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Brisbane -

Brisbane is one of Australia's oldest cities. Traditional home of the Australian Aboriginal Jagera people, Brisbane expanded and prospered in the early 19th century to grow into the third most populous city in the country. Today, Brisbane blends a tangible sense of history with a modern and funky vibe, and there's plenty to see and do in and around the city.

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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary -

How cuddly is a koala? These adorable marsupials are native to Australia and are one of the nation's most recognized animal species. At this fantastic wildlife refuge—the world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary—they share facilities with kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, a variety of birds, snakes, and even crocodiles.

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Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art -

Art lovers can immerse themselves in the excellent Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), two outstanding but quite different Brisbane cultural facilities that between them display nearly 2,000 works of art, including pieces by Matisse, Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Australian artists Margaret Olley and Ben Quilty, among many others.

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Streets Beach -

Australia's only inner-city, man-made band of sand, Streets Beach is a Brisbane South Bank icon. The lagoon, lined with palm trees and surrounded by skyscrapers, draws urban sunbathers in their hundreds, and is patrolled year-round by lifeguards.

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Wilson Outlook Reserve -

Brisbane is hugely photogenic, and Wilson Outlook Reserve, one of the city's lesser-known green spaces, offers up one of the more interesting and dramatic views of the city, river, and Kangaroo Point.

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Kangaroo Point Cliffs -

Set conveniently close to the city and the South Bank Parklands, Kangaroo Point Cliffs is a popular recreation hangout, especially for running and climbing. In fact, the cliffs present excellent rock climbing and abseiling possibilities for all skill levels around the clock: the cliff face is lit at night by numerous flood lights. At the top of the cliffs is Scout Park, where you can admire Brisbane's central business district (CBD) from a stone-built rotunda.

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Brisbane City Hall -

One of the city's finest buildings, Brisbane City Hall dates back to 1930. Besides serving as the seat of Brisbane City Council, the hall houses the Museum of Brisbane. Tour the clock tower and visit the observation platform, set above the clock face, for timeless downtown views. 

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Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha -

Located 7 km (4.3 mi) from the city center at the foot of Brisbane's tallest mountain, Mount Coot-tha, this verdant oasis is recognized as Queensland's premier subtropical botanic gardens and features tranquil Japanese gardens, a lagoon and bamboo grove, an impressive collection of Australian rain forest trees, and a fragrant plant and herb garden, among other attractions. The centerpiece tropical display dome encloses a wealth of stunning and exotic indigenous flora. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, named after the governor of the colony of New South Wales, is set within the grounds. Brisbane itself, once a convict colony, is also named for him.

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Mount Coot-tha Lookout -

Mount Coot-tha is one of Brisbane's most popular tourist destinations. It's from the heritage-listed Mount Coot-tha Lookout that you can absorb more jaw-dropping panoramas of the city.

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Story Bridge Adventure Climb -

Why not push yourself to new heights by embarking on the Story Bridge Adventure Climb? Brisbane's Story Bridge opened in 1940 and is a cherished city landmark. It's also the setting for one of the city's most popular tourism experiences, a chance to climb this iconic structure and appreciate Brisbane's glorious scenery from a new perspective. Choose from daytime, twilight, and nighttime climbs.

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Customs House -

Dating back to 1889, the splendid heritage-listed Customs House was built when Queensland was a British colony and where custom duties on imported products were processed. Today, it serves as a historic venue for civic functions, but parts of the building are open to the public, including a noted restaurant.

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Brisbane River cruise -

With its numerous visitor attractions fueled by adrenaline, Brisbane is a city for the adventurous. To lessen the pace a little, embark on a sightseeing voyage along the Brisbane River. A fleet of CityCat catamarans serve the watercourse, as do RiverCity ferries. Twenty-four hop-on, hop-off terminals offer a range of different cruises, all providing a new and appealing perspective of famous city landmarks.

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South Bank Grand Arbour -

Looking for a colorful and unusual backdrop for your next selfie? Check out the South Bank Grand Arbour. This pedestrian structure in Brisbane's South Bank Parklands is composed of 443 steel tendrils upon which a vivid bougainvillea canopy of magenta, purple, and red is grown.

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Queen Street Mall -

Shopaholics can get their fix at the Queen Street Mall. Described as a shopping and lifestyle precinct, this is home to Queensland's largest collection of fashion shops and boutiques. The mall encloses two historic arcades, the bohemian-flavored Brisbane Arcade and the chic, upscale Tattershall's Arcade. Numerous bars, restaurants, and cafés provide plenty of excuses to press the pause button.

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Noosa Chocolate Factory and Café -

Chocoholics, meanwhile, can satisfy their cravings by nipping into the Noosa Chocolate Factory and Café, located on Brisbane's Adelaide Street. Here you can purchase single slabs of artisan chocolate or bags of chocolate candies. You can also try a selection of fine specialty coffee and rustic hot chocolates.

