A Holiday in Australia - Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and home to around 2 million people. It is situated half way up the East Coast of Australia and is the gateway to the tropics making summer hot and humid and winter cold and wet. September is the best time to visit because the weather is starting to heat up with temperatures in the 90's but the humidity is not that bad. There are mostly sunny days and you are able to make the most of the outside activities the area has to offer. Here are some of the highlights to make your holiday in Australia enjoyable.

Southbank is a favorite haunt of both locals and tourists. Located in the heart of the city it was originally the site of Expo 1988. The main attraction is the artificial beach and children’s playground. It is exactly like a lagoon out of a picture book with sand, lapping water and palm trees but without the jellyfish and crabs. An extra bonus for the shopaholics is that it is surrounded by boutiques, cafes and restaurants. There is always something happening with concerts, fireworks and other events. Every Friday night you can join in the latin dancing in the streets of Southbank and the markets that operate all day Friday and over the weekend.

A short walk from Southbank is the Cultural Center which houses the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art and the State Library. There is also a modern cinema with the cheapest movie tickets in town.

Mount Coot-tha is situated just outside the city centre in an otherwise unassuming suburb. A long road winds up the mountain to the lookout at the top which provides spectacular views of the city and surrounds. On a clear day it is possible to see as far as Moreton Bay. At the lookout is an elegant restaurant where you can enjoy a meal as well as the view whilst more adventurous types can take advantage of the bushwalking trails, including a track down to Slaughter’s Falls. At the base of Mount Coot-tha is the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens which is a perfect place to relax.

The Gold Coast is one of the most glitzy holiday places in Australia and it is the place people go to have a good time. It is situated south of Brisbane and is about a one hour drive. With hotels, nightclubs, casinos, shops, beaches and theme parks it is always packed with people and the traffic from Brisbane on weekends and public holidays can be very slow. The most popular theme parks are Dreamworld, Seaworld, Warner Bros Movieworld and Wet n Wild. There is always something happening in the plazas and malls and it is worth spending a few days here if you are able.

These are just some of the many attractions you can find in Brisbane and are on my must see list every time I visit. Other places of interest include the Story Bridge, Lone Pine Koala Sactuary, Moreton Bay and Bribie Island. Whatever you decide to do I am sure you will enjoy your holiday in Australia.