Domestic Flights to Brisbane

Australia has three major domestic airlines;

Qantas is Australia’s national airline and is also the largest. It is internationally renowned and is the second oldest airline still operating in the world today. It was founded in 1920. It is based in Sydney.
Jetstar is a subsidiary of Qantas, created as a cheaper alternative, and was launched in 2003. The headquarters are based in Melbourne. Unlike Virgin Blue it also offers some flights to international destinations.
Virgin Blue was launched by Sir Richard Branson in 2000 and is Australia’s second biggest airline. The headquarters is based in Brisbane.

Both Virgin Blue and Jetstar are low-cost airlines and frequently offer special, cheaper deals. All the major cities in Australia (Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney) will regularly have flights available to Brisbane from all three airlines.

Regional Express is the biggest regional airline; it can fly you to regional areas in Queensland like Noosa, Cairns and Port Douglas from Brisbane.

International Flights to Brisbane

Flights to Brisbane International Airport are available frequently on a weekly basis. Major airlines that fly directly to Brisbane and other major cities in Australia (unless specifically stated) are the following:

Singapore Airlines – flies to 65 destinations, including all of Australia’s major cities, in 35 countries. Singapore Airlines connects with more international destinations than any other Southeast Airline.
Cathay Pacific – flies regularly between Hong Kong and all the major cities in Australia. Hong Kong offers connecting flights to over 100 destinations around the world.
China Airlines – Flies between China and Sydney and Brisbane International Airport via Taipei.
Japan Airlines – Tokyo is a stopover for Japan Airlines international flights to and from Sydney and Brisbane International Airport.
Korean Airlines – Flies direct between Incheon and Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. This airline also offers flights to between the Americas, Europe and other Asian cities.
Emirates – Flies direct between Dubai and Australia’s major cities as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Air New Zealand – From Auckland you can connect to flights that fly to many international destinations.
Thai Airways – in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok you are able to connect to flight that fly to over 60 international destinations.
Malaysia Airlines – based in Kuala Lumpur and flies to 87 destinations across six continents.
Qantas – flies between 21 international destinations in 14 countries across Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania

Major airlines that fly to Australia but not directly to Brisbane are:

Air Canada
British Airways
United Airlines

Domestic flights between Australian cities are frequent and competitively priced.

Brisbane - Queensland's Capital

Queensland is known as Australia’s "Sunshine State" and Brisbane is the state’s
capital, situated on the Brisbane River, with a population of more than one-and-three-quarter million people.

Most people live in detached houses on their own blocks of land so the city covers a lot of mileage, like most Australian capitals.

Brisbane is not a coastal city, though the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are only about an hour away, and the city’s climate is extremely suitable to an outdoors lifestyle.

Brisbane’s two main "seasons" are the ‘wet’ and the ‘dry’ seasons – the wet is the hotter season and the dry season more comfortable, though it’s usually warm in the daytime for most of the year.

Brisbane’s South Bank is the social and cultural centre of the city, providing great dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural facilities, and is usually pretty busy in the dry because of the pleasant climate.

Brisbane, like Queensland, is casual and affordable and the city isn’t far from great locations like the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests in the North. In spite of the relatively low cost of living compared to the rest of Australia, the quality of life and living standards are fairly high, making Brisbane an attractive destination for travellers and migrants alike, as well as the locally born.

Six percent of the city’s residents are from the UK, another six percent from Asia, four percent from New Zealand and about one percent are Aboriginal. Other nationalities include Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The city of Brisbane has a diverse economic base – as a gateway for tourism, fabulous seafood and tropical fruits available in its, IT industries, commerce and
banking, education and Government services – is home to many enterprises and also played host to the 1982 Commonwealth Games and Expo ’88.

The city is well-supplied with public transport – ferries, buses, trains, taxis - but most families also own a car so that mobility is no trouble. Brisbane offers a relaxed, cosmopolitan and richly varied lifestyle that is affordable and provides many opportunities for work and fun in a culturally rich and diverse environment with a year-round pleasant climate for those who want a slice of the good life.

Brisbane's Best Bits

Brisbane, Australia is the capital of Queensland and was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales in the early 1800's. If you've looking for sunshine and clement weather for your holiday, migration or study experience Brisbane is for you.

Brisbane itself is a city by a river, it does not have the traditional landmarks like a Big Ben or a Empire State Building, however it does boast 'The mini Brisbane Eye" located at the Southbank Parklands.

There is also The Treasury Casino (named because the casino is in the old Treasury building) and lots of shops, hotels, malls, restaurants, pubs, clubs, bars and anything else that you would find in every other developed city in the world.

So when the city is out of your system and you've seen what you need to see, pack your bags and grab your swimmers because there are plenty of other places you must experience.

Scattered to the South of Brisbane towards the Gold Coast are a number of theme parks, Dreamworld, Whitewater World, Movieworld and Wet n Wild. All of which are extremely popular with tourists and residents alike. Dreamworld seems to offer more alternatives to fill your day. It boasts a variety of rides, animal attractions and aquatic fun.

You might want to bring a packed lunch if you are wanting to save money and stay reasonably healthy! Peak hour at the parks will involve you standing around in queues.. Best times to go are mid-week (when the kids are at school) or rainy and overcast days. Avoid weekends and school holidays at all cost.

Adrenalin and excitement might be for the the young or young at heart, but if it's views and relaxation you're after, one of the best places to go is 'O'Reillys' in Lamington National Park to .

This crisp aired mountain top retreat.was the 2006 Queensland Tourism Award winner, offering all things you need and some splendid views to enjoy them in.

O'Reillys has camp site, smaller unit accommodation, or the mountain range villas which boast, a hot tub spa bath on the balcony, BBQ , log fire, air conditioning and all the mod cons.

There is a full size infinity pool five minutes walk away and a day spa if you want to treat yourself to a massage. O'Reillys also have plenty of activities for all, flying fox rides, rain forest walks or just lounge around to enjoy the atmosphere.

Brisbane City has it all, but if you want the snapshot moment of the sun setting on a misty mountain range 'O'Reillys' is the place to be.

Like all major cities of the world, Brisbane has a wide assortment of eateries sure to satisfy any hungry student.

Here are some of the more popular locations to eat at:

Caxton Street is a popular nightlife destination as there are places for live music and dancing. Caxton is also popular for its many reasonably priced seafood restaurants. It is located near the Suncorp Stadium so it can get very busy when a sporting event is on.

Chinatown is not just limited to Yum Chas during the day and great value Chinese food. It also offers a variety of different Asian cuisines including Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Cambodian.

Dining in The City is divided into three main districts:

The first is Queen Street Mall which is also the main shopping district, is filled with shopping malls and mainly food courts but there are quite a few restaurants and cafes around.

The second is Riverside, Eagle Street Pier. This is the main dining district and there is a wider range of restaurants (some more refined) with the added bonus of riverside views.The third is Albert and Felix Street, which is a nice combination of the sophisticated restaurants and the more laidback bars and bistros.

Emporium, Fortitude Valley is an option, if you’re feeling a little more stylish and sophisticated; it offers more ethnically diverse restaurants ranging from Asian, Middle East and European.

Milton, Park Road is often described as being reminiscent of European cafes and offers more formal dining choices. It is also a lovely area filled a mixture of boutiques. Suncorp Stadium is nearby so, like Caxton Street, it can get very busy on game nights.

South Bank is one of the more popular dining destinations. There are more than 30 restaurants and cafes with the bonus of riverside and city views. The culturally diverse eateries include Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Turkish, Asian as well as Modern Australian.

West End is frequented mostly by the locals and the food savvy. It is a quick, tasty and cheap meal option. It also has a blossoming nightlife but in a more relaxed atmosphere. There are more cafes than restaurants and is a popular destination for breakfasts.

Brisbane Arts and Culture There is more than meets the eye when it comes to Brisbane – the city has a lively professional arts scene, with many training institutes, galleries, museums and theatres enhancing the cultural life of locals and visitors alike. Events, exhibitions, concerts and performances and held regularly throughout the year, including touring international, national and innovative locally-created work.

You will always find something exciting to see or do. The main cultural precinct in Brisbane is the Queensland Cultural Centre, located adjacent to South Bank in the suburb of South Brisbane on the Brisbane River.

The precinct is home to the renowned Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), with four state-of-the-art venues – the Playhouse, Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall and the Cremorne Theatre. Plays, musicals and concerts are regularly held in QPAC, including frequent performances by the Opera Queensland (the second largest opera company in Australia), the Queensland Ballet, the Queensland Orchestra, the Queensland Theatre Company as well as the Australian Ballet and other national and international touring companies.

The Queensland Cultural Centre is also home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre – for interactive exhibits, large collections of natural and manmade artefacts and educational fun for the whole family. For lovers of fine art exhibitions, a visit the Queensland Art Gallery and the recently opened Gallery of Modern Art (Australia’s largest modern art museum) are well worth a visit, both of which housing impressive collections.

The World Expo of 1988 left a lasting imprint on the cultural landscape of Brisbane. Held from April to October in 1988, this famous expo brought some of the world’s most cutting-edge artists and their culturally diverse work to Australia’s shores – sculptures from the expo are still dotted around the city, for example in King George Square. The original site of the expo was converted into the South Bank Parklands.

The Brisbane Powerhouse Centre for the Arts at New Farm on the banks of the Brisbane River is a creative hotpot of new art forms, including theatre, dance, visual arts and music - well worth a visit for it’s edgy contemporary performing arts productions from Australia and abroad.

Brisbane is home to many elite training institutes, producing internationally recognised musicians, performers, visual artists and filmmakers. Visitors can immerse themselves in the new work being made by upcoming artists at exhibitions and performances at many of these institutes – for example, the Queensland University of Technology Art Museum, the University of Queensland Art Museum, the Queensland College of Art and Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University,

Brisbane has played host to many large scale cultural and sporting events. In 1982 the Commonwealth Games were opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip, at Brisbane’s QEII Stadium, the World’s Fair was held in many locations across the city and was dubbed “World Expo ’88 – Leisure in the Age of Technology” and in 2001 the Goodwill Games (an international sporting competition) held their last ever competition in Brisbane.

The city of Brisbane was named after the river in which it’s banks the city sits upon, the river in turn was named after a former Governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane. Whilst the city has been affectionately nicknamed “Bris Vegas” for its cosmopolitan lifestyle and popular night life the Indigenous Peoples of Australia call refer to Brisbane as “Mian-Jin” or “Place shaped as a spike”. The spike reference no doubt relates to the fact that Brisbane is a hilly city. Brisbane, in fact, is just east of Australia’s most substantial mountain range (The Great Dividing Range).

Brisbane is made up of 5 major suburban districts – inner city, northern, eastern, southern and western.

Inner City Brisbane – Residing in Brisbane’s CBD has only been a recent occurrence however it is now hugely popular. The majority of the housing is multi-storeyed apartments with very few stand alone homes. Inner city Brisbane is a cultured suburb and is made up mostly of single people and couples who have no children. The highly popular Royal Queensland Show, also known as the “Ekka”, is held here once a year.

Northern Brisbane – The northern suburbs of Brisbane are the older, more popular districts for families. With its reserves, parks and golf courses it’s easy to see why this area of Brisbane is more child friendly to the neighbouring inner city suburbs.
Here in the north the elite blend easily with the working class with multi million dollar mansions snuggled amongst worker’s cottages that remain in their original, not modernised state.

Eastern Suburbs – Scattered along the banks of the river are the eastern suburbs of Brisbane where the properties sprawl across the beautiful land. The eastern suburbs were once regarded for being an industrialised area with dairies, sugar mills, tree plantations, orchards and wool scouring and tanning.

Today the rural lands are more residential with restaurants, cafes and up-scale shopping though some areas of the bush land continue to remain untouched. For instance the Brisbane Koala Park can be found in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane and is part of the Brisbane Koala Bushlands. The Brisbane Koala Bushlands are a part of the Koala Coast Network, a network that contains one of Australia’s most important koala habitat areas where the land is undisturbed and the koalas remain protected.

