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Home > Brisbane – The Australian Traveller Guide

BRISBANE – THE AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLER GUIDE

Among the many bars to spring up in Brisbane lately is Super Whatnot, inspired by the Americas.

Look Out Everyone. Brisbane Has A New Bar Boom

Bacchus: Brisbane's New Bite

Bacchus: Brisbane's New Bite

Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar

Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane - Review

Stamford Plaza Junior Suite, Brisbane

Stamford Plaza Brisbane Hotel Review

075 Dick Beach, QLD

100 Best Views In Australia #75 Dicky Beach, QLD

Brisvegas-2

The Rise of Brisvegas?

The minimalist interiors and all that white are an extreme contrast to the building's vibrant public face.

The Miro Hotel Brisbane - Hotel Review

Cloudland

Summer in the city - Brisbane

PixCell Elk#2 by Kohei Nawa is “totally awesome”.

Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane

The ground floor Gazebo Bar & Restaurant at Urban Brisbane.

Urban Brisbane: New Life for a Brisbane Icon - Hotel Review

The QLD Ocean Swim Series

QLD & Brisbane Events Calendar

  • Among the many bars to spring up in Brisbane lately is Super Whatnot, inspired by the Americas.
  • Bacchus: Brisbane's New Bite
  • Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar
  • Stamford Plaza Junior Suite, Brisbane
  • 075 Dick Beach, QLD
  • Brisvegas-2
  • The minimalist interiors and all that white are an extreme contrast to the building's vibrant public face.
  • Cloudland
  • PixCell Elk#2 by Kohei Nawa is “totally awesome”.
  • The ground floor Gazebo Bar & Restaurant at Urban Brisbane.
  • The QLD Ocean Swim Series

Brisbane has become increasingly sophisticated, yet manages to retain its laidback charm. Bustling ferries ply the waters of the Brisbane River; the beach is less than an hour away (or five minutes if you go to South Bank) and the weather lends itself to outdoor pursuits. About 1,000 new residents move here each week, attracted by the subtropical climate and relaxed outdoor lifestyle, and many large corporations have followed suit. Brisbane has become an increasingly popular spot in recent years with Australia’s most vibrant and emerging artistic community. and everything from fine art to fine dining is on hand to keep you amused when the sun goes down.

Transport:

Brisbane Airport is 16km northeast of the CBD with separate international and domestic terminals, both of which are serviced by a host of major carriers. The city can be reached by Airtrain (from $14.50 one way, 1800 119 091), taxi (around $36, 13 19 24) or the Coachtrans airport shuttle ($14 one way, 07 3358 9700). Taxis (13 19 24), trains (13 12 30) or the comprehensive Brisbane City Council bus service (13 12 30) will get you around town and beyond. Car rental decks are available at the airport and many companies also have an office in town.
The Brisbane CBD covers just 2.2km2 and is easy to navigate on foot (or use the free City Loop bus that runs every 10mins).

RECENT ARTICLES

LOOK OUT EVERYONE. BRISBANE HAS A NEW BAR BOOM

Among the many bars to spring up in Brisbane lately is Super Whatnot, inspired by the Americas.

Brisbane has been inundated with a slew of chic new bars in recent months. Here's some of the latest:   PONY BAR This rustic new stable serves a lengthy list of boutique wines from Australia and abroad, as well as creative cocktails involving smoke machines and dehydrators. You’ll find it above another noteworthy newcomer, Matt Moran’s Brisbane River Bar. ponydining.com.au   ALFRED & CONSTANCE There’s something here for all tastes with a rather eccentric mix of bar areas, each with their own theme and drinks menu. Among them is a beer garden, tiki bar, hidden cellar and a late-night dessert café and bar. The food offerings are also worth a...

BACCHUS: BRISBANE'S NEW BITE

Bacchus: Brisbane's New Bite

Newly opened Bacchus restaurant is a poolside oasis in the heart of Brisbane, and a testament that the city is continually moving up in the culinary stakes, writes Megan Arkinstall.   I’m standing on my balcony at Rydges South Bank enjoying the view of the Brisbane River. My room is clean, comfortable and spacious, but I’m not here to inspect the room. I'm here to try out the new Bacchus restaurant and poolside bar downstairs that opened in October to much fanfare – Matt Preston hosted the red carpet launch featuring fire twirlers and roaming acrobats. I have an empty belly...

