feel. Their seafood is incredible. Other than that most beer gardens, as already mentioned, have really good barbecue type food, which is popular for this region.

Shopping in Brisbane

There is all the usual shopping in Brisbane that you might expect to find in a multi-cultural, high energy city. But something that’s a little unique and different for this city is the aboriginal items that are definitely specific to the Australian outback. Nowhere else can you find Australian Aboriginal art and craft items. There are many retro markets and local boutique stores with fun, different items. A traditional Australian outback cowboy hat is always in style. Most touristy stores sell knockoffs, but to get an original go to a store outside of the tourist traps. If the label brands and designer stores are what you are looking for head over to Paddington and Wintergarden. On the way to Paddington you can see the brightly colored houses and cottages that line the streets of Brisbane.

Brisbane travel tips

• 000 is the emergency contact phone number.
• Stay with a group when going out at night.
• Remember to purchase a phrase book before going, it will help with deciphering the local dialect.