Laidback living

zoom

zoom

zoom

zoom

stop

Despite the skyscrapers, bustling streets and its status as Australia's third largest city, Lisa Hodge headed down under to find Brisbane to be refreshingly humble and a haven of calm.

Australians are renowned for their spirited and relaxed approach to life and nowhere else best reflects that ethos more than Brisbane.

As Australia's third-largest city and the capital of Queensland this bustling metropolis has much to boast about, yet it remains casually unaffected by its status.

Brisbane city centre exudes all the energy and enthusiasm you would find from any major city in the world but is encompassed by an idyllic lush landscape and the Brisbane River which flows through the city before meeting Moreton Bay on Australia's east coast.

The contrast between the city's dynamic urban centre and its picturesque rural outskirts attracts thousands of tourists to Brisbane every year.

Brisbane weather is almost always hot. In the summer expect stiflingly hot humid days but in the winter, which is peak tourist season, the weather is much more pleasant and attracts thousands of tourists, particularly people from Sydney and Melbourne who head north to escape the cold.

But the weather is not the only thing that makes Brisbane a magnet for tourists. The city is packed full of attractions to suit every type of visitor. Escape to Brisbane's Bayside and experience the region on two legs, two wheels or on water.

Enjoy alfresco dining overlooking the Bay, hand feed wild dolphins on Moreton Island or cycle along the foreshore. Moreton Bay is just 20 to 30 minutes east from downtown Brisbane. For Wynnum, Manly or Moreton Island, head east from the city along Wynnum Road. Or head north from the city for Sandgate. Whichever bayside destination you choose, all are served well by public transport.

The City Botanic Gardens are a must for any tourist wanting to get a taste of rural Brisbane.

The gardens offer a pleasant respite from the busy city and are frequented by the city's office workers during the working week when they retreat to the grassy banks for lunch. The gardens are dominated by open greenery and walking areas and are popular with strollers, joggers, picnickers, cyclists and skaters. At night the park is illuminated by subtle lighting and if you're lucky enough you might even catch a glimpse of a tame possum.

If the sight of a possum isn't enough and you want to see more Australian wildlife the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is an essential for your itinerary. Officially the largest koala sanctuary in the world, the sanctuary is set in attractive parklands beside the Brisbane River and is home to more than 130 of the fuzzy marsupials as well as kangaroos, dingoes and wombats.

For a fee visitors can hold a koala and capture it on film or hand feed the tame kangaroos.

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a located in the grounds of the City Botanic Gardens and is a fascinating tourist attraction.

The planetarium was opened in 1978 and named after avid astronomer and one-time governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane.

It features the 12.5 metre Cosmic Skydome (a hemispherical planetarium theatre) with a Zeiss star projector and a digital dome projection system; an observatory containing a permanently-mounted Zeiss 15cm refractor and other instruments; and extensive photographic and model displays in its foyer and gallery.

The planetarium runs regular shows in the Cosmic Skydome for visitors and has regular guest narrators for the shows, including Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford and Ewan McGregor.

Further up the Brisbane River, visitors will find Newstead House, the city's best-known heritage site. Set in stunning forested grounds, the historic homestead dates from 1846 and is attractively fitted out with authentic Victorian furnishings and antiques, clothing and period displays.

The word ‘Newstead' is a Scottish term meaning a new place or building. There are a number of Newsteads around Australia that bear testament to the Scottish immigrants who settled in the country centuries ago.

Print | Email | Discuss this article |

USER COMMENTS (0 COMMENTS)

POST A COMMENT

CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENT

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.