Australia has several great cities all across it and along the gorgeous waters that surround this island nation. That includes Melbourne on the south coast and Perth on the west coast. But there are more than a few great cities along the east coast, such as Brisbane.
Situated perfectly to enjoy worldwide phenomenon like the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane is a prime destination for tourists. It has great food, a lot of attractions and a seemingly endless array of ways to spend your time in town.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
A big part of going to Australia is seeing wildlife that exists nowhere else in the world outside of zoos. When you’re in Brisbane, a great place to get some first hand experience in an environment that’s safe and supportive for animals and people alike is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
Open since 1927, Lone Pine has incredible experiences such as feeding a kangaroo or getting to hold a koala. And that’s on top of the wide array of Aussie animals in their care. If you want to get a taste of what you’re in for, check out their live animal cams.
Museum of Brisbane
There are a lot of museums throughout the city, art, historical, natural history and otherwise. But the Museum of Brisbane has consistently been standing out as one of the best of the best since it opened its doors in Brisbane City Hall in 2003.
This space is an absolute celebration of the creativity that makes this part of the world amazing. It’s permanent collection is exceptional, and it plays host to numerous exhibitions throughout the year. While there are other galleries more than worth visiting, this is certainly a can’t miss stop.
Hit up South Bank
The people of Brisbane have a lot of passion for art, culture and music. That’s apparent no matter where you go in the city. But South Bank is where they all converge with their love of getting outside and enjoying life.
South Bank Parkland feels like it blends seamlessly into a cultural epicenter that includes venues like Queensland Museum and Queensland Art Gallery. On top of that, it has great shopping and dining options, all on the banks of Brisbane River.
Visit Birrunga Gallery & Dining
A massive part of the Australian identity are the Indigenous communities who have called this land home for untold centuries. That’s part of what makes Birrunga Gallery & Dining so special as it’s reputedly the only place like it in Brisbane that is Indigenous owned and operated.
This is a prime spot to view work by cutting edge Indigenous artists expressing a side of the country few tourists look for. On top of that, the food is top notch, offering interesting options such as crocodile, emu and even kangaroo.
Springbrook National Park
About an hour outside of Brisbane is one of the most stunning National Parks you will ever see in your life. Springbook National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area and is absolutely teeming with life.
The flora here can best be described as ancient, on top of stunning and picturesque. Take as many guided tours, hikes and walks as possible. That will allow you to understand the diverse scope of this park. Plus, there is an incredible range of birds, reptiles and amphibians to spot.