Brisbane Shore Excursions
Walking tour
Brisbane's center is very compact so easy to cover during a self-guided walking tour. Must-dos include George Street Mansions, an elegant set of terraces dating from 1890, Government House, built in 1862 to house the first Governor of Queensland St George Bowen, the Commissariat Store, originally built by convicts in 1829, Parliament House, designed by the winning entry of an Australia-wide architecture competition and St Stephens, built in 1850 in a neo-gothic design.
South Bank Parklands
The South Bank Parklands are a pleasing mix of grasslands, rainforest and ponds plus additional artificial features including the Nepal Peace Pagoda, the riverfront promenade, Streets Beach and the Grand Arbour. Stroll up the Grand Arbour, a 3000ft long patch enclosed by curling steel struts covered by with bright and colorful bounganvilleas. Or take an exciting ride on the 200ft tall Wheel of Brisbane which carries 42 gondolas turning every 15 minutes with panoramic views of the South Bank Parklands, the City and the Brisbane River.
South Bank Cultural Centre
The South Bank Cultural Centre, beside the south bank of the Brisbane River between the the Victoria bridge and the Kurilpa bridge, is the site of three impressive attractions, the Queensland Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Art Gallery. The Queensland Art Gallery features permanent and temporary exhibitions of paintings and sculptures by local and international artists. The Gallery of Modern Art concentrates in works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries and includes multimedia and photographic works as part of its scope. The Queensland Museum presents a rich store of items and articles with one of the more interesting galleries telling the fascinating history of Queenslanders.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
At the prize winning Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary you can get up close with a great variety of Australian wildlife, including koalas, dingos, wombats, crocodiles and echidnas. Opening hours are 9-5, every day of the week. Traveling to the sanctuary from the city by bus or taxi takes around 25 minutes.
Mt Coot-tha Lookout
A quick half hour trip by coach brings you to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout, perched high up on a steep hill. In 1880 a large slice of hill was set aside as a public park and named Mt Coot-tha, from the Aboriginal word for honey. The park offers a great view of Brisbane.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise, the center of the sun-drenched Gold Coast, is just 50 miles south of Brisbane. On reaching this stunning oceanside city, many tourists head straight to Skypoint, the planet's tallest residential building. Here you can enjoy spectacular unsurpassed views from the top story. Or take a leisurely walk along the golden sands of Main Beach. The most convenient way to reach Surfers Paradise is by bus, alternatively using the Gold Coast train.
Brisbane Cruise Resources
