Brisbane

Brisbane is the epitome of Australian living, with its sunny climate and relaxed lifestyle. It’s also one of Australia’s greenest cities, with walkways and pedestrian bridges bringing the city and river life together. Early mornings have rowers gliding on the river and joggers pacing along before heading to brunch. Follow the floating Brisbane Riverwalk from the CBD (central business district) to Howard St Wharves. If you keep going all the way to New Farm, you can reward yourself with a late vegan breakfast at Dicki’s New Farm on Brunswick Street.

Bonus Tip: Bring a hat and water bottle. It really is a sunny climate!

Brisbane embraces its multicultural heritage with flair, blending different cuisines to create an Aussie fusion you won’t find anywhere else. Case in point: Here, you are more likely to throw a “bug” on the barbie than a shrimp. Look for Moreton Bay Bugs, a local delicacy farmed straight from Brisbane’s closest bay. These “bugs” are more like slipper lobsters, with delicious sweet white meat, and are super popular over the summer holidays. They’re great with salted duck eggs and fermented chili (at Donna Chang), as a French-style dumpling in bisque (Tillerman Seafood Restaurant), or simply on BYO white bread rolls down by the river (The Prawnster).

Most travelers love Brisbane for the warm sunshine, but when the heat and the humidity kick in, you want to find a cool location to relax. Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands is an easy walk (or even shorter ferry ride) from the CBD. This man-made oasis is popular with all ages during the day, or you can dangle your feet in the water after dinner and drinks in the nearby parklands. Better still, catch a ferry in either direction along the Brisbane River. It’s the best of both worlds: a relaxing tour of Queensland’s “River City” and a refreshing breeze to cool you down. 

If you had the opportunity to cuddle a koala, why wouldn’t you? Australia is known for its adorable wildlife, with some of the best sanctuaries and research centers to protect them. With much of Brisbane flanked by national parks and bushland, you won’t have to travel far to see a variety of Australian wildlife, some right on your doorstep! The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers ticketed wildlife tours featuring over 130 koalas alongside kangaroos, reptiles, and birds. Alternatively, Daisy Hill Koala Centre–a smaller state-funded koala sanctuary–offers free admission and daily talks with wildlife officers.

Think you’ve seen everything in Brisbane? Think again! Brisbane is the perfect hub for day trips. Rent a car, pack an esky (a portable cooler in Aussie speak), and head in any direction for a short adventure. The Gold Coast is less than an hour south of Brisbane and is famous for its postcard beaches and exhilarating amusement parks (at least four on the main freeway). Alternatively, head north to the Sunshine Coast for a mellow day with equally stunning beaches but a more relaxed lifestyle. It’s also home to Australia Zoo, possibly the most famous “Straya” wildlife park, thanks to the conservation efforts of the late Steve Irwin and his family.

Bonus Tip: Take the car for a drive up Mt. Gravatt on Brisbane’s southside. Mt. Coot-tha receives all the fame for its lookout and ice-cream kiosk, but we all know Mt Gravatt offers a far better view of the night lights.