Southern Suburbs – The Southside of Brisbane was once a heavily industrialised area but has become one of Brisbane’s most fashionable, highly populated areas and is home to one of Brisbane’s most popular tourist destinations, South Bank.
South Bank accommodates many prominent attractions from South Bank Parklands where the Queensland Conservatorium can be found amongst cafes and restaurants. The Wheel of Brisbane (a 60 metre tall Ferris wheel) and the Nepal Peace Pagoda which was erected in time for the World Expo ’88 which was held in Brisbane. To the cultural and education hub featuring The Queensland Maritime Museum, Queensland Cultural Centre as well as Griffith University.

Western Suburbs – The suburbs in the west of Brisbane are generally picturesque and semi-rural. It is relatively close to all the action of the Inner City Suburbs but is a more tranquil environment perfect for cattle and sheep farms or lovingly restored ‘Queenslander’ homes.

The Brisbane Job Market

Brisbane's major sectors include Accounting, Education & Training, Engineering, Government/Defence, Health Services, Administration, Banking & Finance, Customer Service, Hospitality & Tourism, Sales & Marketing as well as trade jobs.

The Harvesting Trail

For many backpackers from around the world, harvesting and fruit picking offers them an opportunity to combine seasonal harvest work with travelling around Australia.

It offers:

an opportunity to keep fit and maintain one's sense of wellbeing
an opportunity to mix with the locals and immerse onseself in their culture.
the golden opportunity to travel and see Australia while working and earning money.

Harvest workers usually work in pairs or teams. The nature of the work can be repetitive and tiring and demands great physical effort. Generally, work placement is dependent on having own transport and accomodation.

However, it is a fantastic opportunity to experience Brisbane and Australia while working and earning some money.

What Can I see in a park in Brisbane?

Having a read through some of the different parks on this website you may be slightly confused as to all the different things you can come across when you decide to head out to a park in Brisbane. Well you should not feel overwhelmed with information as the chance you will have to see so much in these parks will really amaze you as to what actually is there just under your nose.

From rainforests, stunning views and even educational activities for the kids, the amount of things that these parks in and around Brisbane offer really is something that you have to see to be believed. We have presented here for you today a short guide as to some of the best things to see in some of the different parks so that you can easily make your decision when it comes to choosing a park to see as well as what the parks will offer for you and your family.

Have a read through these and then hopefully it will help make your mind up, and then you can also check out all the other various articles and pieces on this site to further help develop a choice of park for you to go out to.

• If you are after a great place for the kids to have some fun as well as do some learning, you should head out to the Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens where your kids will be amazed at the amount of plant life and diversity of plant life they see, as well as be even further amazed when they realise that they have actually been learning the whole time they have been there! From arid lands filled with cactus right through to a stunning tropical dome filled with a wide variety of tropical plant and animal life, your kids will be astounded at how much they can see and experience while still learning a wide variety of different facts and figures during their time at the gardens. A great place and it's extremely close to the city too!
• If you want to get away a little bit and really experience a majestic lake on an even more majestic island, then head to North Stradbroke Island to the Blue Lake National Park. Here you will experience some of the clearest, bluest waters you will ever see on a lake and have your breath taken away at all the stunning scenery that surrounds you. This park isn't camp friendly so you will have to book into nearby accommodation, but it is well worth the price as this is a place you soon won't be forgetting. With the amount of paths for you to hike around right through to some stunning landscape fit for a postcard, this is a great area for you to bring the loved one for a romantic getaway or even bring the kids for some great quality family time as well. Truly a breathtaking place.

• Why not pack up a picnic basket and go to one of the many inner city parks or reserves to enjoy some family time? South Bank has some luscious green areas and is extremely close to the city for you to enjoy, and you will also find an inner city beach there for you to enjoy even further. You can also jump on a CityCat and head up the Brisbane River to New Farm Park, and experience a park that seems like it was built just for you to relax and have a picnic in it. Another park in the city is Musgrave Park, a park that is well known for holding all types of events and festivals the year out and one that you can always just relax and have a nice homemade sandwich and watch the world go by. Or if you are willing to travel out of the city, head to Ipswich where you can check out the historic Ipswich Park and bask in the surroundings of this beautiful town. The options are there if you look around so keep looking, venture out further and enjoy your picnic because it really will be an amazing experience!

• Head to the world's largest subtropical garden in an urban setting by going to the Roma Street Parkland! This immensely large area will astound you at its beauty and make you want to stay as long as possible. A great area to take the kids for a bushwalk close to the city, or even with that picnic basket again to enjoy a nice sunny summers day, you can certainly experience a great deal in the Roma Street Parkland. This park is open all day and is also open every single day of the year so you can always experience what is sometimes called as 'paradise in the city'.
• There are plenty of other national parks outside the city too if you are still looking for an escape from city life. Head down to D'Aguilar National Park for some of the most breathtaking views you will ever witness when going on a bushwalk. Check out Lamington National Park in all its World Heritage listed beauty and experience this awe inspiring landscape that really makes this park unique. Or why not check out Mount Barney National Park, standing in wonder at all the mountains that surround you and make your visit all the more special. You truly will find yourself immersed in all types of paradise in all the surrounding parks of Brisbane.

Hopefully this has given you a bit more of an understanding of what we have detailed in the articles on this site so that you can help make your mind up when it comes to choosing a park in Brisbane. It will always depend on what exactly you are looking for in a park and what experience you hope to take out of it. We do guarantee though that you will find yourself with countless memories of each park you visit, and it will make you want to come back for sooner rather than later!

When in Rome you do as the Romans do right? Well when in Brisbane you should do as the Brisbanites do! One place that the people of Brisbane love to go to is at Musgrave Park, a quaint little park within the city where so much happens it's impossible to list everything here. It's an area where you can find a pool to relax on a hot day, a cultural centre to enrich yourself in some local culture and activities and it's also an area where numerous events happen throughout the year which can tickle your fancy and entice your interest on so many levels.

But it's also a place where you can go to just to relax and unwind with the kids. There are large areas of grass where you can prop yourself up and read a book whilst having a picnic, watching your kids run around the splendour of the park and playing around on the play equipment. You can even bring a ball, kick the footy around or even bring a cricket bat and a ball and have a casual hit with your family. The possibilities for fun really are endless. And of course we did mention events didn't we? Well Musgrave Park is well known for holding numerous festivals and celebrations right throughout the year; it all just depends on what time of the year you venture to the park as to what you may see!

The best idea we suggest is to check on the calendar of events online and try and work out what stage you wish to visit the park and what events you want to see! That way you won't be disappointed in missing out on any events that really tickle your fancy. You will also be able to coincide your trip to the park to maybe experience some other events that you never thought about actually witnessing, and then give yourself an experience that you will never forget! Whatever the case may be, definitely look into it further before you venture to Musgrave Park!

There is no doubting the fascination that comes from museums and there is no doubt that when you head to Brisbane you can find one of the most fascinating museums of them all at South Bank. The Queensland Museum contains everything you could ever want from a museum and will make you feel young at heart again as you enjoy so much that there is to see in the magnificent museum. The great location for the museum too makes it an easy place to get to and an easy place to remember to visit when you next want to go back there. Here we will present to you some great things to look out for at the museum and give you some amazing reasons why you should go to the Queensland Museum at South Bank!

• Come to the Queensland Museum at South Bank to experience the only remaining World War 1 tank from Germany still in existence in the entire world! Yes that's right, you can see the Mephisto in all it's glory in the museum and go home having seen a true piece of wartime history! This is great for those war buffs out there who want to get up close and personal with an amazing piece of engineering or just for those wanting to see something that was built nearly 100 years ago. No matter which category you fall into to, it will be something that you will remember for a long time.
• For those who are interested in the culture and history of Aboriginals and Australian native people then you will love the Dandiiri Maiwar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures Centre. Here you can be witness to the various amazing cultures spread across the great land of Australia as well as the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who made up the city of Brisbane before it become what it is today. It is also a great place to pick up an Aboriginal souvenir that you will treasure for many years to come and proudly take away with you as a memory of your trip to the Queensland Museum at South Bank.
• You have to admit there is always a part of you that remains fascinated by dinosaurs and all things prehistoric and we know that your kids absolutely love all things to do with dinosaurs so take them to the Queensland Museum at South Bank to let them get up close and personal with a replica T-Rex and Triceratops skeleton at the ENERGEX Playasaurus Place. This amazing exhibit showcases these much loved dinosaurs up close and personal and will give your children an amazing insight into how these creatures once lived when they roamed planet earth millions of years ago. It will also give you the chance to get some great photo ops with the dinosaurs as well as give them some great gift and souvenir ideas in the gift shop at the museum.
• For all lovers of everything to do with science, you will go absolutely crazy at the Queensland Museum at South Bank! Here you can find the amazing Sciencentre which encompasses over 100 fun and amazing interactive exhibits for all ages! You won't want to leave the Sciencentre after only a few hours as you will find yourself having as much fun as your kids are having! In the same area you will also find the Science Theatre where you can catch a wide variety of different shows which focus purely on science by making it extremely fun! It will seriously be a place in which you won't want to leave and will find yourself wanting to return, even without your kids!

So no matter what age you are and no matter where you come from, you should definitely check out the Queensland Museum at South Bank when you are next in Brisbane. It will be a trip that you won't soon forget and will bring you so much fun you will be talking about it for days after your visit! Check the website for the museum for all the latest exhibits and look out for upcoming shows that may tickle your fancy even more! You won't ever regret it!

Heading to Alma Park Zoo yet have so many questions you are about to burst? Then fear not traveller, because help is at hand. Yes that's right, we have compiled a handy section of frequently asked questions and then provide you with a set of answers that we hope will answer any queries you have before visiting one of the best animal nature parks in all of Australia! No visit to Brisbane is complete without seeing the Alma Park Zoo, so sit back and relax and put your mind at ease by reading the following FAQ!

How much is Alma Park Zoo to visit?
There are a wide variety of different prices when it comes to visiting Alma Park Zoo, and it obviously all depends on who you are and what your circumstance are! For an adult it costs $32 to enter the park while a child who is aged between 3-14 it will cost them $22. A concession rate of $26 is available but you must present a valid concession card in order for this to take place. The same goes with a student, with the same rate for a concession applying. The best option if you are travelling in a family is to purchase a family ticket, as that will cost you $90 for 2 adults and up to 3 children, a potential saving of $40!

When is Alma Park Zoo Open?
Alma Park Zoo is open 364 days a year, with the only day they aren't open being Christmas Day on December 25th. The opening ours of the park are from 9am to 4pm although you should always check with the park before hand in case of any special opening hours or events that may mean the park is open differently. One such day where those hours don't apply is on ANZAC day on April the 25th where the park is open from 1.30pm till 5.30pm.

Where is Alma Park Zoo?
To put a rough time frame on travel from Brisbane, Alma Park Zoo is around 30 minutes from the CBD of the city. The best route is to take the 138 exit, or Narabanga Exit off the Bruce Highway and head north and you can follow the signs to the park. If you are travelling from the Sunshine Coast you should allow for about 40 minutes travelling time south.

Do you have Koalas? If so can I cuddle one?
Absolutely we have Koalas and yes you may certainly cuddle them! When you arrive at the park just check out what times the Koala holding sessions are so you can plan your day around it. Remember it is a popular activity and there are always large lines so get there early enough so you don't miss out! You can pre-purchase this activity at the service desk on your arrival and get a photo at the same time! If a Koala isn't your cup of tea and you prefer something a little more scaly or freaky then why not cuddle a snake or a baby croc? That will be a memento of your trip that everyone would be keen to see!

I want to have a picnic in your zoo, can I bring my own food?
Of course you can! Alma Park Zoo isn't like other zoos or parks that make you purchase our food, so feel free to bring as much food as you like and you can even use one of their numerous picnic facility areas to relax! They even have BBQ facilities available also if you want to bring some sausages to have a great BBQ on a sunny Brisbane afternoon!

Can we feed the animals?
You can feed the animals but only with the special food which the zoo provides. In no way can you feed the animals any food you bring in with you so if you wish to feed the animals then check with the zoo staff as to where you can get some animal food and then have fun feeding the many types of animals in the zoo!

So if you are looking for a fun day out at a zoo with it all, then give the Alma Park Zoo a chance and you won't be disappointed!

