As Australia’s third biggest city, Brisbane has a cool, urbane culture all of its own. From its quirky boutiques and market stalls to its trendy art galleries and live music venues, there are all sorts of ways to immerse yourself in Queensland’s lifestyle. Head to Adelaide Street with its treasure trove of independent outlets and be sure to stop for a bite to eat at one of its fine restaurants and cafes.
Speaking of food, Brisbane is well known for its fine dining options and cheap eats. Although many Michelin-star restaurants line the streets of Brisbane, it’s the food markets and gastronomic carnivals that will win your heart. Eat Street Northshore is the city’s riverside take on the night food market and its village of shipping containers turned kitchens offers everything from mouthwatering seafood to American-style favourites. Combine these delicious dishes with craft brews and live music and you have one of the city’s most atmospheric nights out.
Brisbane’s riverside South Bank is full to the brim with life and is certainly an unmissable destination during your cruise. Here, you’ll find popular hotspots such as Grand Arbour, a kilometre-long walkway which features almost 450 curling steel posts, all clad with striking magenta bougainvillaea. Pay a visit to the Nepalese Pagoda, a three-storey-high, handmade timber structure famed for its intricate beauty. Elsewhere, you can take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane for fantastic panoramic views across the cityscape or soak up the sun at the South Bank’s very own man-made beach. This popular location comes complete with a glittering lagoon, white sand and sub-tropical plants.
Brisbane is home to the world’s first and largest sanctuary for koalas, where you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with these much-loved marsupials. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has been looking after these gorgeous animals since 1927 and today has over 130 at its centre. You can access the sanctuary by bus, car or boat and experiences range from holding a koala, feeding a platypus or getting hands-on with a dingo. You might even get to feed the Tasmanian Devils their afternoon tea.
Which cruise lines sail to Brisbane?
