Rich in beauty , culture and natural attractions, we trust your time in Brisbane in rewarding and hope your next visit is not far away. During your stay , carry your copy of Informations on Brisbane with you as it provides valuable up-to-date information, things to see and do, choices, recommendations and just about everything you will need during your stayThis vibrant shopping and lifestyle precinct lies at the hart of Brisbane City and is arguably Australia’s most successful pedestrian mall. Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall has long been considered the centre of fashion and retail in Queensland. This vibrant shopping and lifestyle precinct lies at the hart of Brisbane City and is arguably Australia’s most successful pedestrian mall, playing host to over 26 million visitors a year.

The Queen Street Mall offers an unrivalled mix of local, national and international labels and flagship stores. Some 700 retailers have made their homes here- many enjoy mall and street frontage, others are tucked away inside world-class centres and heritage-listed arcades.

A visit to the Queen Street Mall guarantees a complete leisure encounter. There’s free live entertainment virtually every day of the year. Restaurants, cafés, bars, cinemas, salons and day spas, four and five-star hotels and a grand casino sit right on the mall, as does the Brisbane Visitor Information&Booking Centre for tour bookings, brochures and general tourist advice. A five minute stroll from the mall will see you exploring Brisbane City’s galleries and museums, parklands and vibrant riverside. Enjoy your guide to the Queens Street Mall and the experience of its exciting surrounds.

Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall is home to over 700 retail outlets. Explore, in any one visit, close to a dozen uniquely themed shopping centres and arcades, not to mention Queensland’s most sought after flagship stores.

Brisbane Arcade The heritage listed Brisbane Arcade is one of Queensland’s most stunning and historically significant shopping destinations. Built in 1923 and packed with architectural features befitting traditional European shopping gallerias, it is the time-honoured home of some of Brisbane’s most successful designers and manufacturers. Brisbane Arcade is a superb destination for designer and antique jewellery , unique gifts, homewares and accessories.

Broadway on the Mall Locating between Brisbane Arcade and Country Road’s Queensland flagships store on the Queen Street Mall, is renowned for its impressive range of contemporary fashion outlets and computer and electrical superstore Harvey Norman.

MacArthur Central It is a modern three level shopping centre and the CBD’s only Woolworths supermarket and Big W which are complemented by convenience retailers and a high-end-fashion precinct on Edward Street which includes national and international retailers.

QueensPlaza The Queen Street Mall’s newest shopping centre, QueensPlaza is located on the corner of Adelaide Street and Edward Street. Australia’s largest one-location David Jones outlet, which officially opened to much fanfare in February 2008.

The Myer Centre The Myer Centre lies at the very heart of the bustling Queen Street Mall, occupying an enormous block bound by George, Elizabeth, Albert and Queen Streets, celebrated its 20th anniversary in March 2008. The Myer has over 180 specialty stores.

Wintergarden Wintergarden offers a complete shopping experience. It incorporates the five-star Hilton Brisbane Hotel where you can rest your weary head after a day spent shopping.

Some of Australia’s favourite independent retailers enjoy exclusive frontage on the Queen Street Mall. A few of our shining stars….

City Beach – Thousands of surf and leisure items.

Country Road – Queensland’s Flagships store.

General Pants Co- Stocks over 60 labels including Lee and Havaianas. Major Events

The Queen Street Mall ‘Live”program delivers an exciting and diverse line-up of entertainers and special events year-round. Over 400 events are staged on the mall over the calendar year.

-Brisbane Festival -Hilton Masterclass Weekend -Brisbane International Film Festival -Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane -RiverFestival -Brisbane City Romp -Christmas in the City

If you are a visitor to town after unique souvenirs or you are a local sending gifts abroad there are plenty of interesting ideas across the city centre. Try the following….

Specialty and Indigenous gifts Quilpie Opals offers a vast selection of specialty gifts that showcase renowned Australian Opals. Australian Indigenous Tribal Gallery is another must visit. Here you can purchase authentic indigenous artworks.

