Brisbane QLD Australia - 3 Must-See Places
Travel Attractions That Win Hearts in the Queensland Capital City
Feb 12, 2009
Brisbane , the capital of Queensland, is a sub-tropical destination and a great entry-point for tourists from the US, Britain, Europe and Asia. Brisbane has a lot to offer as one of Australia’s most laid-back, friendly cities. Here are some free or super-cheap must-see tourist attractions.
The City Hall Clock Tower
(City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane – walk south 500 meters from Central Stn or use City Hall bus stop on FREE city look bus service)
Not only is this a top 5 place to visit in Brisbane, it also happens to be completely free. The City Hall is an impressive historic sandstone building which houses, among other things, the Museum of Brisbane (also free). The clock tower visit is not a widely known Brisbane attraction but well worth slotting into the visitor’s itinerary.
The clock tower is accessed by taking elevator A near the museum entrance to the 3rd floor. Exit the elevator at the 3rd floor, turn left and take the wonderful old heritage lift (complete with lift-driver) into the clock , where it is possible to inspect the mechanism.
It is also possible to hear the tower bells pealing …indeed, it is impossible not to. Anyone sensitive to loud noise should time a visit to avoid the bells, which peal the quarter hour in deafening fashion. What a welcome to Brisbane!
CityCat Ferry and Riverside Suburbs
(Map and timetable with terminals marked available from Translink)
The large catamaran ferries called CityCats are an integral part of the transport structure of this city built along a winding river. While they are just the basic transport for many city workers, nevertheless they are great fun for tourists, both in themselves and in accessing interesting riverside suburbs. They are also a remarkably cheap ‘cruise’.
The service runs regularly from the Queensland University in St Lucia down through the city precincts and, heading in the direction of the sea, to Brett’s Wharf in Hamilton. An all-day ticket will cost $5.80 – moreover, it can be used on ferries, trains and buses.
Using the CityCats, visitors can cruise upstream to see the impressive sandstone buildings of the University of Queensland, hop off and have a beer at the Regatta Hotel, just across the road from Regatta Ferry terminal, and view the city from a great moving vantage point.
In the afternoon, on the same $5.80 ticket, go downstream to have lunch with the pelicans at trendy Brett’s Wharf or spend a few hours in the coffee –shop lined main street of Bulimba, another river-side suburb that’s come into prominence for fine dining. The historic old ferry wharf at Bulimba with its little domed clock tower is a must-see – a picturesque place for photos. Of course, a night ride along the river is amazing, with a cool breeze in the face, and banks of skyscrapers reflecting bright neons on the water.
Mt Coot-Tha Lookout
(Bus route 471 from the city to Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout)
No visit to Brisbane would be complete without taking it all in from the highest vantage point, Mt Coot-Tha. There is also a 100-seat restaurant there and coffee and gift shop. The view from the viewing platform extends out to Moreton Bay and north to the Glasshouse Mountains, but the city itself, with the Brisbane River snaking through it, is the attention-getter. Visitors are advised to go twice: once by day to try to recognise landmarks, then my night for the most magical experience – a carpet of lights extending as far as the eye can see.
Yet another freebie you shouldn’t miss out on when visiting the Queensland capital.
Suite101 also has an article on 10 great free activities in Brisbane.
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