Looking for a great place to take the kids to see a wide variety of animals from all around the world? Then take them to Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland! Australia Zoo is one of Australia's most popular zoos and was home to the Internationally famous Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin before his tragic passing in 2006, but it is still run by his family since his death.

The zoo has everything that your family will love, from all native Australian animals right through to exotic African animals for you to be in wonder of. You can also see some of the animals perform in the 5000 seat 'Crocoseum' as well as concerts in summer and other special events throughout the year. If you like tigers then you'll absolutely love the 'Tiger Temple' where you can see Sumatran and Bengal tigers up close and personal, and you also have the chance to see 'Elephantasia' which is the largest single housing of elephants in all of Australia! Don't like walking? Then fear not!

Australia Zoo has plenty of motorised vehicles to take you around the park so you can rest your legs, and there are plenty of food options too for the hungry tourist. Think the kids will get bored? Then take them to Australia Zoos numerous playgrounds where they can have the time of their life while you put your feet up and relax! You can also get the kids up close and personal with many of the parks animals and have them participate in feedings which is something the kids will take with them to tell all their friends about for a long time!

And of course your visit wouldn't be complete without a visit to the gift shop, where you can find all sorts of stuffed animals for you to love and look after as well as wide variety of Crocodile Hunter dedicated merchandise! There really is no excuse for not taking your kids to Australia Zoo for your next holiday!

There are times when you just need to get away from everything and give yourself a well deserved break, and there are plenty of places in and around Brisbane that offer this. If you are planning a weekend away and just want to escape from the nitty gritty of daily suburban life, then you should definitely consider planning a getaway to the Blue Lake National Park on North Stradbroke Island as your next destination. Here you can find many different activities for you to enjoy and experience as well as take the kids away and have them too enjoy a great time in an area of great conservation.

It is also a great place to if you enjoy Aboriginal culture and want to experience a place that really holds some deep and meaningful significance to the local people. It is also home to the aptly named Blue Lake, which is home to some of the most pristine and crystal clear water that you will ever see in your entire life. And given it's on an island you know you will be able to have a great getaway and escape and enjoy truly what nature has to offer on a much grander scale. So get the kids, organise some time off and get planning, as we present to you today some great things to see and do when you decide to head to the Blue Lake National Park!

• Give Blue Lake National Park a big explore as there really is so much to see and do in the national park. There are numerous woodland areas for you to enjoy and they are surrounded by some of the most amazing and picturesque Eucalyptus trees you will ever see. You also see some amazing banksias up close and personal and some amazing flowering heaths below which will really give those of you who enjoy some incredible plants a real thrill. It is also a fantastic opportunity for you to show your kids some stunning nature in the flesh in it's wild habitat and have them appreciate what marvels of nature exist out there in the world, especially so close to home and in their own backyard.
• Pack some food and go sit by the lake and enjoy a lovely picnic. It's really a fantastic place to just sit and relax and let your troubles fly by. You can always stock up on plenty of food in nearby shops, take some basic cooking supplies and equipment with you and really enjoy the scenery that is in front of you. While the lake itself looks amazing and pristine, it really isn't recommended though that you go for a swim in it as there are many snags in the shallow water that can pose a danger to visitors.
• Take a pair of binoculars with you and go for a bit of a walk to the beautiful Neembeeba Lookout where you can find yourself entranced by the stunning views over the nearby Gold Coast, Pacific Ocean and the rest of North Stradbroke Island. It really is a stunning view that will meet you on arriving at the lookout and you should bring your camera with you so that you can forever take the memory with you of what an amazing view you saw in the flesh!
• You should realise before you head to the park that unfortunately there are no camping facilities, so you will have to book into one of the nearby accommodation facilities on the island. You should also remember that there aren't facilities in the park for you to use such as barbeques or other cooking areas so you should always come prepared and always take your rubbish with you as you leave the park. It is an extremely high conservation area so the leaving of litter and rubbish behind can result in heavy fines and other possible criminal charges. Always remember this as you leave the park and enter it to avoid any situations that will cause trouble.

My experiences of traveling to Brisbane

I've been to many different places around the world, a lot of them good and a lot of them bad. Some places I have been have given me a great insight into the people of the country I visit, their cultures and their personal contribution to their land. Other places have a certain vibe to them which really allows me to get in touch with how their city is lived in and what it means to be part of their life. One such place that I had recent experience with of many positive aspects to it was Brisbane, Australia.

I decided to go there from London for a bit of a break to really see what it was like and it pleasantly surprised me as to what the city was actually like and how close it was to many different things and places to see and do. When people heard I was going to Australia, a lot of people assumed I would be going to Sydney or the Great Barrier Reef, the Australian Outback or even Uluru. You know all those places you see on post cards and tourist videos for Australia? Well I had been to Sydney many times before, and while it was a nice city I felt like a change and wanted to experience another part of Australia that I had never experienced before, so that's why I decided to bite the bullet and choose Brisbane.

The first thing I found as soon as I touched down in Brisbane was the heat. This was obvious really. The humidity really does hit you. A few people had told me about Queensland and their heat but it really doesn't hit you until you arrive in the city and get off the plane! I did find people in the airport to be nice and friendly and they helped me find a cab and get the right directions to the city. I was travelling by myself but my wife and kids were going to meet up with me a few days later as they had a few things to attend to back home in London.

After I settled in to my hotel I decided to have a bit of a look around the city just to see what I could find, and it was quite easy to get around, no real dramas. The buses and trains were very effective and they even had some fantastic boat/ferry services along the Brisbane rive which also made it easy. I only went out a few times when I was alone and then when my wife and kids joined me, that's when all the real fun began! I wanted to find some activities for the kids to do as they had just had a very long plane trip and after they got a bit of sleep they wanted to go out and experience some new things!

The first point of call we decided to go to was of course down the coast to the Gold Coast and to the theme parks. This wasn't as long of a drive as we really were expecting, and it barely took us an hour to get there. Our first stop was Dreamworld, a fairly large park that had all sorts of rides for our kids to enjoy, as well as a water park opposite it for them to cool down. We spent a day at Dreamworld and at Whitewater World and for what you pay it's fairly good value. It is a little bit expensive but you do get unlimited access to all the rides when you are in the park so you really can't complain.

And it's also a great chance to escape the heat by playing on all the waterslides! We did have some hotels booked on the Gold Coast so it was only a short trip back to our hotel and then over the next few days we decided to check out the other theme parks that the Gold Coast had on offer. We first tried Movie World which was a movie themed theme park with all sorts of rides as well as a lot of behind the scenes movie things which was cool for somebody who likes movies like me! It was also a great place to get some cool Looney Tunes merchandise for my brother back home! The next day we went to Sea World which is a large sea based theme park with a wide variety of different sea creatures like Dolphins and Sharks, and then on the final day we went to another water based theme park called Wet N' Wild, which I think I enjoyed more than the one we had been to previously! And out of all of those parks we enjoyed entry by buying one pass that allowed us access to each of them over the three days! So although that was initially expensive, it did work out quite well in the end!

After our few days on the Gold Coast we went back up to Brisbane to experience some further sights of the city we had arrived in! Some other things that we checked out were South Bank, which was a fairly new looking area with all range of activities for the kids and some nice relaxing areas for the adults too. We also went to some wildlife parks and some other local reserves which were a great chance for us adults to get a bit of peace and quiet while the kids enjoyed some leisure activities and experiencing some nice friendly Australia animals! I would have to say though that overall our kids really enjoyed themselves, as did my wife and we found Brisbane to be a fantastic experience as a holiday destination. There were parts that were quite expensive but I think with how good the Australian Dollar is at the moment this was to be expected.

And you can't tell that this was a city ravished by some pretty bad floods earlier this year and that's what makes this city so good and humble and a pleasant place to be in. So if you are planning a trip to Australia and are taking the kids with you, then you should definitely consider Brisbane as a destination because you won't be disappointed as to what you experience!

Brisbane Parks and Nature Reserves Do's & Don'ts

DO give yourself a lot of time to really get to the bottom of exploring the numerous parks and nature reserves that Brisbane has to offer. You will be surprised at the amount of parks that are within Brisbane and even more surprised at the amount of parks that are within driving distance of the city centre. You really can travel only a few minutes outside of the city to really experience some further beauty and give yourself the opportunity to really get back to nature!

DON'T expect to see all of the parks and nature reserves in one day as this would be impossible! Sure if you just wanted to walk in and walk straight back out again you may be able to see a few of the parks, but what good would that be in the long run? You will want to experience the sheer beauty of the parks, from the inner city Botanical Gardens right through to the Blue Lake National Park on North Stradbroke Island! There really are so many different parks to experience that you will need to give yourself a few weeks before you can even begin to start exploring some of the majestic scenery these parks have to offer!

DO take a few days off and head out to one of the national parks to really experience each park for their own individuality! From the stunning Blue Lake National Park right through to the Tamborine National Park down south towards the Gold Coast, you will find so many different parks in the surrounding areas of Brisbane that will certainly tickle your fancy. You should easily allow a few days minimum to either camp or stay in some of the most amazing accommodation you will ever stay in to really take in the charm of each park, as well as allowing yourself the chance to do as many different activities within each park as you possibly can!

DON'T assume every park you visit will allow you to camp. Unfortunately some of the national parks you will visit don't allow camping at all and your only option will be to stay in the accommodation either within the park or just on the outside of the park. Always check with each national park you go to stay in with what accommodation facilities they do provide so that you don't arrive with camping equipment that you have no opportunity to use at all!

DO bring the kids so that they too can experience nature! A large number of parks within Brisbane itself offer a wide variety of nature options that will educate and entertain your children and give them the chance to learn some fantastic new things which they can share with their friends. The Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens offers some magnificent activities for the entire family, as do several of the other parks around Brisbane. And we of course haven't even mentioned the possibilities for kids and families at all the national parks surrounding Brisbane! So be prepared for your kids to have a fantastic trip away and want to go back again soon!

DON'T ever forget the joys of a picnic and take your family on one in the park of your choice! The parks in and around Brisbane all offer lush grass and picnic facilities for you to go to with your family and really have the experience of a good old fashioned family picnic that you may not have had for some time. Check with the park you go to visit if they may have barbeque facilities or not to give you the chance to take a few sausages and burgers along with you and enjoy some hot food on your picnic. You never know before you check so you should definitely find out before you venture out to the park with some burgers and sausages that may go to waste if you don't find out before hand! Whether or not you have a barbeque or just a family picnic, you will find yourself having a great time as you experience the picnic that may just be the thing your family has been looking for for quite some time.

Going out for a picnic is something that really isn't done all that much anymore. There used to be a time when going out for a picnic with the family was almost a regular occurrence, and it's a sad fact that these days family's very rarely find the time to spend time together by going on a picnic. Well why not change this? Brisbane is essentially a perfect city when it comes to going out on a picnic, and the amount of parks that you can find in the city for a picnic really is incredible. All that you will need for your picnic are some essential items like:

• a picnic rug
• a picnic basket
• some easily washable containers for food
• some drink bottles for liquids
• A thermos if you want to take hot drinks or soup
• plenty of food to keep you satisfied
• some entertainment such as balls or cricket bats to have some fun

Once you have these items in your possession you can then choose a park somewhere to cater for your needs. This will of course all depend on what exactly you are after in a park. Are you after a nice green park with lots of park bench facilities for you and your family to enjoy? Or are you after more of a nature reserve with loads of trees for you and your family to experience. Some great examples of great parks in Brisbane include:

• The city Botanical Gardens is a fantastic choice if you are after luscious green grass and plenty of trees to suffice your appetite for nature. You can also take the bike along and go for a bike ride and take a guided tour of the park itself.
• The Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens are a great place for a picnic and also offers some great educational areas for your children to learn and play in. You will be astounded at what they can learn whilst on a simple picnic!
•  Musgrave Park is a great little park that is also home to some great events and festivals within Brisbane! It's a very basic and simple park that will no doubt have you wondering if there is more, but it is still a great area for a picnic and for the family to go. A great choice for a lazy afternoon.
• A short trip away from the city is the New Farm Park, and is a great park to go to if you also want to experience the thrill of a ferry ride in Brisbane! It's only a few short stops along the Brisbane River and the park itself seems completely designed to cater for family's on their picnic outing! Also nearby you will find the Powerhouse which is a great place for numerous entertainment shows in Brisbane and you can always combine a picnic with a chance to head out and see a show on the same day!