Brisbane Markets Every sunday from 8am until 4pm Brisbane city’s Eagle Street precinct comes alive with the Riverside Markets. You can spent the day fossicking and at the time enjoy the riverfront beauty of this part of town.

South Bank a ten minute stroll across the Victoria Bridge from the Queen Street Mall, is another great destination for market shopping.

Museum of Brisbane.

Museum of Brisbane located in Brisbane City Hall, is an integrated social history, visual arts, craft and design museum presenting contemporary culture as well its heritage. Heritage & historical sites

Brisbane City Hall – King George Square- Built during the 1920s. Brisbane City Hall’s Clock Tower was based on the design of the St Mark Campanile in Venice.

St John’s Anglican Cathedral – The last Gothic style cathedral in the world.

City Botanic Gardens- opened in 1855, the Gardens were originally established to grow produce for the penal settlement.

Parliament House- Queensland’s French Renaissance inspired Parliament House building located adjacent to the city Botanic Gardens was opened in 1868. Don’t Forget….Sensational

Scale the Story bridge- Kangaroo Point- Story Bridge Adventure Climb is undoubtedly one of the best and most exciting ways to discover Brisbane. You won’t believe the 360 degree views out to Moreton Bay and the Glasshouse Mountains.

Take a bicycle Tour- Botanic Gardens- Access to the latest model bicycles and range of tour itineraries to suit everyone. You will see you cycle right along the CBD waterfront, along the floating Riverwalk to vibrant urban villages New Farm….

The Brisbane River- Here you can try kayaking (day and night), abseiling, rock climbing, cycling, rollerblading and kick biking.

Passive Day If you would like to get out and about but prefer the softer side of outdoors activity there is plenty of green space and parkland to keep you occupied in brisbane’s city centre. City Botanic Gardens- frequented by the usual jogging and cycling enthusiasts but also the haunt of Queensland University of Technology students whose Gardens Point campus adjoins this green space.

Roma Street Parkland- The world’s largest urban subtropical garden is a spectacular place to get out and about in Brisbane.

South Bank parkland- Originally the site has grown to become one of the city’s most significant public spaces through its seventeen hectares of lush gardens and lawns.

http://www.tripaussie.com – Holidays around the Green Australia

Brisbane Australia is the capital of Queensland and is the third largest city of Australia. With its scenic beauty, friendly atmosphere and fine temperate climate, Brisbane Australia draws many tourists both from Australia and around the world. Brisbane Australia is known to be a cosmopolitan place with superb food and a vibrant, lively arts scene. In Brisbane the city, although there are modern high-rise buildings with steel structures and glass components, you can still find traditional wooden cottages as well as historical buildings. Due to the city’s beginning as a port, most of the historic buildings are found near the river. Brisbane Australia has some world-class galleries, museums, theatres and art centres. Besides lovely gardens and parks, there are also plenty of open-air spaces for eating and drinking. Tables and chairs are commonly seen spilling onto the sidewalks. Some fine restaurants and classy cafes are located here too.

Some of the popular parks and gardens tourists love to visit are the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens is located at the foothills of Mount Coot-tha Forest Park, which is about 8km from the city centre. The Botanic Gardens has more than 20,000 specimens from 5,000 species of herbs, shrubs and trees. Popular attractions include a Japanese Garden, a Tropical Display Dome, a Lagoon and Bamboo Grove, Fern House, National Freedom Wall and eucalypt groves. The Aboriginal name of Mount Coot-tha Forest Park means “place of wild honey”. This name is given to it because of the tiny bees found in the area. The park has remarkable views of the surroundings and it offers good walking trails and wonderful picnic areas for strollers and picnickers.

