Brisbane, with an area of 1,220 sq km and a population of 1.6 million, is the state capital of Queensland and the 3rd largest city in Australia. It is known as the "Koala Capital of Australia". It is also the starting point for tours to the nearby Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast resorts as well as other parts of the state.

The city of Brisbane is small but spacious, a wonderful harmonious mix of elegant colonial sandstone and modern glass skyscrapers. There are quiet areas that provide midday retreats for busy office workers and wide walkways for pedestrians. Most city streets are bordered by bus lanes, with no parking for regular vehicles, which further enhances the feeling of spaciousness. In all, this delightful city has an imposing and gracious character that belies its size. It is a busy city with a modern and extensive public transport system, parks and gardens that thrive in the sub-tropical climate, a wide selection of restaurants, and a surprisingly varied nightlife.

Open Air Markets
Brisbane city comes alive with weekend open air markets which provide a wonderful opportunity to not only find original gifts but to mix with locals. Southbank host lantern markets on Friday nights and continue on Saturday and Sundays with day markets under colorful canopies. On Sundays, Aladdin's cave of market stalls fill the riverside terraces of Eagle Street while still more markets are held in Fortitude Valley's mall on Saturdays.

Brisbane's Southbank Parklands
From the city centre, it's a five minute stroll across the bridge past the Treasury Casino to Southbank Parklands. The 16 hectares of riverside parklands and tropical gardens is a local favorite and a hive of activity with cafes, restaurants, weekend markets, cycle paths, walkways and even a beach and crystal clear swimming lagoon. The Southbank precinct also includes the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Maritime Museum, State Library and the Performing Arts Centre.

Queen Street Mall
Most of the city’s shopping focuses around the colorful Queen Street Mall, a broad pedestrian precinct with over 500 shops to explore. Some of Australia’s most stylish shopping arcades and galleries lead off from the Mall, the largest being the Myer Centre with department stores and over 200 specialty shops, cafes, dining court and food hall. Opposite the Myer Centre, the new Queen Adelaide building offers up-market designer boutiques and interior shops.Broadway on the Mall is a fresh modern gallery, its sky lit mezzanine levels are filled with interesting boutiques and cafes while opposite, the Wintergarden has over 150 stores that concentrate on fashion. And in the heritage Brisbane Arcade you can discover a touch of yesteryear with fashions of today. Most city shops open every day off the week. Night shopping in the city is available each Friday until 9pm.