Brisbane Hotels

Brisbane Hotels

Brisbane is the state capital of Queensland and was named after Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, the sixth Governor of New South Wales. In 1823, Brisbane was selected by the colony of New South Wales as the location for a new penal colony, intended to house dangerous prisoners in a remote location. In 1837, settlers moved to the area and pushed to close the prison and to release the land in the area for settlement. In 1859, a gold rush led to the establishment of the colony of Queensland with Brisbane as its capital. In 1925, the Queensland State Parliament created the City of Brisbane Act, and set up a single government for the city of Brisbane. It has a population of about 2 million people, and is the third-largest and fastest growing city in Australia.

Brisbane Hotels

Brisbane has plenty of accommodation from budget to luxury.

Brisbane backpackers hostels are located in the City, Fortitude Valley, South Brisbane and Roma Street. Upper Roma Street has become Brisbane’s backpacker alley with many new and existing backpacker hostels in the area. It is walking distance from the Queen Street Mall, Roma Street Railway and Coach Terminal.

The CBD, SouthBank and South Brisbane hosts many mid-level to luxury hotels. While Spring Hill, which is walking distance from the CBD, has many apartments and apartment hotels.

There are also many hotels and motor-inns located between the city and airport.

Brisbane Attractions

Mt Coot-tha Lookout has breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane city and suburbs by day, a fairyland of glittering lights at night and is popular with tourists and locals. The lookout has a gift shop, cafe and restaurant. Most city tour operators take tourists here for morning or afternoon tea. Visitors can catch a public bus from the city to the lookout at the top of Mt Coot-tha [adult fare AU$3-4 one-way, takes about 15 mins, the lookout is free]. If driving, there is free car parking at the top. At the base of the mountain is the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens and Planetarium.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Cuddle a koala anytime, hand feed kangaroos and encounter a large variety of Australian wildlife, all in a beautiful, natural setting. Have your photo taken with a koala, snake or kangaroo. [15 mins drive from the city on Jesmond Road in Fig Tree Pocket, 445 or 430 bus from the city, daily Mirimar boat cruise from Southbank, family pass AU$65]

Alma Park Zoo is located at Dakabin 30 minutes north of the Brisbane City Centre. The Train can be taken from the city on the Caboolture line. Visitors can touch and hold koalas, snakes and small crocodiles, and hand feed the kangaroos and the deer. [Open daily 9am-5pm, Adult AU$28, child AU$19]

Brisbane City Hall and King George Square Is located between Adelaide and Ann Streets and is the city's most significant historical landmark. Explore the historic City Hall and get a birds-eye view of the CBD from the Clock Tower. [Free admission, daily 10am-5pm]

Museum of Brisbane is a social history museum and visual arts gallery, located near Brisbane City Hall, King George Square. MoB explores the people, places and stories of Brisbane that illuminate the city’s past and present while also looking to the future. Combine your visit with an exploration of historic City Hall and get a birds-eye view of the CBD from the Clock Tower. [Free admission, daily 10am-5pm]

City Botanic Garden is located at the southern end of the CBD on the river. It is perfect for picnics, walking and cycling. [Open daylight hours, Free]

Roma Street Parklands is located behind the Roma Street Railway Station. Experience the well presented theme gardens, the rain forest walk and lake. [Open daylight hours, Free]

South Bank is located across the Brisbane River from the heart of the city and was formerly the site of World Expo '88. The area offers many shops, cafés, restaurants, cinemas, museum, art gallery and more. There is an artificial beach and lagoon surrounded by extensive tropical parklands and great views of the city skyline.

Queensland Museum South Bank is a fascinating museum of natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement and tells the changing story of Queensland. [Open daily 9.30am-5pm, free admission]

Science Centre is located in the Queensland Museum at South Bank and offers hours of interactive, science-based fun for everyone. [Open daily 9.30am-5pm, Adult $11, child $5]

Queensland Art Gallery is located at South Bank and is Queensland's premier visual arts institution. [Open daily 10am-5pm, free admission, except special exhibitions]

Queensland Performing Arts Centre located across the river from the Brisbane CBD is the arts and cultural hub of Brisbane. Australian and international musicals, plays, ballets, operas and concerts are regularly staged within the arts centre complex.

MacArthur Museum was the office of the American General MacArthur who commanded the American forces in the Pacific during World War II. The museum is located in the historic MacArthur Building on the corner of Queen and Edward Streets.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb enables visitors to climb to the top of Brisbane's largest bridge and enjoy great views of Brisbane City. The Story Bridge was built during the great depression and opened for operation on July 1940. The climb is an easy walk up inclines and steps and can be done at dawn, day, night or twilight. [Adult from AU$89]

Cruise on the Brisbane River is a relaxing way to enjoy the sights of Brisbane. There are many tour operators running cruises on the river such as The Kookaburra Queen paddle steamer boats are cruising restaurants that depart from Eagle Street Pier for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Australia Zoo is located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast on the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive, about 60 minutes north of Brisbane. It is the home of some of Australia's most unique and amazing wildlife, as well as some remarkable animals from overseas. The zoo is owned and operated by the family of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. [Open daily 9am-5pm]

The following parks are on the Gold Coast one hour drive south from Brisbane. Refer to the Gold Coast page for more information.

Dreamworld is a Disneyland-style theme park in the northern Gold Coast.

Warner Bros. Movieworld is a theme park near Dreamworld on the Gold Coast

Seaworld - aquatically-themed park with water ski shows, dolphin shows and rides

Wet 'n' Wild Water World - Water park on the Gold Coast

Nightlife and Entertainment

Conrad Treasury Casino is located at the George Street end of the Queen Street Mall and is open 24 hours.

The CBD hosts many cafes, restaurants, cinemas, bars and clubs. Most establishments are in the Queen Street Mall or nearby.

Fortitude Valley next to the CBD has many late-night cafes, bars, clubs and cinemas. The area is very busy on Friday and Saturday nights with a younger crowd of party-goers. Try the restaurant and bar complex, Cloudland, on Ann Street.

Southbank, across from the river from the CBD, has restaurants, bars and cinemas.

Dining

Brisbane City hosts many restaurants and cafes mainly in and around the Queen Street Mall vicinity.

Eagle Street Pier in the financial district hosts several restaurants, cafes and bars in a lovely position with great views of the river and the Story Bridge. The Kookaburra Queen paddle steamer boats are cruising restaurants that depart from Eagle Street Pier for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Park Road, Milton hosts several restaurants and cafes, with a European style, under a replica Eiffel Tower.

South Bank and Grey Street across the river from the Brisbane City hosts many restaurants, cafes, bars and cinemas.

Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown and many Asian-style restaurants.

Sunnybank is a suburb, 10km south of the city, that is popular with Chinese immigrants and has many Asian restaurants.