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is the second oldest botanic gardens in Brisbane Australia. It consists of a mass of green lawn towering Moreton Bay figs, bunya pines, macadamia trees, etc. The garden provides paths for strollers, joggers and cyclists. Many water birds love to settle at the lakes of the gardens. If you are looking for a tranquil refuge from the bustling activities of the city, this place will be able to provide a wonderful spot to meet your need.

The Lone Pine Sanctuary is the oldest Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane Australia and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Brisbane Australia. It has more than 100 koalas, as well as kangaroos, emus, possums, dingoes, wombats, etc. Besides, there are Australian birds as well.

Brisbane Australia has a lively arts scene and this is reflected by the existence of some fantastic museums, art galleries and art centres in the city. Queensland Cultural Centre is regarded as the hub of Brisbane’s arts scene. It comprises the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and State Library of Queensland. The Queensland Art Gallery has a fine collection of European art and Asian art. Besides this collection, it also has art pieces on Australian art as well as Aboriginal art. The Queensland Museum is a natural history museum, which is filled with full-scale exhibits. The exhibits include various mega fauna and endangered species. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre has a main concert hall and three theatres. The centre holds well-acclaimed operas, classical music as well as theatrical productions. The Queensland Maritime Museum displays relics from early shipwrecks as well as shipbuilders’ models.

There are a number of remarkable historic buildings in Brisbane Australia, which include the Parliament House, City House, General Post Office, Commissariat Store Museum, Newstead House, Old Government House and Old Windmill. The churches located here are the Cathedral of St Stephen and St John’s Anglican Cathedral.

As you can see from the above, Brisbane Australia is lively city with marvelous historic buildings, lovely gardens and a fantastic hub of arts and cultural activities. By visiting some well known art galleries, museums and performing arts centres here, you can gain wonderful insights on the art scene here. Besides, this place offers wonderful food served by some superb restaurants located here. If you wish to have a relaxing and enriching tour, you can consider visiting Brisbane Australia.

Rose Mary enjoys travel and write. Visit http://www.fibcool.com/cheap-flights/ site now and compare cheap tickets from 100+ major travel sites in one search and save up to 70%. Do not buy your tickets until you have make comparison. Why pay more?

If you intend to visit Australia then the East Coast is usually on most travellers agendas. Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia and should be a stop off along your way to the beaches of Queensland or drive down to Sydney.

Brisbane itself is fast becoming the cultural mecca of Australia. It’s also the fastest growing city and quoted to be the most desirable place to live in Australia. It seems Brisbane has everything. So what’s causing the Aussies to flock here in their droves?

Firstly the city itself is very picturesque. The backdrop of the river makes it a delightful place to stroll along the riverbank and take in the lovely views of the city skyline. They even have their own man made beach over at Southbank Parklands where you can relax, unwind and cool down.

Perhaps it’s the weather that is causing the Australians to want to live here. It’s certainly warmer than its counterparts on the East Coast, offering warm temperatures throughout the year.

It is also the gateway to some wonderful destinations like the Gold Coast and The Sunshine Coast. From Brisbane you can enjoy some lovely day trips including Moreton Island, Stradbroke Island and of course Steve Irwin’s famous Australia Zoo.

The most impressive aspect to Brisbane is its cultural life which is fast becoming very sophisticated indeed. Brisbane has been responsible for hosting some fantastic International exhibits and performances that have not been seen anywhere else in Australia. These include The Art Gallery which showed and exclusive collection on American Realist and Impressionist paintings from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dancers from the Paris Opera Ballet also performed here in Brisbane which was an Australian premiere.

Brisbane has been well known for its theatre scene for some time now. The community theatre at Brisbane Arts Theatre is a great way for the locals to be involved both on and off the stage. Here you can see some classic plays.

For more contemporary theatre, go to the Riverside Powerhouse theatre. There is usually some comedy or a cabaret to enjoy or something very alternative.

For something that the kids will enjoy, go to the Sciencecentre on the Southbank. This is an interactive museum with lots of fun things to explore. There is an area where live demonstrations take place and the exhibition on the body is very popular.

