Overview & visitor information
An annual one day rock festival. Website: www.livid.com.au
Festival
Livid
An annual one day rock festival. Website: www.livid.com.au
City guide
More festivals in Brisbane
Keep exploring Brisbane.
brisbane
brisbaneTropfest
Activity
A short film festival that is held nationwide, in Brisbane the festival is telecast live in South Bank in late February.
brisbaneSt Patrick’s Day
Activity
Date: March 17th Get ready to see a sea of green as Brisbane’s Irish and not-Irish go to every available pub to celebrate. A parade is also held.
brisbaneQueensland Winter Racing Carnival
Activity
Held in late April to late July, major horse racing meets happen each weekend at both Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses, including the Brisbane Cup in mid-May.
brisbanePaniyiri Festival
Activity
A Greek cultural festival held in late May at Musgrave Park in West End with dancing, food and music. Email: [email protected]
brisbaneQueensland Music Festival
Activity
Held over 15 days in this month in odd numbered years, this is an outstanding festival involving music.
brisbaneValley Fiesta
Activity
A food and music festival held in Chinatown and Brunswick St mall from mid-July.
brisbane‘Ekka’ Royal National Agricultural (RNA) Show
Activity
The country comes to the city in mid-August with wood-chopping, rides and competitions. Website: www.ekka.com.au
brisbaneBrisbane Riverfestival
Activity
The city’s biggest arts event of the year with buskers, performances, music and concerts held from late August to mid September over ten days. The festival is all about celebrating Brisbane’s relationship with its river while highlighting the diverse communities that live alongside it. There is a big fireworks show that kicks off the first night along with air force jets and music. Website: www.riverfestival.com.au
brisbaneMoonlight Cinema
Activity
Showing a large selection of new releases, classics and cult films, you’ll be hard pressed to enjoy them as you take in the splendor of the City Botanic Gardens around you. Tickets go on sale in the first week on November and the season itself will last until March.
More places in Brisbane
Keep exploring Brisbane.
brisbaneCity Hall
Building
Built in 1930, City Hall is a glorious sandstone building that overlooks the sculptures and fountains of King George Sq. Inside you’ll find a marble staircase that’ll draw your eyes upwards to the kaleidoscope roof and the gothic lights. The observation deck at the top of the bell tower offers beautiful views of city but beware of going to the top around noon – the bells are a deafening experience!
brisbaneMuseum of Brisbane
Museum
Located on the ground floor of City Hall, this museum is broken into two wings: one half charts the city’s historical journey. The Memory Theatre shows a continuous film of Brisbanites of various backgrounds, each giving their historical, creative and social take on the city. The other half of the museum showcases artworks, crafts and photography by local and international artists.
brisbaneRoma Street Parkland
Garden
If you’re looking for a quiet place that is also the biggest subtropical garden in the world then Roma St Parkland is the place to go. Broken up in 16 precincts, you’ll find all sorts of flora: lilies, native gardens, rockeries. You’ll also find works by local artists among the nature as well as an outdoor theatre and lots of public BBQs so you can partake in the Australian picnic tradition.
brisbaneOld Windmill and Observatory
Building
One of the oldest buildings in Brisbane, this windmill was originally unable to turn due to a design flaw (the sails were unable to turn as they were too heavy). A convict-powered treadmill was introduced before the mill was eventually abandoned. Today it stands as a meteorological observatory.
brisbaneTreasury Casino to Queensland University of Technology
Building
Overlooking the river is this Italian Renaissance-style building which houses Conrad’s 24hr casino. The lavish portico includes commanding balconies and columns which are well worth a look if the casino hasn’t already commanded your attention. Conrad also occupies the equally lavish, former Land Administration Building which has been converted into a five star hotel (see Hotels). There is also the Commissariat Stores Building (3221 4198 115 William St, adult/child $4/$2 Tue-Fri & Sun 10am-4pm) which was originally built in 1829 to be used as a government store house (it ceased to be in 1967). Now it stands as a museum that follows the development of the Morton Bay settlement which would eventually become Brisbane.
brisbaneParliament House
Building
Occupying a regal position overlooking the City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane’s Parliament House is arguably the most gorgeous piece of architecture. Dating from 1868, the sandy façade has a roof crafted from copper from Mt Isa. The tours are run on demand unless parliament is in session, in which case you can sit in the public gallery and watch the politicians, which can be as exciting as watching the grass grow.
