Brisbane Tourist Attractions

It is bounded on the east by the sea and on the west by the Great Dividing Range. Its suburbs extend north and south to merge into the endless string of holiday resorts along the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.The people of Brisbane call their city 'big, bold and beautiful'; and it must be agreed that this sea of houses reflected in the river is very impressive. Visitors are attracted by its sunny climate, its luxuriant parks and gardens and its more relaxed life-style in contrast to the hectic activity of the cities of the southeast.HistoryLike Sydney, Brisbane was originally a convict colony, established in 1824; but some farmers and cattle breeders also established themselves in the town's hinterland, and when transportation came to an end in 1839 it began to attract numbers of free settlers.In 1859 Queensland was separated from New South Wales, and Brisbane became capital of the new state. Its early years were difficult, and even a hundred years later the town was often dismissed as 'provincial'. Queensland differed from the other Australian states in having a number of centers, each with its own sphere of influence.An important event in the history of the city was the international exhibition held in Brisbane, Expo 88.PopulationThe population of Brisbane increased in successive stages. After the transportation of convicts ceased in 1839 the young colony rapidly grew to 20,000 people, of whom around 5000 lived in Brisbane. The Brisbane conurbation now has a population of more than 1.3 million.EconomyBrisbane is the commercial and financial capital of Queensland, with its most important seaport and largest airport. Industry is well developed round the city, with the processing of foodstuffs (canning) playing an important part. Brisbane is also the business center for the state's prosperous agriculture and mining industry. Tourism is now making an increasingly important contribution to the city's economy.TransportBrisbane has excellent links with the regional and national transport system. In Roma Street, in the northwest of the city, is the Brisbane Transit Centre (Australian Railways), the terminus for state and interstate services, and close by is the central bus station.The national and international airport lies 12km northeast of the city center in the direction of Moreton Bay, with frequent daily flights from all parts of Australia and abroad.Public transport within the city (buses, suburban train services), run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority, is also well developed. Information about services and fares can be obtained from the Public Transport Information Centre at the corner of George and Ann Streets.The ferries on the Brisbane River are a convenient way of getting to know the inner suburbs. The two main landing stages are at Edward Street and the Customs House (Queen Street).ExcursionsThe Golden Mile Ferry Service runs one-hour cruises. One of Brisbane's best known tourist attractions is the Kookaburra Queen, an old paddle steamer based at Pier 9 which runs cruises on the Brisbane River several times daily (with lunch, tea or dinner). The Brisbane Paddlewheeler company (Cameron Street, West End) runs Sunday cruises with jazz music. The ships of the Koala Cruises company sail upstream as far as Ipswich.EntertainmentThere is a wide choice of evening and after-dark entertainment in numerous discos and jazz clubs and in many pubs and night spots. There are theatrical performances and concerts in the Performing Arts Centre in South Brisbane (Concert Hall, Lyric and Cremorne Theatres). Detailed information on events can be obtained in the press, particularly in the Saturday Courier Mail under the heading What's On In Town.ShoppingBrisbane offers a tempting range of large department stores, specialized shops and boutiques. There are nine large shopping arcades, including the new Myer Centre, the Wintergarden on the Mall, the Brisbane Arcade and the Rowes Arcade.