JELLYFISH RESTAURANT & BAR, BRISBANE - REVIEW

Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar

Does this seafood staple live up to its name? Tiana Templeman pulls up a chair Jellyfish is loved by locals and visitors like. But as with any love affair, a couple of annoying little problems could ruin an otherwise happy relationship. They won’t bother everyone equally, but when you’re paying around $40 for glorified fish and chips, they’re hard for your wallet to forgive and forget. Jellyfish certainly has the looks, with smart, modern decor and a stunning location by the Brisbane River. Floor-to-ceiling doors fold back to make the most of the view, and a separate bar ensures diners...

STAMFORD PLAZA BRISBANE HOTEL REVIEW

Stamford Plaza Junior Suite, Brisbane

A good old-fashioned romantic weekend calls for a good old-fashioned hotel. Is the Stamford Plaza up to the task? Tiana Templeman finds out  Choosing somewhere for a romantic escape using a hotel’s website can be a bit like internet dating. Sometimes you get a pleasant surprise, but more often than not those attractive online photos are nothing like what you expected once you finally meet. It’s hard not to feel like a jilted lover when a hotel neglects to mention your view will have little in common with that gorgeous shot on the hotel’s site unless you pay for a...

100 BEST VIEWS IN AUSTRALIA #75 DICKY BEACH, QLD

075 Dick Beach, QLD

Where is it? 93km north-east of Brisbane, in Caloundra How to see it for yourself? Drive five minutes north along the coastline from Caloundra. Dicky Beach is at the end of Beerburrum St. Why I love it “The wreck of MS Dicky, washed ashore more than 100 years ago, is an iron skeleton on the beach. The best time to have a look is just after sunset when the wreck shines red in the last daylight. An amazing spot!” – Hartmut Toepler, photographer Image by Hartmut Toepler...

THE RISE OF BRISVEGAS?

Brisvegas-2

There’s a glitzy city in the north where it’s summer all year round, but does Brisbane shine as much as it could? Brendan Shanahan takes a look. Photographs by Trevor Templeman. Brisbane is Australia’s third city. Of course, there are worse things than third place – last, for instance. Nevertheless, no-one really wants third. Sure, your Olympic karate bronze will go straight to the poolroom, but how long can you expect to dine out on tales of standing on the low dais, clutching a bunch of dried flowers while listening to the Japanese national anthem? A sporting analogy is probably unfair when...

THE MIRO HOTEL BRISBANE - HOTEL REVIEW

The minimalist interiors and all that white are an extreme contrast to the building's vibrant public face.

Wouldn’t it be nice to stay in a hotel that surpasses all expectations? Could Quentin Long have found one? In a world of hype – where we are so used to being over-sold and over-promised, only to receive a shrug of the shoulders on check-out – it’s nice to find a hotel that goes the other way, delivering above expectations. To be blunt, The Miro’s website is uninspiring at best compared to the pleasant reality that awaits you in these serviced apartments. Part of the problem is that I’ve become cynical after staying in many hotels that looked better online...

SUMMER IN THE CITY - BRISBANE

Cloudland

Where to go and what to do to have fun in the sun in Brisbane this summer BEST BEER GARDENS Madame Hedges, Cloudland Great for: The über cool will love this futuristic beer garden. Details: 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. (07) 3872 6600; cloudland.tv Victory Hotel Great for: Live entertainment. Details: 127 Edward St. (07) 3221 0444; thevictory.com.au. The Plough Inn Tavern Great for: Thirsty travellers. Right on the main boulevard at South Bank. Details: Stanley St Plaza, South Bank Parklands. (07) 3844 7777; ploughinn.com.au BEST ROOFTOP BARS Lime’s Hotel Rooftop Bar Great for: Movies under the stars. Details: 142...

GALLERY OF MODERN ART, BRISBANE

PixCell Elk#2 by Kohei Nawa is “totally awesome”.

As compelling as the pied piper, Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern  Art is drawing record numbers, especially among the young  and young at heart. Brendan Shanahan, who professes to be neither, went to find out why. Images by Professor Dirk HR Spennemann  Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art, GoMA for short, is probably the best thing to have happened to the arts in this country since the National Gallery bought Blue Poles – and the best thing to have happened to Brisbane since Joh left office. Sure, the building looks like an upmarket mall and some of the art is little more than...

