Brisbane Highlights
South Bank Parklands
South Bank Parklands, the site of World Expo 88, is one of Brisbane's most popular leisure areas. Covering 16 hectares, bordering the river across from the city, this area has been redeveloped into a blend of tropical gardens, a swimming lagoon – including a beach with its own lifeguard – cafés and restaurants. Attractions include weekend craft markets, traditional pubs, and a cinema.
CityCat ferries
CityCat ferries take commuters and tourists alike up and down the Brisbane River, stopping at various points of interest. Walkers and cyclists can enjoy the riverside walks and cycle paths, and the City Botanical Gardens, now linked to South Bank via the Goodwill pedestrian bridge.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary For nature lovers, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket has the distinction of being the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary. It is also home to a large community of kangaroos, wallabies, emus, wombats and native birds. Its Brisbane River location means it can be reached by either road or river.
Mount Coot-tha
Mount Coot-tha, 7km west of the city, is a good place to go for a panoramic view of Brisbane. It offers a spectacular view of the city at night and, by day, many people pack a lunch basket and take advantage of the picnic areas on the mountain, or in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens at the foot of Mount Coot-tha.
IslandsFrom 1867 to 1932, St Helena Island, located just 7km from Brisbane's bayside suburb of Manly, was a penal settlement once regarded as worse than Alcatraz. Now a national park, this small island still bears the ruins of the prison that can be explored by day or night on special guided tours. On
Moreton Island, a 75-minute catamaran trip from the city, there is nightly dolphin feeding at the island's
Tangalooma Resort.
Heritage TrailThose who want to learn more about Brisbane's history and colonial architecture can follow a Heritage Trail, which begins at the City Hall.