Relish The Fusion Of Adventure And Culture In Brisbane

The third largest city of Australia, Brisbane also occupies the prestige of being the state capital of Queensland. Snuggling comfortably over the River Brisbane, Brisbane lies on a low-lying flood plain midst the Moreton Bay and southern Queensland’s Great Dividing Range. Originally, the native populace recognized this spot as “Mian-jin” whose literal meaning is ‘place shaped as a spike’. Bagged the tag of Brisbane after the spot where it sits i.e. River Brisbane, River Brisbane was gifted this name after Sir Thomas Brisbane, who has been the Governor of New South Wales between 1821 and 1825.

Although notorious for years for its laid-back and indolent image, today’s Brisbane seems to overpower the unfavorable image. The virtual proof determining this is visible in the fact that Brisbane is rapidly emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations for living in Australia where an approximate 1000 people arrive weekly. At present, Brisbane is grabbing all the attention with its rich culture, marvelous architecture and beautiful landscapes. Fast flourishing as a predominant city, this metropolis city is encircled with plenty of eye-catchy attractions such as national parks. Encompassing several bays, inlets and rivers, Brisbane has geared up in full swing to blow the minds of visitors.

Tour to this retreat and you will get to behold profuse striking attractions such as splendid art galleries, exotic wildlife parks and legendary museums. Fun and amusement in the lands of Brisbane is guaranteed as you can indulge in N-number of your favorite activities. Chill-out in the pleasant shoreline of beaches, indulge in heart-thumping adventurous activities and shop until you drop. Relax your gravitated senses in the palms of soothing riverside gardens of South Bank and play cheerfully in its lagoon. Stroll or take a vehicular ride in the Botanic Gardens. Rappel down the large cliffs of enthralling Kangaroo Point.

Instead of following the regular roadways for moving to another spot, catch an exciting ferry ride or a paddle steamer for penetrating into the remote interior villages such as Bulimba and New Farm. Art aficionado should mark a visit to the wondrous art galleries, museums, or behold artistic performances by the Queensland Ballet, orchestras or operas. Water sport adventures galore in the boating centre of Moreton Bay and Islands where one has plenty of opportunities such as swimming, sea kayaking, snorkeling, exploring coral reefs or gliding downwards the tallest sand dune of the world.

Five must-sees in Brisbane

1. Glide down the river and relax in the gardens

Brisbane is a delighting retreat offering unlimited fun and exciting opportunities. You can take a swift bike ride down the shade of macadamia trees or mangroves in the lovely City Botanic Gardens. Or enjoy a roller blade gliding over the pathways. Following, navigate beneath the gushing river over a wooden paddle steamer and snap rare eastern water dragons and pelicans. If rejoicing in adventure is not your style, then simply rejuvenate by relaxing on the lush riverside gardens that sprawl up to 17 hectares of South bank. Plenty of recreational activities such as swimming from lagoon and pools of Paul Breka Beach or shopping in the markets lie. One even gets a chance of watching movie in the open-air cinema and dining outdoors. Take a glimpse of native art forms by tracing through the bushland of Mount Coot-Tha Reserve. It is also a spectacular vantage point for beholding scenic views of the city and grabbing views of the endemic wildlife. Down the foot of the mountain, explore the lush rainforests, tropical zones, and Japanese gardens of Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Enjoy the pleasant gift bequeathed magnanimously by Mother Nature. This land is full of abundant flora and fauna. Get to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and grab a rare chance of getting views of koalas, possums, kangaroos, wombats, lyrebirds and emus.

2. Soak up culture and architecture

Even though, dinosaurs have went extinct and none of us got views of living dinosaur, the Queensland Museum proffers an opportunity of viewing skeleton of dinosaur. Queensland Art Gallery is a decent site for spotting creative works of popular Australian artists. And the most favorable part is that both of them share space in the Queensland Cultural Centre on South Bank. Catch the performances of Queensland Ballet, Orchestra or Opera at Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The industrialized site of Powerhouse has been converted into recreational area and the newly formulated spots allow for seeing plays or art galleries and dining. The ancient civic buildings such as The Treasury Building, Brisbane City Hall, Commissariat Store, Customs House and Old Mill shelter many cultural organizations. Brisbane’s old classic structures like sandstone cathedrals and home on stilt combine flawlessly along with glass and steel skyscrapers, for providing great views.

3. Hit the water and islands of Moreton Bay

Relish in the pleasant waters by sea kayaking from North Stradboke Island or Moreton Island. You also have a fabulous opportunity of going underwater for having a close encounter with marine life in Bribie Island, Scarborough, Manly and Raby Bay. Indulge in adventurous activities such as windsurfing and jet skiing on the Redcliffe Peninsula or go kite surfing in Wellington Point. You can also glide downwards the tallest sand dunes of world on a sand buggy or toboggan on Moreton Island. Dive in the Cowan’s artificial reef, Tangalooma Shipwrecks or Flinders Reef with multi-colored fishes, bright corals, crustaceans and turtles. This spot also offers a stunning and unique opportunity of coming up-close and personal with humpback whales between July and October. One can spot dolphins and dugongs round the year. The Victoria Point is a home to abundant koalas, and the Egret Colony and Boondall Wetlands shelters hundreds of wading birds. These many fantasies are sure to woo the wildlife lovers. You can enjoy the fun of aqua biking over the Coochiemudlo Island and mountain biking over the Cleveland and Deception Bay. Chase the North Stradbroke, Bribie Islands and Moreton by a car ride. The Cleveland Point shelters the Queensland’s ancient banyan tree. Aboriginal scar trees and middens can be found in the Redlands. St Helena Island is another spot for viewing Myora springs and an ancient settlement.

4. Eat, drink and enjoy in the urban villages

Shop in the vibrant alfresco mall and refuel yourself with Chinatown dumplings in Fortitude valley. Fortitude valley is Brisbane’s popular focal point for culture. Adjacent lies the New Farm, which shelters sophisticated cafes. It is a good spot as it offers picnicking in the river side parklands and deli is popular for its delighting delicacies. Old warehouses have been transformed into restaurants, so you can delight yourself by dining there. Don’t forget to discover the transformed industrial space of the Powerhouse, which today is a major centre for performing arts. Catch citycat (a ferry ride in Brisbane) to Bulimba. Paddington is an enchanting spot lined up with famous bars, cafes and restaurants of Latrobe and given terraces. Trace the classic Queenslander houses that are scattered over the hills and broad streets. To the other side of the river are swanky restaurants and art house theatres of the West End, Queensland’s most famous brewery and Stones Corner shops.

5. Embrace adventure

Adventurous people can fulfill their thirst of facing challenging adventures. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are good site for rock climbing or abseiling. Get here during dusk or dawn as this spot adorns shimmering lights which makes it a glittering beauty. The Story Bridge offers stunning vistas of the vicinity. Also, you get an exhilarating opportunity of sky diving or floating in the sky in a hot air balloon. Glide above the Sunshine Coast on a motor glider. Explore the River Brisbane by boarding a golden gondola, wildlife cruise or legendary paddle steamer. At a nearby distance of 30 minutes to the north of Brisbane lies an opportunity of whale watching cruise in Redcliffe Peninsula. The eco cruise takes a ride past the Bribie Islands, Glasshouse Mountains, and Pumicestone Passage Marine Park. Take an eco tour towards Springbrook and Lamington National Parks and you will come across worm caves. In the midst, you can bushwalk, swim, and also spot wildlife. You can also go horse riding over the extensive bushlands that lie on the edge of the city.