Schmap Brisbane Neighborhood Guide

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Brisbane - Neighborhood Guide
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Brisbane Home
Schmap Brisbane guide and map

Cutting dramatically through lush coastal plains, the Brisbane River coils like a snake around the cosmopolitan chic of Queensland's unique sub-tropical capital. Developed as a penal colony in 1824, the city spent years in the shadow of its southern neighbours. However, following the Commonwealth Games and Expo in the 1980s, investment skyrocketed, cementing Brisbane's future as a place of wealth, beauty and excitement.

Brisbane's architecture is a mix of the modern and the old with impressive Renaissance style and timber Queenslander dwellings sharing a berth with the modern giants. Despite being close to the ocean, this is very much a river city, and the footpaths and waterways are a delightful way to explore this majestic metropolis.

Central Business District

Dominated by the impressive City Hall, Brisbane's business centre is a remarkable dichotomy of style. Unlike other Australian cities, the life of the central area does not fade with the sunset. Bars and clubs swell with numbers, attracting large crowds with entertainment each night. The spectacular Conrad Treasury Casino looms proudly over the river, whilst Queen Street Mall's garnished modern decor greets shoppers, diners and people-watchers with outstretched arms. Built in 1828, the Old Windmill and Observatory are some of Brisbane's oldest buildings and Parliament House, built to French Renaissance style in 1868, is a classic example of the city's historical prowess.

South Bank Parklands

If you cannot go to the beach, then the beach must come to you. The South Bank is a true wonder of ambitious modern design. With a large swimming area and sandy beach, the city 'escape' is literally only a 30-second ferry ride away. Sixteen hectares of parkland include some of Brisbane's finest restaurants and cafes, and its own rainforest boardwalk. The popular South Bank Markets are held on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. The atrium snakes its way through the Parklands from the Queensland Cultural Centre, which houses the Performing Arts Complex, Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery and State Library.

Riverside Precinct

Mirroring the diversity of the South Bank, this city side complex is dissected by a lazy walkway, curving its way past the City Botanical Gardens, and hugging the foreshore with its traditional timber jetties and visiting touring yachts. Eagle Street Pier is the wining and dining centre, whilst the Riverside Centre hosts a huge Sunday Craft Market. Standing proud among its modern neighbours, Customs House is a glorious building, providing a timely reminder of the area's vibrant heritage.

Fortitude Valley & Chinatown

Depart the river at the engaging New Farm Park, and the walk toward Fortitude Valley could take you an age if you choose to wine, dine and shop your way through the broad spectrum of styles. In Brisbane's vibrant Chinatown, a bewildering selection of Asian cuisine swamps the senses with local shopkeepers contributing to the enchantment of this true Asian hideaway.

The Valley offers similar diversity but does it with a brash energetic style for fun loving, nightlife seekers. Originally tarred with an unfortunate 'bad area' tag, this is now Brisbane's alternative Mecca. For a one location night out, Dooley's Hotel has become a cult favourite.

Kangaroo Point & Woolloongabba

The elder statesman of Brisbane suburbs, Kangaroo Point, is the place to gaze in awe at the city's dramatic views. Cast in the shadow of the imposing Story Bridge, the Point's impressive sandstone cliffs dominate the foreshore. With the area transforming into a dynamic residential enclave, the demand for cafes and restaurants has grown rapidly. Kangaroo Point rivals South Bank for style as it strives to become the south side's new home of fine dining.

The Gabba (Woolloongabba), gateway to the Gold Coast and southeast, has earned an international reputation as the location of the Brisbane Cricket Ground, home to the Queensland Bulls Cricket Team and the Brisbane Lions Football Team.

Milton, Paddington & Rosalie

These west side suburbs offer a change of pace from the frenetic energy of The Valley. In Milton, Park Road's mock Eiffel Tower calls the discerning visitor to the city's most fashionable pavement café precinct. Rosalie Village, nestled in the western hills, conjures up visions of a small European community, with fine dining or relaxed, inexpensive fare available al fresco throughout the year. For the eccentric or exotic, Paddington's Latrobe Street has a selection of hidden gem restaurants, galleries and boutiques encased in colourful Queenslander cottages.

Around the Bay

Within an hour's drive of Brisbane's centre, the wonders of Moreton Bay provide the day-tripper with unequalled delights. Before leaving the mainland, a visit to the charming Manly Harbour is a must. A mix of the new and traditional, this is the East Coast's largest pleasure boat marina, and home to good food and shopping treats.

A short trip ferry trip to Moreton Island reveals a realm of sand dunes (the world's highest coastal dunes), dolphins and four-wheel drive adventures. Whether you choose to stay at the plush Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort or just camp along the beach, Moreton Island is a kaleidoscope of natural wonder.

North Stradbroke Island, or Straddie to the locals, a stone's throw from the mainland, is a Queensland treasure, providing an escape to paradise without the long-haul flight. Within the National Park, Tortoise Lagoon and the ‘Window' Blue Lake are spectacular.

With a bridge connecting Bribie Island with the mainland, this is the most accessible destination to see the fauna-rich waters of the Bay without getting your feet wet. Diving, fishing and relaxing are the order of the day on this lively, well-populated island, and a visit to the wonderful Abbey Museum is essential.

