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Introduction
On my last visit to Brisbane, the city skyline was bristling with construction cranes -- a sure sign that the laid-back capital of Queensland is once again booming. This subtropical city, set along the banks of the wide, brown Brisbane River, saw overzealous development in the '70s demolish some of its elegant colonial buildings, but the city has kept enough of them -- including the wonderfully imposing City Hall -- to provide a nice sense of history among the glass towers favored by modern architects.
Brisbane (pronounced Briz-bun), or just "Brissie," is one of those places that people don't always appreciate until they spend some time in it. But you'll usually find a welcome as warm as the weather. Friendly locals will start chatting with just about anyone, and they'll urge you to discover the city, rich in history and character.
Brisbane is in the southeast corner of Queensland, flanked by the Sunshine Coast, about 2 hours to the north, and the Gold Coast, 1 hour to the south. The city is green and leafy: Moreton Bay fig trees give shade; and, in summer, the purple haze of jacarandas competes with the scarlet blaze of Poinciana trees. A mango tree in the backyard is practically de rigueur.
Brisbane is known for its timber "Queenslanders," cottages and houses set high on stumps to catch the breeze with wide verandas to keep out the midday sun. In some suburbs, Queenslander houses have been converted to trendy cafes, restaurants, and shops selling antiques, clothes, and housewares.
Wander in the botanic gardens, in-line skate or bike along the riverfront pathways, have a drink in a pub beer garden, or get out on the river on a CityCat ferry. The Brisbane River flows into Moreton Bay, dotted with beautiful islands to explore, and is crossed by several bridges. The most famous and attractive among these is the Story Bridge, on the Town Reach of the river. All in all, getting around here is cheap and easy, good food -- including fantastic seafood -- is abundant, and accommodations are affordable, especially in some of the city's comfortable, elegant B&Bs.
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Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Australia 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.