Brisbane’s food can also be appreciated through a variety of cultures. The locals argue that the food here is better than Sydney and Melbourne. It is cheaper, so it could be the place to indulge in some fine dining.

For the best dining spots, try Boundary Street in the West End or Little Stanley Street which are both on the Southbank. Eagle Street Pier and Fortitude Valley also offer some great places to eat.

If some sophistication on your trip would not go amiss, then Brisbane could be the answer. Even if culture is not your thing, you’ll find lots to do in Brisbane to keep you entertained. From shopping to nightlife, Brisbane has it all. Take a trip here, I bet you’ll end up staying longer than you think here.

Jennifer Schillington has nearly half a decade of experience in traveling Australia and has recently had a baby. Her website, http://www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information for planning your visit to Australia as well as what to do and where to go.

Queensland is a big place. To put that in perspective, it’s four times the size of Japan, nearly six times the size of the UK and more than twice the size of Texas. It actually takes up 25% of the land mass of Australia.

Every year, millions of local and international visitors flock here to soak up its stunning attractions. Adjectives don’t do it justice. Few places offer as much…from a brilliant climate and magical scenery, to tropical islands and rain forest greenery. Queensland has everything, including the grandest attraction of all -The Great Barrier Reef. But what about Brisbane? It’s well worth a closer look.

Let’s hear it for Brisbane.

“Beautiful one day. Perfect the next.” Ask any Aussie and they’ll know this justifiably famous tourism slogan. It put Queensland on the map as Australia’s most popular holiday destination. Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland. Once considered a sleepy backwater for retirees, over the past few years it has undergone a sort of extreme makeover. From fuddy duddy to fabulous. A vibrant metropolis, filled with culture and charm, where 300 sunny days a year and a year-round temperate climate are a way of life. It’s no wonder that Queenslanders are so laid back. They’re on a permanent vacation!

Looking back.

Brisbane lies on The Brisbane River in Moreton Bay. For trivia buffs, it was named after Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, a soldier, astronomer, and colonial administrator from the 18th Century. While not on a sea coast as such, the river is a drawcard for boating and good times. To get a good look at the city, jump on a high speed catamaran and take in the views of the downtown, Story Bridge, Botanic Gardens and surrounding suburbs.

Where to stay.

If you’re organizing accommodation, Brisbane can offer you every type to match your budget, from superb 5 star names to smaller boutique hotels, with plenty in the mid-price range. Check out online web sites. You can make great savings by booking online – giving you more to spend on sight seeing.

A fresh approach to good times.

Brisbane offers visitors a truly relaxed vacation experience. (Must be the weather.) There’s no end to outdoor activities as you would expect, such as sailing, swimming, surfing, hot air ballooning and 4WD excursions.

If you prefer less strenuous activities, head for some retail therapy in the air conditioned malls and shopping centres dotted around the city. Whether you’re looking for a street market bargain or having a splurge on designer labels, you can find it here. You’ll also discover a hotbed of creative free thinking with local artists and designers showcasing their individual style and fashion.

Island pleasure grounds, an hour from the city.

Can’t make it to the Whitsunday Islands or The Barrier Reef? Never mind. Get a taste of the tropics less than an hour from town. Lucky Brisbane has not one but two secret escapes, Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island, popularly know as Straddie to the locals. Naturally beautiful, with miles of white sandy beaches and crystal water. Explore and enjoy. Kick back and chill out. Top up your tan, snorkel, scuba dive or rev up some thrills on a quad bike. At Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort, you can even hand feed bottle noise dolphins.

A whale of a time.

You don’t have to sail the high sees to see the ocean’s greatest creatures. On the eastern side of Moreton Island, you can now experience whale watching from the comfort of a high speed catamaran. Through floor-to-ceiling windows you get uninterrupted views, so you won’t miss any of the action. Whale watching season is June to November and you are guaranteed to spot humpback whales as they migrate. What a memory to take home.