brisbaneCity Botanic Gardens
Garden
Bigger than the Roma St Parklands, here you’ll find expansive lawns, macadamia trees, tropical flora and the famous Moreton Bay fig trees. There are lots of trails that draw everyone for quiet respites and there is the Mangrove Boardwalk: a wooden walkway that skirts the riverbank on the eastern rim. Here is where you’ll attend the Moonlight Cinema if you’re so inclined.
brisbaneCustoms House
Building
This building was originally where all ships entering Brisbane Harbour were required to pay duties for almost a century. The University of Queensland now leases the building for private gatherings and fundraisers which is not surprising given its beauty. The ground floor has a free gallery that displays diverse exhibits.
brisbaneRiverside Centre and Eagle Street Pier
Plaza
These two commercial complexes are home to restaurants and shops. A good time to visit is Sunday when there is a craft market. There are ferry terminals at both ends.
brisbaneQueensland Museum
Museum
Here you’ll find all sorts of curiosities here with Queensland’s own dinosaur skeleton the Muttaburrasaurus and the Avian Cirrus – the tiny plane that Bert Hinkler made the first England to Australia flight in 1928. Upstairs there are exhibits on endangered species and reconstructions on the giant mammoths that roamed Brisbane’s shores 100,000 years ago. Temporary exhibits are also held. There is also the Sciencentre (http://www.sciencentre.qm.qld.gov.au, 9:30am-5pm, adult/child $12/$9) which has interactive displays, optical illusions and regular film shows.
More restaurants in Brisbane
Keep exploring Brisbane.
brisbaneMonsoon
A stylish restaurant that serves a hybrid of Asian and Australian cuisine: you’ll find baked kangaroo rump with mint and turnip pudding, and Moreton Bay bugs in red curry. Staff are professional and can help you in food choices but the vegetarian option is limited.
brisbaneSunbar Restaurant and Lounge
You’ll be in for sophistication from the chic décor to the food at this restaurant which serves all manner of seafood: sword fish, carpaccio of tuna, scallop, foi gras and sea urchin. A highlight is the vanilla with sea salt encrusted reef fish. The bar is also all about sophistication but don’t worry if your clad in jeans, you’ll still be welcome!
brisbaneE’cco
An award-winner, E’cco is considered to be one of the finest restaurants in the state of Queensland. Menu highlights include slow cooked duck with a cassoulet of white beans and Lyonnaise sausage and tomato. Book well ahead in advance!
brisbaneII
Another culinary delight, II attracts a lot of foodies and business types with its swish interior and even swankier food. Seafood includes seared scallops with seaweed and lemon risotto or there is veal with porcini risotto and artichoke chips.
brisbaneAnise
Bars
Whatever time of the day you choose to visit, you’ll find that Anise has multiple personalities: in the day it serves as a stylish coffee bar for the cool people, at night it turns into a fashionable wine bar for lunch and dinner. The cuisine is of French origin with dishes such as smoked duck, gorgonzola and mascarpone soufflé tart. There are also tapas.
brisbaneCustoms House Brasserie
Here you can enjoy Australian cuisine while taking in the spectacular views of the river. Highlights include prawn and green papaya salad and the beef mignons wrapped in pancetta.
brisbaneBubbles and Beans
The location might be classy, beneath a high-rise and boasting great views of the river, but the food and pricing are mid-range. Menu includes pastas, stir fries and salads.
brisbaneGaruva Hidden Tranquility Restaurant & Bar
Bars
This is a pure dining experience: a rainforest foyer is what greets you first, leading to tables with cushioned seating concealed behind white silk. The menu is a bit mish-mash but no less exotic: Turkish shark and Chinese roast beef are some of the choices.
brisbaneHimalayan Café
Authentic Tibetan and Nepali food are the order of the day here with Sherpa chicken, momos and dahls which are quite filling. It’s very popular so call ahead to be sure to get a seat!
brisbaneVietnamese Restaurant
This restaurant takes its authentic tag seriously: every meat, seafood and vegetarian option is there with the shredded beef in spinach rolls being a particular favourite.