Brisbane is the gateway to one of the most sought after holiday locations in Australia – Queensland. Known as the “Sunshine State” because of its beautiful year-round climate, Queensland is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands, the Australia Zoo, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, and so much more. In addition, Brisbane is a destination all on its own. Brisbane is actually Australia’s fastest-growing and most diverse city. It is the cultural hub of the area and is known for its carefree and fun-loving atmosphere. Feeling inspired? Check out our list of awesome things to do in Brisbane.
Both sides of the Brisbane river have great river walks, but the Southbank side is particularly vibrant. Enjoy stunning views across the river and onto Brisbane’s downtown. Southbank is the cultural precinct, so there are great art galleries and museums, like the Queensland Museum, the Sciencenter, and the Gallery of Modern Art. Streets Beach is a Southbank icon and is Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach. The lagoons are surrounded by white, sandy beaches and sub-tropical plants.
Visit this fantastic lookout point, especially at sunset. You can see panoramic views of Brisbane all the way to Moreton Bay. At the summit, there is a restaurant and a cafe where you can enjoy a drink with top views. You can choose to hike, drive, or take a shuttle bus to the top.
New Farm Park is one of Brisbane’s oldest and largest parks. It’s a popular gathering spot for locals to enjoy a picnic, barbeque, or game of football. You can walk to the park from the Brisbane Central Business District via a beautiful riverfront boardwalk. Bring a blanket and sit down to relax with lovely views of Brisbane’s downtown.
West End is an eclectic inner-city suburb with a lively mixture of cultures. The quirky local style is best described as indie, alternative, and vintage. Here you will find antique shops, hidden cafes, cool foodie destinations, and plenty of organic grocers. Take a walk through West End and you’ll see why this neighborhood is becoming the trendiest spot in Brisbane.
If you have ever wanted to cuddle a koala, The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary should be on your travel bucket list! This is definitely the cutest item on our list. But there is so much more to do here. You can also hold a snake or baby crocodile and see plenty of other unique Australian animals here like kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, platypus, and Tasmanian devils.
Escape the crowds in Brisbane and spend the day (or maybe even a week) at North Stradbroke Island. This island feels like a tropical paradise with sparkling turquoise blue waters and beautiful sandy white beaches. Wildlife is easy to spot here as this is their natural habitat. Dolphins come right up to the jetty at Amity Point at both sunrise and sunset, kangaroos are at the top of North Gorge walk every morning and evening, and koalas are known to hang out at Amity Point Camping Ground as well as the Little Ship Club at Dunwich. To see all this beauty, animals and much more hook up with “Barefoot” Dave and experience his famous 4WD Eco Tour of this untouched island paradise.
Photo Credit: Surf Connect Facebook
Sandgate Beach is located about 30 minutes north of Brisbane. You can take the train direct from Brisbane Central and walk to the beach. This beach has been a popular holiday spot for locals for several decades - safe, shallow sandy bottom. There are numerous parks, walking and bike trails, and a golf course. Surf Connect Watersports Centre opened here about 15 years ago and they introduced kayaking, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and windsurfing to the area. Sandgate is now a much more colorful and exciting village as a result of these water activities. Check out Surf Connect for rentals and lessons. They are open every day except Mondays, and their expert team will give you professional tips so you will be excelling at these watersports in no time.
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Whether you are searching for relaxation or exhilaration, Sydney has it all. Discover hidden beaches, soak in the sun on a pool overlooking the ocean, swim with the sharks, or go boating around the harbor. Take a journey to discover the amazing culture, history, and beauty of this unforgettable city.
Day trips from Sydney are the best because there is so much to see and do within a couple of hours. You can experience a thrilling outdoor adventure, tour world-renowned wineries, or relax in the natural beauty of Australia.
What comes to mind when you think of Australia? Probably koalas hugging trees, kangaroos hopping around with their babies in their pouch, or the legendary Steve Irwin feeding crocodiles. Right? Australia is famous for its exciting wildlife species, and no trip to Australia is complete without seeing them for yourself.
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We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.