Brisbane City Centre

      Exploring Brisbane's compact city centre is made easy by the fact 
	  that it is situated on a single bend of the river, and museums, 
	  galleries and heritage buildings are all easily accessible.  Explore 
	  the hilly streets of the inner city suburbs and you'll see examples 
	  of the distinctive architectural style of the original Queenslander 
	  cottages which have been renovated to their former glory.

      South Bank is a 16ha parkland built on the former World Expo site 
	  situated just across the river from the city centre. It has become 
	  popular with both visitors and residents with its riverbank walkway, 
	  cafes and restaurants,  parklands and bike paths and even a (man-made) 
	  sandy swimming beach. Southbank adjoins the Queensland Cultural 
	  Centre which includes the Queensland Performing Arts Complex, the Art 
	  gallery, the Queensland Museum and the State Library.  The area is 
	  also famous for the firework displays it hosts at various times of the 
	  year,  and every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday there are the 
	  popular South Bank markets featuring craft and clothing and a host of 
	  other products and attractions.

      Moreton Bay and its islands are less than half an hours drive from the 
	  city centre. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports in a quiet 
	  beachside village environment. If you're looking for surf, the famous 
	  beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are just over one hours drive 
	  away. 

      Brisbane has several moderately priced hotels, motels and self-contained 
	  apartments as well as backpackers hostels all close to the city centre. 
	  Brisbane's restaurant and cafe scene has developed in recent years and 
	  there is no shortage of good places to eat. Many of these cafes and 
	  restaurants have taken advantage of the climate and provide outdoor 
	  eating areas.