My home town: Brisbane

Yesterday we heard from guest blogger Kendra Thornton about her home town of Chicago.  Today we'll talk a bit more about my town of Brisbane.

I've shared with you before some of the best bits of Brisbane.  You can see some of my previous posts here, here and here.

Welcome to Brisbane – my home town – and capital of the Sunshine State (Queensland).As the name suggest  it does get pretty hot in Summer but that’s what are beaches and pools and air conditioning are for! While Summer is hot and humid,  Autumn and Spring are beautiful in Queensland with warm, clear days and cooler nights.  I love Brisbane because it has something for everyone from foodies to sports fans, adventurers to artists

Gold Coast beach sunset

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the gateway to the Gold Coast with the golden sandy beaches of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach only an hour drive away.  On the drive to the Gold Coast you’ll pass the iconic XXXX Brewery, the scrumptious Yatala Pies and the yummy ice creams at The Pimpama Strawberry Farm.  For the more adventurous there are the Gold Coast theme parks – Dreamworld, Whitewater World, Movie World, Wet’n’Wild Water World and Seaworld.

one of the many resorts at the Gold Coast

For those who prefer to stay in the city, Brisbane’s CBD and Southbank have a wealth of activities.  The Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Museum will keep both adults and kids entertained for hours, if not days.  Take a swim at Southbank’s ‘beach’ and then stroll through the markets or dine at one of the many restaurants or cafes. 

Sunday Markets at the Old Boggo Road Jail precinct

If you’ve got more time you can explore some of our hidden ‘village’ gems such as Paddington with it’s many antique shops, West End with it’s bars and cafes, Fortitude Valley for designer furniture and live music venues or head out to the Bayside and explore the tranquil waters of Moreton Bay from Cleveland, Wellington Point or Redland Bay.  Islands such as Coochimudlo or Stradbroke are a quick ferry ride away and will make you feel like you are a million miles away from one of Australia’s biggest cities. 

a couple of locals hanging out

With flights in and out of Brisbane International and the Gold Coast International airports every day, Brisbane is an accessible, thriving and attractive city with something for every taste and age.