The Observatory in Wickham Terrace, just north of the city centre, was built by convict labour in 1828 as a windmill. It failed dismally at this, and was used instead as a convict-powered treadmill to grind grain. When free settlers took over Brisbane, the convicts were sent to one of Moreton Bay’s most beautiful islands, St Helena. This prison existed from 1867 to 1932 and was built, and dismantled, by its residents. There are day trips by launch to tour the ruins.
Brisbane is also the heart of a dynamic and exciting tourist region. North of the city are the Glasshouse Mountains and the subtropical valleys of the Caboolture Shire, along with the beaches of Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast. Fraser Island is about two hours’ drive from Brisbane. The ever-popular Gold Coast, with its theme parks, surfing and swimming beaches, is barely an hour away, and can now can be reached by electric train to Nerang and Robina. Moreton Bay and the islands of the Bay are a stone’s throw away, and there are wineries at nearby Mount Tamborine and Mount Cotton.
At the Australian Woolshed there are sheep-shearing demonstrations, cows to be milked and baby lambs to be bottle-fed. Visit Lone Pine Sanctuary to cuddle some of Australia’s unique animals and birds. The Alma Park Zoo has an abundance of native animals plus some non-natives. The Brisbane Forest Park is a 26,500 ha (65,482 acres) area of natural bushland, with camping and picnic areas, yet it is only about 6 km (3.7 miles) from the city centre, making bushland easily accessible for city folk. Buy Australian Calendars here.
The choices in accommodation range from five-star luxury hotels to the more economical hotels, hostels and caravan parks. The CBD has excellent choices, many with views of the river and the city. The inner western suburbs towards the airport have a great range of hotels, motels and holiday apartments, which are generally at lower rates than those right in the city centre.
The major festival held each September in Brisbane is what used to be called the Warana Festival but is now called the Brisbane Festival. This is a significant arts festival with plays, shows and exhibitions mainly centred around the Performing Arts Complex and its three superb theatres at the Queensland Cultural Centre down on the river bank. The Springhill Festival is generally held around the middle of September and is a gathering of arts and crafts in a very relaxed market-style setting.
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