The heart of Brisbane is its river, which casts a spell of relaxation over its surrounds, making the city an outstanding place to visit. Exceptional shopping and dining, a vibrant art scene and beautiful natural landscapes are all part of this must-see city. Try these five tips from House of Travel to make sure your stay is a good one.
1. Dine like a queen
Indulge in Brisbane’s exciting food scene for the ultimate experience. Start the day with breakfast at Medley Cafe & Restaurant, which features an open space perched right atop the riverbank, providing sweeping outlooks of the water and the leafy surrounds of Kangaroo Point. Enjoy a long, thoughtful lunch at GOMA Restaurant showcasing exceptional Queensland produce, before heading to Otto Ristorante for a modern Italian dinner.
2. Get your wildlife fix
Animal lovers can hand-feed Tangalooma dolphins at Tangalooma, a resort on the west side of Moreton Island just 25km from Brisbane’s shore. Guests can hand-feed the dolphins their favourite food – fish – before they swim off back into the coean.
3. Enjoy the arts
One of the most exciting cultural facelifts Brisbane underwent in the mid-2000s was the refresh of its South Brisbane arts precinct. A key pillar of that change was the opening of the splendid Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. The building won the 2007 Royal Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Public Architecture and the exquisite pieces housed inside are some of the best contemporary collections to visit the country, with the likes of Yayoi Kusama, Michael Parekowhai, Cindy Sherman and Gerhard Richter all gracing its halls. There is always a free exhibition available to the public so it’s easy to have a viewing of world-class artworks by indigenous Australians, as well as influential Asian and international artists.
4. Explore Moreton Island
You’ll be blown away by Moreton Island’s mix of white sand, turquoise sea, bushland, birdlife and lagoons. Don’t miss the incredible Tangalooma wrecks, where fifteen vessels were deliberately sunk to form a break wall for small boats, also creating a wreck dive and snorkel site. The island is only a 25km drive from Brisbane’s shore, with the ferry terminal just a 20-minute drive from the CBD.
5. Spend and refresh
Taking time for some retail therapy on holiday can be just as much fun as scheduling precious relaxation. Luckily, Brisbane is an essential shopping destination. QueensPlaza is home to a range of elegant boutiques of top international brands. It’s also the base of some of the most recognised names in Australian fashion and design, such as Alannah Hill and Carla Zampatti. For those who have always dreamed of naming their own shade of lipstick or haven’t found the exact foundation to match their skin tone, The Lip Lab, located alongside the boutique fashion stores of Adelaide Street, is ready to come to your rescue.
Talk to House of Travel today to start planning your holiday. Call 0800 713 715, drop into your local House of Travel store or click on hot.co.nz.
