Brisbane: Queensland’s Heart Beat

A crowd favorite in the world of international travel, the continent of Australia happens to be one of my favorites too. And my favorite within this favorite is the lovely state of Queensland that offers us everything from the surreal underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the oldest rainforests in the world in Daintree rainforest, rich tribal cultures, spectacular coastline in Gold Coast and Sunshine coast, unique wildlife experiences, action packed lifestyle, torrential waterfalls and so much more. Most travelers head straight to the Gold Coast or to Cairns to begin their Queensland sojourn, but I feel it is a great experience to arrive and spend some time at Brisbane, Queensland’s capital.



Not only is Brisbane a fantastic gateway to the gorgeous coastline on the East or the stunning reefs, rainforests and waterfalls of the north, the city in itself has all the ingredients for a vibrant holiday. Be it a fabulous riverside, an active lifestyle with energetic people, rich history, an amazing bridge climb, an iconic cricket stadium, many avenues for adventure and even holding a Koala or feeding a Kangaroo, one can do all of this in Brisbane itself long before you head to the well- known destinations of Queensland. So, all you have to do is book your flight tickets to Brisbane, get a solid travel insurance plan, find a good accommodation in the heart of the city and you are ready to begin your dream Australian holiday or maybe even a power-packed long weekend trip to experience the gems of Queensland. A good travel insurance plan not only takes care of unforeseen contingencies including passport loss, baggage loss/delay, flight delay/ cancellation, medical emergencies, which would potentially not only spoil your holiday but also cause serious financial distress. This is especially true in an expensive country like Australia. So find yourself a good travel insurance online to cover all your bases and enjoy a great holiday in Queensland.

When you are in Brisbane, do ensure that you get to indulge in these five special experiences.

1) Climb Story Bridge



Like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Brisbane also has its own iconic bridge in the Story Bridge. It spans the Brisbane River and connects the central business district with the panoramic Kangaroo viewpoint. This heritage listed cantilever bridge is not only a beautiful engineering feat but also offers a well-supported adventure climb similar to the ones offered at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and at Gold Coast’s Sky Point. The Story Bridge adventure climb not only gives you a solid adrenaline rush but also offers you a 360-degree view of Brisbane from an unparalleled vantage point. You get to see the central business district, the Ferris wheel of Brisbane, the mountain ranges and sometimes even the Moreton Bay Islands. This climb is well-secured and there is nothing to worry about when attempting this adventure. All you have to do is feel the adrenaline hit your head, soak in the moment and the panoramic spectacle.

2) Watch a Cricket Match at the Gabba



We Indians love cricket. After all, that is one of the few sports that we excel in. The iconic Gabba finds its home in Brisbane. Thus, if you are a cricket lover, it is a no brainer to visit this cricket stadium and watch a live game, whether it is Big Bash League or international cricket. Even if there is no cricket match, you can simply soak in the ambience of its hall of fame, the changing rooms, the player’s pavilion and the overall stadium.

3) Cuddle a Koala and Feed a Kangaroo at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary



A lot of us love Australia for its exotic wildlife. I certainly do. Just 15 minutes from the city is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Home to over 130 koalas, this is the world’s first and largest Koala sanctuary. Here you can cuddle a Koala and feel how it slowly hugs you back. It is pretty much like holding a baby and that feeling is totally mind blowing. You can even feed a kangaroo with your hand and see other terrestrial wildlife of Australia. Overall, a great wildlife package real close to the city. You could either drive there or take a boat ride on the Brisbane river. If you wish for a more elaborate zoo like wildlife experience, then head to the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, which is about a couple of hours out of Brisbane.

4) Walk Brisbane



Brisbane is a very pedestrian-friendly city making it perfect for those who love to explore cities on foot. Whether you love art, history, architecture, nature, coffee, gardens, restaurants or just wish to connect with locals, Brisbane by walk is a perfect way to see the hidden charms of this city. You can start at the city’s main landmark, the Brisbane City Hall and King George Square, and make your way through Ann, Adelaide, Melbourne, Elizabeth, Albert and other streets till you reach the riverside on the Central Business District side. Then, you can make your way to South Bank, the Ferris Wheel and all the way to Kangaroo viewpoint and then back to the city centre via the story bridge and the other side of the central business district. All in all, it is a great way to soak in the charms of this city at your own leisurely pace.

5) Indulge in some adventure on the Brisbane River and the Riverside



The whole country of Australia leads a pretty active lifestyle and hence you can see many avenues of adventure sports and other physically indulging activities. If you like adventure sports, then you will definitely enjoy stand up paddling and kayaking on the Brisbane river, rock climbing and abseiling on the cliffs near Kangaroo Point, go roller blading by the riverside or simply go bicycling. The Brisbane river and its banks offers enough adventure for all kinds of people.

