After my fair share of cold weather in Melbourne and Sydney, I was ready to finally catch some sunshine in Brisbane.
Usually I’m a fan of cold weather, but I didn’t pack well for this trip so I welcomed Brisbane and its sunny disposition with open arms. There’s nothing like a boost of Vitamin D to put a smile on your face, is there?
I loved everything about Brisbane. I think it has the perfect combination of city life and nature-based pursuits. It’s a city that thrives on its outdoor lifestyle, boasting a subtropical climate that encourages alfresco dining, riverside promenades, and year-round adventures.
So without further ado, here are my favourite things to do in and around Brisbane.
1. Get a water taxi to North Stradbroke Island
North Stradbroke Island or ‘straddie’ is the second largest sand island in the world after Fraser Island. Super easy to reach, it can be accessed by water taxi from Toondah Harbour in Brisbane.
My brother and I arrived at 6pm as dark was fast approaching. We stupidly hadn’t booked anywhere to stay and we didn’t have internet on our phones. As we walked to find accommodation, bats swarmed above our heads and we were getting increasingly hungry. We contemplated sleeping on the beach and found a campsite, but after a few wrong turns, then right turns, our spirits were saved after we found the only place within our budget – the YHA hostel.
The next day, under the full glory of daylight, we explored the island and were totally taken aback by the beauty of the island.
The scenery was so beautiful it made us forget about the night before (brother and sister bickering at its finest). Whatever you’re looking for – hiking, wildlife watching, sheer lazing and culinary indulging, Stradbroke provides all this and more.
The thing that will lock this place in my heart forever however, was the joy of seeing whales from the cliffs at Point Lookout. It was the first time I’d seen whales in nature, and it’s hard to express in words how this made me feel.
The island is prime location for whale watching so if you’re planning a trip to Queensland, Stradbroke Island should not be missed.
2. Head to the Gold Coast
You can get to the Gold Coast in under an hours drive from Brisbane and people from all around the world head here to experience the surfing beaches, lively nightlife, and subtropical climate. The city stretches along the southern coast of Queensland and features 70 kilometres of coastline from South Stradbroke Island in the north, to beautiful Rainbow Bay in the south. The beach is stunning, especially at sunset as the moon transforms into a gold ball to give prominence to its name – The Gold Coast.
Stupidly, I gave myself a challenge to walk from Surfer’s Paradise to Coolangatta at the New South Wales border. It took me way longer than expected, but once there, I crashed at the Coolangatta Youth Hostel. It took me about 7 hours, and speaking from experience, I don’t recommend doing it unless you start really early. Hopping on a bus is approximately 6 hours faster, and a million times wiser!
3. Enjoy the Harbour
High-rise buildings dominate the skyline and superb restaurants make Brisbane harbour the perfect place to hang out anytime of the day.
If you head to Story Bridge you can get exceptional views of the skyline, as well as witnessing gorgeous reflections bouncing off the harbour below.
A bleak but interesting piece of information, recently the bridge has become a notorious suicide hotspot so plans to install suicide prevention hotlines are underway – similar to Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco.
4. Visit the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
I love the modern art gallery GOMA designed by architect Robin Gibson. It’s really cool space, and I ended up spending hours there with my brother.
Unlike other major cities, Brisbane doesn’t suffer from a high population so you can really enjoy the whole gallery without being disrupted. This really gives Australia extra brownie points… It’s you in a room with all these inspiring pieces of art without anyone else pressurising you to move onto the next piece. Bliss!
5. Meet the animals at Alma Park and Zoo
What’s a trip to Australia without getting up-close with a kangaroo..?