Crikey. The good things keep coming.

With so much going on in and around Brisbane, you definitely won’t run out of things to see or do, you may simply just run out of time! Here are some more top spots and theme parks, recommended for your travel plans, all within 30 minutes to an hour of town.

Australia Zoo at Beerwah: the zoo that celebrates Steve Irwin’s legacy. You don’t have to be a wildlife warrior to enjoy this fabulous experience, with over1,000 native and exotic animals.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: the world’s first and largest Koala sanctuary on outskirts of Brisbane’s city centre, with 130 koalas.

Underwater World: Queensland’s largest oceanarium and aquarium, filled with sharks, stingrays, seals, star fish – over 25,000 sea creatures. If you’re game, you can dive with sharks and swim with seals.

Dreamworld Theme Park: so many worlds in one. Native and exotic animals, thrilling rides, TV show attractions and more.

Whitewater World: a brand new theme park. If you love getting wet, this is the placed to be for every last drop of fun. Jaw-dropping water slides and thrilling rides, the pipeline plunge and a playground for under 5′s.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World: If you’re looking to get wet, then you can’t go past this exciting water park, located only 45 minutes from Brisbane.

Last but never least, The Gold Coast: 50 miles south east of Brisbane. It’s bright and brash, colourful and lively, a full on beach holiday experience. Think Florida with that unique Aussie touch. Famed for its consistent weather and days filled with sunshine, you’ll find plenty of beach and natural attractions, with a glittering night life.

Brisbane. The big city with something for everyone under the sun.

About the Author Matthew Lawson heads up http://www.hotel.com.au and is an avid traveller.

A great way to see the city with ease and in style is to take the CityCat river taxi and see most of the city sitting on the shores of the River Brisbane. The trip only takes a couple of hours and will cost you less that AUS$5 for the combo ticket! That same ticket is good for all the public transport in the city. Perhaps you could use this ticket to get you to Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane’s tallest “Mountain”. Here you will find a fine view over the city and it is also home to a Botanical Garden and a Planetarium.

One area that must be visited is the Queensland Cultural Centre, found in South Brisbane. Here you will find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art and the State Library of Queensland. The Queensland Conservatorium and the Queensland College of Art are both located nearby as well.

And there is also the Southbank located across the river from the heart of the city. This was the site of the World Expo in 1988 and today you can find an artificial beach were you can swim for free on sunny days. There are also a number of shops, cafes, restaurants and a cinema in the area that make for a great place to hang out on a rest day.

What’s to see in the Brisbane Area?

When you are done with the city there is still much to see and do in the surrounding areas. Brisbane is an excellent base from which you can explore Queensland and even into the neighbouring New South Wales. If you are travelling with children they may want to start with the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Here you can see Kangaroos and hand-feed them, you can cuddle one of the over 130 Koalas that make up the largest Koala sanctuary in Australia.

If you are willing to drive up the coast some 370 kilometres you will find the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest system of reefs in the world that stretches for 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (that’s bigger than the combined area of the UK and Ireland!). The reefs are a sources of great natural beauty and is a must see for any visitor to the area.

On your way north you can drop into the Sunshine Coast or Redcliffe which are popular with surfers and swimmers that prefer a nice beach that isn’t overcrowded like some of the other more famous beaches in the south west. There is a small village in the area called Beerwah; here you will find the Australian Zoo which is run by the family of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.

For something a little different you can visit the Glass House Mountains National Park. This excursion will take you through the mountains which offer fantastic scenic vistas and the opportunity for a quick hike perhaps up Mount Beerwah.

You might take time to visit Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island and is just over 200kms north of the city. The island has become a world heritage site and is home to the Great Sandy National Park. You can take a walk along a section of the 75 mile beach which runs along the eastern coast or strike out on the Fraser Island Great Walk which would take a week if you explored the full length of it!

