Goldenbackpacker.com

BRISBANE - STAY FOR LESS "A$"

BRISBANE (QLD) was first established on the coast at Moreton Bay in 1824, as a penal colony for the worst convicts transferred from Sydney. It moved shortly afterwards to the present, more sheltered City site further up the Brisbane River. The penal settlement was abandoned in 1839 & in 1842 it was thrown open to free settlers marking the start Brisbane’s rise to prominence today as the State Capital of Queensland. It’s Australia’s 3rd largest City located between the Gold & Sunshine Coasts & is one of the most desirable places to live.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – PALACE CENTRAL BACKPACKERS (VIP) on corner of Edward & Ann Streets (in centre of town along road from City Hall) freecall 1800 676 340, www.palacebackpackers.com.au - $20 pn in large dorm (lockers) & sep shower/ wc’s. Large s/c kitchen & eating area on ground floor, reception/ lounge area with Internet, rooftop bbq area. Great hostel in ideal location for City plus café / bistro & the fabulous “Down under Bar”

Reserve – Palace Embassy Backpackers (VIP) on corner of Edward & Elizabeth Streets (even more central than its sister hostel above, near main shopping area) freecall 1800 676 340,
Email brisbane@palacebackpackers.com.au - $20 pn in small dorm rooms. Modern s/c kitchen, lounge TV area, bbq/ sundeck with city views. A new hostel & a more peaceful place in the heart of the City

FOOD is best value at the large basement Woolworths Supermarket on Edward St. although there is a Coles Express in the Queens St. shopping complex as an alternative if your in the Centre.

TRAVELLING AROUND to get your initial bearings of the City take a ride on the free Red City Circle bus which travels a clockwise loop every 10 mins around the centre. In addition there are Cityxpress busses which run between the suburbs & the centre. On the river the City CAT’s zip along between the University in the West & Bretts Wharf in the East. More useful are the cross-river ferries especially between Eagle St. & Kangaroo Point & Riverside & Kangaroo Point.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. City Hall – Surrounded by sky skyscrapers its an architectural gem with roof view & art gallery
2. Queen Street Mall – Heart of the City’s shopping area with sculptures & seating areas to relax
3. South Bank & River – Splendid walkway along side the river with panoramic views of the City
4. Pauls Breaka Beach – Open air swimming pool with a crescent of white sandy beach & guard
5. Botanical Gardens – Unique mangrove boardwalk, tropical rain forest & lush lawns & gardens
6. Parliament House – Dating from 1868 it’s built in the French Renaissance style, see a Sitting
7. Kangaroo Point – Cliffs on the South Bank is a rock climbing venue daytime & floodlit at night
8. Anzac Park – Cenotaph & eternal flame for WW1 fallen, usually full of wild ibis birds
9. Old Windmill & Observatory – Corn mill worked by convicts in Wickam Park, now sails - less
10. Queensland Museum – Diverse collections, dinosaurs, whales, photography & the Avian Cirrus

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Castlemaine – Perkins XXXX Brewery – Cheers! but only on Mon. Tues. & Wed so order early
2. CAT Ferries – Great way to see City, these streamlined craft zig zag up & down the river
3. Treasury Casino – Gamblers haunt but you can look around, have a drink & observe the action

* “There’s a kick in every glass of Four X which gives you that bucked up feeling”, Ken, Lucy, Patrick