Brisbane, Australia Named One of the Top Ten Cities in the World to Visit by The Traveling American
Over the past twenty-five years, The Traveling American has visited over one hundred cities around the world. This article focuses on the best cities we have visited outside of the United States and Canada. All places have their faults, but some cities have special characteristics that make them more memorable to visit. The task of naming the Top Ten World Cities was a difficult one and we considered an initial list of twenty five places. We then selected twelve cities excluding those in the United States and Canada (there were a few ties) that we believe are the most interesting to see for our Top Ten list.
Here is Brisbane which is tied for our selection as the World's Number 9 City:
Australia has emerged on the global scene as one of the world’s most signficant economies and it is an increasingly popular vacation destination for British, Chinese and American tourists. However, foreign visitors often limit their activities to seeing the best known Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne, experiencing the Great Barrier Reef, or taking an excursion into the outback or over to Tasmania. But the east coast city of Brisbane is a great place to begin a visit to Australia and get oriented to the nation's friendly people and outdoor living. Brisbane is a manageable city of 2.1 million residents with a compact downtown shopping district, magnificent riverfront attractions, and plenty of interesting places to see on day trips nearby.
Some of the best places to see in and around Brisbane include the following:
South Bank - One of the city’s most impressive features is the South Bank of the Brisbane River. Originally the industrial waterfront of the city, this area gradually evolved into the region’s premier lifestyle and recreation destination. Easily reached from the downtown by several pedestrian bridges and water taxis, the South Bank offers a performing arts center, art galleries, a science center, a maritime museum, a Ferris wheel with great views of the city as well as numerous restaurants, parks and cafes for people to enjoy. All of these activities can be reached by foot along a shaded riverside walkway which draws boat activity, walkers and cyclists of all ages to the area. The South Bank has developed into a hot spot for new housing complexes and a lifestyle choice for people of all ages.
Streets Beach - One of the unique features of the South Bank is Streets Beach. Many inland communities have a river and many coastal cities have beaches. What is unique about Streets Beach is that the city built a series of crystal clear lagoons and imported sandy beaches right alongside the river. Larger than five Olympic size swimming pools, Streets Beach is open to the public and offers connected pools in a variety of shapes and sizes which are suitable for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The experience is enhanced by amenities such as life guards, restrooms, changing rooms and shade trees. It also helps that Brisbane has a temperate climate with average daily temperatures above 70 degrees farenheit for eleven months of the year.
Koala Bear Sanctuary- The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a special place which offers a wonderful opportunity to get close to several of Australia’s unusual animals in a location adjacent to Brisbane that can be reached by a pleasant ferry ride up river. The sanctuary has kangaroos, reptiles, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, and other wildlife to view and feed. But the star attraction is the more than 100 koala bears that are lovingly displayed. In addition to being cute, you can watch the koalas cling to eucalyptus trees by using their long claws to sleep on a tree or chew the succulent leaves. There are interesting lectures about the habits and behavior of the koalas too. Many guests purchase optional tickets to meet a koala personally and have their picture taken holding one. The kangaroos are scattered around the site where they are comfortable laying under the trees or chewing on grass. When you see them together hanging out on a hot day, they do not hop around much. Instead, it is surprising how much they resemble a pack of dear eating the bushes in your front year. They will also freeze in place and stare at people before sauntering off.
Shopping and Events - Brisbane has a large retail area and other attractions scattered around the central business district. For shopping, most people start with the Queen Street Mall near the downtown which is a pedestrian thoroughfare with a mix of 700 stores. Calling itself a "shopping and lifestyle precinct", the area boast top international brands along with boutiques, luxury fashion, and necessities. For a creative experience, many people enjoy the Brisbane Powerhouse which hosts a wide variety of cultural events, performing artists, theater productions, and festivals.
Day Trips from Brisbane - Brisbane is located close to the shore in the state of Queensland and there are many interesting places to go for an excursion. Just south of Brisbane is a 40-mile stretch of beachfront condominiums, theme parks and resort hotels known as the Gold Coast. This is the fastest growing area of the country and is worth visiting if you need to unwind after the long airline flight or to spend a couple of beach days in country. Further down the coast is the town of Byron's Bay which has only about 5000 permanent residents. Once popular as a hippie and surfing town, Byron Bay has become more of a new age, upscale community today with spas, beautiful beaches and a famous lighthouse that attracts people of all ages. Byron Bay is proud of its status as the easternmost point of land on the continent. The peninsula that juts out into the Tasman Sea there creates a windy promenade. Another important feature of Byron Bay is its tradition of hosting festivals such as a film festival, fashion festival, writers conference, a triathlon, several music and arts festivals, yoga retreats and a surfing competition.