So whatever type of park you are after when it comes to having a picnic, take some of these suggestions on board to allow you to really choose a park that will be suited to you and your family's needs! You could even take a few weekends a month to head to some different spots and experience them all! Your family will absolutely love it we guarantee you that!

South Bank for your kids!

If you are visiting Brisbane and you are going with your young children then there are so many different things to see and do around this great city. Children of all ages will enjoy Brisbane for many different activities, from water parks right through to nature all the way around to educational things that will teach them a whole new world of knowledge. Brisbane really does have it all! But one area in which you can go with your kids and have some great fun is South Bank!

There is so much to see and do at South Bank that you can both enjoy, but with your kids you can enjoy even more! We have put together some helpful hints for you and your children to go through and find out something that you will enjoy in order for you to make your time at South Bank a fun time and a memorable one as well! A lot of the time you will find a wide variety of events spread out throughout the year at South Bank so you should always check online to see what event are coming up and what events happen at certain times of the year so that you can really get a grasp of what South Bank has to offer!

• Come to South Bank to enjoy the large, open green spaces that your children will love to run around in! You can always make a day out of coming to the area, having a picnic then bring along a ball and some other play equipment to make your day go by nice and fast and be extremely enjoyable! A great idea is to set yourself a few hours, pack plenty of foods then bring the football with you for a kick and even a cricket set so you can each have a hit around of the ball in the area. It's easy to make a long day out of it and have a great time!
• Streets Beach is one of the most popular attractions at South Bank and your kids will absolutely love it! This new attraction sees a specially made man made beach for you and your kids right in the middle of Brisbane, and is a perfect place to escape and unwind and get away from city life! Bring along your kids and make them bring a bucket and a spade as they build themselves a sand castle as you lay back and relax and catch up on some well deserved you time. Don't forget to pack the swimmers too as you then take a dip in the water for a nice cool down in the Brisbane heat! A great way to spend a day at the beach in the middle of a bustling city!
• Check the calendar all year to see what events will be happening in South Bank that your kids will love! This can especially occur in school holidays so make sure you always check dates of events and pre-book if possible so you don't disappoint your kids in missing out in the events they want to see! South Bank is always bustling with activity so making sure that you are prepared for when there are events on that you want to go to will make sure that you don't miss out and enjoy the events that South Bank have to offer!
• The one place we can't not mention is Aquativity, a large interactive water park designed with your kids in mind! At Aquativity your kids can spend the day having a blast in the water and other themed areas, while at the same time being educated in water preservation and cycle elements. It really is a water park that doubles as an educational park! You can also learn about all types of water creatures such as fish and other native creatures in the water in Brisbane. It really is a great place to be able to have a nice long cool off and learn some great stuff at the same time!

So what are you waiting for? Set aside a day and take the kids down to South Bank for a day they will never forget!

Welcome to Brisbane with Kids! Brisbane is an absolutely awesome place to travel or relocate with kids!

Brisbane experts and residents help you:

• to find appropriate facilities and services in Brisbane
• with relocating services to help families to settle in, and find friends
• with tips to help make the moving to Brisbane transition smoother
• to discover everything that Brisbane has to offer and what to do in Brisbane with kids!
• to apply for a visa to be able to travel to Brisbane
• to get connected with Immigration agents to be able to stay in Brisbane
• to explore all education options for families in Brisbane

Brisbane with Kids - a free net-based portal for parents with kids living in Brisbane

Brisbane with Kids welcomes parents with kids of different age groups for a free update on ways to entertain their kids while living in Brisbane. It also invites international students who are looking for short-term jobs in the city.

Our panel of experts offer well-researched information, tips and advice at no cost - contrary to some organizations offering similar information. We have experienced experts and education counsellors who offer tips on how to tackle dangers and diseases common in the city.

Parents can find out about how to travel with kids in and around Brisbane or what to do while holidaying in the beach city. Students and travellers are requested to check our site from time to time to get information on new jobs and part-time study options in Brisbane.

We do not charge any fees for giving you valuable job leads or advices.

 

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Brisbane with Kids is only an information portal offering free updated information and advice to parents with kids in Brisbane. It does not intend to make money through its online presence.

We in fact, allow visitors travelling in Brisbane with kids or parents living in Brisbane to register themselves to our online writing jobs, provided they can write travelogues.

Our online marketing experts help these writers to publish their own write-ups and if possible, help them earn money as well.

For all our services, we don’t charge anything. There is no hidden fee as well as since we propose to make this website a platform to share information and stories related to Brisbane and allow parents to interact with our experts or other parents living in the same city.

There are so many different national parks around the Brisbane area that you should head off to and visit, and one such example of this is the amazingly beautiful and picturesque Mount Barney National Park. It isn't all that far from Brisbane and can provide you with either a fantastic excuse for a day trip or an even better excuse for a long trip away. The fact that you will find so much to do in this national park will really excite you, and the fact too that the majority of this all has to do with the nature you will experience in the park will amaze you even further. So take a look here at some tips we will give you to make your trip to the Mount Barney National Park a memorable one.

• Mount Barney National Park is filled with numerous amounts of lush rainforest that will simply astound you. Queensland is of course well known for its rainforests and there is no questioning the amounts of rainforest that will meet you when you arrive in Mount Barney National Park. Bring your camera, take some snaps and really take the chance to remember your visit to the park.
• Bring your walking boots and take a hike on the many walking tracks that Mount Barney has to offer. Obviously with a name like Mount Barney you can expect some fairly big mountainous terrain to cover so be prepared for a strong hike up some high tracks! This will be great for your fitness as you take all of this in.
• The park itself is World Heritage listed so you can be assured that this will be a memorable place. You will witness some extremely ancient trees in the area and some amazing views that will really take your breath away and the entire park is just one constant thrill after another. You should try your best to make a longer stay than just a day in the park to really get the full experience that Mount Barney National Park has to offer!

It's always a great idea to getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily city life and a great idea for this is to head off to a national park! One such national park which is so close to the city of Brisbane you can almost touch it is the D'Aguilar National Park. This national park is only 15 minutes from the city and offers you so much to see and do that you will be begging to stay even longer within the park itself! Here we present to you some different things for you to see and do when you visit the D'Aguilar National Park.

• Head straight to the visitor centre to find out all the information you need to know about the park and what you can see and do. You can find out where you can spot all the wildlife up close and see if any events are happening within the park. If you haven't brought some lunch with you then head to the cafe and stock up on some food which you will eat super quickly as it's so delicious!
• Bring a big setup of food with you as the park provides many areas where you can barbeque and cook your food on some of their many cooking facilities and huts. Always remember though that you are in a national park so you should take all rubbish with you and never leave a mess!
• You should take your binoculars with you as this way you can look high up into the trees at the wide variety of bird life that live in the national park! Pick up a bird watching book from the visitor centre and mark off all the different species you see. This is a great activity for the kids to keep them entertained!
• Have a drive up the Mount Nebo Road as it winds through all sorts of rainforest and picnic sites and gives you some amazing views of the surrounding areas which include Brisbane, the Great Dividing Range and Moreton Bay!
• On your way home why not explore the townships of Mount Glorious and Mount Nebo as you venture back to Brisbane. Each of these towns has so much to offer and show you and you can also take a route through the quiet little hamlets of Samford as well as going through the Brisbane Valley.

The thing you should remember also is all of this is right at your doorstep if you live in Brisbane and really isn't that far away. So what are you waiting for? Take some time off and go for a drive, or even make a week or weekend out of it to really take in the true splendour of the park. You won't regret it!

Whenever you come to Australia one of the main things you will want to see is all of Australia's unique flora and fauna, and one such creature that is always popular amongst tourists is the Koala! As they are unique to this great brown land then you should always try your very best to see as many as you can and the best place to see Koala's in all of Australia is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane! This sanctuary proudly boasts being the largest Koala sanctuary in the world as being the world's first! Here are some great facts and tips for your next visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary!

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was the world's first sanctuary entirely for Koala's! That's right! Nowhere else in the world ever had a place devoted entirely to Koala's before Lone Pine did. It is also the world's largest koala sanctuary with over 130 koalas currently in the park. Besides showing them to the public, Lone Pine also rescues koalas and helps them get back to health and even releases some back into the wild so that they can recover and live back as a normal, healthy koala!
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary isn't just all about koalas! Absolutely not! They are also home to various other types of animals including kangaroos, dingoes, reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles as well as bats and echidnas! If you love animals of any sort then you will absolutely love Lone Pine! It's especially great if you want to witness all types of unique Australian animals all in the one place, with the majority of their animals coming from right here in this beautiful big brown land of a country! You won't be disappointed they guarantee you that!
• Do you want to cuddle a Koala and get your picture taken? Then go to Lone Pine for that experience and have something that you will remember for the rest of your lifetime! With the amount of koalas currently in the park you will find them left right and centre and ready to cuddle, and imagine then going home with a great photo souvenir of the time you got close with one of Australia's most unique and favourite creatures? It certainly would wrap up a very memorable visit with a very memorable experience for you to show off to all your friends!
• Did you know that Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers a wide variety of pricing options that are extremely affordable to you and the entire family? You can purchase everything from a single adult pass right through to a family pass, and if you know you are going to visit the park more than once during a year then why not invest in a yearly pass? This way you can save money on each time you visit and come back as many times as you like over the course of a year! They also offer group bookings if you are coming in a group of several people and are open at very convenient hours for you to come and visit.
• The park also offers a large variety of shows for you and your family to witness and enjoy! You can witness everything from sheep dog shows, barn animal feeding, snake shows and even get the chance to hold a real life crocodile and snake and get your photo taken with it! How cool is that?! The best idea is to go straight to a schedule as soon as you arrive in the park to see what time each show is on during the day so you don't miss out on the opportunity to see your favourite animals in action!

Brisbane really does have a wide variety of attractions to see and do when you are in town but it is definitely recommended that you take the time to go to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for an exciting day out! It's something you definitely won't regret!

With a name like Lamington National Park, how could you refuse taking a trip there to check it out? We all know how irresistible a Lamington is and this is no different when it comes to the national park of the same name! This short drive from Brisbane will feel like it takes you world's away, as you have the opportunity to really experience nature the way god intended you to. The total size of the national park is a whopping 20,509ha and you will find so much to do in the park that you will honestly need a week or so in the park to do it! Here are a few examples and tips for your trip:

• Go for a bushwalk along some of its extensive walking tracks in the park. These tracks take you along the majestic McPherson Range and will allow you to go through some stunning rainforests that will really take your breath away. Take your walking boots and plenty of water as you can treat this as almost somewhat of a fitness regime to really make yourself in the spirit of walking and exploring the forest!
• Check out some of the amazing creeks and waterfalls in the park and then be prepared to have what little breath you had left taken away again as you experience some stunning views as you get higher and higher up the McPherson Ranges. These views will astound you and they take in views over the Gold Coast, the south eastern parts of Queensland and even parts of northern New South Wales. The views really will astound you and stay with you for a very long time. And we do mean a very long time!

These are just a couple of examples of what you can do to really take in the Lamington National Park when you decide to visit. Just like you would when you have a real Lamington, you will want to come back for more so really remember this when you venture into this amazing landscape!

Brisbane Did You Know

So you're heading to Brisbane to enjoy some family time with some of the many attractions or just to chill out in some of the many parks, but what do you know about Brisbane and the city you will be visiting? Here are some did you know facts to help educate you further!

Did you know that much of the city was without paved roads as well as a working sewer system until the 1960s? Yes that's right; an amazing fact when you think that was only 50 years ago!

Did you know that Brisbane hasn't always been called Brisbane? It was first called Brisbane in 1834 after the former Governor of New South Wales Sir Thomas Brisbane. Before it was known as the city it is today, it used to be referred to as Edenglassie.

Did you know that Brisbane is often voted as one of the world's most liveable cities? In a recent survey, Brisbane was ranked as the 16th most liveable city in the entire world! A very impressive feat!

