With a population of 2.5 million people, Brisbane is quietly one of the largest and most vibrant metropolises in the world. Owing to its northerly location, Brisbane sits out of the limelight of southern cultural hubs like Sydney and Melbourne, making it unheralded even in its own country. This shouldn’t be so. Brisbane has many amazing things to do and explore. Brisbanians already know this; it’s time for the rest of the world to catch on.
Moreton Bay
One of Brisbane’s main attractions is the Pacific Ocean. The city’s eastern suburbs lie on Moreton Bay in the Pacific Ocean, which provides Brisbane residents and visitors with lots of entertainment. From surfing to kayaking to whale watching to swimming at a number of beautiful beaches, Moreton Bay has all the usual marine activities and then some. The bay contains authentic coral reefs, which can be viewed up close and personal via snorkeling and scuba diving. Moreton Bay is also home to the dugong, Australia’s only sea cow, and is one of the only places in the world where this giant marine mammal gathers in herds. If a person is lucky, they can witness this natural phenomenon from Brisbane’s shores.
Wineries and Wine Tasting
Around Moreton Bay and in Brisbane itself there are a number of wineries that can wet the whistle of any visitor that considers drinking an integral part of vacationing. Brisbane’s sunny and humid climate is conducive to growing grapes that produce many fantastic wines. These can be tasted and bought at Sirromet Winery, Ocean View Estates, and Witches Falls Winery. But you don’t have to wait till you get to Brisbane to indulge in quality wine. Qantas Airlines, which flies to and from Brisbane, has regional red wine on the menu. Many of Qantas’ white wine selections are also regional, so Brisbane wine tasters aren’t limited by blend or altitude.
Queen Street Mall
Brisbane is also known for the Queen Street Mall, one of the most famous shopping centers in Australia. It has 430,000 square feet of retail space and attracts 26 million visitors each year. The mall is located in central Brisbane’s business district and is pedestrian-only, meaning that vehicles are not allowed in the area.
Although lesser known than Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is nearly as large and is just as viable as a vacation destination as the other two cities. Marine activities, wineries, and the Queen Street Mall are some of the attractions that Brisbane has to offer. A trip to Brisbane will reveal many more.