Sights in Brisbane
-
A
Treasury Building
The most grand and impressive of Brisbane's historical architecture is the former Treasury Building near Victoria Bridge. Once regarded as a symbol of self-government (the proclamation of the federation of the Australian Commonwealth was read from a balcony here) and a focal point for patriotic displays, the building now houses a 24-hour casino.
In the block southeast of the casino is the equally magnificent former Land Administration Building, which has been transformed into a luxury five-star hotel, the Conrad Treasury.
reviewed
-
B
South Bank Parklands
Swarming with locals and day-trippers is South Bank Parklands on the banks of the Brisbane River, an enormously popular family area with blooming arbours, cafes and restaurants, picnic spots, tropical gardens and walkways. Built on a former World Expo site, the scenic Clem Jones Promenade is the real winner here with spectacular views across the river to the CBD. In-line skaters, cyclists and skateboarders are permitted.
reviewed
-
C
Sciencentre
Often packed with school kids is the Queensland Museum's very fun Sciencentre, a hands-on science exhibit with interactive displays and optical illusions. Blast out of the blocks and check your speed in the 10m interactive dash or make your own whirlpool at the water world exhibits – it's an educational funhouse.
reviewed
-
D
St John’s Cathedral
East of Roma St Parkland heading towards Fortitude Valley is St John’sCathedral, a fine example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. The building was recently completed according to its original design, 102 years after construction commenced.
reviewed
-
E
Brisbane Forest Park Information Centre
North-west of Brisbane lies the D'Aguilar Range, which includes Brisbane Forest Park. Hidden within this 28,500 hectare natural bushland are remote gorges, expanses of subtropical rainforest and scribbly-gum woodland. The birdlife is prolific and Brisbanites come here by the dozen to take advantage of this natural playground. There are numerous walking trails varying in length and degree of difficulty. The Information Centre sits at the park entrance and has information about bush camping (per person/family $5/19) and maps of walking trails, but it does not sell camping permits. If you plan to camp then you must get your permit through the EPA (ph 13 13 04; www.epa.qld.go…
reviewed
-
F
Mt Coot-tha Reserve
Roughly 7km southwest of the city centre is Mt Coot-tha Reserve, an expansive bush and parkland area peppered with picnic spots and walking trails. The name derives from the indigenous term 'ku-ta' meaning honey, as this is where local Aboriginal people would come to collect the rich nectar produced by the native stingless bee. A must-see is the lookout at the top of the mountain that brings spectacular views of Brisbane – on a clear day you can see all the way to Moreton Bay in the east and the Glass House Mountains to the west. The lookout is reached via Sir Samuel Griffith Dr and has wheelchair access.
reviewed
-
G
Alma Park Zoo
This friendly zoo lies 28km north of the city centre off the Bruce Hwy (exit Boundary Rd) and is home to a large number of exotic and Australian animals. You can enter the koala enclosure at 2.30pm daily and take as many photos as you like for free, and if you’re brave, hold a snake or baby crocodile at the reptile presentation (11.30am and 3pm). Baboons, a Malaysian sun bear and the latest addition of ring-tailed lemurs all hail from foreign shores. You can touch and feed many of the animals between 11am and 3pm – animal feed bags cost $3.
reviewed
-
H
City Botanic Gardens
The spacious City Botanic Gardens is a regular chill-out spot for CBD workers and students craving fresh air and beautiful views of the Kangaroo Point cliffs. Set alongside a curve in the Brisbane River, the gardens form Brisbane’s oldest park and are filled with walking trails, green lawns, bamboo gardens, bunya pines, macadamia trees and Moreton Bay figs. The pretty Mangrove Boardwalk, a wooden walkway skirting the riverbank on the eastern rim, is lit up until midnight, affording good opportunities to spot possums.
reviewed
-
I
Queensland Cultural Centre
The vast Queensland Cultural Centre forms the city’s cultural backbone and comprises two art galleries, a performing arts centre, museum and the state library. The precinct’s stunning architecture, landscaping and riverside location are must-sees – even from the outside. It also has a 24-hour phone line that handles bookings for events at South Bank theatres and other venues and events nationally.
There are cafes in the Performing Arts Complex, the gallery and the library.
reviewed
-
J
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
At the entrance to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens is the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, the only stand-alone planetarium in Australia and a wonderland for budding Neil Armstrongs. The observatory has a variety of telescopes and one of the resident astronomers can help pinpoint stars and intergalactic beings. There are also regular shows inside the Cosmic Skydome, which journey into outer space and are narrated by the likes of Harrison Ford and Ewan McGregor.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Brisbane City Hall
The majestic old Brisbane City Hall, opened in 1930, is slowly sinking and suffering concrete cancer. In January 2010, it closed for three years for critical restoration work. Savour what you can from the outside; the four clock faces on each side of the tower are the largest in Australia and, until the Sydney Opera House was completed in 1971, Brisbane’s City Hall was the most expensive building in the country. It was the tallest building in the city until 1973.
