Koalas are almost synonymous with Australia and Brisbane is home to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where 130 koalas live. It can be quite difficult to spot a koala in the wild, but if you visit Lone Pine, you can guarantee you won't leave Australia without seeing one. Lone Pine is the world's largest koala sanctuary. It was founded in 1927 as a home for injured and sick koalas. You will also see other Australian wildlife, such as kangaroos, wombats and Tasmanian devils. If you are interested in holding a koala, you can do so for a free. Line Pine also hosts daily bird shows and a farm show with sheep dogs.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket, 4069
Queensland, Australia
3378 1366
Brunswick St. Mall is one of Brisbane's up-and-coming attractions. It is located in the city's Fortitude Valley district, once home to mainly junkies. Fortitude Valley has since experienced gentrification when Brisbane musicians moved in and created a new home for live music. Though the area still has some dodgy areas, more affluent people are slowly claiming the territory. At its heart is Brunswick St. Mall, a pedestrian street with cafes, coffee shops and bars. You should visit this trendy neighborhood if you like live music and open air cafes. There is also an open-air market held there on Saturdays.
The Queensland Art Gallery, which has been recently renovated, focuses pre-1970 Australian, Asian and international art. It features an extensive permanent collection, but there are also revolving special exhibitions. Australian masterpieces by the likes of Brett Whiteley and Sidney Nolan are represented in the permanent collection. The Queensland Art Gallery also boasts the newly opened Fairweather Room dedicated to the work of Queensland artist Ian Fairweather.
Queensland Art Gallery
Stanley Place
South Brisbane
3840 7555
The Suncorp Piazza is located in the Parklands in Southern Brisbane. The Piazza, which is an outdoor theater with a capacity of 2,158, was built for Brisbane's Expo 88 and now hosts sporting events and film festivals. Most of these events are free, especially during school holidays. The Piazza is also used by street musicians, who hold impromptu performances here. On the last Saturday of every month, swing dance lessons are given in the Piazza.
Brisbane Forest Park, set on 28,500 hectares in the D'Aguilar Range, sits northwest of the city and is a natural bushland. You can get a taste of wild Australia, just miles outside of downtown Brisbane as you explore the park's gorges, rainforest and woodland. The park offers a multitude of hiking trails that differ in degree of difficulty. If you like birdwatching, Forest Park is home to many of Queensland's birds and the Egernia Circuit at Jolly's Lookout is the best place to see them. Another recommended trail is the Thylogale Track, which winds through the rainforest.
Brisbane Forest Park
D'Aguilar Range, 60 Mt Nebo Rd
The Gap
