about Brisbane
Famous for its great weather, exciting events and cultural scene, Brisbane has a sophisticated, warm and friendly charm, which will more than surprise.
As Queensland's vibrant capital city, Brisbane offers the very best in food, wine, arts, entertainment and major sporting events with relaxed sub-tropical flair.
Brisbane is the centre of a region rich in world-class beach, river, rainforest and mountain experiences.
Nearby, Brisbane's own aquatic playground, Moreton Bay and Islands, is the perfect place to explore or indulge in your favourite water sport.
Shopping
Brisbane City shopping means you'll be treated to the best of all worlds. Brisbane's vibrant CBD and inner city retail precincts are an exciting melting pot of the very best local, national and international labels, brands and specialty stores. The heart of shopping in Brisbane, Queen Street Mall, is lined with a colourful mix of heritage facades, historic arcades and modern shopping galleries with the extra pizzazz of bold new architecture in canopies and pavement cafes.
Fortitude Valley, known as "The Valley", is a short bus ride, healthy walk or single-stop train trip from the CBD. This area has emerged as a hipster's heaven with the junction of Ann and Brunswick Streets as the place to head for Doc Martens, glitzy nightlife gear or for the alternative nightlife itself.
Brisbane Suburban shopping includes a range of colourful shopping precincts. Park Road, Milton, is only 2km from the city and is easily accessible by taxi, rail or bus. Find everything from antiques and one-off jewellery pieces to Cuban cigars. Stones Corner is the place for bargains with the precinct around Logan Road home to seconds and samples stores for big-name brands and imported shoe specialists.
Paddington is peppered by unique specialty stores and award-winning restaurants and cafes. The main shopping precinct runs along Given and Latrobe Terraces where you can discover a treasure trove of unexpected pleasures.
Brisbane Markets. If you're market-mad, Brisbane is the place for you. Outdoor markets operate around the city every weekend, providing a colourful day out for locals and visitors.
Dining
Dining in the City. Brisbane boasts the kind of dining diversity you'd expect from this culturally colourful city. The atmosphere is delightfully al fresco with an emphasis on original menus focusing sharply on fresh food and wines with flair. The Moreton Bay bugs (seafood) and fresh tropical produce are still undying favourites which sit comfortably on menus next to exotic Asian delights, simple Mediterranean meals and traditional European fare. You'll find cafes, fast and fun noodle bars, all-day breakfast joints, wine bars and outstanding brasseries. Head to Eagle Street Pier and surrounds to dine overlooking the Brisbane River.
Other popular inner-city precincts include the city centre, Queen Street Mall and to the city south, South Bank which you can access via the Goodwill Bridge on foot, by Citycat or crossing the Victoria Bridge. You'll find a pleasant dining option every day of the week in this area - cafes, restaurants and specialty restaurants. Or cook your own food at one of the barbecues set amidst landscaped grounds.
Arts And Entertainment
Nowhere else is Brisbane's cultural diversity more evident than through the experience of its thriving arts and cultural scene. A full calendar of world-class theatre, opera, ballet, musicals and concerts complements an exciting program of exhibitions, installations and cultural attractions.
Arts Guide. The cultural hub is the Queensland Cultural Centre adjacent to South Bank on the Brisbane River. By day explore the Queensland Museum or appreciate artwork at the Queensland Art Gallery. At night, return to the dress circles of the Performing Arts Centre's four venues - catch a show by the Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Orchestra and Opera Queensland. Art experiences are varied, from displays at New Farm's Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane City Hall and Queensland Art Gallery to contemporary and indigenous works at Red Hill and South Brisbane, to name a few.
Special Events Guide. See what's happening in Brisbane and plan your stay around a cavalcade of events, festivals, shows, concerts and exhibitions.
Attractions
There's a huge array of things to do and see in Brisbane - explore the city by air, water or foot. Take a champagne breakfast flight or see the city highlights with day bus and 4WD tours. More unusual tours include historic walking tours, specialist art tours with fine food and wine or adventure trike tours. Ballooning, ghost tours, eco tours, fishing charters and rallies are just some of the experiences Brisbane has to offer. Take a sailing tour or cruise of Moreton Bay or explore nearby North Stradbroke island's beaches. See Australian wildlife up close at Lone Pine or Alma Park Zoo or the Australian Woolshed, visit the botanic gardens or take a river cruise.
Nightlife
Music, dancing, partying, live shows and good times, there's plenty going on in Brisbane. Enjoy a hearty pub meal or listen to live music, many hotels and sports bars feature entertainment on weekends or Friday nights. Play pool or try your luck at poker machines, there's plenty of informal cheer at Queensland hotels, sports clubs and bars.
Around Brisbane
Moreton Bay and Islands are Brisbane's own aquatic playground. There are colourful bayside districts and dozens of islands to discover. Regions in the area include Redlands, Redcliffe, Moreton Island and Tangalooma, North and South Stradbroke Islands, Bribie Island, Coochimudlo and St Helena Island. Explore our national parks, which preserve vast tracts of wilderness, which attract not just humans but dolphins and birds. Aboriginal history and culture and heritage precincts evoke the images of yesteryear. Swim, sail, dive or fish in Moreton Bay, a special place in the hearts of Brisbane locals.
South East Queensland Country is the place to explore mountains, valleys, lakes and historic hinterland towns within easy reach of Brisbane. Enjoy panoramic views as you drive through mountains, take in the local colour at a country market and stroll along historic streets.
Where else but Queensland could you find a vibrant city leading to so many diverse experiences?
For more information on Brisbane, we suggest visiting www.queensland-holidays.com.au.
IH Brisbane
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Brisbane, Queensland
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