Featured Destination

The first of Contal's destination features is a metropolis with a laidback lifestyle, and Australia's most liveable city: Brisbane.

Start pull quote Skip pull-quote and continue on main content No longer a sleepy little town, Brisbane is now the place to discover just how welcoming, dynamic and relaxing Australian cities can be!

Located in the south-east corner of Queensland, Brisbane is Australia's largest inland city. The winding Brisbane River creates the diverse suburbs of the north- and south-sides, whose inner city suburbs are well-connected by footbridges and fast ferries, the CityCats.

A long-time popular tourist destination, Brisbane is also Australia's fastest growing capital city. Once known as a sleepy little town, Brisbane is now the place to discover just how welcoming, dynamic and relaxing Australian cities can be!

Districts

Brisbane's north-side is known for its sophistication, being home to the CBD and more expensive living areas such as Ascot and Hamilton. These chic suburbs' riverside strips of cafes and boutiques, display the finest of local and imported goods.

From the bohemian flavour of West End's outdoor cafes, to the bustling streets of historic Bulimba, Brisbane's south-side provides a more down-to-earth experience of the city's leafy parks, cinemas and nightlife.

The city centre itself is overlooked by Southbank Parklands, and is home to Brisbane's cultural centre including its museum, art galleries, performing arts complex.

Things to see and do

With its perfect weather, laidback lifestyle and vibrant, growing arts scene, Brisbane's bound to entertain. It's also the perfect place to base yourself for easy access to the stunning beaches of the famous Gold and Sunshine Coasts, or to head further inland and get close to nature.

Arts and culture

New Farm Park is the meeting place for all walks of life, the weekend drawing crowds to the Powerhouse Markets, or one of the many shaded barbeques in the park's waterfront stretch. Inside the Powerhouse experience some of the best of Brisbane's cultural life - photography exhibitions, dance troupe workshops and concerts featuring homegrown and international artists.
The latter also rave about the city's most recent major public work, GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art). Sitting behind an ancient Moreton Bay Fig tree is this expansive complex, offering breathtaking spaces for touring artists to feature their eclectic works.
Take a leisurely walk from New Farm along the river towards the CBD; you'll eventually find yourself in Southbank Parklands having passed the Queensland Museum, Performing Arts Centre and many cafes, shady benches and fountains.

Southbank

At Southbank Parklands, stroll the night markets or enjoy a modern Aussie pub experience: cold beer, crisp wines and freshly cooked seafood. The inner-city beach here is a unique Brisbane feature, and a favourite of the locals.

Take a day trip

Only a short drive from central Brisbane are the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, boasting long stretches of sandy surf beach.
Take a drive through the stunning D'Aguilar range, home of the Glasshouse Mountains.
Visit the "home of the Crocodile Hunter" - the world-famous Australia Zoo.
Browse nearby townships for local produce and handmade crafts. As in Brisbane, the locals will help you navigate in your quest for the best shopping and eating experiences.

Eating out

Built on the site of the World Expo '88, Little Stanley Street is home to restaurants, cafes and shops hosted by natives of their cuisines and crafts. A Turkish restaurant replete with belly-dancers is a few doors down from French clothing and jewellery. Keep walking to sample the aromas of Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Indian kitchens that have one thing in common — a laidback Brisbane attitude that makes any day a holiday.

One of the best things about visiting Brisbane is simply strolling the streets and letting your senses guide you.

Brisbane: it's the best sleepy city to wake up in.