Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Brisbane in Australia.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn RadioThis show covers among other topics:

Observations

• 3rd largest city in Australia - over 2 million people - growing fast and projecting may overtake Melbourne - capital of Queensland.
• Attractive city set around the curves of Brisbane River named after Sir Thomas Brisbane Governer of NSW in 1820s.
• Compact and easy to get around with good transport infrastructure both road and on river - easily walkable.
• Mix of modern glass buildings and grand old buildings like City Hall - Post Office - Treasury building (now a casino).
• Lots of greenery and shade about - even the roads in the CBD has trees along both sides creating cover and playgrounds have covered play areas .
• About hour drive to beaches and theme parks of Gold Coast.
• Prone to major flooding at various times over history - big one 1974 - most recent in 2011 when CBD and suburbs badly affected.

History

• Created to support the penal colony close by.
• Growing fast for as commercial centre : mineral and agriculture resources , financial services , technology - busy port handling exports of things like grain, coal.
• In WWII General MacArthur commanded to Pacific war effort from here for a time.
• Hosted 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88

Getting thereGood airline connections within Australia and to parts of AsiaCruise lines - big ships dock quite way from the city (30-45 mins transfer)Best time to goSummer : Dec - Feb Winter: Jun - AugGetting aroundBus - tickets by zoneRail - to suburbsRiver - free and pay for services WalkingBike hire scheme (blue bikes)Green tricycle taxisTips

• Get information booklets from tourist information offices - free Brisbane Insider Guid.
• Brisbane Greeter Service - 100 volunteers - 20 languages - two options (refer to information leaflet) - greeter's choice or your choice - free
• Hop-on Hop-off bus.

Things to do

River trips

• Free red City Hopper - every 30 minutes - takes about 1.5 hours.
• CityCat service - big catamarans go much further up and down river
• Mississippi style paddle streamer - Kookaburra River Queens
• Jet Ski or kayak
• River City Cruises- 1,5 trip with commentary by Captain

South Bank Parklands

42-acre development on site of 1988 World Expo - very busy at weekends with locals to hang out- includes Information centre The Beach - Aquativity water parkPicnic areasRestaurantsWeekend marketWheel of Brisbane - 12 to 15 minute ride in aircon enclosed cabinQueensland performing arts centreQueensland museum & science centreQueensland Art gallery State library of QueesnslandGallery of Modern ArtConvention & Exhibition centreRainforest walkBougainvillea featureNepalese PagodaLone Pine Koala Sanctuary

1927 - worlds first koala sanctuary - 130 koala and 90 other Aussie species - 11km awayMount Coot-thaPanoramic view from Mount Coot-tha - 8km outside cityBotanical garden - established 1824 as fruit & vegetable garden for nearby Moreton Bay penal settlement - 20 hectares flowers treesOtherCity Hall Story Bridge ClimbANZAC square memorialShoppingQueens street pedestrian mall - over 600 shops on 1 kmQueensPlaza Gold Coast day trip