It may be a youthful, vibrant, and forward-thinking city but many of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane are cultural, historical, and natural. These places co-exist with modern and upbeat destinations in Brisbane. Brisbane is the capital of Queensland with the Gold Coast to its south, Fraser Coast to its west, and Bundaberg on its north.
1. King George Square is the most important historical landmark in the city. Its main highlight is the Brisbane City Hall. Check out Pullman hotel in Brisbane’s King George Square for a good place to stay in the middle of it all.
2. Museum of Brisbane has two floors. The first is dedicated to the city’s history and the second, for exhibiting the works of local artists.
3. City Botanic Gardens has free guided tours with information on the history of the garden as well as of the city. It is open 24 hours and has walking and cycling trails.
4. Queensland Cultural Centre is a complex containing the Queensland Museum, Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art, Performing Arts Centre, and the State Library of Queensland. Nearby you will find the Queensland Conservatorium and College of Art. The Queensland Cultural Center is a one-stop place where you will find many of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane.
5. South Bank is located at the heart of Brisbane and has an artificial beach with surrounding parklands. There are several cafés, restaurants, shops, and cinemas in the area too. South Bank was the site of the World Expo ’88.
6. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the first and largest koala sanctuary in the world. There are more than 130 koalas currently in captivity. You can hold a koala, feed kangaroos, and even see other Australian wildlife at the sanctuary.
7. Mt. Coot-tha is the tallest mountain in the city and one of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane. It has great 360-degree views of the city and a popular destination for romantic couples. It is part of the Mount Coot-tha Reserve, a forested area in northern Brisbane. There is also a Botanical Garden and Planetarium in the reserve. The Turrbal Aborigines once lived in the area before the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement was established.
8. Manly Boat Harbour is the gateway to Moreton Bay and its marine park. The Moreton Bay Marine Park is known for its incredible islands and clear waterways. The Harbour Village makes a nice stopover before and after your trip to the Moreton Bay because it has a lot of shopping and dining options topped with a view of the marina.
9. Roma Street Parklands is the largest subtropical garden in the world found within the city centre. There are over 1,800 individual species of plants grown here. It has several themed gardens in its midst. Admission to the Roma Street Parklands is free.
10. University of Queensland is one of the oldest institutions throughout Australia. It has elaborate sandstone buildings with ornamental lakes around them.