With a population of 1,600,000 and with an area of approximately 525 square miles, Brisbane has shucked the reputation it had as a backwater and changed it to a reputation that the people living there can be proud of, being one of the country's most progressive centers. Brisbane has a number of interesting locations such as a great riverside park and a good street cafe scene. Brisbane's cultural calendar is quite busy and the nightlife is thirving too.
Locally, Brisbane is known as Bris Vegas, renowned elsewhere for the sun and the brash, grlitzy hordes that follow it. Brisbane is also an arts capital that is thriving, it has lot's of theatres, concert halls, museums and galleries. It must be paradise with a climate this good.
Brisbane is placed in a good location where the weather is in a delightful contrast to the chilly weather further south, Brisbane is most pleasant in winter time, June to August, when the days are warm and sunny and the nights are cool. All that while not suffering from the further north stifling humidity. Between June and August, a lot of people from Sydney and Melbourne move up north so a crows could be expected.
The Sunshine Coast
Not more than an hour drive from Brisbane you can reach the Sunshine Coast Queensland, beginning at Caloundra and extending to Cooloola, that is gateway to Fraser Island. The Sunshine Coast Queensland has a pristine coastline and lush hinterland and a superb cuisine. Whatever you are looking for adventure or a nice spot of sand to sit and ponder, the sunshine coast delivers. This coast is a holiday center for both couples and families.
Just to give some examples of the diversity, the kids can be kept happy fishing, visiting local attractions, canoeing or wandering around the markets. There are a variety of swimming spots provided by rivers, sheltered bays and beaches. You can take a quiet rainforest walk, play a round of golf or you can choose a romantic dinner by the sea or in the mountains.
The Sunshine Coast is an ideal place to relax, being a perfect mix of coast and country.
You will find the Sunshine Coast one hour's scenic drive north of Brisbane. The Sunshine Coast is an amazing place to holiday with a mix of sunshine, sea, sand and lush hinterland, which includes the Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley, Glass House Mountains, and the Blackall Range. Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and Rainbow Beach sit along the stretch of 100 kilometres of beaches and these places offer many types of holiday accommodation, such as resort apartments, hotels, Bed and Breakfasts. You will enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, alfresco restaurants, fashion boutiques and clean sandy beaches.
1. SURFING If you love surfing, then the swell off Point Cartwright and Alexandra Headland will be just for you.
2. ADVENTURE If it's adventure that you want, try the camel rides on the beach, jetski tours or skydiving.
3. SHOPPING Maybe you love shopping! The Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore has something for everyone and gives you an exciting shopping adventure. My sister and I enjoyed it.
4. FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT You can take your family to the famous Australia Zoo, Aussie World and Underwater World. Driving through the hinterland can take you from the Australia Zoo up to the iconic Ettamogah Pub which has a quaint little shopping village. It is right next to Aussie World which has over 30 rides and games that everyone of all ages will enjoy. It will be an all day experience just at the Australia Zoo, so you may want to divide the entertainment up over a few days. When my sister and I and her boys did a tour of these areas, we did it over a three day period.
THE AUSTRALIA ZOO is located just 45 minutes north of Brisbane on the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive, and is the home to some of Australia's most amazing and unique wildlife, and a variety of interesting animals from overseas. Your visit to the home of "THE CROCODILE HUNTER", the late Steve Irwin, will definitely amaze you and make your visit memorable. There are daily feeding shows from 10am through to 3:30pm every day. You can enjoy a tasty meal also from the food court.
AUSSIE WORLD is located one kilometre north of the Caloundra exit on the Bruce Highway and the best way to get there is drive, but you can take a train to Landsborough and bus from there to the Rustic Cabin picnic grounds or Chancellor Park. From here a taxi can take you to Aussie World and the Ettamogah Pub which is situated nearby. At Aussie World rides commence at 10am and open from 9am to 5pm, but they close Xmas Day. On Australia Day, 26th January 2009, Aussie World is planning a fantastic event for great entertainment.
THE ETTAMOGAH PUB is a quirky icon that has a 1927 Chevy truck on top of its bright red roof. It is open every day from 9am until late but closes on Christmas Day. Bluey's Bar and Grill, located upstairs in the Ettamogah Pub, is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11am to 8pm but is closed on Christmas Day.
UNDERWATER WORLD, Queenland's largest Oceanarium and aquarium is situated at Mooloolaba. Be entertained by over 5,500 sea creatures such as seals, sharks, sting rays, and otters. My nephews thoroughly enjoyed being photographed with a beautiful seal after watching its playful antics.
5. HINTERLAND On your drive through the hinterland, discover the pretty town of Montville,which is home to pottery studios, art galleries, antique stores, and fashion houses. Another 20klms north through Nambour is Yandina. You will find the Ginger Factory there where you can have an interesting tour and buy gingerbread men and ginger candies made from quality Buderim ginger.
6. MARKETS Just 10klms north of Yandina is Eumundi which has the most fascinating and very popular markets operating every Wednesday and Saturday. These are not to be missed, but try to arrive early as the parking lots fill up very quickly. It becomes a very interesting experience with local entertainers keeping the kids amused, and more than 500 great produce stalls selling beautifully constructed crafts, organically grown produce, and a large variety of other amazing products. Wide pathways shaded by towering heritage listed fig trees make walking amongst the stalls and old quaint buildings a very pleasant experience. My sister and I and her children had a ball.
You can unwind, relax and enjoy yourself at the coast or in the hinterland on the Sunshine Coast. Maybe you will love the area enough to find the nearest Real Estate agency.
Both Dalvin Rumsey & Patricia Lilly are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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