Brisbane

Customs House

Customs House, one of Brisbane's heritage icons, is located on the river in the Central Business District. The beautifully restored building is operated by The University of Queensland as a cultural, educational and heritage facility. Behind the grand Corinthian columns you will find exquisite boardrooms, a stunning ballroom, a Licensed Brassiere and an Art Gallery. Customs House is open to the public for viewing. Visitors are able to wander through the building and capture its historic flavour while a display of memorabilia from those bygone years stirs the imagination. The Art Gallery (free admission) houses the Stuartholme-Behan Collection of Australian Art and also hosts other local and national exhibitions. Free guided tours operate each Sunday while The School of Music provides a free concert in the Long Room on the last Sunday of the month (February to November). The Licensed Brassiere is located on the river level in what was once part of the Queen's warehouse. Seating is provided inside in beautiful heritage surroundings as well as outside under market umbrellas overlooking the river. A range of function rooms is also available for corporate and private functions catering from three to 300 persons. Customs House is a member of the Brisbane Tourism Hall of Fame having won the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category of the Awards in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Walk to Customs House down Queen Street or along the river boardwalk. Customs House is readily accessible by CityCat with bus and train stations in the near vicinity.

Albert River Wines

Albert River Wines is a family owned boutique winery located at historic property - Tamborine House. The Winery is centrally located a pleasant 45 minute drive from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. A trip to Albert River Wines is a worthwhile experience, whether you are an avid connoisseur or casual quaffer. The wines are handcrafted by winemaker Peter Scudamore-Smith, one of Queensland's two Masters of Wine. Proprietors David and Janette Bladin have succeeded in their goal of establishing a 'uniquely-Queensland' winery experience. As well as creating an environment in which people feel comfortable learning more about wine and food matching, they have sought to generally de-mystify wine, as well as put to rest the idea that Queensland wines are less worthy than their southern counterparts. The Cellar Door Sales and Tasting Rooms are located in the former Auchenflower House. This grand old house has been elegantly restored to capture the former grandeur of the colonial period. For those interested in a more in-depth tasting session, the 'Vigneron Tasting' is the ultimate food and wine matching session, with tasty morsels designed by the Chef to highlight each wine's individual characteristics, and conclude with a tour of the vineyard. Delightful lunches and brunches can be enjoyed on the spacious verandahs overlooking the vineyards and surrounding hinterland, and of course Tamborine Mountain. Why not relax and enjoy a bottle of Albert River Wines' finest, accompanied by an extensive range of homemade specialities and featured fresh local produce - a decadent way to spend a lazy afternoon in the country. As live music is featured on Sundays and Public Holidays, reservations are strongly recommended. Albert River Wines also cater for functions and special events.

Queens Park

Queens Park is a picturesque park, just a short walk from Toowoomba's Central Business District. The park's uses are diverse and facilities make it a great meeting place or a pleasant stop. The north-eastern part of the park boasts an immaculately tended floral garden. While it's meticulously tended all year round, displays are particularly impressive during Spring and September especially. The south-eastern and north-western corners provide large expanses of grass for sports. The south section of the park features modern children's play equipment. Throughout the park, sealed walking tracks and a bicycle track wind through the giant shady trees. The park is also a focus for many community activities. The sweeping expanse of grassed area near the corner of Hume and Margaret Streets makes an ideal venue for events, including monthly markets on Sunday, the Carnival of Flowers parade end and side-show alley in September and the Gospel Music Festival at Easter. The Park covering 26.3 hectares, was planned and developed by Walter Hill, a Government Botanist and superintendent of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The many trees which were imported from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world, today stand as grand old trees lining shaded avenues. Carl Hartmann, a botanist from Germany, and George Searle, a local landscape gardener, also made big contributions to creating this magnificent oasis close to the heart of the city. In 1875 young trees were planted out along broad avenues throughout the park.


 

Brisbane at night	Brisbane Architectural Historical building Photo: jameswiseman.com

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Officially recognised by the Guinness World Records, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Here, Australia's native flora and fauna are waiting to delight. Lone Pine is famous for allowing visitors to get up close and personal with Australia's precious wildlife. You can cuddle Australia's best known ambassador, the koala, at anytime of day and have your unique souvenir photograph taken. In the free range kangaroo reserve, you can hand feed over 130 kangaroos and wallabies at anytime of day. Feed the beautiful wild lorikeets at two daily feedings and the wild catfish in the Brisbane River during warmer months of the year. You can even hold a snake and have your souvenir photograph taken, if you're brave enough! Famous for opportunities to get close to Australian wildlife, Lone Pine now also gives a slice of Aussie outback farm life, with a new sheep dog show. Watch the sheep dogs perform their amazing sheep mustering skills at shows three times a day. Performed by experienced, award-winning sheep dog handlers and their loyal dogs, there are even photo opportunities with the canine and woolly stars afterwards. Whilst you walk around the peaceful, natural settings of the sanctuary, you will encounter a large variety of native wildlife including wombats, birds, bats, reptiles, echidnas, Tasmanian devil, dingoes and more. Educational Talks about the animals are presented by wildlife officers throughout the day and make it a memorable, educational experience. Lone Pine is set on 50 acres right next to the scenic Brisbane River. Located only 11 kilometres from the centre of Brisbane, the sanctuary is easily accessible by bus, boat and car. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the Australian wildlife experience not to be missed.
 

The Hub of Queensland. Brisbane offers so much to the person seeking theatre, restaurants, fishing, inland tours, island tours, and much much more. Visit the amazing Southbank with its swimming pools and tropical gardens and regular entertainment in the park. Enjoy the markets and the fantastic shops downtown. You can hot air balloon or go yachting, the choice is yours in this wonderful location! Let us package the holiday to suit you! 


We recommend only fully licensed and insured/registered International Travel Agents.
If you are considering booking we recommend the following travel agents:
Australian Discount Travel & Tours,
Travel With A Cause Inc (a not for profit travel agency assisting several projects in many developing countries).

We recommend Australian Discount Travel & Tours for both Australian and international travel bookings