Heading south for about 70kms gets you to Gold Coast, the 2nd largest city in Queensland and home to a number very fine beaches. These beaches include Greenmount beach, famed for its fantastic views and scenery; Tallebudgeera Creek, a popular swimming area for families and the aptly named Surfers Paradise Beach. Also in the area you take a look around the Gold Coast Hinterland which features national parks, mountains, waterfalls and sub-tropical rainforest.

There are a number of theme parks in the Brisbane area that make for excellent day out. These include the Dreamworld theme park, home to a number of high adrenaline rides; Movieworld, where the rides are a bit more dramatic and atmospheric; Seaworld, popular for its acrobatic animal shows; and of course Wet’n'Wild water park, where you can enjoy the crazy water slides and lazy river even in the depths of winter.

That’s the end of our overview of what you can expect in and round Brisbane. While the public transport in the city is quite efficient, the best way of getting out of the city is to hire a car.

Mairead Foley writes for http://www.Novacarhire.com/ where you can book car hire at airports, ferry ports, rail stations, cities and towns all over the world.

If you are traveling to Australia this year, make sure you visit Brisbane, it may be a place that you decide to permanently move to. The Capital of the sunshine state of Queensland has got so much to offer in the way of great family living. With a subtropical climate we are blessed with endless sunshine and being on the eastern seaboard, access to everything to do with the sea is just a stones throw away.

Brisbane has grown in stature as a major Travel destination over the last few years due the massive expansion of the city which has been fuelled by a mining boom comparable to the Gold Rush. Billions of dollars have been invested into the city and surrounding areas which in turn has become a magnet for interstate and international migration. People Travel from all parts of the world to take a piece of the life in this vibrant modern city. With China on its doorstep, Brisbane is best placed to take advantage of the predicted huge growth in this country. Huge supplies of minerals lie in the ground to the North of Brisbane and with convenient access to the sea you can see that this area is set to prosper even further.

Although the city has seen a massive population growth which is sure to breach the 2 million mark in the coming years, Brisbane still retains a village atmosphere in its suburbs even as close as 2kms from its epicentre. Presently one can Travel to the city on a Saturday in about 15 minutes from a 5km suburb. The suburbs are leafy and the real estate is a mix of Classic Queenslander homes, modern contemporary, post war and apartments. Many of the suburbs have large family parks and a good mix of schools.

The centre of the city is a made up of high rise office blocks and luxurious apartments fronting the Brisbane River. If you Travel to the south of the river you will see the redevelopment which has resulted in Museums, Art and Theatre complexes and a large leisure area called South Bank. The river is connected by a river taxi call Citycat which is a catamaran style boat that travels up and down taking passengers to different destinations.

If you are about to Travel to Australia shortly make sure you visit Brisbane and its surrounding areas, there is lots to experience!

Richard Palm loves travel and enjoys cooking with his Magic Chef Ovens from http://www.appliancesnow.org

With over two million residents, Brisbane is no longer the ‘small country town’, but Australia’s third largest city. Located in South East Queensland, it is internationally appealing for many reasons, mostly its accessibility to breathtaking scenery and tourist attractions.

There are not too many cities which could boast such diversity as city skylines, theme parks, island resorts, mountain ranges, pristine beaches and rolling countryside, all within an easy hour’s drive.

The subtropical climate brings perfect sunny weather for most of the year, with an average temperature of 30 degrees, so bring your hat, sunscreen and light clothing.

Winters are mild and still sunny, with an average of 15 degrees. You should also bring comfortable walking shoes as there are myriads of spectacular walking and bike tracks around the city.

Buzzing with culture and style, the city centre offers first class restaurants and an extensive shopping mall. A great idea is to park your car at South Bank and walk across the bridge to the city as parking can be expensive.

The South Bank parklands deserve a full day to explore the sandy lagoon, shops, cafes and restaurants. On weekends there are free concerts, plus unique art and craft markets. The promenade is always beautiful at night with the colourful lights of the city just across the river, and the Kookaburra Queen paddle steamer is a crowd stopper.

