Brisbane is a green city. Almost 25 per cent of its area is bushland. In all, the city has 9,500 hectares of bush and 1,500 parks and public gardens – making Brisbane an easy city to find a shady place to sit and watch the world go by. There’s so much to see and do, and we can cater for your every mood from meandering by the river to the adrenaline rush of skydiving. For something different try a ghost or eco tour, or experience the view from the top, with a champagne breakfast balloon flight over the city.

Queensland Art Gallery

If art is your thing, first port of call should be the Queensland Art Gallery at South Bank. Aside from the excellent exhibitions, including a permanent collection, the price tag is also attractive; visiting is free!

Visit the Queensland Art Gallery Website

Australia Zoo

Wow! Check out the awesome wildlife extravaganza at Australia Zoo! There's the amazing Tiger Temple, a whole host of hands-on Animal Encounters and stacks of action in the Crocoseum. We have created two suggested itineraries below to help you plan an awesome day at Australia Zoo, one includes all of our furry friends and the other will introduce you to the Zoo's slithery residents.

Visit the Australian Zoo website

Hot Air Ballooning

The best priced hot air balloon ride in South East Queensland, excellent value for the best balloons and the best crew. It also includes a Champagne Breakfast at O'Reilly's Grand Homestead & Vineyard. Just a 55 minute drive South West of Brisbane .

Visit the Hot Air website

Dolphin Wild Island Cruises

Dolphin Wild operates Marine Park and Snorkelling cruises in Moreton Bay, 30mins from Brisbane CBD, 1hr from the Gold Coast. We offer transfers from both these cities, picking up from all the main hotels. Standard day cruise includes, a marine eco tour, interacting with wild dolphins, Moreton Bay dugongs (manatees) and green sea turtles , boom netting, sitting on a cargo net off the back of the boat, having a spa at about 10 knots, snorkelling/Fish feeding through the Tangalooma Wrecks, experience wreck snorkelling, encounter the 100’s of fish and corals in amongst the wrecks. (snorkelling is extra option), and beach time, walk or sunbake on a typical golden Queensland island beach and take in the surroundings. All catering is included, morning tea, chicken and seafood lunch and afternoon fruit platter.

Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is our premier visual arts institution and the newest in the cultural precinct. www.qag.qld.gov.au Brisbane’s cultural calendar features The Brisbane International Film Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival and Riverfestival – a weeklong event at the beginning of spring in celebration of our natural landmark, the Brisbane River.

South Bank Parklands

Walk through the 16-hectare South Bank Parklands – next door to the Queensland Art Gallery – and you will find the perfect spot to revel in our relaxed city. Tandem bicycles, available for hire, are a great way to get around the park.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Rated one of the "Top 10 Zoos in the World" by AOL, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Cuddle a koala anytime, handfeed kangaroos and encounter a large variety of Aussie wildlife, all in beautiful, natural settings. Don't forget to feed the lorikeets and meet our platypus too. Brisbane's premier tourist attraction is only 50 minutes from the Gold Coast. Their motto is: "The earth is not only for humans"

Visit the Lone Pine website

Looking for a river cruise experience that is uniquely Australian? We offer the most relaxed, interesting and enjoyable way to cruise the Brisbane river to the largest Koala Sanctuary in the world!

Visit the Mirimar website

City Botanic Gardens

Laze on the lawns with a good book, walk through the mangroves on the boardwalk, or enjoy a leisurely lunch in the licensed cafe at our City Botanic Gardens. If you have energy to burn, grab some rollerblades or hire a bike and get some exercise in the fresh air.

City Cat and River Cruises

Riding on a high-speed City Cat is an excellent way to see a different side of the city. The cats cruise 19 kilometres from St Lucia to Hamilton on the Brisbane River, and, for just a few dollars, you can ride with the wind in your hair for as long as you like. Step into history and take a cruise to the colonial prison on St Helena Island in Moreton Bay.

Story Bridge

Brisbane's Story Bridge links the inner city suburbs of Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point. A Story Bridge Adventure Climb will give you a different view of our city. Have a picnic or BBQ under the bridge at Captain Burke Park or eat out at the historic Story Bridge Hotel.

Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

The Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens are only 7 kilometres from the CBD and feature a magnificent tropical display dome, Japanese gardens, themed gardens on 52 hectares and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Queen Street Mall

For serious shopping, you can’t go by the Queen Street Mall with its 500 specialty stores. The Myer Centre alone has 200 shops and is the biggest inner-city retail complex in Australia. The most recent addition is the Queens Plaza with leading international brands, as well as emerging design talent.

Fortitude Valley

“The Valley” is a haven for the young and funky, hip and stylish. Centred on the junction of Brunswick & Ann Streets, this is the place to find cutting-edge wares and the work of emerging designers. The James Street and Emporium precincts are also great for boutique fashion labels and unique stores.

Milton & Paddington

For something quirky or arty, try chic boutiques in the suburbs of Milton and Paddington.