Brisbane's self-promotion as Australia's 'most liveable city' may have been used before, but it is absolutely true. Spending time wandering Brisbane's districts will cement the realisation that this city is Australia's true capital of leisure, jaunty style and good living.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

City Centre

Brisbane
Australia

Dominated by the impressive City Hall, Brisbane's business centre is a remarkable dichotomy of style. Unlike other Australian cities, the life of the central area does not fade with the sunset. Bars and clubs swell with numbers, attracting large crowds with entertainment every night. The spectacular Conrad Treasury Casino looms proudly over the river, whilst Queen Street Mall's garnished modern decor greets shoppers, diners and people-watchers with outstretched arms. Built in 1828, the Old Windmill and Observatory are some of Brisbane's oldest buildings and Parliament House, built to French Renaissance style in 1868, is a classic example of the city's historical prowess

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Dick Davies

Photo: Lucy + Mila

Photo: barbara_sturdy

Photo: Gilbert Jadraque

Photo: *** Olivia ***

Northern Suburbs

Brisbane
Australia
Picture-perfect suburbs and residential areas abound in this section of Brisbane, offering an abundance of shopping, dining, and lodging. Brisbane's domestic and international airports are located just to the east of this area, making travel to this luxurious region a cinch. One should never be at a loss for what to do while staying in the northern suburbs, because, in addition to the aforementioned shopping and dining, there is also the beautiful Mount Coot-tha Park, as well as racecourses and other exciting entertainment venues. Mount Coot-tha Park is a fun centre for family activities and offers fabulous views over Greater Brisbane, as well as of the Gold Coast to the south and the Glass House Mountains to the north.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Paul M
Photo: Andrew Crouch

South Bank

Brisbane
Australia
If you cannot go to the beach, then the beach must come to you. The South Bank is a true wonder of ambitious modern design. With a large swimming area and sandy beach, the city 'escape' is literally only a 30-second ferry ride away. Sixteen hectares of parkland include some of Brisbane's finest restaurants and cafes, and its own rainforest boardwalk. The popular South Bank Markets are held on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. The atrium snakes its way through the Parklands from the Queensland Cultural Centre, which houses the Performing Arts Complex, Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery and State Library.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Neil Gavin
Photo: Jonny Squire
Photo: Jonathan Devlin
Photo: Florian Muhss
Photo: kyoheeei
Photo: Coralie Amato
Photo: Ryan Clontz
Photo: Phanupong Ongsuwan

Photo: Shachar Rubinstein
Photo: James Balch
Photo: Alison Keane
Photo: Adrian Liston
Photo: Ms Pigggy
Photo: bugflickr
Photo: Katrina Stuart
Photo: Michael Roytman

Photo: thienzieyung
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Photo: Thomas Shaw
Photo: Thorsten Siefert
Photo: Troels Ølholm
Photo: Andrea Kennedy
Photo: Gemma Seltzer
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Photo: Heine Jordet
Photo: Pauline Chen
Photo: John Michael McKenna
Photo: David O'Keeffe
Photo: Amalia Sanusi
Photo: Jeffrey Demaine
Photo: Matthias Matook
Photo: Daniel Axelson

Photo: John Worthington

Southern Suburbs

Brisbane
Australia
This expansive region of Brisbane provides everything a tourist (or local) could desire. Restaurants, shops, parks and gardens, sporting facilities and museums offer something for everyone. Fort Lytton National Park is a popular spot while on a trip to the southern suburbs, as it offers history and nature all wrapped up into one. A nineteenth-century coastal garrison situated near the mouth of the Brisbane River, it offers living history reenactments as well as guided tours so that guests may have a better appreciation for the history of the area. Venman Bushland National Parks and Toohey Forest Park are other popular natural areas many travelers enjoy visiting.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Helga Wood

The Valley

Brisbane
Australia
The Valley, or Fortitude Valley, as it is officially called, offers similar diversity but does so with a brash energetic style for fun-loving nightlife-seekers. It was a booming business and retail district up until the 1960s, but when hit with economic hardship it was tarred with an unfortunate 'bad area' tag. The Valley experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, however, and it is now considered to be Brisbane's alternative mecca. For an entertaining night out, Dooley's Hotel has become a cult favourite. The Brunswick Street pedestrian mall, completed in 1991, is a major contributor to the economic well-being of the area and a fun shopping spot to visit when investigating the Valley.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Sherwin H
Photo: Kaneyn Allen
Photo: Shaun Johnston
Photo: Elizabeth Potter
Photo: Nam Nguyen

Western Suburbs

Brisbane
Australia
The west side suburbs offer a change of pace from the frenetic energy of the Valley. In Milton, Park Road's mock Eiffel Tower calls the discerning visitor to the city's most fashionable pavement café precinct. Park Road has, in fact, become Brisbane's "place to be seen," and many flock there to sip a coffee or glass of wine under the shadow of the imitation landmark. Rosalie Village, nestled in the western hills, conjures up visions of a small European community, with fine dining or relaxed, inexpensive fare available al fresco throughout the year. For the eccentric or exotic, Paddington's Latrobe Street has a selection of hidden-gem restaurants, galleries and boutiques housed in colourful Queenslander cottages.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Daniel and Anita Saunders

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Brisbane - Neighborhood Guide"
Brisbane
Brisbane - Historical Background
Brisbane - Where to Stay
Brisbane - Dining & Drinking
Brisbane - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Sydney (719 miles)
Canberra (931 miles)
Melbourne (1363 miles)
Adelaide (1592 miles)
Hobart (1776 miles)
Auckland (2285 miles)
Christchurch (2497 miles)
Wellington (2500 miles)
Perth (3604 miles)
Kauai (7524 miles)

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