Brisbane

Subtropical easy-going Brisbane - a city of over one million people with small-town feel - the centre nestling in a bend of a wide meandering river. Voluptuous parks and imposing colonial architecture are mixed in 'no worries' style with glass skyscrapers and ultra-modern shopping arcades. There are old suburbs of Queenslander houses - on stilts with wide verandahs and graceful wooden railings. And all this close to beaches, mountains, islands, rainforest and wildlife. Brisbane is an open gateway to some of the best that Australia can offer. Not just a starting point for trips down the Gold Coast to sun-baked surf-crazy holidays, or up the coast towards the tropical North and the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Staying in one of Brisbane's many international hotels or hostels you can choose from endless daytrips that together give you a real Australian experience. Then, back in Brisbane in the evening you can wander along the transformed Expo 88 site, the South Bank, with sidewalk cafes, open parklands, beach, lagoon, waterways, free entertainment...a little 'new' still, but crowds are there doing their thing... And DO fit in a night of theatre at the South Bank's Performing Arts Complex. Brisbane is also fun to shop in. Right in the centre, the Queen Street mall has a relaxed tropical feel, alive with buskers and open air cafes. It leads in to fantastical glass shopping galleries where overseas travellers buy (duty free) opals or working man's bush gear that has turned high fashion: Akubra hats, kangaroo-skin belts and Driz-a-bone oilskin jackets. We recommend also Australian beachwear - saucy, well priced and original.

Australians really know about beach life!