Oxford Street, Bulimba

A little further from the city in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs, Oxford Street, in Bulimba, has some great shops and cafes. From funky home ware to affordable boutiques, Oxford Street caters for those with an individual style. The cafes, restaurants and delicatessens offer a range of quality cuisines, accommodating all budgets.

Markets

We are a crafty lot and our hidden talents are revealed at Brisbane’s many markets. On Friday nights and all day Saturday and Sunday, the South Bank Parklands Lifestyle markets in Stanley Street Plaza buzz. All goods are handmade in Australia and you can browse to the sounds of nearby entertainment from the regular South Bank attractions. On Saturdays the Brunswick Street Market, Fortitude Valley, offers treasures from the fringe: old records, vintage clothes and much more. Sundays the city comes alive with the colourful, popular Riverside Markets located around the Riverside Centre and Eagle Street Pier.

Brisbane boasts a modern metro cuisine and a dining diversity you'd expect from this culturally colourful city. The atmosphere is alfresco with an emphasis on original menus focusing sharply on fresh food and wines. The Moreton Bay bugs (seafood) and fresh tropical produce are favourites that sit comfortably on menus next to exotic Asian delights, simple Mediterranean meals and traditional European fare. You'll find cafes, fast and fun noodle bars, and fine dining. After dark, there is plenty of entertainment in Brisbane. Aside from the 24-hour casino, there are nightclubs, pubs and wine bars to socialise in and meet some friendly Brisbane locals. For staged performances, the Performing Arts Complex hosts theatre, opera and musical productions. Smaller theatre venues are dotted around the city. ShowBriz (http://www.showbriz.com.au) is the events and entertainment, ticket and accommodation guide to Brisbane.

The City

The Queen Street Mall’s many alfresco restaurants offer European, Asian and modern Australia menus. Many of these eateries are also open late and are licensed. On Albert Street, the indoor and outdoor dining spaces offer everyday prices and cosmopolitan style. Eagle Street Pier and Riverside offer fine dining as well as slick new bars and casual pubs. Cafes are thriving throughout the city, and are perfect spots to take a rest between shopping expeditions.

Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is renowned for its restaurants, lively bars and nightclubs. Just north of the city, you can enjoy everything from elegant restaurants, wine and tapas bars to cheap and cheerful food options. Fortitude Valley is home to Brisbane's Chinatown and there's a vast choice of restaurants and cafes featuring Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Malaysian food. Eateries stay open late, and there are great spots for breakfast and brunch.

New Farm

One of the city's oldest districts, New Farm, has undergone a revitalisation in recent years and is now youthful and vivacious. Brunswick and James Streets are the places to dine. New Farm is also home to the Powerhouse, a centre for performing arts that features entertainers from Australia and overseas. www.brisbanepowerhouse.org.

Milton

Clusters of cafes have emerged in the city and surrounds. We gather under the miniature Eiffel Tower at Park Road, one of the first cafe suburbs in Brisbane, to enjoy our coffee.

Eagle Street Pier

Rimming the river’s northern banks and a few steps from the Queen Street Mall, Eagle Street Pier has some of Brisbane’s most awarded restaurants and talented chefs. The decor of the restaurants is stylish and elegant, and there are spectacular river views.

South Bank

South Bank was formerly the site of World Expo '88 and is now a hub for recreation, cultural activities, entertainment, educational programs and dining just south of the city. Cafes and restaurants line the Promenade and Little Stanley Street. You can also cook your own food at one of the barbecues set in tranquil landscaped grounds.

From footy to cricket and horse races to triathlons, there's sport galore to take part in or watch from the sidelines. Get your running shoes on for one of the many charity walks held throughout the year. Each year the Grand Prix Cycling Tour transforms the heart of Brisbane’s South Bank into a vibrant, exciting event venue with international cycling action attracting the world's best male and female cyclists.

Brisbane's international terminal is 13 kilometres from the city centre and the domestic terminal is a little further out. Bus, train and taxi services run regularly from each terminal. A taxi fare from the airport to the city is about $20. Airtrain provides a direct link between Brisbane’s central business district and the airport. www.airtrain.com.au If you are in the city and looking for a free ride, catch the Downtown Loop – a service that circles the central business district. The loop's distinctive red buses stop at several convenient destinations including Central Station, Queen Street Mall, Botanic Gardens, Riverside Centre, QUT and King George Square. www.transinfo.qld.gov.au Buses and trains link the city with surrounding suburbs. www.qr.com.au Using the Brisbane River to get around is an excellent way to save time and take in some spectacular sights. The Brisbane River Experience Guide will help you plan your journey. Tel 13 12 30, www.transinfo.qld.gov.au

Our balmy climate is like a magnet. Just over half the state lies in the tropical zone and the southern half, including Brisbane, is temperate. In the temperate zone, the average maximum temperature is 25ºC and the average minimum 15ºC. It is truly the Sunshine State, with the gateway cities of Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.