Day Trip Ideas



For those on shorter trips or on long weekend holidays, Brisbane offers the perfect chance to hit popular getaways such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Tambourine Mountain and Moreton Island. Look up this article for the top holiday experiences in Queensland. That might help you plan your Queensland holiday itinerary much better.

Best Season

While Brisbane is a year round city, its summers can be a bit stifling at times. Winter months are the preferred choice for lush green surroundings, head right after the rains.

How to Reach

Brisbane has an international airport that is well connected with the rest of the world. In case you need an alternate airport, look at the Gold Coast airport.

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Mercure Brisbane: Contemporary 4 Star Hotel in Queensland’s Capital

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland state is a riverside city that is worth exploring on your Queensland holiday. At a couple of hours away from the Sunshine coast and the Gold Coast, it makes for comfortable getaways to these hot beach destinations. During my recent visit to this young and super cool city, I stayed at the Mercure Brisbane, a contemporary hotel located in the heart of the city. The below review is based on my recent experience of staying here.

 

1) The Mercure Brisbane is a brand new property. It recently underwent a multi million dollar renovation and hence everything looks sparkling new.

2) The beautiful contemporary look of the interiors of the hotel and its rooms are a treat for the eyes. They make for great taste for both business and leisure travelers.

3) Most of the rooms of the hotel offer a view of the Brisbane riverside and the action surrounding it. It is a great way to enjoy a Brisbane sunrise or sunset depending on which room you are in.

4) The hotel is located right in the heart of the city and is a short walk away from the City Hall, Queen street Mall, Albert Street and other key attractions.

5) It has all the luxuries of a 4 star hotel which may include: currency exchange, concierge desk, 24 hour dining, internet connectivity, outdoor swimming pool and sauna, porter service, rental car hire, limousine service and much more.

6) The front desk of this hotel were pretty friendly and helped me with guidance and an Australian travel charger, which I had forgotten to pack.

7) The in-house restaurant is also of great quality. I absolutely loved their excellent breakfast spread.

If you are looking for a luxurious 4 star hotel with some class in the middle of the central business district, then the Mercure Brisbane might make for a great choice. Do check out their weekend packages as they might help you find more value for your money.

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Chill Backpackers: Good Centrally Located Hostel in Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital city of sunny Queensland is a great riverside city that offers a lot of avenues for the visitor to indulge in. If you are a backpacker and looking for budget accommodation, you will either find them near the CBD or in the suburbs. Personally, I prefer staying close to the CBD as the entire riverside, the downtown, the bus stations, the train stations and most of the attractions are within walking distance and suits my style of traveling. During my recent visits to Brisbane, I stayed at the Chill Backpackers on Upper Roma Street and the below review is based on these recent experiences of mine.

1) The hostel is located at a 3 minute walk from the Roma transit station and is only a 7 minute walk to the Queen street mall and the city hall, which gives it a top proximity to most of the city’s top attractions.

2) The riverside is only a 10 minute walk away. This is a part of the city that is famous for its running and cycling tracks, cafes, arts center, parks and restaurants.

3) The hostel has a great roof top, which offers fantastic views of the Brisbane river and is a great setting for cooler evenings.

4) All the rooms in the hostel are air-conditioned and come with fully equipped shared bathrooms and toilets.

5) The only negative about this hostel is the fact that you have to pay for your wi-fi. However, the southbank CBD area by the riverside offers free wi-fi, so if you do not want to pay, you can head there.

6) The hostel reception is very helpful. The hostel has a kitchen where you can store food, cook and where you can even borrow their vessels.

7) The hostel has a movie room, pool table and desktops available for rent. These are good to have.

8) The hostel doesn’t have safety lockers in the dormitories, though they have a common locker system managed by the reception.

9) The hostel is located at a short walk from the restaurants, fast food joints, bars and pubs.

The hostel is great. It would be fabulous if it had free wi-fi and safety lockers. But, in itself, I think I like its cleanliness and definitely its proximity to the city. You can definitely look at the Chill Backpackers for centrally located budget accommodation in Brisbane.

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Travel Photo: Green Brisbane Riverside

Hello from Australia!

This is my first trip to Australia and the first city that I arrived into was Brisbane and I fell in love with her on first sight. I connect with everything about the city. It’s modern connection, it’s laidback atmosphere, its greenery and its friendly people. And the thing that I like the most is its riverside. The walking paths, the bicycle lanes, the lush tree cover on either bank of the river, the innumerable river based water sports (stand up paddling, kayaking and others), the bridges on the river, the cliffs on some banks of the river and finally the energy of the people of Brisbane as they indulge in physical activities by the river side.


I am all super impressed even though this is my first day, but I have a feeling that I will spend more time here and explore this city and its riverside much more. She definitely deserves more. A great start to my Queensland trip, the first leg of my Australia visit!!

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