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XXXX factory tour -

Oz is famous for its brews, and XXXX is a favorite Australian beer brewed right here in Brisbane. You can see how they produce Queensland's very own amber nectar by taking a XXXX tour through the state's most iconic brewery. And guess what? The journey concludes with a guided four-beer tasting session.

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Queensland wines -

South East Queensland's Scenic Rim Region is wine country. Located south of the city within a leisurely hour's drive is a collection of wineries that can be visited as part of organized tours. Mount Tamborine is one of the nearest wine-producing regions, as is Mount Cotton, home to the Sirromet wine label.

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Treasury Casino -

Brisbane is party central and while clubbers and pub crawlers are spoiled for choice, try upping your game at the Treasury Casino. This multifaceted entertainment complex comprises the old-world opulence of a five-star hotel with the non-stop excitement of a 24-hour casino. In addition, five restaurants, seven bars, and a nightclub cater to hungry insomniacs.

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Cricket at the Gabba -

Cricket fans visiting Brisbane should make a pilgrimage to the Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba. This is one of Australia's major sporting venues and will be the centerpiece of the 2032 Summer Olympics.

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Wheel of Brisbane -

Ever gone sightseeing and ended up going round in circles? Do so again on a flight on the Wheel of Brisbane. Each of the 42 air-conditioned gondolas can seat up to six adults and two children, with rides lasting around 15 minutes and affording passengers with giddy 360° views across the city and river. 

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Brisbane Festival -

Arrive in Brisbane in September and be greeted by the spectacular Brisbane Festival, a near month-long lineup of classical and contemporary music, theater, dance, comedy, opera, circus, and other major public events. A highlight is the astonishing Sunsuper Riverfire, one of the most electrifying firework events in the country.

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Manly Harbour Village -

Manly Harbour Village is where Brisbane meets Moreton Bay—gateway to the Moreton Bay Marine Park with its pristine waterways and fascinating islands.

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Moreton Island -

Located 40 km (24 mi) north-east of Brisbane is Moreton Island, which lies anchored within the marine park. Easily reached by boat out of Manly Harbour, the island is noted for the series of shipwrecks submerged near the resort of Tangalooma. The cluster of vessels were scuttled between 1963 and 1984 to provide safe anchorage spot for recreational boat owners. Over the years, coral forming in and around the wrecks have also provided a haven for 100 species of fish and sometimes even dolphins, dugongs, and wobbegongs, a species of carpet shark.

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Moreton Bay -

Humpback whales are regular visitors to Moreton Bay Marine Park, which in fact has the highest recorded diversity and abundance of resident and transient cetaceans in Australia. Resident bottlenose dolphins add a playful dimension to any excursion to this fragile and protected habitat.

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Bribie Island -

Moored off the northern part of Moreton Bay is Bribie Island. For the most part a national park, visitors will often end up sharing leisure facilities with kangaroos and their young joeys.

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North Stradbroke Island -

Lying within Moreton Bay is North Stradbroke Island. The Quandamooka people—Aboriginal Australians—are the traditional owners of the island. A number of pristine beaches provide excellent surfing opportunities. Inland, Naree Budjong Djara National Park is refuge to a number of rare, vulnerable, endangered, and near-threatened animals.

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Lady Elliot Island -

Lady Elliot Island marks the southernmost coral cay of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The island, a haven for wildlife, is particularly renowned for its scuba diving and snorkeling, and, while a fair distance from Brisbane, is served by daily flights out of the city. A small eco resort makes overnights a tantalizing proposition. 

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Gold Coast -

South of Brisbane is Australia's fabled Gold Coast. Famed for its long, sandy beaches, awesome surfing spots, and an elaborate system of inland canals and waterways, the Gold Coast region is also where to explore Lamington National Park, home to the rare and timid Albert's lyrebird.

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Sunshine Coast -

Lesser known perhaps is the Sunshine Coast, which is located north of Brisbane. Also renowned for some great oceanfront resorts and a lively surfing scene, this neck of the woods is nonetheless noted for the beautiful Glass House Mountains National Park. A region of towering and rugged volcanic peaks, the park is one of Queensland's most impressive natural wonders. "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin (1962–2006) established his Australia Zoo within the park, a wildlife reserve that welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

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Great Sandy National Park -

If you really want to get away from its all, get lost in the Great Sandy National Park. Set within the Fraser Coast Region about 259 km (160 mi) north of Brisbane, the park lives up to its name by providing beachcombers with no less than a 64-km (40-mi) beach—and not one single ice cream vendor in sight!

Sources: (Guinness World Records) (Queensland Government) (Biography)

See also: 50 amazing pictures of Australia's national parks

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