Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is located on the eastern coast of Australia. To the north, it borders the Sunshine Coast, while to the south lies the popular tourist destination of the Gold Coast. With a metropolitan population of over 2.27 million, Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city, following Sydney and Melbourne.
Situated near the Pacific Ocean and bordered by the Tasman Sea to the east, Brisbane has developed from its coastal areas, rivers, and ports toward the western hinterlands. The Brisbane River flows through the heart of the city, with both domestic and international airports, as well as an international seaport, positioned near the river’s mouth.
The city’s name traces back to the colonial era, honoring Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, Governor of the New South Wales colony. The river discovered in the area was named the Brisbane River in his honor, commemorating his role in promoting the colonization of the region, and the city later adopted the same name.
Brisbane has hosted several major international events, including the 1988 World Expo, the 2001 Goodwill Games, and the 2014 G20 Summit. In early 2015, it also served as one of the host cities for the AFC Asian Cup. Additionally, Brisbane initiated the Asia Pacific Cities Summit, holding editions in 1996, 2003, 2007, and 2011, further establishing itself as a key player in regional and international collaboration.
Brisbane has an unusual regulation that prohibits office buildings and shops from turning off their lights after business hours. This rule stems from the fact that many people working in Brisbane commute from suburban areas or nearby cities like the Gold Coast. As a result, the city center becomes almost deserted at night.
If businesses were to switch off their lights, the city would fall into complete darkness, giving it the eerie appearance of a “ghost town,” which could negatively impact tourism. Keeping the lights on ensures the city maintains a vibrant atmosphere, even at night, making it more inviting for visitors and enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point is located near the Brisbane River in Queensland. If you want to take in the Brisbane skyline, this is the perfect spot.
Haha, I used to think Kangaroo Point was a place to see kangaroos, but in reality, there isn’t a single kangaroo here.
As the saying goes, “There are no stories on Story Bridge, and no kangaroos at Kangaroo Point.”
Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre
Harbour Town Outlets is located on the Gold Coast and is the largest outlet shopping center in Australia, blending dining and entertainment into a shopping village experience.
You’ll find a lot of Australian and sports brands here, and some of them offer significant discounts. There are very few luxury brands, mostly affordable luxury ones like MK, Kate Spade, Coach, FURLA, and others.
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭
I had lunch at a café in the shopping center, and the pasta there was pretty good!
Apartment: Booked on Airbnb
Price: $200/night
The apartment is next to the Hilton, right in the heart of the Gold Coast entertainment district, with an excellent location just 100 meters from the beach. The apartment is fully equipped and the building also has facilities like a gym, swimming pool, and spa available for use. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a great view of the city.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most famous beaches, attracting surf enthusiasts from all over the world.
Springbrook National Park
Springbrook National Park is part of Australia’s World Heritage-listed “Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.” The park is divided into three main areas: Springbrook Plateau, Natural Bridge, and Numinbah Valley. Admission is free, and the best time to visit is from May to October. You can explore the park on your own or join a tour.
The glow-worms found here are unique to Australia and New Zealand. Unlike regular fireflies that blink and fly around, glow-worms stay in caves and emit a steady blue light. Since glow-worms only appear after dark, we set out at 4 PM local time, with a drive of about an hour. While waiting for complete darkness, you can enjoy the surrounding jungle and waterfall views.
Tips:
- Glow-worms are only visible at night, so plan your visit accordingly.
- The path to the cave is quite dark, so it’s recommended to bring a flashlight or use your phone’s light.
- The temperature difference between day and night is significant in winter, so dress warmly. Even in summer, it can be quite cool in the mountains.
- Don’t shine a flashlight directly at the glow-worms, as it can harm them. Also, avoid using a camera flash when taking photos.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to a variety of Australian animals. Stepping into the sanctuary feels like entering a magical world, with all kinds of creatures, including parrots, bats, lizards, rodents, cows, sheep, pigs, donkeys, and rabbits. Of course, the stars of the show are the koalas and kangaroos.
In the koala area, the young koalas are especially charming. With their big, round ears, bright little eyes, and soft, chubby bodies covered in grey-and-white fur, it’s hard to resist the urge to get closer to them. Over in the kangaroo section, the animals roam freely. They are so used to human presence that they lie around lazily, allowing visitors to pet them, occasionally hopping away playfully, as if teasing us.
After a long search, we finally spotted a kangaroo mom with a joey peeking its little head out of her pouch, curiously observing the world beyond.
At the Mount Coot-tha Lookout, the weather was perfect, and the view was expansive. In the distance, we could see a vast green plain stretching out, while to the left stood clusters of tall buildings—clearly the city center. Although it didn’t have the overwhelming skyline of New York, it had a refreshing, laid-back charm.
We took a walk along the paths around the lookout, where most of the amenities are cafes and restaurants. The restaurant had a lovely atmosphere, offering diners the chance to enjoy their meals while taking in a panoramic view of Brisbane from above. It’s a wonderful place to relax and soak up the scenery.
This 170-year-old sandstone windmill is the oldest building in Brisbane. Construction began in 1828, carried out by convicts exiled from Britain to Australia. Located along the Brisbane River, the windmill was built to harness wind power for grinding wheat and corn, providing food for the younger convicts arriving as part of penal relocations. The structure stands today as a testament to the hard labor of these prisoners, marking an important chapter in the area’s history.