You can’t miss the Brisbane Botanical Gardens at Mount Coot-tha, which offer over 50 hectares of world class gardens and attractions. Entry is free, and guided walks are available. The views from the top of Mount Coot-tha are exhilarating, with sweeping views of the city skyline through to the islands of the bay.

Also located on the north side of Brisbane is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which is Australia’s largest koala research and refuge centre, and home to a huge variety of birds and wildlife species.

If you are keen for some adventure, drive on to Kangaroo Point for the ultimate Storey Bridge Adventure Climb. This is the third bridge climb in the world and takes in a magnificent 360 degree panorama of the Brisbane city.

Redland Bay is popular with Brisbane locals and tourists alike and easy to reach being only 40 minutes from the city centre. The bay islands offer great fishing, breath-taking beaches and unforgettable scenery. There are so many terrific spots to park and relax for a couple of hours, and if you have some time there are frequent ferry and barge services departing for Russell, Lamb and Macleay islands.

The barge to Stradbroke Island takes 45 minutes from Cleveland and is a worthwhile and popular day trip. The rugged scenery, inland islands and massive sand dunes are unforgettable. You might prefer to stay a few extra days to appreciate this magnificent island, and there are numerous camping grounds on other side of the island.

Brisbane is also a great location for exploring the Queensland countryside and small country towns surrounding this major city. Toowoomba, ‘the garden city’ is only a few hours away, and a memorable day trip with antique shops and fruit barns scattered along the highway. Fantastic day trips also include the famous Australia Zoo and Underwater World on the Sunshine Coast, with majestic scenery such as the Glasshouse mountains which can be enjoyed while you are driving.

Travelling south, the Gold Coast is host to major theme parks including Seaworld, MovieWorld and Dreamworld, not forgetting long brilliant beaches and the majestic Gold Coast hinterland, all only an hour from Brisbane. Just before Oxenford, take some time to visit the Strawberry Farm, pat the old camel and try some of the delicious strawberry icecreams and treats available.

You won’t want to leave this sunny city. Brisbane has everything for the international traveller and local tourist alike and is the perfect base for a fantastic Queensland holiday. Once you have discovered its treasures, it will be difficult to stay away for long.

Jenny Brewer is travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing children stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Australia Car Rentals – http://www.discovery-carhire.com.au/

A tourist visiting the city of Brisbane will find himself at the Brisbane International Airport on the first day of his visit. The airport at Brisbane is one of the busiest in the Australian continent and probably even the world. People of all nationalities including Australians come and go at the airport.

As a tourist, where do you go next? If you haven’t booked yourself in at a hotel because you make things up as you go, what are your options? You’re in luck, because Brisbane has many hotels that you can check in and serve as your home away from home.

One of these hotels is the Marque Hotel Brisbane, one of the many four-star hotels in the city.

Where It Is Located

Tourists checking in at the Marque Hotel will find it advantageous to them. This is because the hotel is located right in the middle of the city of Brisbane, which means it is within easy access to the many different offerings that Brisbane has for its visitors. It is located right in front of the Treasury Casino, sparing gambling tourists from having to spend money for a cab in order to play in any of the games in the casino.

Other attractions in close proximity to the hotel include the following:

Queen and Ann Street shopping precincts South Bank Parklands Fortitude Valley The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium

Accommodations

Marque Hotel is intended for those who are health-conscious and safety-conscious. For health and safety purposes, hotel guests are not allowed to smoke in their units as well as in any other portion of the hotel.

The hotel is not only an ideal home for tourists but also for businessmen that come in to meet partners or clients, or to build joint ventures. The hotel’s conference rooms are available for use in business meetings, conferences, and the like.

