Brisbane Visitors Guide

Brisbane- “Where Feeling comes Alive Naturally…” Well that’s the Tourism Board’s take on it. Most Brisbanites would agree that Brisbane is Australia’s most under-rated city and 1500 people move to Brisbane from around the country every single week. It has the lovely old sandstone government buildings (one of which has become a casino), a lifestyle that revolves around the winding Brisbane River, numerous islands of Moreton Bay and its’ almost two thousands parks and recreation reserves that compliment the sunshine and warm yet bearable weather. The older wooden ‘Queenslander’ homes that are surrounded by massive verandahs for enjoying a BBQ with a cold beer, family and friends abound throughout the suburbs certain to uncover the architect in us all.

Culture

Much has been said by Brisbane’s southern neighbours about the lack of culture in this great city. Well as there are so many southerners calling Brisbane home over the last decade it would seem all that talk is a smoke screen to their migrations. Southbank in the heart of the city boasts four massive theatres, Conference & Exhibition Centre, state of the art library, Museum and Art Gallery within five minute walk all of which perpetually host international works and productions. Several local theatre companies also stage productions in various other theatres around the city.

Culinary

There are thousands of restaurants across the city spanning from every ethnic flavour. Of course with such a prestigious waterside location Queensland fresh seafood can be found re-created by world class chefs on most menus. The daily catch of fresh banana prawns (named for their size), Moreton Bay bugs (similar to crab) and a wide array of fish are merely the beginning of the seafood delicacies to be found and all are exported across the country and the world.

Sport

Whatever you’re sporting vice Brisbane sports grounds and sporting champions can whet your appetite. Home of the Broncos (Rugby League), Lions (AFL), Queensland Reds (Rugby Union), Bulls (Cricket), Queensland Roar (Football), Bullets (Basketball) to name the largest teams. Choose from any of the 44 Golf courses to support this ever growing all ages sport. Hockey, baseball, netball, Lawn Bowls, athletics and equestrian events have all found homes across the city, all testament to the strong sporting history of the city and it’s citizens. Indoor sports also play a large part of the Brisbane lifestyle. There are fitness gyms in almost every suburb that cater to all levels of fitness- pools, spas, saunas, aerobics, yoga, martial arts, weightlifting are standard offerings. Ten pin bowling, ice skating, Pool halls (snooker/8 ball)  and etcetc may be more of your style well rest assured there are plenty of locations to choose from. There are two first class horse race courses, Eagle Farm and Doomben only minutes from the CBD that host many of Australia’s finest and most established racing events.

Fashion

Coming Soon

Music

Brisbane has a certain infinity with Australia’s music industry and proudly boasts some of the greatest talents from the past and present. Of course for these world class acts to rise to the fame they deserve requires a stage for them to play on. Many of them started their careers in the thriving pub and club scene, the Queensland Conservatorium and now lay claim to the larger stages of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Tivoli Theatre, the Botanical Gardens Riverstage to name a few. Some of Brisbane’s musical masters are Wolfmother, the Veronicas, Powderfinger, Keith Urban, Pete Murray, Kate Miller-Heidke, Regurgitator, Maggie Noonan, Savage Garden, the Bee Gees, Custard, Billy Thorpe (& the Aztecs), George and who could forget Gina G of the Eurovision Song Contest to name a tiny slither of the musical genius stemming from Brisbane.

Cinema

Like any city you will find a bounty of multi screen cinemas confined mostly to larger shopping centres. There are also smaller complexes in a few select locations known as ‘precincts’ as they host restaurants and boutique shops. There is one Drive-In Cinema located at Yatala about twenty five minutes drive from the CBD hosting two screens. Whilst most cinemas host first release films (mainly Hollywood blockbusters) there are several cinemas that have a stranglehold on the art house, independent and foreign film markets. These are the Dendy (George St CBD & Portside), Palace Centro (James St Fortitude Valley) with a smaller selection at the Balmoral Cineplex (Oxford Street Bulimba). For the grand old cinema experience of the 1940’s you simply cannot miss the Regent Cinema in the Queens Street Mall, the interior of this building is second to none in the cinematic world. If you are after a cult classic, perhaps with an ‘interactive’ spin such as Rocky Horror Picture Show or The Crow, there is the Globe Theatre on Brunswick St Fortitude Valley. If it is a big screen you desire then Southbank Cineplex (Grey St Southbank) has a huge 25 metre screen which was converted from an Imax Cinema (is no longer Imax however despite still having the IMAX signage on the building).

In this website you will find the Brisbane Guide For Backpackers 2007 edition (abridged) which will give anyone foreign to Brisbane a better idea of what the place is like in general. This section will be most helpful to those of you who are from overseas but some areas will be of interest to everyone.

You are a champion, You are unique and among the few, Visitor Number

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