Brisbane is one of the most attractive destinations in the Australian state of Queensland. Tourism in Brisbane will mean equal doses of lazing in the sunny beaches and delving into adventurous activities. From high rises with top-notch restaurants and eateries to local breweries in the outskirts of the city, this is sure to be a gastronomical experience. For children and adults alike, Brisbane has a lot on offer. Read on for a compact travel guide to the vibrant city of Brisbane.

The most populous city of Queensland, Brisbane attracts tourists from all across the world all year round. Brisbane is accessible by air, rail, road and sea.

By Air:

Brisbane International Airport is the third largest in Australia and caters to over 25 million people annually. Located 20 km from the city, Brisbane is connected to all Australian capitals. A number of flights from the Gulf also terminate at Brisbane. You can reach the main city from the airport via AirTrain, CoachTrans or public transport.

By Rail:

While rail network isn’t extensive, the NSW Trainlink operates two daily services connecting Brisbane to Melbourne and Canberra. The Queensland Rail Travel has services connecting all parts of the state to Brisbane.

By Road:

The New England, Cunningham and Pacific Highways connect Brisbane to the southern states. The rest of the continent is connected via the Bruce Highway, the Pacific Motorway and the Warrego Highway. Roadways are extensive and excellently maintained. A number of buses and coaches run on these routes including Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Services.

By Sea:

Portside Wharf, the recently opened cruise terminal, located in the north of Brisbane, is capable of accommodating large ships. It is home to some of the P&O cruise liners as well as the Pacific Sun. It is the second largest port in the country and services over 55 ships annually. 

Brisbane is a sunny city with pleasant weather all year round. However, despite this, the best time according to us would be the months of April and May.

Spring (September to November):

Travellers will experience a marked rise in temperatures during these months. With very little increase in the humidity levels and very low rainfall, a spring trip to Brisbane won’t disappoint you. However, carry a few warm clothes for early spring and an umbrella for the late spring showers.

Summer (December to February):

Characterised by Summer Storms, travellers must always be prepared with an umbrella or raincoat during this period. An increase in humidity through the day will give you a hint of the brewing storm which generally lashes across the city in late afternoon. Though heavy, the showers last only for a short time. Considering the weather conditions, this is the least popular time to visit Brisbane.

Autumn (March to May):

Autumn is the period of transition. While March and April are slightly on the warmer side, May brings in pleasant cooler evenings, making way for the approaching winter. With very low humidity and negligible rainfall, this is the ideal time to visit Brisbane. Carry light airy clothes for early autumn and a couple of warm clothes in case you are visiting in the month of May.

Winter (June to August):

Winters will show you the beauty of nature, with crisp mornings and evenings, clear azure skies and very little rainfall. If travelling by bike or foot, this is the best time for local sightseeing. Most tourist places are within the CBD and the weather makes it a pleasure to roam about on bike or foot. Outdoor activities too are more pleasurable in this weather. Carry warm clothes for the cool evenings. 

A vibrant and diverse city, Brisbane has a lot to offer to all its guests. From adventure sports to a relaxing walk on a beach, you name it and Brisbane’s got it. A full family destination when travelling in tow and a fun party place when in a group of friends, Brisbane is sure to please you.

Brisbane Festival:

If travelling in September, make sure your dates coincide with the Brisbane Festival as this will surely be the highlight of your trip. The festival takes the city by a storm with theatre, dance, music and thrilling events spread all across the city. Booking a place in the South Bank for the Sunfire River Festival is a must.

Whale Watching and Water Sports:

If you’re a water baby, Brisbane is sure to attract you. Be it watching whales and dolphins from up close from your catamaran, or going windsurfing in one of the many beaches around the city. For those of you who like a lazy afternoon at the beach, Street Beach, located right in the middle of the city it the place to be in. With many options like kitesurfing, windsurfing, parasailing, snorkelling, etc there is no dearth of options for the adventure seekers.

Theme Parks:

Australia is home to the largest theme parks in the southern hemisphere. Luckily, the theme parks are just an hour’s drive away from Brisbane in the city of Gold Coast. Your trip to Brisbane will surely be incomplete without experiencing the thrill of the largest death-defying rides or the fun movie world parade. An exciting day-long outing for kids and adults alike. Each of the water parks has lockers on rent to store your belongings. They also have a number of restaurants and pubs to take meals at. Before leaving, hop into the souvenir store to take back memories from your exciting day at the park.

Abseiling Down Story Bridge:

The only bridge abseiling experience in the entire world, getting to the top of Story Bridge will be a memorable experience. Post a briefing session, small groups of climbers ascent to the top with all safety equipment. You can take in the beautiful panoramic views of Brisbane’s cityscape before abseiling down from the other side. This one is for the moderately fit adventure seekers.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:

Probably the first, and then, the only, of its kind in all of Australia, Lone Pine is home to over 130 Koalas and over a hundred species of other indigenous fauna. The sanctuary allows you to see these animals from up close in their natural habitat. There are a few interactive shows with the animals as well which will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Attending a feeding session for the animals will be another memorable experience at the sanctuary. 

Brisbane is quite a delight when it comes to gastronomic satisfaction. With a variety of cuisines available all across and excellent chefs at work in restaurants, the food here will definitely not disappoint. Keeping in line with the year-round weather, many restaurants here go the al fresco way, with delicious locally sourced ingredients for all dishes. Head to California Native for Mexican, 1889 Enotica for the best pasta, DA’Burgers for the best burgers in town and there is always Punjabi Place if you’re missing your favourite homely spicy curry. Brisbane is known for its Breakfast culture, and while here, do not miss a hearty breakfast at one of the many joints. We’d like to go ahead with Deedot Coffee House at Holland Park or Lucy Duck in Highgate Hill. For strict vegetarians, there is Govinda’s.

Heading to the markets to lighten those pockets? Brisbane sure won’t disappoint. Brisbane offers plenty of variety in shopping styles and goods on offer. From large shopping centres to standalone luxury stores, from art markets to farmers’ markets, Brisbane has it all. While Queens Street Mall houses a variety of shops and several shopping centres together, Queens Plaza is where you should head if you’re looking for high-end luxury brands. Edward Street is another destination for luxury brand shopping. Valley Markets will be a good shop if you have to purchase trinkets and souvenirs for near and dear ones.