Brisbane

Fresh experiences, fresh adventures and a fresh approach to life; this is what Brisbane is all about. A modern and fun city with a real laid back feel to it, Brisbane is where perfect sub-tropical weather and an outdoors lifestyle fuse with a sociable and relaxed offering of alfresco dining, outdoor adventures and natural experiences.

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Upcoming Events - 2010 Ashes Series - Australia V England

The countdown has started with the Gabba confirmed as the venue for the opening Test match of the eagerly anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England in November 2010.

For more information on the Ashes click here.

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Inner City
Brisbane is very much an outdoors city reflected by its dedicated riverside walkways and cycle paths, alfresco dining options, open air markets and day to day outdoor lifestyle. Hire a bike and cycle along the river’s edge on the floating walkway or hire a kayak and paddle down the Brisbane River. For a more exhilarating view of the city and its surrounds, take a Story Bridge Adventure Climb - one of only 3 bridge climbs in the world. If abseiling is more your adventure, then the city’s Kangaroo Point Cliffs provide an exciting way to really experience the city. Or you can get a real birds-eye view of Brisbane and its zigzagging river from the edge of a hot air balloon basket and enjoy a champagne breakfast at the end.

South Bank
Head over to South Bank and experience the Brisbane lifestyle in 17 hectares of lush gardens and riverside parklands, where you can enjoy a meal or a pint, share in a BBQ lunch with friends, explore markets or swim in Australia’s only inner-city man made beach. For the more culturally minded, South Bank is home to the city’s Cultural Precinct with the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Galleries,  Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and ScienCentre.

Urban Villages
Brisbane’s inner-city suburbs make up an eclectic mix of unique urban villages, each with their own style and charm. Visit Fortitude Valley (known locally as The Valley) where by day you can be sipping lattes and boutique shopping, while by night be dancing the night away in some of Australia’s most awarded bars, pubs and nightclubs. But away from the food and drink, the Valley commands a style of its own, offering a multitude of weekend markets, designer fashion stores, independent galleries and live music venues. Head down Brunswick Street to the riverside suburb of New Farm, home to cosy cafes, delis, New Farm Park and Brisbane Powerhouse – a restored power station that is now a buzzing creative space for live arts, music, comedy and riverside restaurants. South of the river and beyond South Bank is West End, an organic and alternative suburb that lets you be yourself. It’s range of groovy multi-cultural restaurants, small art house theatres, book stores, boutiques, cafes and galleries are sure to satisfy. Head over the river to Milton and sample Queensland’s famous beer at the XXXX Brewery and Ale House.

Moreton Bay and Islands
As Brisbane's water playground, Moreton Bay is where you can splash, paddle, sail, snorkel, surf, scuba or scope out the native marine life. From wrecks to reefs you will discover a world of marine life at your finger tips – turtles, dolphins, whales, manta rays, reef fish and elusive dugongs all make their homes in this underwater world – even hump back whales between June and November each year. Moreton Bay is also where you'll discover Brisbane's island experiences. Moreton Island offers an action-packed island experience of sand boarding and quad-biking down the world’s tallest sand dunes and hand-feeding wild dolphins. Not far from here is the picturesque North Stradbroke Island (Straddie to the locals) where you can explore coastal inlets, clear freshwater lakes and hiking trails during a day trip or short break from the city.

Ipswich, Scenic Rim and Country Valleys
Follow the changing landscape west of Brisbane to discover the historical charm of Ipswich, the awe-inspiring mountain ranges of the Scenic Rim and the pristine open skies of the Country Valleys.

As Queensland’s oldest provincial city, Ipswich is rich in heritage and personality featuring historical townships of Grandchester, Marburg, Rosewood and Walloon.

The Scenic Rim is considered Brisbane’s heritage-listed backyard for its lush rainforests, spectacular mountain ranges and ancient landforms surrounding the region. Visit the buzzing townships of Boonah and Beaudesert or visit one of the seven national parks that provide unsurpassed panoramas of Mt French, Mt Edwards, The Head, Mount Greville, Mt Maroon, and Cunningham and Spicers Gap.

Travel further west of the city and get acquainted with the country hospitality of Brisbane’s Country Valleys. Somerset Dam is paradise for those who love their water sports. Cradled and protected by surrounding mountains the Dam is ideal for water skiing, wake boarding, surfing and fishing. There is a full days worth of antique shops and bric-a-brac to sift through on a drive through Caboolture, Kilcoy and Pine Rivers if rummaging for trash and treasure is more your scene.

The Great Sunshine Way
As the centre of Southern Queensland and the main gateway to the region, you can easily find yourself on the golden beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the scenic country drives and wineries of Southern Queensland Country and the clear sailing waters and island adventures of Moreton Bay; and its all within an hours drive or boat ride.