URBAN BRISBANE: NEW LIFE FOR A BRISBANE ICON - HOTEL REVIEW

The ground floor Gazebo Bar & Restaurant at Urban Brisbane.

A $10 million refurbishment has given birth to Urban Brisbane, one of the best value for money hotels in the vibrant Queensland capital. Local Tiana Templeman checks in to check out just how affordable this inner-city stay has become. “Tie me up tightly,” says my husband, peering at the sash from his bathrobe. I walk slowly towards him and take the strip of fabric in my hand, see the words embroidered on it and start laughing. It appears he wasn’t making me an offer at all, but was simply reading out the jolly instructions stitched onto his bathrobe belt. Our...

QLD & BRISBANE EVENTS CALENDAR

The QLD Ocean Swim Series

Upcoming events in Queensland and Brisbane. APRIL/MAY NOOSA INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL May 17-20 This boasts more than 200 Australian and international chefs, iconic winemakers and restaurateurs. Foodies can revel in world-class cuisine, top drops and debates. There will also be an impressive line-up of entertainers, including Jessica Mauboy, Anthony Callea and Sneaky Sound System. noosafoodandwine.com.au OUTBACK TRAILBLAZER April 22-28 Get your engine running with this week-long 4WD event through outback Queensland, and help raise funds for Angel Flight. Expect magnificent waterways, scenery and wildlife, friendly competitions, prizes and a few characters along the way. outbacktrailblazer.com.au QUEENSLAND OCEAN SWIM...

LUXURY HOTELS BRISBANE - A ROUNDUP

luxury-hotels-bris

BrisVegas continues to undergo a citywide metro makeover, so for your next visit Australian Traveller has stepped it up a notch with these high-end favourites. Conrad Treasury Brisbane Blending old and new superbly, the Conrad Treasury has plenty of history behind it with buildings dating back to 1886. Now a luxurious hotel in the heart of Brisbane, it’s renowned for its high ceilings and massive rooms and bathrooms. The only downfall is you won’t be able to enjoy a swim, as there’s no pool – but the casino across the park more than makes up for that. From $275, Top...

SOFITEL BRISBANE - HOTEL REVIEW

The ala carte section of Thyme2 restaurant, with stunning views out over Anzac Square. Image by Sofitel Brisbane

Ever run into an old friend you haven’t seen in years and been amazed by how fabulous they look? That’s exactly how Tiana Templeman felt when she returned to the Sofitel Brisbane after a multi-million dollar makeover. (to The hotel, not to Tiana.) * Like all AT reviewers, Tiana visited the Sofitel Brisbane anonymously and paid her own way (although, since it was her birthday, hopefully her husband Trevor paid). She advises catching the Airtrain from Brisbane airport to arrive directly underneath the hotel at Central Station. This saves spending wads on a taxi and getting caught in traffic. It’s...

EMPORIUM HOTEL BRISBANE - HOTEL REVIEW

Emporium-Hotel-Featured-Image

Brisbane is an odd city for hotels. It is one of the very few places where there are not enough rooms for the demand almost year round. (As an aside the best deals for Brisbane hotels is January) So the imminent opening of the Emporium Hotel is being excitedly watched by travellers and local industry alike. Located in Brisbane's booming design and art precinct Fortitude Valley, the hotel is aiming to lead Brisbane's claim to the new centre for Australian style. (It has some way to go but 'the valley' is starting to unearth some exceptional Australian design and style talent...

BRISBANE ON BUSINESS

Brisbane-For-Business

A column dedicated to helping regular business travellers get the most out of their trips around Australia. BRISBANE I’ve heard spluttered disbelief elsewhere – particularly in Perth and Sydney – but it’s true: Brisbane is Australia’s fastest-growing capital. Business travel to this easily navigated metropolis is surging; its’ annual growth, currently at four per cent, outperforms the national average and is envied by rival cities. Population has ballooned to 1.7 million, with another million elsewhere in Southeast Queensland and newcomers arriving daily. Rural land between Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts is steadily becoming residential and commercial. Major corporations...

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WHERE ARE YOU TRAVELLING TO?

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    • South Australia: Country house escapes for groups
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    • The Nullarbor Links, SA/WA
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