Place

City Hall

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!

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Phone: 3403 6586 Location: Between Ann & Adelaide Streets Admission: free To use the lift to get to the viewing tower: Mon-Fri 10am & 3pm, Sat 10am & 2:30pm

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Museum 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.

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Roma 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.

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Old 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.

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Treasury 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.

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Parliament 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.

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City 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.

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Customs 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.

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Riverside 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.

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Queensland 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.

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Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) - Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)

Gallery

These two institutions are located 150m apart from each other. QAG houses a great permanent collection of mostly local and European art. The first floor is dedicated to Australian artists so you can see some masterworks from famous artists such as Sir Sydney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and William Dobell. GoMA is dedicated to more contemporary Australian and Pacific art including Indigenous artists. Phone: 3840 7303 Website: www.qag.qld.gov.au Location: Stanley Place, South Brisbane Admission: free opening Times: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm

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Monsoon

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.

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Sunbar 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!

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E’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!

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II

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.

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Anise

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.

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Customs 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.

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Bubbles 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.

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Garuva 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.

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Himalayan 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!

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Vietnamese 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.

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Conrad Treasury

Found in the former Land Administration Building, next door to the Treasury Casino, this hotel is considered to be Brisbane’s classiest. Every room has unique furnishings along with heritage features. The hotel rates begin with standard rooms but the higher you pay in price might get you into the Parlour Rooms which are exquisite.

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Quay West Suites Brisbane

Opposite the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, this stylish hotel has self-contained, opulent units with modern kitchens, equipped laundries, TVs, stereos and affable staff.

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Stanford Plaza Brisbane

There are 252 luxurious rooms on offer at this hotel which take in the views of the Kangaroo Point cliffs, the Botanic Gardens and the Storey Bridge. There is 24hr concierge, outdoor heated pool, spa and sauna, sundeck and fitness centre.

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Marriott Brisbane

With 263 rooms and 4 suites there is lots of choice here at the Marriott. There is an indoor/outdoor heated pool, gym, internet and Petries Brasserie and Bar which serves international cuisine.

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Sofitel Brisbane

Luxury Hotels

There are 429 rooms here that are the height of luxury at his five-star hotel. All rooms are comfortably furnished with personal touches including plush slippers and bathrooms rounding out the pure opulence of the place. LCD TVs are in every room with broadband internet, modem access and ironing facilities. The hotel itself boasts a spa retreat, a gaming lounge, two bars, and two restaurants serving French inspired, Australian cuisine.

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Inchcolm Hotel

Expensive Hotels

This is a hotel with a lot of personality – the original building and the 1930s cage lift are heritage listed and some of the suites still retain the oak walls and the old doors with their brass fittings. The rooms are modern and comfortable and there is a restaurant, conference rooms and a swimming pool with a deck.

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II Mondo

A boutique hotel with lots of minimalist design and space, this place has parking, a pool and free bike hire, continental breakfast and a restaurant which serves Australian cuisine with an Italian flair. The rooms themselves offer air conditioning, LCD TV, Wi Fi, in-house laundry, private shower/toilet and ensuite, balcony, internet cot and high chair available.

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Royal on the Park

Views of the City Botanic Gardens, gorgeous rooms with stylish furnishings, what’s not to love about Royal on the Park? There are 153 rooms with 8 executive spa suites. Facilities include a gym, two restaurants, currency exchange, on-site car parking and valet service and outdoor pool.

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Dorchester Inn

While the self-contained units in this two-storey block are a little lacking in the furnishings, they are spotless with laundry services, air conditioning and wireless internet access. The staff are also very lovely and the establishment is 5 min from the city centre.

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Chifley on George

Moderate Hotels

A straightforward hotel that offers a spa and restaurant; the rooms are standard doubles and suites and while they are a little snug they are still comfortable.