About Brisbane - Accommodation - Tours and what to do - Transport and car hire - Photos - Map

Brisbane

The skyline of Brisbane, "Batman" building on the left

Once upon a time Brisbane used to be regarded as an oversized backwards country town of agricultural and mining industries by residents of the bigger cities but this image has improved after hosting a multitude of international events, one of them the 1988 World Expo.
Nowadays it is a cosmopolitan and lively city that is home to skyscrapers, parkland and even an artificial beach in the Brisbane River that cuts through the city. Add to this a great social, cultural and cafe scene, a busy nightlife and a great subtropical climate of hot, brilliant summers and clear, mild winters and you have the ideal destination for visitors all year round.
Brisbane is situated 25km upstream from the mouth of the Brisbane River and is built along the banks of this river. It is easy to explore the compact city centre on foot.
The city started out as a penal colony in 1825 where prisoners were sent that were too troublesome for the colony in Sydney. The area used to be home to the Jagera and Turrbal Aboriginal clans, which led to a few clashes and the demise of these clans. Around 1860 the city changed from a convict town to a prosperous city and many grand buildings were constructed that can still be admired today.
The current population is culturally diverse, over twenty-six percent of Brisbane’s population was born overseas.

Brisbane's centre has quite a few parks to wander around or ride your bicycle, one of those is the 16 ha. South Bank, a leftover from 1988 World Expo, that has an artificial beach, restaurants, cafes and market stalls.
On July 8, 2004, the New South Wales flag was flown on the bridge over the Brisbane River. Reason? Premiers of states are just as sportsmad as the rest of Aussies so the premiers had betted on who would win the Rugby League. New South Wales trashed Queensland so premier Beattie had to fly the opponent's flag from his bridge!

Brisbane has an ideal climate for year round water sports

Less than half an hour from the city centre is Moreton Bay and its islands. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports in a quiet beachside village environment. If you're hankering for surf, the famous beaches and resorts of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts are just over one hour's drive away.

 

 

 

About Brisbane - Accommodation - Tours and what to do - Transport and car hire - Photos - Map