Free-spirited Australia - a continent offering endless holiday experiences. Explore the colours of the outback, the excitement of the cities and a range of natural wonders you won't find anywhere else. Australia will surprise and excite. Use this section for information on...

• Australia
• Queensland
• Brisbane
• Cairns

• Australia is the 6th largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.
  
  
• Australia boasts over 7,000 beaches - more than any other nation.
  
  
• The kangaroo is unique to Australia and one of our most easily recognised mammals. There are more kangaroos in Australia now than when Australia was first settled. Estimates suggest around 40 million.
  
  
• Australia's 140 million sheep (mostly merinos), found on around 53,000 properties, produce more than 70 per cent of the world's wool.
  
  
• With 24 million head of cattle, Australia is the world's largest exporter of beef.
  
  
• Australia supports at least 25,000 species of plants, while Europe only supports 17,500.
  
  
• The longest stretch of straight railway track in the world crosses the Nullarbor Plain. From Nurina in Western Australia to near Watson in South Australia, the track is dead straight for 478 kilometres.

Queensland is Australia's fastest growing state and is home to 3.6 million people, taking up around 25% of the continent's area. Whether you're after adrenalin-pumping adventure, relaxing on sun-kissed beaches, trekking through ancient rainforest or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, there's an experience just waiting to become YOUR treasured memory. Where Else but Queensland?

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

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.

ShowBriz is the events and entertainment, ticket and accommodation guide to Brisbane. It's your passport to Brisbane with up-to-date information on shows, events and entertainment and special seasonal packages, which combine accommodation to suit your style and budget.

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. Check out the ShowBriz website for the latest events, festivals and entertainment.

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?

Cairns City is the heart of Tropical North Queensland and is the primary gateway to Northern Australia. Cairns looks a picture, framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea.

Cairns is a modern, sophisticated city, it is an ideal base to explore the wider Tropical North Queensland region with front door access to World Heritage listed Reef, Rainforest and Outback. An amazing 600 tour options are available each and every day from Cairns.

The Cairns International Airport is located only several minutes drive north of the city centre. The city itself is where much of the accommodation is situated close to international standard restaurants, boutique shopping, modern art galleries and evening entertainment.

All the attributes of a world class modern city are to be found in Cairns: International air access, rail systems, high-standard accommodation facilities, an art gallery, botanic gardens, university, a casino and a convention centre.

Almost a century of architecture is reflected in the city streets - a comfortable blend of traditional Queenslander style and modern designs. Modern buildings grace the cityscape with a mixture of architectural designs including the Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns International Hotel and the Cairns Convention Centre.

Shopping

There are many shopping options available in Cairns. The Pier Marketplace is wonderful starting point for a day of shopping. Situated at the city end of the Esplanade it offers superb specialty shopping and local markets on weekends with local artists.

An exciting night market is open 7 days per week 4.30 to 11.00pm. Situated in the middle of the esplanade the night market is famous for collecting all your souvenirs and meeting all dining needs.

Cairns Central is the place to see where the locals shop and carry out general business. Situated only 2 blocks away from IH cairns campus, the centre holds, banks, post office, chemists, supermarkets, food hall, cafes, movie cinemas and specialty stores. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are fresh produce market days - this is well worth a visit to taste the local exotic fruits and vegetables.

Dining

Visitors are amazed at the variety of restaurants, cafes and eateries available including italian, chinese, thai, indian, mexican, japanese. There are also many reasonably priced cafes, steakhouses, pizza bars and takeaways. Australians like to eat outside and the Cairns climate allows for many terraced and pavement restaurants.

Arts and Entertainment

Cairns is the home to many artists. The Cairns Regional Gallery is in a beautiful heritage building offering local exhibitions and traveling exhibitions from world respected international artists.

The Cairns Museum is well worth a visit displaying a large collection of local memorabilia. Cairns Civic Theatre offers many national shows, international ballets, musicals and concerts.

The Reef Festival begins in October for a month of celebrations of the diverse cultural backgrounds of the people who live in Cairns and the environmental diversity of the region, events and community based promotions including a golf tournament, food festival, concerts and mardi gras style parade.

Attractions

A focal point for the city is the Cairns Esplanade. Almost two kilometres of landscaped parkland and lagoon pools fringes a busy thoroughfare and restaurant strip on one side, and a natural harbour inlet on the other. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the Esplanade to relax on the grass, swim in the lagoons, eat at sidewalk cafes, meet new people, to walk under the trees, and to watch the many bird species which come to feed on the tidal zone.

Nightlife

Music, dancing, partying, and student nights out, there are plenty of options available in Cairns.

Around Cairns

The Great Barrier Reef as long been the main attraction in Cairns, thousands of visitors travel to over 200kms of pristine reef sites. You can choose to snorkel, scuba dive or simply enjoy the view from a glass bottom boat, there is something for everyone.

North of Cairns is Port Douglas and the gateway to the Daintree World Heritage listed park, travel 4 wheel drive over the Daintree River (whilst crocodile spotting) and visit Cape Tribulation where the Reef meets the Rainforest.