Brisbane River runs through the city. Photo: Tourism QLD
Brisbane is a big city stopover that even the most ardent Outback-loving grey nomad looks forward to.
Queensland’s relatively relaxed capital, with a population of a little over two million, has all the services and shops that road-weary wanderers might require … and all the attractions and entertainment options that they might want.
It sits proudly on the beautiful Brisbane River, the meandering waterway that is at the heart of the city. If you’re looking for a great way to see and hear about Brisbane, hopping aboard a river cruise is a magnificent way to do it.
If you’re more of a landlubber, the twisting and turning banks of the river are a great place to stroll and to
soak up the atmosphere and the normally abundant sunshine.
If you’ve been ‘bush’ for a while and are eager to get your shopping fix, the Queen Street Mall in the heart of the city reputedly has more than 500 stores and food outlets. And if even that’s not enough for you, a pleasant 20-minute walk brings you to Fortitude Valley, home to the city’s Chinatown and an array of boutique shops.
Weekend markets are a big drawcard both in the city, at the Riverside Centre on Eagle Street, as well as in nearby suburbs such as West End and New Farm.
The South Bank is without doubt the cultural centre of Brisbane and is place where visitors can spend days and days. Here you will find the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the State Library, the Queensland Museum, and the Science Centre. All of these amazing cultural facilities are within a short riverside stroll of each other. South Bank is also host to some of Brisbane’s best restaurants and even has a riverside sandy beach for a city centre ‘cooldown’.
Another great place to get a new perspective on Brisbane is from the 287-metre Mount Coot-tha Lookout, six kilometres or so to the west of the CBD. While you’re out this way, you might also check out the Botanic Gardens and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Other destinations within easy striking distance of Brisbane are the Brisbane Forest Park and the stunning and largely unspoilt Moreton Island.
Unsurprisingly, Brisbane has a wide selection of caravan parks where you can park up for a while, shake the red dust from your wheels, and explore the city’s many attractions. You may have to reach deeper into your pockets than you might have wished … but this is one place many grey nomads consider well worth stretching their budgets to fully experience and enjoy.