reviewed
-
L
Queensland Museum
An entrée to Queensland’s history and cultural identity, the Queensland Museum houses a diverse range of displays including the Discover Queensland exhibition and the Museum Zoo, which houses over 700 prehistoric and modern animals from dung beetles to dinosaurs. Upstairs, there’s a sobering display on Australia’s endangered species and on the 4th floor is the museum’s Dandiiri Maiwar Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Cultures Centre.
reviewed
-
M
Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
The world-class Queensland Gallery of Modern Art is the nation’s largest modern art gallery, focusing on art, including cinematic and multimedia, from the last 30 years. Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol temporary exhibitions have been major attractions for the gallery since its opening, creating renewed excitement about Brisbane’s arts scene. Eye-opening permanent displays include a life-size statue of a seal balancing a piano on its nose.
reviewed
-
N
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Situated 11km southwest of the city centre, Lone Pine was established in 1927 as the world’s first koala sanctuary with just two koalas; these days there are 130 and it’s still the world’s largest sanctuary of its kind. You can hand-feed kangaroos and emus or get an up-close look at wombats, Tasmanian devils and other native animals. If you pack your lunch there are numerous picnic and barbecue areas on the beautiful 20-hectare riverside setting.
reviewed
-
O
Brunswick St Mall
Fortitude Valley has long been home to prostitutes and junkies, and later musicians as a live music scene took hold. These days it's an eclectic mix of the down and out and upwardly mobile, the yuppies' backyard and clubbers' playground. The heart of the Valley is Brunswick St Mall, a pedestrianised arcade where coffee shops thrive by day and bars buzz at night. On Saturday mornings bleary-eyed shoppers congregate for the Brunswick St Markets.
reviewed
-
P
Brisbane Powerhouse
On the eastern fringes of New Farm Park stands the Brisbane Powerhouse, a former power station that’s been superbly transformed into a contemporary arts centre. The Powerhouse hosts a range of visual arts and music and comedy performances, and has two restaurants. If you haven’t got tickets for a show, it’s still worth seeing the building for its rustic architecture, preserved graffiti walls and river views.
reviewed
-
Q
Museum of Brisbane
The Museum of Brisbane has both permanent and changing exhibitions exploring the city's culture and heritage. Brisbane's past is played out in the multimedia Memory Theatre that screens short film clips of the city and its people. A second wing features temporary exhibits showcasing art, crafts and photography by local and international artists. There are free guided tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:00.
reviewed
-
R
Parliament House
With its unique roof made from Mt Isa copper, Parliament House is where you can watch state politicians trade legislation and insults from the public balcony on sitting days. The French Renaissance–style building dates from 1868 and is one of Brisbane’s treasured historical landmarks. Free tours leave on demand from 9am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm weekends, unless parliament is sitting.
reviewed
-
S
Brisbane Botanic Gardens
At the foot of Mt Coot-tha are the lush Brisbane Botanic Gardens, which extend for 52 hectares and include over 20,000 species of plants. It’s a wonderful spot for a picnic (there are shaded areas and toilets) or ideal for simply wandering through the many gardens. Highlights include the fragrant plant and herb garden, tropical dome and bonsai house.
reviewed
-
T
Footsteps Gallery
Housed within the old School of Arts, a short walk east of King George Sq, is the Footsteps Gallery, established to support emerging artists from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It hosts monthly exhibitions of Indigenous art and is one of the better spots for purchasing handmade Aboriginal souvenirs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
QUT Art Museum
For a taste of the local art scene in its freshest form, try QUT's challenging museum. It features contemporary art from around the world, but focuses mainly on homegrown works, including pieces by QUT students. It specialises in paintings, prints and ceramics. Exhibits change constantly and guided tours are available, but must be booked.
reviewed
-
V
Newstead House
Occupying a beautiful hilltop spot near the Brisbane River is the city’s oldest domestic dwelling, picturesque Newstead House. Built in 1846, the house is now a museum and the rooms are decorated with Victorian furnishings, antiques and period displays. The surrounding lawns offer lovely river views.
reviewed
-
W
Roma Street Parkland
Located on 16 hectares, Roma Street Parkland is allegedly the world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre. Formerly the site of a market and later a railway yard, the parkland features 40 varieties of Australian native trees, a lake, three waterfalls, a playground and public barbecues.
reviewed
-
X
Old Windmill & Observatory
In Wickham Park, near Central Station, stands the Old Windmill & Observatory that was first constructed by convicts as a mill for grinding corn. Built in 1828 it's just a fraction older than the Commissariat Stores, making it the oldest surviving building in Brisbane. It is closed to the public.
reviewed
-
Y
New Farm Park
New Farm, just east of the Valley along Brunswick St, is the latest neighbourhood to undergo gentrification and is now bursting with coffee shops, wine bars and restaurants. At weekends, all action centres on New Farm Park, a lovely, open parkland with playgrounds and picnic areas.
reviewed