The hotel is aware that some of its visitors would want to continue keeping fit and healthy even while on vacation. That is why it has installed a gymnasium complete with fitness equipment for the health-and-fitness bum. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool for those that want to swim but yet find the travel to the beach time-consuming and tiresome. A spa can also be found in the vicinity, ready to service and relax those tired and aching muscles from a whole day’s tour around the city of Brisbane.

For those that are bringing laptops and notebooks, the hotel has wireless Internet access so that you can still keep in touch with friends and family and update them about your trip. All rooms have wireless Internet access as well.

Other useful hotel and room facilities are the following: Baby-sitting services Faxing facilities In-room safety deposit box Telephone Currency exchange desk Cocktail bar

The restaurant has a cuisine ideal for those with a taste for either classic French or Asian cuisine. As a guest in the hotel, you can sit outside by the pool or inside the restaurant, and the crew will still serve you food and drink.

The author is a travel article writer for Cheap Holiday Accommodation. This is a website about Australia, which will give you a lot of good information about Brisbane accommodation and how to relax and have fun during a Brisbane holiday. http://www.cheapholidayaccommodation.com/queensland/brisbane/accommodation

The Brisbane airport – at a glance

1) The Brisbane city of Australia has only one airport. It is located 20 minutes away from CBD. 2) It is the second largest city airport in Australia. It comprises around 2700 hectares. 3) There are no curfews at the Brisbane airport. The airport operates 24 hours. 4) The staff comprises around 16000 people. 5) It connects to 26 international destinations and 35 domestic destinations. 6) It is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane. It is the thirds busiest airport in Australia.

Main features of Brisbane airport

1) The airport has both domestic and international passenger terminal, cargo terminal and two runways. 2) It is a part of Sydney – Brisbane air route which is the eleventh busiest route in the world. 3) It has also been voted the best airport in the pacific region.

Airport – leaving by car

1) Leaving airport by car is easy. When you have landed on the international terminal, then you can search for the options like car rental systems. 2) The car rental desks are right there when you have left the arrival terminal. 3) After hiring a car you can easily roam around in the main city. You can follow the routes of gateway motorway roundabout, Links Avenue, Kingsford smith drive. The signs are easy to follow. You can reach the main city within 25 minutes. 4) Car hires Brisbane airport facilities are well recommended to avoid problems. 5) One can also opt for taxi or bus while leaving the airport. These services are available just outside the airport.

How to reach Brisbane airport

1) For returning the car to the airport the best option is to drive to the airport itself. 2) While returning from Brisbane city to the airport, you have to get through the inner city bypass and then move to the northeast direction. 3) This will lead you to the Kingsford smith drive. From here you can go ahead for airport drive and you will reach the domestic and international terminal.

Looking for car hire in Brisbane? Pankaj Gupta recommends you visit http://www.carhire.com.au/

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, the fastest growing state in Australia. Brisbane is located on the coast in the South-east of Queensland. It is built along the river, making it a unique river city, with people able to use ferries to commute to various places within the city.

The sub-tropical climate of Brisbane and its surrounds make it an ideal holiday destination. It is warm and pleasant all year round, yet does not get the thick humidity or monsoonal rains that are present further north in the state.

Day trips from Brisbane include the famous Gold Coast which is a city in itself along the beach. Various theme parks are present on the gold coast such as Movie World and Wet and Wild. To the North of Brisbane lies the Sunshine coast, with iconic towns and surf such as Noosa. Drive west and you can head to the mountain ranges and over and beyond that is the dry cattle farming areas of inland Australia.

Within Brisbane itself there is plenty to do. Museums, Botanic gardens, art galleries are all within walking distance of the CBD. The Valley comes to life at nights with countless bars and clubs to suit every taste and budget.

The only downside to Brisbane would have to be that of a city that has grown to fast, poor planning. Navigating the streets can be difficult at times and there is ever present construction which can add to frustrations. Problems aside, Brisbane is a fantastic place to visit any time of year.

Shaun Raymond writes for http://www.aussietravellersforum.com