Brisbane

Brisbane, the heart of Queensland 

We made Brisbane our home in 2005 and have been here ever since. There is so much to do here and the climate is great too.

Population: 2,146,577 (2011)

Summer: December – February 20-28°C (68-82°F)

Autumn: March – May 15-25°C (59-77°F)

Winter : June – August 11-21°C (52-70°F)

Spring: September – November 15-25°C (59-77°F)

Currency: Australia Dollar (AUD)

Power supply:  Voltage: 220-240 Volts

Emergency Hospital

Princess Alexandra Hospital is located on Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, a ten-minute drive south of Brisbane’s central business district

Emergency Phone: 000

 Brief History… 

Before European settlement, Brisbane was originally home to the Jagera and Turrbal Aboriginal clans. The river’s abundant supply of food included fish, shellfish, crabs and shrimps. The good fishing places became campsites and the focus of group activities.

Then in May 1770 Captain James Cook sailed past Moreton Bay naming the Glass House Mountains.

Although Captain Matthew Flinders anchored inside Cape Moreton in 1799, naming Red Cliff (now Redcliff) and Woody Point.

• 1823 – Brisbane River Named
• 1824 – Morton Bay Penal Settlement established
• 1828 – First Colonial Stone Buildings built
• 1842 – Three Separate Free Settlements existed
• 1859 – New Colony (Queensland) established
• 1918 –  World War I
• 1941 – World War II
• 1950’s – Influx of Migrants and Refugees
• 1967 – Australian Aborigines receive democratic rights
• 1974 – Floods
• 1982 – Commonwealth Games
• 1985 – Southbank and QPAC opened

 What to do in Brisbane?

Cuddle A Koala

Established in 1927, Lone Pine Sanctuary has more than a hundred Koalas in residence, some of which you can pat and cuddle. You can also have your photo taken holding a Koala as a souvenir.
Lone Pine Sanctuary is the only place in Australia where you can actually get up close and personal with this protected and endangered species.

In addition to the Koalas Lone Pine has mobs of very friendly Kangaroos which you can hand feed, as well a huge flock of Rainbow Lorikeets that will also happily feed from your hand.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout

If you take the drive to the top of Mt Coot-tha (7 km west of Brisbane’s CBD) you’ll get a spectacularly breathtaking panoramic view of the whole of Brisbane city and surrounds.

On a clear day you can see all the way to the distant ranges in the south-west and Moreton Bay to the east. At night, the city lights and star lit skies are spread before you – a fairyland of wonder and a perfect backdrop for a romantic proposal or anniversary celebration.

Canoe the Brisbane River

This is sight seeing with a difference! Canoeing the beautiful and iconic Brisbane River you’ll marvel at the picturesque view of the city from water level. Paddle past Brisbane landmarks such as the Gateway Bridge and South Bank in your canoe, what a view!

Abseiling

Introduce yourself to the vertical world! Abseiling provides an exciting, adrenalin filled experience that is a base skill required for caving, canyoning, climbing, mountaineering, remote area bushwalking or just for fun. It is a great way to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself.

Brisbane Suburban Attractions

There are so many things to see and do in Brisbane that are not confined to just the city. Here’s a list of attractions to enjoy in some of Brisbane’s suburbs…

Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens are only ten minutes’ drive from the city, and have a large collection of Australian native plants, tropical plants, an arid-zone area and tropical plant display dome, open daily 8am-5.30pm. There is also a Japanese Garden, a Fragrant Plants and Herb Garden, and Australian rainforest.

 

The Australian Woolshed, Ferny Hills, is a great alternative for those who don’t have time to visit the Australian Outback. Here you can see seven different breeds of sheep, watch a sheep being shorn, and see the fleece spun into yarn. Native animals are also on display, waterslides are open at various times for the hot and sweaty and a nine-hole round of mini golf is also available. Every Saturday night there is a Woolshed dance which includes dinner. The Woolshed is about 20 minutes drive north-west of Brisbane’s city centre.

Liquoriceland, Sumner Park, is Queensland’s only licorice factory.Tours are available, and there is also a sweet shop selling samples.

Chung Tian Buddhist Temple means ‘middle heaven’ and was constructed in 1992 using traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture. Situated between Brisbane and Logan in Priestdale, the temple is surrounded by nature, providing a peaceful and beautiful venue for the community to celebrate their multicultural diversity and multi-faith harmony through Humanistic Buddhism.

Mt Tamborine, Brisbane is surrounded by great attractions just beyond the boarders of the city to – We’ve fallen for Mt Tamborine, just a short drive to the south west of the city. With its cool air it makes a great summer day out, especially popular with motorbike riders like us.

Our thoughts….

 

Brisbane is a great city and has been growing at a phenomenal rate in the last 15 years.

 

Having Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast to the south and The Sunshine Coast just north of the city give Brisbane the largest choice of seaside accommodation in Australia. We have lived here since 2005 and the economy is good the natives are friendly and it’s a real relaxed atmosphere.

 

What we like the most – The hills around the city (for motorbike riding)

 

What we don’t like – Bloody Palm leaves (they make a huge mess, and trust me you don’t want them falling on your car!)