Several hour stopover in BNE - Suggestions?
 

Due to lack of our first choice award availability on Ansett, we are stopping in Brisbane on our way back from Cairns to Sydney in late August.

We are arriving from CNS at 8:00 AM and our SYD flight is leaving at 4:30PM. I figure we have from about 8:30AM or so until about 3:00PM to make use of. Anyone have any suggestions? I would love to go to Australia Zoo, but it looks like it might be too far for a day trip from the airport.

Also, how is public transportation to and from the city? We will check our bags through to SYD, so no worries there. Thanks in advance for your help.

Bringing this forward - Surely someone has some suggestions. Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

New train from airport to city--http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/iptisnet/AirtrainhomePage.html
Once downtown, walk around the botanic gardens, walk over the bridge to the South Bank (great place for lunch on the river), go thru the Art Museum and the science museum at south Bank, take the CityCat up and down the river--you'll get a great view of this town. Brisbane Transport has a City Sights Tour Bus that leaves every half hour from the post office square. http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/thing...ur/index.shtml

Brisbane is a wonderful city and I'm homesick for it. Cheers.

I concur with TexasFlyer. I miss it too.

Thanks TexasFlyer. I appreciate your help. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I was in Brisbane myself for a trip, so let me high light some places too. By the way, the train to the city is called "Airtrain". It takes u to the Central Station in Downtown brisbane in about 30 minutes, for about AUS$10. (locals, correct me on this!) Once in downtown, I would recommend walking along the "Queens Street" (am I correct about the name?). Lots of cafe on the streets, and many places to shop. Also, you can't miss the treasury Casino. This might be my personal preference, but you should play a game or two there. If you REALLy have time, take citycat to University of queensland campus and go for a walk.. (if you are interested...) Arts Gallay and the Museum are both free of charge, but i would say Museum is much more interesting. They are all within walking distance. Also, there is a Chinatown. I forgot the name of the station, but I'm sure others can help you when you are there.

enjoy your trip! and don't miss your connection!

cheers~

PS. By the way, for those who likes Brisbane, I would say Vancouver, Canada is also a great similar city!

The fare for the Airtrain is $9 AUD per adult - catch the airtrain from the domestic terminal to Central Station.

To get from Central station to the Queen Street mall, walk down Edward Street from the station, or go through the pedestrian subway through ANZAC square and Post Office Square and turn right. There are many cafes and stores along the mall, open during the day 7 days a week. If you keep walking along (up) Queen Street you will pass the Casino and cross the river towards the Cultural Centre, Museum, Art Gallery, State Library and South Bank.

South Bank is the former Expo site, and has some nice gardens, a beach, some stores, and there are usually some buskers/street performers around - may i suggest a beer at the historic plough inn in the centre of southbank. (If you just want to go to southbank you could buy an airtrain ticket to South Brisbane or Southbank (Vulture Street) Station.

The trip to "UQ" is worth the citicat fare alone - and many tourists just go up and down the river on the citicats - the terminal in brisbane is at the end of Queen Street under the freeway - it is reasonably well signed (the information stall in the middle of the mall will be able to give you details on fares and timetables).

To get to Chinatown get out of the train at Brunswick Street Station (The station before Central) - the brunswick street mall is a cafe strip, and Chinatown is the next street up - the Valley (the area surounding Brunswick Street) is undergoing an urban renewal process - it used to be the red light district (still is actually) but is safe and busy at all times of the day and night.

Breakfast at FatRics (Fatboys Cafe and Rics Cafe) is cheap and huge servings - on sundays there is an interesting market in brunswick street.

Public transport in Brisbane is good, and reasonably cheap (save the little used Airtrain). Australia Zoo is at Beerwah, which is about an hour and a halfs drive from the city - so is probably not suitable given your time frame.

If this isnt enough to fill your day, buy some food at Coles in the Myer Centre or on Edward Street, and have lunch in the Botanical Gardens next to the Queensland University of Technology and Queenslands Parliament House, or at the Roma Street Parklands (adjacent to Roma Street Parklands), do a tour of City Hall or Parliament House, or catch a train to the gold coast and spend a couple of hours on the beach.

PS Have heaps of fun, brisbane is an underated destination and is yet to be spoiled...

Whatever else you do, be sure and eat bugs!