While David stayed in Sydney to work, I (Sam) flew to Brisbane for two days to visit my cousin Claudia. It had been over 12 years since we last saw each other in South Africa, so this was a wonderful reunion. On the evening that I arrived in Brisbane, Claudia and her friend John took me out for a lovely dinner at a seafood restaurant along the Brisbane river. It was a wonderful evening with good food, great company and a nice atmosphere. After dinner, John drove us up to Mount Coot-tha lookout, where we got a great view of the city.
With two full days in Brisbane, there was ample time to see the sights around the city. Brisbane is the capital of Queensland with a population of over 1.6 million. It is the third largest city in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne. Situated on the Brisbane River, it is a compact city that was easy to explore by foot.
Brisbane Arcade and Queen Street Mall
The Brisbane Arcade is one of Brisbane's most elegant shopping centres. It was opened in 1923 and has a classic marble interior. It is home to quality jewelers and stylish boutiques. The Brisbane Arcade leads to the Queen Street Mall, a pedestrian street mall with over 1200 boutiques, three department stores and five shopping centres. It is a busy and bustling area with lots of activity.
The Brisbane Arcade is one of Brisbane's most elegant shopping centres. It was opened in 1923 and has a classic marble interior. It is home to quality jewelers and stylish boutiques. The Brisbane Arcade leads to the Queen Street Mall, a pedestrian street mall with over 1200 boutiques, three department stores and five shopping centres. It is a busy and bustling area with lots of activity.
Cathedral of St. Stephen
This beautiful Gothic-style Catholic cathedral is Queensland's oldest church. The main facade features two spires on each side of the elaborate stained-glass windows. It is a beautiful church that is situated right in the heart of the city.
This beautiful Gothic-style Catholic cathedral is Queensland's oldest church. The main facade features two spires on each side of the elaborate stained-glass windows. It is a beautiful church that is situated right in the heart of the city.
The General Post Office
This Neo-Classical building was built between 1871 and 1879, and was erected as the city's first official post office. It continues today to be used as central Brisbane's mail post office.
This Neo-Classical building was built between 1871 and 1879, and was erected as the city's first official post office. It continues today to be used as central Brisbane's mail post office.
City Hall
This sandstone-faced building was erected between 1920 and 1930, and is home to the Brisbane City Council (the largest council in Australia) and the Museum of Brisbane. The building's main feature is a 92 metre Italian Renaissance Clock Tower. The building is currently being restored, so it is closed to the public and City Hall has been temporarily moved to another location until the repair and upgrade is finished in 2012.
This sandstone-faced building was erected between 1920 and 1930, and is home to the Brisbane City Council (the largest council in Australia) and the Museum of Brisbane. The building's main feature is a 92 metre Italian Renaissance Clock Tower. The building is currently being restored, so it is closed to the public and City Hall has been temporarily moved to another location until the repair and upgrade is finished in 2012.
Anzac Square War Memorial
This war memorial in situated in a beautiful park and features the Shrine of Remembrance with the Eternal Flame. The Eternal Flame burns in a Greek Revival cenotaph and beneath the cenotaph is the Shrine of Remembrance, which contains various tributes and war plaques to those who gave their lives in war.
This war memorial in situated in a beautiful park and features the Shrine of Remembrance with the Eternal Flame. The Eternal Flame burns in a Greek Revival cenotaph and beneath the cenotaph is the Shrine of Remembrance, which contains various tributes and war plaques to those who gave their lives in war.
The Old Windmill
This windmill was built by convicts in 1828 and was the first industrial building in Brisbane. It is one of two buildings still standing in Brisbane from convict days (the Commissariat Store building is the other).
This windmill was built by convicts in 1828 and was the first industrial building in Brisbane. It is one of two buildings still standing in Brisbane from convict days (the Commissariat Store building is the other).
St. John's Anglican Cathedral
St. John's Anglican Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Brisbane, which was created in 1859. The foundation stone for the cathedral was laid in 1901, and the building proceeded in three stages; 1906-1910, 1964 - 1968 and 1989 - 2009. Sandstone was used externally for part of the first stage of construction, but all the internal walls and ceilings are built of Helidon sandstone. This cathedral is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful churches in the southern hemisphere and it is truly stunning.
St. John's Anglican Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Brisbane, which was created in 1859. The foundation stone for the cathedral was laid in 1901, and the building proceeded in three stages; 1906-1910, 1964 - 1968 and 1989 - 2009. Sandstone was used externally for part of the first stage of construction, but all the internal walls and ceilings are built of Helidon sandstone. This cathedral is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful churches in the southern hemisphere and it is truly stunning.
Eagle Street Pier
The Eagle Street Pier is where we had dinner the night I arrived in Brisbane. It is a great area along the Brisbane River with restaurants, pubs and a view of Story Bridge (the bridge that links Kangaroo Point with the northern part of the city).