Did you know that the city of Brisbane has around 1.5 million people? The city itself is the third largest city in Australia behind only Sydney and Melbourne and is often considered the fasted growing city in Australia.

Did you know that Brisbane hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games? This was the third time that a city in Australia had hosted the games and Brisbane also unsuccessfully bid for the 1992 Summer Olympics, which eventually went to Barcelona in Spain.

Did you know that Brisbane was also the site of the 1988 World Expo? This coincided with Australia's bicentennial celebrations in the same year and was a massive event of International culture and diversity that brought the entire world to Brisbane. There are still several landmarks in the city marking their hosting of the event and it remains an important moment in the history of the city of Brisbane.

If you've managed to check out the Brisbane Botanical Gardens in the city then you will probably already have a great taste for some fantastic things that the city of Brisbane has to offer when it comes to nature and plants. You will also have no doubt learnt about all different species of plants and flowers that has really sparked an interest in going out there and finding out more information about everything to do with nature.

Well you will be glad to know then that there is another place in Brisbane where you can go to really check out nature and get close with some amazing plants and flowers that you may not know existed. Another Botanical Gardens in the city that will really encompass what the city is about and provide you with some great facilities in which you can take the kids and really explore what Brisbane is all about. This place is called the Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens and is houses some amazing sub-tropical plants as well as a wide variety of other plants that you will only find within the gardens.

Such plants include a cactus area, bamboo grove and terraces that can take you through the rainforest and have you experience some amazing waterfalls. But what other activities are there for you and are all these kid friendly? Well this is where we will tell you some great areas for you to visit and for you to enjoy as well as taking the kids along for a day out and having them enjoy everything that the Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens has to offer.

• If your kids enjoy all things to do with cactus and desert plants, then the perfect place to take them when in the Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens is to the Arid Zone and Cactus House. Here your kids will enjoy getting some great views of some amazing looking cactus that are found all over the world, particularly in parts of Central America and Africa. They will be in absolute awe at the size of the plants as well as what they plants can actually do when they learn about the nature of the plants and everything behind how they work. It is a great place for the curious and inquisitive child who wishes to put their brain to work while at the same time has fun!
• For a bit of fun to do with your children, have them take part in the Hide 'n' Seek Children's Trail which you will find within the Botanical Gardens. This is a unique experience for your child as they not only will be having fun trying to find things but also be learning about all sorts of plants along the way! All you need to do is pick up a map at the beginning of the trail and follow the directions and clues as your children find all the plants they need to as well as coming across various different surprises along the way! Some of these clues and surprises could be low on the ground or up high in the trees, so always make sure you and your children are on the look out and you will never know what you will see!
• Some more learning and education can be had in the Tropical Display Dome, an awesome place that your children will love and enjoy! In the Tropical Display Dome you will find plants from all around the tropics with a path that climbs up into the dome to give you a unique view of all the various plants and ponds that are housed in the dome. You will also find yourself amazed at the controlled climate within the dome as you find out how these plants can grow in such extreme conditions all around the world! The structure itself is an amazing thing to see, and being inside it too is another great way to spend your time at the Mt.Coot-tha Botanical Gardens!

Finding a place to relax and kick off your shoes in Brisbane can sometimes be hard, but it is actually a lot easier than you probably realise! So far on this site we have shown you many different areas in which you can go to relax and unwind and we are now going to present to you yet another example of a relaxing stop for you to unwind and relax after a no doubt hectic and stressful day at work. The great thing to about this place is it's only a few short boat trips along the Brisbane river to get to and it's also close to a historic Brisbane landmark in which you can experience all types of culture and shows to entertain you.

The place we speak of is New Farm Park, and is an inner-northern village type area that will definitely satisfy your relaxation bone. It is a perfect place for you to just come and lie down and listen to some music through your headphones or bring your favourite book along and just read it on a nice summer's day. You can also bring along a picnic and enjoy some great food and talk with some of the other people in the park and just enjoy your time amongst some great green trees and grass. And right next to New Farm Park is the Powerhouse, the scene to so many great shows over the years that have captivated Brisbane's attention and really brought a new sense of art and entertainment to the city.

New Farm Park is truly a picnicker's paradise, so grab your favourite picnic rug, jump on the CityCat ferry and head out to the park and eat some great food, take in the sites and have a great time. You can even coincide your trip with a concert at the Powerhouse to really make a day out of it! Whatever you do decide though we are sure you will enjoy yourself!

Do's and Don'ts for a Picnic in Brisbane

DO try and take at least one weekend a month to go out with your family and enjoy a picnic. It really isn't that hard to find the time to spend with your family and going on a picnic is generally an inexpensive and fun way to spend this time. You will generally have to only pay for food if you already have picnic equipment and you will find that most parks you go to in order to enjoy your picnic will provide free entry which is of course of a great convenience to you! Always check with the park before you enter it to see if there is a cost involved and some may not allow you to bring in certain foods.

DON'T ever think that there is nowhere to go for a picnic in Brisbane! Already on this site you have been witness to a large amount of suggestions for various different parks both within and out of the city and you should have already expanded your mind as to the amounts of parks you really can see during a trip to Brisbane. Always check online as to some other parks we may not have mentioned and if in doubt you can also always check with the local tourist information centre in Brisbane as well, and they can provide you with all sorts of information to help you out.

DO always pack as much food as you think you will eat, but never too much that you will end up throwing it out. It is always better to pack more food than less, but you never want to make a pig out of yourself or take too much that you will be feeding potentially dangerous food to the local wildlife or just filling up bins where these animals can also dig through and access. Try and work out how many people will be with you and the work out how much food each of you will eat. If you think you will be eating a lot then take a lot, if you don't feel all that hungry then don't take too much. You should always figure out exactly what you will be eating in order to ensure you have just the right amount of food. Also take plenty to drink with you as well for your picnic and take plenty of water to go along with this!

DON'T take your pets with you unless you know the park you are going to will let you. Some parks are obviously protected due to their native wildlife and a lot of the parks have a strict no pet's policy. It doesn't hurt to give the park a call before you visit or just check on their website to see if that information is provided. A simple bit of research has the potential to save you from embarrassment should you not know about your pets. If you stick to some of the smaller inner city parks then you will probably find that animals are allowed, just as long as you clean up after them and keep them leashed and controlled at all times.

DO take the time to do more than just eat! You will find that the parks you visit will have a lot more to see and do than just sit on a park bench and stuff your face with food, so grab a brochure on the sites in the park or if you are visiting a park that we have listed on this site, take note of the attractions you want to see and note them down and make a day out of it! You won't want to go home and wish you had of seen more than you did now would you?

DON'T forget it is about family time when on a picnic so leave items such as your laptop and smart phone at home and just take in your surroundings and enjoy the time with your family! You may have not spent a lot of time with your family recently so this will be a perfect opportunity for you to catch up with them and find out about things you may not have known, so treasure this time as much as you can as you don't know when the next time you will be in this situation will be!

There aren't many areas in Queensland that can boast such a significant cultural significance as Queens Park in Ipswich. The park itself was actually the first ever park to be developed in the entire state and dates all the way back to 1842 which brings a high level of history to the park before you even enter it. Some of its buildings in the park date back to 1862 so it's a perfect place for those who enjoy history and looking at historically significant buildings.

Given Ipswich's close proximity to Brisbane, it really isn't a long journey to head out to Queens Park and the park is often referred to as the most recognisable landmark in all of Ipswich. And it is also extremely close to downtown Ipswich which will make your travel time all the more limited as you decide to head out that way to enjoy yourself and escape from the dramas of your life. It is also a great day trip to take with your children and show them not only everything Ipswich has to offer but also show them some great things nature has to offer and make sure you have a fantastic time out with your family.

We will present to you today some tips and advice for a trip to Queens Park with your children that we think will make your day all the more fun and make sure that your children will come home fresh and excited after enjoying a great day out in the park. These tips are also great to do if mixed with some leisurely activities such as taking a picnic lunch with you and maybe a cricket bat and ball to have a bit of a hit around while your kids enjoy a bit of down time. However you decide to make your day go, we hope these tips will help out!

• Take your kids to Queens Park to enjoy the numerous play facilities spread out through the park! We know your kids love play equipment and love all sorts of playgrounds and Queens Park in Ipswich can offer this to your kids and more! Let them climb up on some monkey bars, go down some slides or jump on a swing for a bit of fun! Whatever tickles their fancy they will find throughout the park and it's a perfect chance for you to then sit and relax and put your feet up as you watch your kids have a great time on the equipment.
• Make your kids learn some new things at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre! This is a great place for your kids to learn about all things environmental with numerous interactive displays and activates for them to really enjoy! If your kids are scared to learn things then you can always sell it to them as if it's all for fun and not purely educational! This way they won't even know they are actually learning as they will be having so much fun instead! It's a great way for you to kill two birds in one stone and have your kids entertained while at the same time actually learning something too!
• Show your kids the numerous garden beds throughout the park that have been formalised as well as the Japanese gardens in the park. Your children will be amazed at what a show nature can put on with the amount of flowers and other garden related items that will really take their breath away. Bring your camera along for some great shots so that your kids can then take them home and show their friends, and then inspire them to come along next time and check out the park for themselves! It may even inspire your kids to pick up some gloves, head out into the garden and make a career in horticulture! Whatever you decide to show them though it will be a great experience for all of you and a great day out!

Taking you and the kids to Redlands Indigiscapes Centre

If you have children who absolutely love nature and wildlife then there are many places in and around Brisbane in which you can take then to for a great experience. Your children may life to just see trees and animals up close, they may like the smells, the sights and sounds of nature or they may just like to escape from their school lives and home life in order to get close to some trees and greenery.

Wildlife too is another drawcard to such places and it's a great opportunity for you as well to go with your children and experience some very uniquely Australian wildlife in person. One such place where you can take your kids and yourself to enjoy a day out with everything we have mentioned can be found at the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre. Here you will find activities for all age groups to keep you all entertained and really experience the best of what nature has to offer. It is a great place to take a picnic and make a day out, sitting among the trees that themselves are filled with wildlife such as koalas and really taking the time out to relax. And there are really few places in Brisbane that you can find yourself able to do this! We will now take you through a few things that the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre has to offer, not only for your kids but also for you as well.

Take them on board and then get yourself a pen and paper and plan out your ideal day to make your getaway escape to the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre a memorable one and one that you will remember for some time. That's what the Redlands Indigiscapes centre aims to do: make your time there a memorable one so make sure you remember that when you visit there!

• Put on the walking shoes and go for a nice long walk along the massive length of bush walking trails! There are over a kilometre of trails spread out through the park and over these trails you can experience so many different things, from stunning nature scenery to some cute Australian wildlife. Who knows, you could even come up close and personal with one of the many koalas that are spread throughout the park? It can also double up as some great exercise for you and the kids too as you do some energetic walking to experience the splendours of nature!
• Have a look at the demonstration gardens to see how you can use native plants in your own garden. This is a great idea for all those budding gardeners out there who wish to learn the best possible way to really make their garden grow, and include some native plants within their own gardens. You might even inspire your own children to have a bit of a go at gardening which can help get them out of the house and off the computer and enjoy nature first hand!
• Bring your kids along to the Centre so that they can attend workshops with you and learn all about gardening and plant care. This is a great opportunity to bond with your children and spend some quality time as you watch them grow and nurture many different plants and types of plants along the way. You can even buy your very own plants at the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre to take home with you so that you and your children can use your new found green thumb to create the perfect garden at home.

So there are just a few ideas for you and your kids to take on board when you next want ti gave a day out and enjoy nature up close and personal! There are many other activities you can enjoy at the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre ad you should always contact them directly or check their website if you wish to learn more or check to see if they have any other events planned that may be of interest. We can guarantee you though that a trip to the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre will be a memorable one and something you will remember for a long time!

Let's go to Roma Street Parkland

Having a very busy life in the city is understandable and there are times that you just want to get away and escape the everyday grind that can get to you in the long run. Most cities offer little gardens that give you an escape, but you can still hear the constant noise of the city that may distract you as you really try to unwind and get away from it all.

