 Attractions
Botanical Gardens: This magnificent sub-tropical garden, notable for its spreading bunya pines, palm trees and exotic flowers, is situated on part of the original government farm.
When Walter Hill became the first Director of the Botanical Reserve in 1855, it covered only 6 acres, but it was later extended to include a river frontage, now its finest feature. Located on the Banks of the Brisbane River, Alice Street , Brisbane.
Conrad Treasury Casino: Located in the heart of Brisbane, the Casino is very appealing and very accessible. It occupies the historic Treasury Building and transcends time as the latest computerised gaming shares a 19th Century architectural backdrop with age old table games. The casino brings a new dimension in entertainment to Brisbane with the whirl of the roulette wheel, the quiet tension of the blackjack game and the cries of victory from the many excited winners. Situated at the top of Queen Street Mall. The casino is open 24 hours a day and features 102 gaming tables and 1244 machines.
City Hall, Civic Art Gallery & Museum: The building, faced with sandstone, was constructed between 1920 and 1930. The carved central pediment depicts Queensland's pioneer settlers. Fine art and period furniture are displayed in the gallery, while the museum documents the history of local government in Queensland. Located at King George Square in Brisbane.
Customs House: Although imposing from any angle, the building can be seen from many parts of the city, the customs house is particularly impressive when seen from the water. It was designed by Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin and constructed in 1886-1889 by builder John Petrie. Located on the riverbank in Queen Street, Brisbane.
Early Street Village: Set amidst the beautiful gardens of Eulalia, one of Brisbane's most elegant late Victorian villas, is a collection of colonial buildings reconstructed on this site and furnished to illustrate 19th Century life in Queensland. Luncheons and afternoon tea served on Sundays.
General Post Office & Museum: The classical revival building erected as the post office in 1871-72 quickly proved to be too small, and it was extended in 1877-79. The site was first occupied by the first female factory prison and subsequently by a gaol. The annual distribution of blankets to Aboriginees also took place here.
Miegunyah Folk Museum: A gracious Victorian residence, built in 1884 for businessman and politician William Perry and typical of the elaborate houses of that period. It is built in timber on unusual honeycomb brickwork piers and graced by intricate lacework balustrading, columns and valances. It is now restored and furnished by the Queensland Women's Historic Association as a tribute to Queensland's pioneer women.
Old Commissariats Stores: The second oldest building in Brisbane, built by convicts in 1829 and originally the office of the much hated administrator of the penal settlement, Capt Logan. After the penal settlement was closed, the building was used to house immigrants and later to store archives. Now a museum and the head-quarters of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.
Queensland Art Gallery: One of Australia's most prominent Galleries with Australian, Aboriginal and European Collections and often showcases major exhibitions of Van Gogh, Renoir and Matisse. Located in the South Bank Parklands.
South Bank Parklands: South Bank Parklands is situated on the former site of Expo '88. It has since been redeveloped and is now one of the city's most interesting areas. The parklands feature restaurants, cafes, bike paths, a swimming beach, a butterfly house and rainforest sanctuary. The park lands offer entertainment all day and night.
Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary: Located in the South Bank Parklands. Gondwana offers a rainforest environment with over 700 native Australian Animals and Plants as well as still life displays.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: This Koala park is situated in a wide expanse of beautiful riverside parkland, just the place to make friends with Australia's wild life. Home to over 120 koalas and more than 70 kinds of Australian animals, Lone Pine is Australia's largest and oldest Koala sanctuary. Only 11 km from the centre of Brisbane at Fig Tree Pocket, this park is a must for everyone.
Brisbane Forest Park: Brisbane is one of the only cities to boast a large expanse of bushland right at its front door. Just 20 minutes drive from the city, the park offers its own mini bus and 4WD tours. See the wildlife that inhabit the creeks and billabongs, including, turtles, water dragons, fish and frogs. Visitors to the park can enjoy a breakfast in the bush, a spotlight walk through the rainforest or come face to face with the unique lung fish.
The Brisbane River: The Brisbane River is a great way to see the city from either a cruise boat or by rowboat. The River is fringed with gardens, boat moorings, cafes and paths for walking or cycling. A great way to see the River is aboard a paddlesteamer for a dinner cruise.
Things To Do Outside Of Brisbane:
Glass House Mountains: The Glass House Mountains are situated 60 kilometres north of Brisbane and are a wonderful day trip. These volcanic peaks provide some of the best scenery of Queensland with views of state forests and tropical fruit farms.
Lamington National Park: Lamington National Park covers the Macpherson Range in south Queensland. The National Park features wooded valleys and subtropical rainforests. There are many gorges, waterfalls and pools. The park also has a tree top canopy walk on suspension bridges at Green Mountain. There are many wildlife including Bower Birds and small wallabies found in grassy areas of the forest.
Fraser Island: The island encompasses an amazing variety of landscapes, long surf beaches, cliffs and gorges, dense rainforests, winding streams, and salt pans with eerie mangrove forests. The beaches and forests are the habitat of more than 230 species of birds. It is one of the largest and most varied communities in Australia, and isolation from the mainland has insured the purity of the island's dingo population. As a precious part of Queensland's natural and cultural heritage, it is protected for all to appreciate, enjoy and respect.
Noosa: Noosa is situated on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, just a short distance from Brisbane. It has become a resort area with beaches and spectacular waterways and good restaurants.
Moreton Bay: Moreton Bay is an excellent area for water activities including sailing in the Bay which is protected from the big ocean swells, game fishing for marlin in the southern part of the bay and diving in the crystal clear waters and exploring old wrecks near Moreton Island.
Big Pineapple: The Big Pineapple is a working fruit plantation with attractions such as a sugar cane train ride, an animal nursery and a macadamia nut factory.
Gold Coast: The Gold Coast is a stretch of beaches 35 kilometres which runs all the way to the New South Wales border. The centre of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise which has many shops and boutiques, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs. Just south of Surfers Paradise is Jupiter's Casino which is open 24 hours a day for the excitement of the gambling world. The Gold Coast also features the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, home to many species of wildlife such as kangaroos, emus and rainbow lorrikeets.
Sea World: Sea World is Australia's most popular marine park situated on Queensland's Gold Coast. There are dazzling shows, adventure and action. Experience the rides of a life time from the famous corkscrew rollercoaster, to the carousel. Take a swim in the water park or feed the dolphins in the petting pool, no matter where you go there is so much to see and do, a fun filled outing for all ages.
Warner Bros. Movie World: Voted as Australia's number 1 theme park Movie World is also situated on the Gold Coast. The park features a Movie World Studio, live stunts performed daily, street parades, Batman Adventure ride and your favourite cartoon characters. A fun and exciting insight into how movies are produced.
Dreamworld: This exciting theme park on Australia's Gold Coast and is made up of nine differently themed areas of fun, fantasy and excitement. Dreamworld's IMAX theatre is a six storey screen for a spectacular film experience. A day here is the perfect outing for all ages, with an endless supply of fun.
Wet 'n' Wild: This water park combines all the fun and excitement of the world's latest water slides and leisure pools with a shaded twenty acre sub tropical garden. Whether lazing in the shallows of Australia's only wave pool, or plunging down a seven storey high speed slide, Wet 'n' Wild Water Park provides a full day of family entertainment all year round with heated pools and slides.
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