The Eagle Street Pier is where we had dinner the night I arrived in Brisbane. It is a great area along the Brisbane River with restaurants, pubs and a view of Story Bridge (the bridge that links Kangaroo Point with the northern part of the city).
City Botanical Gardens
Brisbane has two botanical gardens, one near Mount Coot-tha and one in the heart of the city. The City Botanical Gardens is the second oldest botanical gardens in Australia and it is situated on the Brisbane River. It is a peaceful haven in the city and makes for a nice contrast to the city's high rise buildings.
Brisbane has two botanical gardens, one near Mount Coot-tha and one in the heart of the city. The City Botanical Gardens is the second oldest botanical gardens in Australia and it is situated on the Brisbane River. It is a peaceful haven in the city and makes for a nice contrast to the city's high rise buildings.
Commissariat Store Museum
The first two floors of the Commissariat Store was built by convict labour in 1829 and is one of two surviving building from Brisbane's penal colony (the other being the Old Windmill). The Commissariat's main role was to procure, store and disburse provisions to the military, convicts and colonists at that time. It was restored in 2000 and now houses the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.
The first two floors of the Commissariat Store was built by convict labour in 1829 and is one of two surviving building from Brisbane's penal colony (the other being the Old Windmill). The Commissariat's main role was to procure, store and disburse provisions to the military, convicts and colonists at that time. It was restored in 2000 and now houses the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.
Old Government House
Old Government House was the official residence of Queensland's Governors from 1862 - 1909, making it the most important historical building in Queensland. Today, this house is situated on the campus of the Queensland University of Technology, close to the City Botanical Gardens.
Old Government House was the official residence of Queensland's Governors from 1862 - 1909, making it the most important historical building in Queensland. Today, this house is situated on the campus of the Queensland University of Technology, close to the City Botanical Gardens.
The Goodwill Bridge
The Goodwill Bridge is one of a few bridges that links the city centre of Brisbane, to Brisbane's other suburbs across the Brisbane River. It is a very modern pedestrian and cycle bridge which offers great views of the river and city.
The Goodwill Bridge is one of a few bridges that links the city centre of Brisbane, to Brisbane's other suburbs across the Brisbane River. It is a very modern pedestrian and cycle bridge which offers great views of the river and city.
South Bank Precinct
The South Bank area is situated south of the city centre, across the Brisbane River (got here via the Goodwill Bridge). It was the site of the Expo '88 and has since been developed into a 42 acre centre with cultural, entertainment and recreational attractions. It is an area with many restaurants, cafes, weekend market stalls, and there is even a man-made lagoon with a sandy beach. The main defining symbol of the South Bank is the Arbour - a series of 443 curled steel columns covered with gorgeous purple Bougainvillea.
The South Bank area is situated south of the city centre, across the Brisbane River (got here via the Goodwill Bridge). It was the site of the Expo '88 and has since been developed into a 42 acre centre with cultural, entertainment and recreational attractions. It is an area with many restaurants, cafes, weekend market stalls, and there is even a man-made lagoon with a sandy beach. The main defining symbol of the South Bank is the Arbour - a series of 443 curled steel columns covered with gorgeous purple Bougainvillea.
The Parklands area
Part of the South Bank precinct, the Parklands area is Queensland's cultural centre. It is home to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the State Library, the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, Opera Queensland, two colleges and an exhibition centre.
Part of the South Bank precinct, the Parklands area is Queensland's cultural centre. It is home to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the State Library, the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, Opera Queensland, two colleges and an exhibition centre.
State Library of Queensland
The State Library is Australia's custodian of Queensland documentary heritage and houses original research, reference materials and over a million photographic images.
The State Library is Australia's custodian of Queensland documentary heritage and houses original research, reference materials and over a million photographic images.
Queensland Art Gallery
A lovely gallery displaying Australian and international art. At the time of visiting, there was a special exhibit on hats.
A lovely gallery displaying Australian and international art. At the time of visiting, there was a special exhibit on hats.
Queensland Museum
An interesting museum of natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement.
An interesting museum of natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was opened in 1927 and it is the oldest Koala sanctuary in Australia. It is situated along the Brisbane River and is about 11 kms from the city centre. Although it is a Koala sanctuary, it is also home to kangaroos, emus, possums, dingoes, wombats, reptiles and sheep. Throughout the day there are talks, shows and activities that visitors can attend. The Koala presentation was very interesting and informative, and the sheep dog and sheep shearing show was entertaining. It was interesting to learn that Koalas can live up to 15 years in captivity, that they each have unique facial features and markings on their bottoms, that they only eat certain varieties of Eucalyptus leaves, and they sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day !
I got my picture taken with a 4 year old male Koala who happened to be quite heavy, but really cute and cuddly.
I got my picture taken with a 4 year old male Koala who happened to be quite heavy, but really cute and cuddly.
Great photos of the Shrine of Remembrance. What a shame the Lone Pine had to be removed.
ReplyDeleteLone Pine at the Shrine Falls