This can also happen when you are with the kids and you want to go somewhere nearby where the noises aren't as bad, the shops are a long distance away and you are surrounded by greenery that just makes you smile. Well fear not people, because if you visit Brisbane you can experience a place where you can enjoy silence, tranquillity and everything that nature has to offer whilst still being in the heart of one of the biggest cities in Australia. That place? Roma Street Parkland! Roma Street Parkland is actually the world's largest subtropical garden in an urban setting and you will find yourself absolutely astounded that such a park can be found in the middle of a bustling city. And as you are surrounded by numerous plant species and green grass that will take your mind off everything that has happened in your day so far, you will be able to lay back and relax and experience nature in a way you have never known before.

We will present to you now some tips to enjoy when in the park, as well as what you can enjoy with your children should you decide to take them with you. It really is a great place to unwind and relax and enjoy a day out from everything that is happening in your life and get your head around the magnificent thing that is nature.

• Pack yourself a picnic, bring some balls and make a day out of it! Given that the park is 16 hectares in size and open all day for every single day of the year, there really is no excuse to not find an area in the park for you to enjoy! You will find countless park benches for you to stretch out the food on although we recommend getting a picnic rug, finding a nice shaded tree and really getting the picnic experience sorted with you and your family. Bring plenty of everything and lots of stuff to play with, and even bring the camera to make some memories from a great day out!
• Enjoy some of the many public art displays spread out through the park. There aren't many places where you can take the family and enjoy a day out in nature while at the same time enjoy some of the best art that Brisbane has to offer, so keep this in mind when you head to the Roma Street Parkland and know what you are getting yourself in for. Your children will enjoy the artwork and how unique it really is and then they can go home with some fantastic memories of the parkland!
• Bring some old bread and feed the ducks on the water! There really is nothing more relaxing than a day out with the family and a loaf of bread to feed the ducks and just watch the world go by. You will be amazed at how feisty the little fellas are and how much they enjoy human interaction, and you can enjoy the smiles on you children's faces as they get some close personal time with these amazing creatures! It is also a great way of getting rid of some old bread that you may have laying around your house that was going to be thrown away anyway so get it out of the cupboard, head down to Roma Street Parkland and enjoy the day with your family!

Hopefully there have been a few ideas for you and your family for your next adventure and you will consider Roma Street Parkland for your next family day out!

So far we have been witness to some amazing parks for you to experience and enjoy and another one of these parks is the majestic Tamborine National Park. This park is around 80km south of Brisbane and is great for either a short trip down south to getaway or a bit of a trip away for even longer. This park will provide you with so many different things to do, and is a perfect park for some short bushwalks if you aren't exactly the fittest person around who can do long walks over a long period of time. It's a great place too to pack a picnic rug and hamper and drive down to enjoy a nice day off in the sun and among the trees and really get back to nature as you realise how amazing the scenery is in your local area. Some tips for you when you visit Tamborine National Park are:

• Take a walk up some higher paths to really enjoy some stunning views. In certain points of the park you can take in amazing views of the Scenic Rim Mountains and the surrounding Gold Coast area which will take your breath away.
• If you don't like long walks then you will love Tamboring National Park. It has walking tracks suitable for all types of walkers, from the experienced bushwalking looking for a serious challenge right through to the more immediate walkers wanting a nice short trip to take in some stunning scenery. It really has it all in the Tamborine National Park and it will constantly amaze you at how diverse the scenery really is.
• Travelling to Tamborine National Park you should also know that it isn't the most suitable road for buses and caravans, so if you have a caravan and are planning on getting a camp site in the national park, it would be advised that you leave it at home, as well as any other trailer and just pack your basic tent and camping gear.

Hopefully these tips and words will help you choose the Tamboring National Park as your next destination when you want to get away from Brisbane and take in the amazing sites that a national park has to offer! Remember that it can be a short trip or a long trip, just as long as you make a trip at some point to really bring you and the family back to nature and make everything memorable for a very long time!

10 Reasons to Travel to Brisbane with Kids

• Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is an outstanding destination for travel with your kids, for  the experiences to be had there will remain in your collective memories long after they are grown.
• The seasons are reversed Down Under and so the otherwise 'winter' vacation of the northern hemisphere will be a stunning, simmering, summer vacation while in Brisbane.
• Brisbane as with all Australia, has attractions and experiences impossible to find anywhere else on earth- they are truly in every sense of the word 'unique'.
• There are a surprising number of venues and excursions and attractions in Brisbane that are heavily aimed at kids and kid-friendly whether it be the theme parks, the many animal native animal exhibits and the even the markets of: Riverside and Eagle Street Pier, West End Market and South Bank Lifestyle Market.
• Travel in Brisbane whether it be by train, day trips by plane to the outlying Great Barrier Reef, buses, automobiles on superb infrastructure, or catamaran excursions or ferry across Moreton Bay to Moreton Island are all excellent and world class. This Island has regular feeding of dolphins at evening at the Tangalooma Jetty.
• The 'Airtrain',  is a scenic elevated train that allows all kids ages 5 – 14 to travel free. It connects from the major airlines to 8 locations in and around Brisbane:  South Brisbane, Bowen Hills, Roma Street, Central Station, Fortitude Valley, Albion, Wooloowin and Eagle Junction.
• Sunshine Coast just north of Brisbane has outstanding beaches and  more National Parks than anywhere else in Queensland.
• The Gold Coast south of Brisbane is the center of the theme parks and Surfers Paradise all within an hours drive.
• Australia's Zoo at Beerwah in Brisbanes north area is the home of this now favorite native animal attraction - kids of all ages will love it.
• Brisbane's downtown and surrounding areas alone are jam packed with vibrant, top notch attractions: Fortitude Valley( Chinatown), South Bank ( exquisite restaurants ), West End ( artsy shops ), New Farm ( trendy upscale shopping ).

Here is a list of the biggest, best and most well known theme parks in and around Brisbane:
Please, Enjoy!

Aussie World / Bellingham Maze / Big Kart Track / Dracula’s Haunted House / Dreamworld / Infinity / King Tutt’s Putt Putt / Kingston Park Raceway / OZ Ball / Seaworld / Sunshine Castle Bli Bli / The Big Pineapple / The Ginger Factory / Top Shots Fun Park / Underwater World / Movie World / White water World.

Here is one of Brisbane’s best parks:
Roma Street Park is a beautiful park that was once the old railway yards, but has since become an example of inner city beautification at its best. The park can be hired out for weddings and other formals, while spending much of the year covered in purple and pink flowers that fall down from the Jacaranda trees that make up much of the areas tree population.

Other park areas worth noting here are the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens / Wynnum Wading Pool and Park / Sandgate Foreshore.
While our best museums are as follows: Brisbane Tramway Museum / Foundation Expo 88 / Museum of Brisbane / Queensland Energy Museum / Queensland Maritime Museum / Museum Southbank.

So, that is a basic guide to having fun in Brisbane. Remember Brisbane is a safe place so you can travel to any part of the city without being in danger of finding yourself in the wrong company. And, go to the web for more about getting around Brisbane because there is plenty of stuff about the city on it.

Mt Cootha is a large hill to the west of Brisbane and from Mt Cootha a person can see the whole of Brisbane including the bends in the Brisbane River and Canon Hill way out to the east moving towards the southern bay side suburbs of Wynnum-Manly. Mt Cootha is particularly lovely at night and has its own eatery and park area for visitors to rest and enjoy the view of Brisbane City.

Brisbane River Trips

Brisbane has an extensive public transport system that includes ferries and catamarans that stop at most points along the Brisbane River. The Brisbane River is a snaky winding river that is not particularly beautiful but, a visitor gets a good look at the inner city suburbs of Brisbane from the advantage point of the City cat’s and ferries that move visitors around the area. The ferries make the most stops though (being smaller than the catamarans and therefore easier to get in and out of a tight spot)and stop along points on the river that include Toowong, the City, Hamilton, Bulimba, St Lucia, New Farm, West End, and Southbank.

Ferry services even extend to points out in Moreton Bay like:

Tangalooma (on Moreton Island)
Stradbroke Island
Coochiemudlo Island

But, the capital of the sunshine state is not boring though and there is plenty of adventure to be had if you are looking for a fun time. Brisbane, like most major cities in the country and around the world Brisbane has its fair share of district and boutique areas that cater to specific needs, wants and desires. The oldest of these boutique areas is Fortitude Valley, the home of the Valley Diehards rugby league club and centre of Brisbane’s music scene. Savage Garden, Powderfinger, and the Veronica’s all played gigs here in the early stages of their career’s and were famous for putting the area on the map musically throughout the country with their tremendous talent.

Fortitude Valley or the ‘Valley’ as it is referred to by locals has many nightclubs in the area and its own mall, cafe and eatery area. Brisbane’s Chinatown is in the ‘Valley’ and many of the street signs in the area are written in Cantonese for both Asian Australians and visitors so they can navigate the surrounding area more successfully. Chinatown has many authentic Asian style eateries that cater to the culinary needs of the local Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese communities who live in and around the area, while being a detour from the norm for Australians of other ethnic backgrounds who want to try something different for a change.

The Valley is bohemian in its outlook and is a traditional ‘Australian Labor Party’ stronghold, and many of the people in the area see themselves as belonging to the Left, as opposed to more conservative suburbs of Brisbane.

Only a few kilometres north of the Central Business District (CBD) of Brisbane, the Valley is a refreshing diversion from the hustle and bustle of Queen Street Mall, George Street and the area surrounding Parliament House, Town Hall, Central Train Station, and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with its budding skyscrapers and eternally altering cityscape. The Valley retains a certain chic intransience and would have to be a must see for any student wanting to complete their academic qualifications in Brisbane.

Some of the oldest pubs in Queensland are in Fortitude Valley and they still serve counter meals for patrons as they have done for the past 100 or so years. 90% of the population of the Valley live in units and the median age is 29. So, although old historically speaking, the Valley is young in the median age of its residents.
the Valley is best at night though and you can have the time of your life there in the eateries, nightclubs, pubs and live music venues that compete for your attention as you cruise around trying to decide what to do for the next ten hours before everything closes only to repeat itself the next day.

If you’re game?
Then the Valley is the place to start any adventure in Brisbane, and can be accessed via bus train, taxi or city cat (fast moving catamarans that prowl the Brisbane River) at most times of the day or night. The Valley is close enough to the CBD to be blessed with excellent public transport facilities for anyone on a budget so it is never expensive to get there on a budget.

One of the glories of Brisbane is Moreton Bay with its quirky islands called by strange names like Goat Island, and Saint Helena’s Island (a terrible prison that would send a shiver up the stoutest spine) with their strange and often macabre histories. So luckily Moreton Island is not one of them.

Moreton Island, like Bribie Island just a little west of Moreton Island has a surf side and a calm side and is one of the most beloved tourist destinations for locals and international visitor’s to Brisbane. Moreton Island is 95% national park and development there is restricted to three small villages and Tangalooma Resort where from June through to November a visitor can watch the migration of humpback whales as they make their way to other, more appropriate places throughout the world’s oceans. Moreton Island also has herds of Dugongs (sea cows) that eat the sea grass on the bay floor and Moreton Island is the only place where a person is allowed to hand feed Bottlenose dolphins.

Moreton Island is a 75 minute trip from Brisbane and rests about 40 kilometres from the heart of the city. A Micat catamaran leaves the Holt Street Wharf at Pinkenba throughout the day to make the trip.

Moreton Island is the second largest sand island in the world and is home to the largest stable sand dune anywhere where a visitor can toboggan down the slopes of the thing at their own peril. Often described by tourists as a natural playground,

Moreton Island has several fresh water lagoons and is home to both native and feral wildlife that break the silence of the place at night with their otherworldly calls. Wildflowers carpet the island in their native beauty giving the island a relaxed and uplifting feel. While the old lighthouse built above Cape Moreton on the far northern end of Moreton Island still shines brightly after it was first ‘lit’ in 1857.
But, like all beautiful areas, Moreton Island has to be protected. So here are the two most important ones. You have to get a camping permit before you live Brisbane to stay there, and if you are taking a car (only a 4WD will do because the roads are sand) than you need a registration permit for that as well.

