Expert: Frank Denison - 2/25/2011

Question
QUESTION: I will be visiting Brisbane in mid-March for 9 days.  Already have a hotel booked in the CBD near Eagle St. Wharf.  Would appreciate any suggestions for day trips and excursions.  Have tried looking online for "things to do in Brisbane", but I'm finding it quite overwhelming with so many different tour operators and paid advertisements, that my head is spinning!  We'd like to get the most out of our time there.  We won't have a car, so would need to take bus/train to various areas, so tours that have a pickup in CBD or Roma Station would be ideal.  

Would be interested in doing some fishing (Gold Coast maybe, or is there a good one closer to Brisbane) ?  Would like to see some wildlife and natural areas as well.  Also would like to spend a day on Moreton Island -- very keen to snorkel the wrecks but have no interest in the sand toboganning, so it's been difficult to find a tour operator that doesn't force us to spend half the day on the dunes.  We're a couple of 50 years old, with a 18-yr-old daughter to keep entertained.  

If you could recommend some absolute "must not miss" activities that may not be obvious to the first time visitor, that would be great.  

We can certainly venture outside of Brisbane; like I said as long as it's accessible easily by bus/train from the CBD.  Even if we have to spend extra $ on overnight accomodation elsewhere, we're willing to do this, rather than travel back and forth from downtown Brisbane each day; of course our major obstacle has also been finding lodging that will suit 3 adults.  Our booked accomodation in Brisbane is a 2 bedroom apartment, so we're have a great pied a terre.

ANSWER: G'day Cindy,
         Thank god for the internet. We are actually in Thailand for 5 days, and decided to check our email !!.

I am sure you and your family are going to enjoy your trip. 9 Days will give you plenty of time. Your pied-à-terre sounds perfect. We live in the city not far from Eagle street

I am not sure if you are aware, but last month Brisbane was devastated by floods. A lot of the CBD restaurants, car parks and hotel are still not open. Some of the usual attractions will not be fully operational either, but you will still have a great time. Having tourists in Brisbane is just what the local business owners need.

Some sites for you.

South Bank - A nice stroll over the bridge from the CBD. It has a man made beach which overlooks the city and river (not open at the moment due to the floods) There are a lot more attractions as well. Website - www.visitsouthbank.com.au

GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and Brisbane Museum are both about 5 minutes from South bank and worth a look. As you walk over the bridge, South Bank is on your left, and GOMA and Brisbane Museum are on your right.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. You can catch a boat or a bus. The boat leaves from South Bank Daily, and will give you a different view on the city along the river. The "Mirimar" boat leaves from the Cultural Centre pontoon (near South Bank) 10am daily and takes 20 mins. It is amazing cuddling a Koala.

Roma Street Parkland's and City Botanic Gardens are both beautiful and relaxing. (May not suit the twins).

While you explore the gardens, your daughter may want to do some more rigorous activities at Riverlife. Riverlife is at Kangaroo Point (across the river from CBD) and has activities like Kayaking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Cycling, Kick Bikes and Rollerblading. Website www.riverlife.com.au

You could also do the Story Bridge climb as a family.

A day trip to the famous Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo. Trains go from to Beerwah station,(about an hour) and then a shuttle bus meets you and takes you to the zoo. Chat to the staff at the ticket window to confirm times, as only 1 train a day is met by the shuttle bus.

There are quite a few fishing charter boast from the Gold Coast (south of Brisbane or Sunshine Coast (north of Brisbane). If your willing to spend a night at the coast, it is possible, but with out a car, would require a bit of planning. Contact me again if you are really keen, and I will ring around and see what the companies will do regarding pick ups. I just can't do it now being in Thailand.

Once again, the Moreton Island will be a big trip in a day, but possible. I can also find a operator that will suit your needs when I get back to Brisbane.

Fine dining can be found along the riverwalk at Alchemy, Aria and Customs House. They are very  expensive., but do have superb food.

In China Town Mall, (10 to 15 mins north of the CBD, or catch the train 1 stop to Fortitude Valley and a 3 minute walk)) there is a great Vietnamese restaurant called Green Tea with excellent food at very reasonable prices. Ask for Tom (the owner) and tell him Frank & Sue sent you. It does get busy, so don't expect a table Friday & Saturday night if you do not book. We dine there weekly. Cafe Mondial in Albert street does great breakfasts, and is just off the Queen street mall.

I hope this gives you some ideas, but I will supply more info after Thursday.

Would you mind sending me a follow up request to jog my memory?

Also, this is a genuine offer. We live in the city, and if you want to meet a couple of locals, we could meet you for a meal. If you need any help at all, just let me know.

Regards,
Frank


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the input.

We already have Lone Pine and Botanical Gardens pegged for 1/2 day each, so those 2 sites will occupy one of our days (a sunny day).

Also need some activities for when it's rainy, as I understand this time of year can be iffy.

Where's a good place to go shopping (esp. for a teenage girl)?  We are within walking distance to Queen St. Mall, but is there another place that you would also recommend?

Answer
Hi Cindy,
         The Museum, GOMA and Science Centre would be perfect for a rainy day. Customs House is not far from Eagle street and is worth a visit.

Queen Street Mall has a lot of shops, as does the Myer Centre at the top left hand side of the mall. I doubt you will need any more shops than that area. SES on the ground floor (same floor as the eating section) has great clothes for an 18 and is the best priced shop in the Myer Centre. It is opposite Terry White chemist. If you wanted somewhere different, you could catch a train to the Indooroopilly shopping centre. Catch the Ipswich train from Central, usually platform 5) and get off at Indooroopilly. It is about a 400 metre walk from the station.

We are stretched for time as we are going on a tour, but if I think of more, I will reply again later.

Regards,
Frank