Discover How Brisbane Has Transformed from Boring into Australia’s Best-Kept Secret

Joel Conceicao

Last updated: Jun 18, 20241 minute

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Discover the City of Brisbane

BrisVegas. A backwater town. People weren’t particularly kind to Brisbane once upon a time. In truth, Queensland’s capital city left a lot to be desired. But in the last decade or so, the tables have turned. Fast forward to the present, and Brisbane is no longer an afterthought, endorsed by Lonely Planet as Australia’s hippest city. And why wouldn’t that be the case? There’s a vibrant arts scene, lively alfresco dining, and subcultures popping up all over the place. Here are some of the best ways you can explore this truly underrated city:

Cruise down Brisbane River to a koala sanctuary

Like a sewing thread binding cloth, the Brisbane River connects all that is cool in the city. And there are plenty of incredible destinations you can reach via its waterways. One good example is a journey that takes you to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest koala sanctuary. To go there, you’ll hop on a relaxing cruise and glide along the city waterfront. Upon arrival, buy your ticket to meet all sorts of cuddly animals, hand-feed kangaroos, watch an Australian sheepdog show, and check out the peculiar platypus.

Cruise to Moreton island and snorkel among shipwrecks

Pack up your swimwear, pronto. A trip to the beautiful shores of Moreton Island awaits. Set sail on an eco-cruise here, home to the highest coastal dune in the world, Mount Tempest. Along your way, encounter dolphins, dugongs, and turtles before embarking on a guided snorkel tour of the famous Tangalooma Wrecks. One of Australia’s best snorkelling locales, go for a swim around fifteen junk ships deliberately sunk near the coast in 1963 and spot all sorts of tropical fish.

Take gorgeous photos of Brisbane at night

If you’re the sort that lives for the ‘Gram, channel your inner shutterbug with a smartphone photography tour around Brisbane. Take your photo-taking game to new heights and learn the trade from an award-winning photographer with over 20 years of experience. On this tour, you’ll drop by landmarks like Brisbane Town Hall to Queen Street Mall and shoot different styles, from street portraits to architecture, all while editing footage on your phone to achieve stunning magazine-like images.

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Written by Joel Conceicao

Joel has a serious addiction to mountain hiking and is a bona fide beach bum. Inspired by Anthony Bourdain to travel fearlessly, he has explored from the Himalayas to the Andaman Sea, honing over a decade's worth of travel writing experience.

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