Explore Queensland, Australia's sunshine state

With England heading to Australia for the Ashes tour next November, it's the perfect time to explore Queensland

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Ben Stokes’ men will head to Brisbane for the day/night Test from December 4-8 next year, but there is so much more to enjoy in Queensland than just the cricket. Away from the ground, explore a city that’s brimming with new hotels, restaurants and bars. Bask in the Sunshine State’s summer, enjoy the al fresco lifestyle loved by locals or journey beyond to The Whitsundays or the Great Barrier Reef.

IN BRISBANE

Brisbane is a cosmopolitan city full of nature, including Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens. Then there’s the extensive South Bank Parklands – with its famous beach, free barbecues, riverside dining and cultural precinct. Soak up the city’s surrounds from this watery stretch on an hour-long cruise, hire a kayak from Riverlife and soak up views of Brisbane with the water gently lapping by your side. Explore the city’s burgeoning collection of restaurants, cafés and rooftop cocktail bars. For drinks topped off with iconic views, head to The Emporium’s 21st floor rooftop bar for an unforgettable sunset.

Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Catch a ferry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to get up close to Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Come face to face with a koala, walk alongside kangaroos and discover a large variety of animals native to Australia.

Explore Fortitude Valley

From morning coffee to evening cocktails, Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is always buzzing. Enjoy gourmet delights on James Street which boasts Greek haven Hellenika and Middle Eastern-inspired Gerard’s Bistro. Or discover Agnes, an old brick warehouse now transformed into a celebration of wood-fired cooking.

Sample Brisbane’s burgeoning brewery scene

Quench your thirst with a visit to some of Brisbane’s best breweries. Start your journey at Newstead Brewing, making your way through the likes of Green Beacon Brewing Co, Stone and Wood, and Catchment Brewing Co. Embrace your inner distiller at Brisbane Distillery’s gin school where you can choose from 140 botanicals to craft your own personalised gin.

Check out Queen’s Wharf

Brisbane’s newest entertainment lifestyle precinct right on the banks of the Brisbane River. Queen’s Wharf brings together exciting restaurants, bars and luxurious hotels. Not to mention stunning rooftop venues with spectacular views, striking event spaces and riverside parklands for everyone to enjoy.

Visit Howard Smith Wharves

Howard Smith Wharves boasts a host of watering holes and eateries with views of the Brisbane River from where it’s nestled under the Story Bridge. Pop into Mr Percivals or Felons Brewing Co. for a drink, or to Yoko for delicious fresh japanese food. 

Feast at Fish Lane

Head east to Fish Lane and enjoy a cocktail at Kiko’s Kiosk before a mouth-watering banquet at Southside. If Italian is more your style, then don’t miss the delicious pizza and pasta at Julius for a true feast!

^{A rooftop brewery in Fortitude Valley [Tourism and Events Queensland]}

BEACHES AND ISLANDS

Brisbane is home to a number of tucked away beaches, baysides and nearby islands.

Moreton Island

Enjoy city life with a side of island adventure courtesy of one of the world’s largest sand islands made up almost entirely of National Park. Explore mysterious shipwrecks and colourful reefs at the Tangalooma Wrecks.

North Stradbroke Island

Just 60 minutes from Brisbane. With seemingly endless white sandy surf beaches, scenic rocky headlands, quaint villages and the freshest of fresh seafood it’s easy to see why locals love it and visitors swear to go back again. 

Take a cultural tour of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke) with Yura tours and discover the Aboriginal stories and history of the island.

North Stradbroke Island [Tourism and Events Queensland]

ADVENTURE

Brisbane is packed with adventures and is the gateway to many more exhilarating experiences across Queensland.

Climb the iconic Story Bridge

Climb the iconic Story Bridge for a birds-eye view of the stunning skyline and nearby mountains and islands. For adrenalin thrills, opt for Walk the Plank and Cantilever Adventure, or abseil down for views like no other.

Abseil down Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Start at the top of the cliffs, 20 metres from the parkland below and enjoy the uninterrupted view of Brisbane. Watch ferries and kayaks meander the iconic Brisbane River while you wait to make your descent.

Sunrise over the City

If you’re up for an early start, do as the locals do: lace up your sneakers and hit a hiking trail to one of the city’s best sunrise spots. For the best effort to reward ratio, make your way to Mount Coot-tha. It’s a relatively easy amble up the summit track and you’ll score sweeping views across Brisbane city, surrounding mountain ranges and Moreton Island.

The Story Bridge and Howard Smith Wharves [Tourism and Events Queensland]

WHERE TO STAY

This relaxed city has no shortage of places to rest your head, especially for the design inclined.

Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane

Sculpted into the sandstone cliffs beneath Brisbane’s Story Bridge, Crystalbrook Vincent pays homage to the artist after which it is named with six stories of art by Vincent Fantauzzo displayed throughout. The hotel boasts its own rooftop pool and bar, Fiume, with sprawling views across the river towards the city.

crystalbrookcollection.com/vincent

Hotel X, Brisbane

Each room has been designed for the ultimate luxury and comfort with the furnishings and amenities finished to the highest level, while the rooftop bar boasts stunning views across the Story Bridge and along the Brisbane River. Meanwhile, French brasserie inspired Bisou Bisou takes up residence on the ground floor of the hotel serving contemporary French delights.

hotelx.com.au

The Star Grand, Brisbane

Perfectly positioned in a centre of a new, bustling  entertainment district of Queen’s Wharf. Guests enjoy 5-star luxury amidst an array of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues all in heart of Brisbane’s CBD. The range of views and sweeping views make The Star Grand Brisbane your perfect place to enjoy, indulge, explore and escape from the every day. 

star.com.au/brisbane/hotels

The Whitsundays [Tourism and Events Queensland]

BEYOND BRISBANE

Bursting with nature, home to incredible wildlife and packed full of adventure, Queensland’s diverse landscapes are waiting to be explored.

Stretch your legs on the Scenic Rim Trail

An hour outside of Brisbane is the Scenic Rim Region – packed full of natural beauty, friendly country charm and rich, local produce. Discover the Scenic Rim Trail via a five-day hike which starts at one Spicers retreat (Spicers Hidden Vale) and finishes at another (Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins), with two luxury eco-cabin pit stops along the way.

Be wowed by the Whitsundays

Just a 1.5-hour flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island or Proserpine, The Whitsundays span 74 incredible islands, many of which are uninhabited. Some have been reimagined as luxury hideaways, with the Great Barrier Reef and jewel-coloured coral cays on their doorstep. Wherever you rest your head, don’t miss Whitehaven Beach, which regularly tops ‘World’s Best Beach’ lists.

Journey to the Tropical North

Just outside of Cairns in Queensland’s Tropical North is Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, which Attenborough once described as ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’. Explore the rainforest via day tours, a self-drive, Skyrail cable car, with an Indigenous guide on a tour of Mossman Gorge or head on a boat trip down the Daintree River. This is the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas sit side by side; the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

To find out more, visit queensland.com

Tropical North Queensland - where the Daintree rainforest meets the Reef [Tourism and Events Queensland]