In 1988 during the Queensland International EXPO, Southbank was born as a development along the southern shore of the Brisbane River as a tourist destination for the million or so visitors who were going to be visiting Queensland that year during the six months of festivities. Initially, deeply disliked by many of the residents of Brisbane, Southbank with its artificial beaches (Queensland did not need fake beaches it has some of the best beaches in the world) and air of fakery was seen purely as a gimmick for foreign tourists who did not know any better.

But the attitude towards Southbank has changed over the last 20 years with a generation of Queenslanders growing up with Southbank being their personal playground in the city. Southbank today is the centre of most major festivities in the Brisbane with ‘River Fire’, New Years Celebrations and a bunch of other festivals on its calendar. Southbank is also home to markets every weekend of the year that run from Thursday through to Sunday night. Southbank has many picnic areas, free barbeques, and dozens of shops, eateries, and an IMAX cinema. So, if you are not a millionaire, it doesn’t matter because it is still a cool place to be.

Southbank has some of the best restaurants in the state that make up the culinary district that is situated there. ‘Spotlight’ just off the promenade has some of the best cuisine in the city. Where you can sit and look out across the water at the city cat’s and buskers as they compete for your attention.

The area is also family friendly with plenty of free entertainment for them, but Southbank is a place for the young or young at heart in particular. Southbank on a Friday night has a good vibe and there is plenty of security in the area, so trouble is often at a minimal during most times of the year.

For those who are interested in more refined entertainment than it is good to know that Southbank is also home to three of the most well known cultural icons in the state:

Queensland Are Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art
Queensland Museum (including Sciencentre)
State Library of Queensland
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

All are found on the promenade straddling the Victoria Bridge as you enter into the Southbank parkland area.

Guide to Brisbane

Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city and the capital of Queensland, Australia’s second largest state. And, currently Brisbane is celebrating its 150th anniversary since it became the capital of the colony of Queensland, a separate colony from New South Wales. This separation occurred in 1859. But, by 2030 the population of Brisbane is expected to rise to over 5 million people with an influx of recently arrived immigrants from the southern states and overseas. This population explosion is boosted by the rising birth rate amongst people born in the area making the capital Brisbane one of the country’s great cultural melting pots of the 21st century.

Although these facts could make one feel overwhelmed if they did not know Brisbane very well, I assure you that you should not feel too alarmed because Brisbane is one of the safest cities in the world where street crime is almost non existent. So, in spite of this burgeoning growth Brisbane still retains much of its small town feel. The small town feel of Brisbane is best exemplified by the quite suburbs that push in all directions out from the inner city core of South Bank, Fortitude Valley, George Street, and the Queen Street Mall that are the centre of economic and social life in the south east corner of the state.

Brisbane - Blessed Are They

Blessed are they who tend to Nature;s beauty, the given, with a tender touch for theirs shall be the health of living breathing space and the peace of the tree that radiates from within, the joy of the dancing shrub in the wind, the hurrah of the rolling waves, the melody of the ebb and flow, ebb, flow and ebb of the tides, the healing smile of the baby and the sweetness, indeed the freshness of the beaches and the sea that stretch to infinity, the infinity of the heart of love.

Blessed are they in whose hands the simple little gardens of Nature transfigure into lovely parks in which the children, right from beginning, take delight in the givens of Nature without which it is not possible for human beings to be here at all.
With this, it is welcome to Brisbane.

All over the place in Australia you see this loving care for Nature and tending touch for ecology in a way that even the city, the human creation with its restlessness of commercial knowingness and the frenetic pace of its pulse to pack the moment with meaning, could feel the warmth of the grandmother’s caress to whom the tale of how it all began remains a joy.
Brisbane. It got its name from John Oxley who gave the large river that he discovered the name River Brisbane in honour of the then governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane who sent him on an errand on board H.M.Cutter Mermaid. At that time, Queensland was still under New South Wales. Before then, as far back as 1797, Matthew Flinders had explored Moreton Bay. Queensland proclaimed its independence from New South Wales on 6th June 1859.
Here in Brisbane, the human creation, that smiling kid in the grandmother’s cuddling arms, has a secret behind it.

The secret is that behind the elegant skyrocketing eagles in flight yet rooted to the ground skyscrapers, behind the joyous frolics of the rolling waves, yes, behind the plush and plum of the greens to which Nature lay claim but which, without human care as it is the case everywhere in Australia would have degenerated into wastelands, there is a creative mind or a group of creative minds whose source of power is rooted in silence itself. They just don’t talk but do.

We got the secret of the heavenly radiance, eternal youthfulness and the potential for turning out the new of Brisbane in the publication of Brisbane City Council entitled,  “A Journey of Creativity and Culture. Creative City - Brisbane City Council’s Cultural Strategy 2003 – 2008.”

Here we have, in the publication, the powerhouse – there is even a place called Powerhouse in Brisbane; more on it soon – of what makes Brisbane tick and shall keep it ticking for as long as the clock ticks and tocks.

“Inspiring a creative Brisbane is a key theme in Council’s  Living In Brisbane 2010 vision and Creative City introduces the next stage in the integration of creativity and culture across Council programs. It includes strategies and actions to enliven the city, facilitate creative thinking, foster social inclusion, build the economy and strengthen local identity....

Creativity is essential in a rapidly changing world. Creativity facilitates new ways of thinking and new ways of solving problems – not only in the arts and cultural fields but in urban development and renewal, in ensuring ecological balance and sustainability, and in the creation of wealth and social cohesion. Creativity requires the ability to think through problems afresh, to discover common threads amongst seemingly disparate influences, to be willing to experiment, to rewrite rules, to visualise new futures and to have the courage to act upon those visions.

Maximising a city’s creative potential requires certain conditions – the presence of ambition, will, resources, energy and leadership. Successful modern cities are open-minded, flexible, ambitious and able to harness the talent of their regions and beyond. They have the ability to foster strong cultural identity, to develop local, regional and international partnerships and to invest in a dynamic cultural life.  The challenge for Brisbane is to shape its own creative approach and move beyond established practices to new ways of thinking that will enrich the life of the city.” That’s it!

To get to the heart of Brisbane and have a full immersion in its pool of natural attractions and the wonderful products of human creativity, the visitor will need that which makes this city a standard-bearer in excellent planning and the harmonious blend of the natural and the human. That Eternal Radiance is Creativity. In the Council’s journal above, it is called thinking outside the box.

Study the tourists books and pamphlets but think beyond them! Explore.
Some of the places you may visit before or after exploring this city on your own are Brisbane Powerhouse which in addition to being a producer of contemporary performing arts is also  a multi-arts, dining and conference venue. For over thirty years, the building, the derelict power station, was a ghost until the Brisbane City Council breathed life into it. The artistic endowments of Brisbane Powerhouse include but are not exhausted by industrial structures with European flair, raw textures and graffiti walls, the concentration of excellence that earned the building a heritage listing. As a not-for-profit organization, Brisban Powerhouse is owned and supported by Brisbane City Council.

Other must-visit-and-be places in Brisbane are Mt Coot-tha Lookout where you can get a view of Brisbane. All you need is relax as the top Mt Coot-tha brings before you the whole of Brisbane including the skyline of Central Business District (CBD), the distant ranges and the Moreton Bay. The South Bank with its endless stretch of sandy beach reaches from without to the soul with balm. This place is a host to many festivals and fireworks throughout the year. The Culture Centre takes you on the journey of creativity in which at every bend and corner the attunement with the new takes hold of the beholder to a standstill.

You haven’t the fill of Brisbane’s natural attractions if you miss Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a trip to the Brisbane River from where, as we said, Brisbane got its name which originated from, yes, we know the source already. Wait! Moreton Bay. That soil you are is the same where Brisbane began its story. But don’t say you are not told – the place is huge and enchanting with memory that endures forever with just a taste of it, just a piece of it. At Moreton Bay the visitor can do that which gives joy to imagination by indulging in it. Feeding wild dolphins for example. You can see them walking around like respectable grandmas, greeting you will shaking of the head that could pass for a nod of welcome in Taagalooma Wild Dolphin Resort.

Brisbane is a place you cannot visit in a hurry. It is the case that in eternity, time stands still. All that you have in eternity is the Now into which all that were and shall be are packed. That’s the feeling you get when you are in Brisbane. Every now is a new day. Every encounter is the birth of a new experience. That’s what you get when you visit City Botanic Gardens and walk through the mangroves and from there move to Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, come down and take a train to Roman Street Parkland and from there to Story Bridge.

Wait! What of the Australian Zoo Brisbane made famous by Steve and Terri Irwin, located in Sunshine Coast? You can’t rush this amazing zoo and so keep them away the ringing and telling phones and other time-talking or shouting and clamouring pieces on you. Some of the demonstrations that make the lip part in wonder and the eyes becoming watery with emotion include crocodile feeding and snake handling, walking animals through the park to give the visitor of paradise in which all live together in peace. They are all conservationists, naturalists and environmentalists, the members of the team in Australia Zoo as you would get it from the horse’s mouth, yes from Steve Irwin.

These places of attraction and the place that is the home to them are a taste of honey. You will never forget them. Yes, Brisbane is a taste of honey.

When to go

The climate of Brisbane and Queensland is considered to have two main seasons – a humid season with lots of rain from October to May and a dry season between June and October. The best time to visit Brisbane is during the dry winter. During the summer months humidity can be extremely high and so too the rainfall during this period.

Average minimum and maximum temperatures

• Summer 21 C – 29 C
• Autumn 17 C – 26 C
• Winter 10 C – 20 C
• Spring 15 C – 26 C

What to do and see

Brisbane has a great number of attractions only a short trip away from the city centre. On Brunswick street, you will find the rejuvenated New Farm where you can relax in the expansive parkland and have a picnic. You can also dine out or a have few drinks at many of the trendy coffee shops, wine bars and restaurants.

Head down to Suncorp Piazza an outdoor theatre which showcases everything from major sporting events, free movies and short film festivals in selected periods. This venue is also transformed into a concert arena plus street performances. There are also free dancing classes held once a month if you’re looking to hone your groove.
Just 15 minutes out of the city is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Here you can hold a Koala and feed kangaroo’s in the open area reserve. There are also a whole range of native animals including kookaburras, Emus, wombats, Tasmanian Devils and Echidnas.

Since its inception, Chinatown has gone from strength to strength. Indulge in a great variety and depth of Chinese cuisine. Feeling stressed? Relieve yourself through traditional methods of acupuncture. There are also a number of festivals, touring musicians and other events to keep you happy all night.

Hotspots – The Powerhouse

The heritage listed Powerhouse is a unique creation. A melting pot of performing arts, music, comedy, film and festivals revolve around this space on the banks of the Brisbane River. Once an old power station, the Powerhouse has become a force to be reckoned with. Come…you won’t be disappointed.

This is the capital City of the Australian state of Queensland. It is named after the Brisbane River over which it is located. This capital city is a home to around two million people and ranks third in regard to cities’ population in Australia. The people living here are referred to as Brisbanites.

In 2008 it was classified as a world city by the Loughborough University, meaning that it is among those cities in the world that are important in the world’s economic system. The climate of Brisbane may be classified as a subtropical climate that is humid. The summers are hot, dry with a lot of humidity. The winters on the other hand can be said to be mild. It is common to get thunderstorms from the month of November to March. In severe events, large hailstones and destructive winds as well as torrential rainfall accompany the thunderstorms.

Since 2006 to early 2010 the city experienced one of the longest droughts leading to a severe water shortage. This has since changed when high rainfall in early 2010 made the water reserve go to 98% of the maximum capacity. When it comes to tourism, Brisbane is a highly preferred destination in Australia.

While in Brisbane one has the opportunity to choose from an array of attractions. You have the Roma Street Parklands –famed for being the world’s biggest subtropical garden that is located in a city centre. Port Wharf, a world class cruise terminal is the first of its kind in Brisbane.

Vessels from around the world dock at this international wharf once in a week on average. The location also has upscale residential facilities and a retail centre as well.                                                     Another attraction is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which is famed as being the world’s first of its kind. Some of the animals that here include the Koalas, some reptiles, Kangaroos, the Wombats among others. Music lovers will most definitely cherish Brisbane where live events of music take place every so often.

