South Bank Parkland
The site of the WorldExpo'88 is an area popular with tourists and locals alike. There is a beautiful riverside walk, a man-made lagoon, many restaurants and shops, as well as an arts and crafts market (see Shopping) and many festivals and firework displays taking place here throughout the year. The South Bank is also home to the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Maritime Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Tel: (07) 3867 2051.
Website: www.visitsouthbank.com

Queensland Museum
Tel: (07) 3840 7555.
Website: www.qmuseum.qld.gov.au

Queensland Art Gallery
Tel: (07) 3840 7303.
Website: www.qag.qld.gov.au

Gallery of Modern Art
Tel: (07) 3840 7303.
Website: www.qag.qld.gov.au/goma

Queensland Maritime Museum
Tel: (07) 3844 5361.
Website: www.maritimemuseum.com.au

Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Tel: (07) 3840 7444.
Website: www.qpac.com.au

Newstead House
Perched above a lush park overlooking the Brisbane River, the beautiful Newstead House (Brisbane's oldest surviving residence dating back to 1846) provides a wonderful experience for people wanting a slice of Brisbane history. The house, which is furnished in the style of the Victorian period, is a picture of elegance, with manicured gardens and a wide wraparound veranda.

Newstead Park, Breakfast Creek Road
Tel: (07) 3216 1846.
Website: www.newsteadhouse.com.au

Story Bridge
One of Australia's finest bridges and a true Queensland and Brisbane landmark. The cantilever bridge, which was built as a public work programme during the Great Depression to connect Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point, is the home of the River Festival and is beautifully lit up at night. Bridge climbs are becoming increasingly popular with tourists.

Across the Brisbane River

Brisbane City Hall
The Brisbane City Hall was the most expensive building in Australia until the creation of the Sydney Opera House. It was also the tallest in the city, until skyscrapers started popping up all over the CBD. The Mayor of Brisbane's offices and the Council's chambers can be found there of course, but the building is also home to the Museum of Brisbane History. At night, the Brisbane City Hall is lit up for a spectacular view. Take the old elevator to the top of the clock tower for a bird's eye view of the CBD. Tours daily.

King George Square (between Ann and Adelaide Streets)
Tel: (07) 3403 8888.Website: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/cityhall

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha, 7km (4 miles) from the city centre, are Queensland's premier subtropical botanic gardens. Australian plants, bonsais, cacti, ferns, fragrant plants and herbs and rainforest plants are all represented. There is also a tropical display dome and a lagoon and bamboo grove. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is located in the grounds.

Mt Coot-tha Road
Tel: (07) 3403 2535.
Website: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/botanicgardens

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Tel: (07) 3403 2578.
Website: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planetarium

City Botanic Gardens
The City Botanic Gardens are Brisbane's original botanic gardens. Not as spectacular as the ones in Mt Coot-tha (see above), the city gardens have the advantage of being right next to the river, and only a stone-throw from the CBD, so they make for a pleasant stroll in the city centre. Or hire a bike for the afternoon and explore the gardens on two wheels.

Alice Street
Tel: (07) 3403 0666.
Website: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/botanicgardens