Catch up with some groove at the Arts Centre of Queensland which has a number of theatres within it. It is also the performing venue for the Brisbane’s symphony Orchestra which is also the biggest performing arts company in the Queensland state. The inviting ambiences of Brisbane, clear skies hanging over the coastal villages that are surrounded by the cool blue sea, make it perfect for a memorable holiday.

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, enjoys sunshine almost all year around. It is a well established city with amazing infrastructure without the hustle and bustle of busy commercial centres like Melbourne or Sydney.

Brisbane offers numerous outdoor activities, urban adventures, water escapes, views and vineyards. Tourists to Brisbane can also enjoy its arts and culture, gourmet cuisines, it’s beautiful parks and gardens and of course shopping.

One of the major attractions in Brisbane is the Australia Zoo. It was created by the late Steve Irwin, a pioneer in providing real wildlife action and adventure. The zoo is spread over 70 acres of natural Australian bush-land and provides a wildlife experience second to none. Visitors to the zoo can experience patting a baby alligator, a cuddly Koala or a naughty wombat.

One other major attraction of Brisbane is an evening dinner show called Australian Outback Spectacular. It is presented by renowned R.M. Williams. It provides a great insight into the Australian outback lifestyle with outback music, drama and action. It accommodates approximately a thousand visitors every night from Tuesday to Sunday. Over one and a half hour, visitors experience amazing audio and visual effects and a tasty three course Aussie BBQ.

Apart from the wildlife and the outback exposure, Brisbane also provides amazing views around its beaches as well. Water lovers can hire a yacht and make a trip around the bay and soak the relaxing atmosphere.

Don’t forget to pack a hat and a bottle of sunscreen as your time in Brisbane is going to be full of sunshine with long sunny days and clear blue skies.

Brisbane is in the middle of the east coast and the third-largest city in Australia. It is locally known as Bris Vegas and is fast becoming one of the most desirable places to live. There is a cosmopolitan atmosphere, a great street café scene, beautiful riverside parks, a busy cultural calendar, an active nightlife and a fantastic climate. Brisbane has dozen of theatres, cinemas, concert halls, galleries and museums and it’s called as the arts capital of Queensland. Some of the state’s major tourist destinations like the Gold and Sunshine Coast and the islands of Moreton Bay are nearby the city. Over five million visitors are in Brisbane each year.

The most major sights are in the inner city or within a walking distance of it. There are the “City Botanic Gardens”, a pleasant respite from the busy city and a firm favourite of lunching office workers. An unusual artificial swimming beach designed to resemble a tropical lagoon is the “Pauls Breaka Beach” in Parklands, South Bank. The “Maritime Museum” is at the western end of the South Bank promenade and as well in South Bank the “Naval Stores” has some displays on the history of Brisbane’s naval defences, the Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point. Within the “Brisbane Botanic Gardens” is the “Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium”, the largest planetarium in Australia. The “Brisbane Forest Park” is a 28,500-hectare bushland reserve in the D’Aguilar Range around 10 km from the city and has a hugely popular recreation area for city dwellers. South of the city is the “Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary”, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Popular Festivals in Brisbane are the “Brisbane Festival of Music” and the “International Film Festival”, both in July.

There are plenty of Hostels in Brisbane. Recommended are the “Tinbilly” with A$ 20 per night and dorm and you can sleep for A$ 17-21 in the “Brisbane City Backpackers”, which has a job centre, pool, bar and terrace with views of the Brisbane River, a lift and wheelchair-accessible rooms.

Adventure at Australia Zoo

A day out, nice tropical weather, wildlife, fresh air, stunning views and an endless list of exciting activities await visitors all year around at the Australia Zoo. This vast wildlife park does not run out of entertainment options for children and adults so they can enjoy, appreciate and learn about Australia’s unique fauna. Animal exhibits, guided tours, wildlife feeding, interesting talks and spectacular shows are some of the adventures these 80 acres of land have to offer to animal lovers and fun seekers.

Located on the Steve Irwin Way, the Australia Zoo is 90 Km from Brisbane and can be reached by taking the Zoo’s Courtesy Coach service or the QR Citytrain and Sunbus services, which collect and deliver passengers along different routs and finally drop them and pick them up at the gates of this famous animal sanctuary. The convenience of such transport options makes it easier and affordable for students and non-drivers.

With daily shows running from 10 am to 3:30 pm, animal lovers learn about wildlife conservation while they get close to hundreds of animals. People also get to know different species that live in lush facilities and well cared habitats; additionally, they have the chance to feed and pad some of the most iconic Australian creatures: koalas, kangaroos and wombats. This is an unforgettable experience for those who have never seen Australia’s endemic species as they can not be viewed anywhere else around the world.

However, there is more to this than meets the eye. Valuable information about the animals’ habitats and behaviour is provided by the friendly zoo team, who will take people on specialized guided tours that make the experience more exciting by visiting the Zoo’s Hospital, going on a caddie around the sanctuary or having an adventurous safari.

Apart from the guided tours, patrons can visit the Tiger Temple, The Crocoseum, the African and Asian facilities, the Bird Sanctuary, the Great Southern Ocean, the Elephant facility and many other exhibits in spacious and impressive environments that set the perfect atmosphere to have a wildlife adventure in the company of friends and family. They can benefit from 2-day Wild Passes, same day exit and re-entry passes, group discounts and are allowed to bring food and drink into the Zoo, although the Foodcourt has different outlets to cater for everyone.

Finally, the Irwin family together with the zoo keepers schedule several celebrations each year that attract aussies and tourists on special dates such as Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Queen’s Birthday and Bindi’s Birthday. These events are the best opportunity to see the Crocodile Hunter’s family in action and be close to the brave team of Wildlife Warriors.

South Bank is located at the south bank area of the Brisbane River. It is a popular place for both tourists and Brisbane locals as it has many places to go and activities to get involved in including:

The Cultural Centre – As the name suggests, has Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum and the State Library.
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) – always has something to see like musicals, plays and dance performances.
South Bank Lifestyle Markets – Is a good place to check out more locally made and designed products, souvenirs or just to get a massage.
South Bank’s Visitor Centre – Would be a good place to stop by as it gives information and sells tickets for upcoming events.
Streets Beach – Is the only beach located in the middle of a city in Australia. It is a man-made beach with views overlooking the city and the Brisbane River. There are no waves or rips and the beach is constantly under supervision by trained life guards.
The Wheel of Brisbane – an air-conditioned Ferris wheel. It is 60 metres tall and lights up at night. There are 42 enclosed capsules with a 360 degree view of the city and the river. Visit soon as the Wheel is scheduled to continue only till 2010 though this may get extended.

South Bank is also well known for the South Bank Parklands which was developed on the site of where the World Expo 88 used to be. The Expo was a World’s Fair held in Brisbane in 1988. The theme was ‘Leisure in the Age of Technology’ and attracted more than 18 million visitors in the six months it was open.

The Parklands opened to the public in 1992 and is a nice place to just spend the day having a barbeque or riding a bike. It is popular gathering for events and national holidays like Australia Day and there are three playgrounds for children to enjoy.

The atmosphere is very relaxed and inviting with beautiful scenery, so much so that it has won awards including the best public sector development in the world by the International Real Estate Federation.

Though Queensland is famous for its warm weather and picturesque beaches, Brisbane is not a coastal city but if you’re looking to spend a day out on or by the water than Moreton Bay is only a half hour drive out east. There are a lot of activities to get involved in at the Bay including sailing or taking a cruise out onto the water, snorkelling, and fishing or feeding dolphins.

There is also Bribie Island, located between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, only an hour’s drive away. With its calm, clear waters this spot is more of a place of leisure rather than a beach for surfing. Though there can be small waves found on the eastern side of the island on Woorim beach. It is an ideal location for children, swimming, fishing and boating.

Bush walking and bike riding are popular activities as well as camping on the beachfront. With an approved permit people are allowed to drive their 4WDs down to the beach. Permits are available through the Moreton Bay Regional Council and Bongaree Caravan Park.

For more beach locations you have the options of driving up north to the Sunshine Coast or down south to the Gold Coast.

ENJOY THE BRISBANE RIVER

The Brisbane River is one of the attractions that visitors and locals enjoy throughout the whole year. As a famous landmark, it offers variety of options to explore the city and the suburbs. It also provides multiple services that are designed to make living in Brisbane a nice experience.

For those who enjoy outdoors activities, Brisbane River is the ideal space to make the most of Brisbane’s climate. Aquatic sports like rowing and sailing regattas, fishing, water skiing and cruisers are some of the alternatives held on the river by sailing schools, clubs, travel agencies, experts and amateurs.

No need to get wet

The riverside and floating restaurants give the opportunity to dine out in the company of a nice view, along the banks of the river. But if you want to explore the waterways and be in contact with nature without getting wet, the eco- tours will take you to know the flora and fauna of this rich ecosystem.
In addition, the bikeways and river walk pavements allow people to move along the river, connected by bridges and parks. This infrastructure makes the Brisbane River an excellent spot with 520 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths not only for recreation but also for transport purposes.

Get there easily

The City Cat and Ferry services transport passengers along 15 main locations in Brisbane, many of them are popular venues for dining, cultural exchange and entertainment along the river. Restaurants, cafes, theatres, parks and markets are just some of the riverside places to visit and people can get there by taking sophisticated catamarans or comfortable ferries.

Apart from the riverside destinations, Brisbane River also holds popular events like the Brisbane Festival, the Riverfire, the Brisbane Writers Festival and the Riverstage spectacles, which set the right atmosphere to enjoy art, cuisine and nightlife in this exciting city.

The Brisbane River Festival goes from the 4th to the 25th of September, which includes performances, concerts, regattas, BBQs, parties, free outdoors programs and exhibitions. The opening is a stunning fireworks show called the Riverfire. This show can be observed from spectator vessels, buildings, parklands and the highest spots in Brisbane.

Along with the River Festival, The Writers Festival is a literary event of special interest for writers, readers, authors and books lovers. This program aims to entertain and educate with workshops, exhibitions, industry sessions and performances held at the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, both located in South Bank with the river as the main scenario.

Finally, the Riverstage, located in the City Botanic Garden and next to the river, hosts national and international artists who perform for thousands of people during the whole year.

The Sunshine Coast is over an hour’s drive north of Brisbane. It is another popular destination for tourists with many of Australia’s better known beaches located here in the communities of Caloundra, Coolum, Mooloolaba and Noosa Heads. The beaches in Noosa Heads host the ‘Noosa Festival of Surfing’.

The Sunshine Coast also has other prominent attractions such as:

Aussie World has over 30 rides and games like the Ferris wheel, the Wild Mouse Rollercoaster and dodgem cars. It is located on Bruce Highway near the famous Ettamogah Pub (means ‘A place of good drink’ in Aboriginal). It is well known for its unique architectural structure based off the drawings by Australian cartoonist Ken Mayard. It was built in 1989, stands at 18 metres and also has a bar and grill.
Australia Zoo was first opened in 1970 by Steve Irwin’s parents. He then took over in 1991. It is now owned by Terri Irwin. There are 1000 animals and reptiles residing in the 100 hectare zoo. Visitors can feed kangaroos and elephants, watch trained keepers feed crocodiles and pet koalas.
The Big Pineapple opened in 1971; the iconic structure stands at 16 metres tall. There are two available rides. The first is the train that takes visitors through the pineapple plantations while explaining the history. The other is called the Nut Mobile as the plantation used to run a Macadamia Nut factory.
The Buderim Ginger Factory has tours, rides, shops and restaurants. The factory produces sugar based ginger products that are sold in Australia and exported to countries around the world.
The Majestic Theatre was first established in 1921 and is a heritage building. It is known for screening movies, specialising mostly in silent films.
UnderWater World is a combination of marine mammal park and wildlife sanctuary. There are seal and otter shows. A transparent tunnel allows visitors a close view to sharks as they are being fed or are just swimming around. Visitors can get even close by going on shark dives.

The Sunshine Coast has many national parks to explore and hike in; the region has more national parks than any other in Queensland. Popular parks include the Glasshouse Mountains National Park, the Great Sandy National Park and Noosa National Park.