WHERE TO STAY IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

If you are interested in where to stay in Brisbane, you may also be interested in where to stay in Sydney, where to stay in Melbourne and where to stay in Perth.

CBD, the best area to stay in Brisbane 

Most attractions in the CBD to see and do are relatively close to each other and therefore only really requires some walking but that comes as a blessing too, due to the spectacular scenery and buildings that are wonderfully presented. One of the most popular places to see is the City Hall, which is a stunning rectangular building where the council sit and congregate.

The most imposing feature of the City Hall is the 70 metre clock tower and is likened to that of Big Ben as it has Westminster Chimes. The building is also used for various events like concerts, flower shows, exhibitions, college graduations, weddings and royal receptions too. The public square that sits in front of the City Hall is King George Square, which has a monument that is dedicated to King George V and is used for a variety of activities and events like markets, concerts and more. The City Botanic Gardens are open all day with guided tours that give brilliant information on the history of the area. There are lots of rare and unusual botanic species and there is a great collection of bamboo, figs and palms.

The Queensland Culture Centre is a multi-venue place that consists of the Queensland Art Gallery, the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The Art Gallery contains pieces of artwork that have been produced by local artists as well as some of the world’s most famous personnel like Picasso and Warhol and  there are even big water fountains, sculptures and gardens.

The museum features exhibits on the history of the city and there are many items and objects that have been donated to it by the people of the city and entire state. The Performing Arts Centre is where you will find lots of different shows like plays, concerts, orchestras and operas and these can be booked at the centre. Other excellent buildings to check out include the Parliament House, Old Government House, Commissariat Store, St Stephen’s Cathedral, St John’s Cathedral and Albert St Uniting Church.

Down by the river you can have a fun stroll along the promenade or even go on a boat cruise to see the sights from another perspective and if that’s not satisfying then participate in a water sport like kayaking. There are heaps of stores, malls and markets to explore in the CBD with the best ones being Queen Street Mall, The Myer Centre, The Wintergarden and Valley Market.

The CBD is full of restaurants, pubs and clubs that caters for any person with cuisines from all over the world like Indian, Japanese, Italian, German and traditional foods. For drinks head to Eagle Street or Edward Street as there are some of the most popular drinking establishments. Another great factor about the CBD is the amount of hotels and hostels as there are places to stay at on almost every street and are generally well-priced.

Hotels in Brisbane CBD

Other neighborhoods to stay in Brisbane

Spring Hill

This district is just to the north of the CBD and is home to one of the best places to chill and relax in, which is the Roma Street Parklands. This place has the title of the ‘world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre’ and is where you can see just under 2,000 unique species of plants and flowers. The area is very trendy with themed cafes, groovy nightspots, small and colourful art galleries and lots of shops that sell a variety of products.

Chinatown is also found here, which is home to a great selection of restaurants and shops related to the country. This part of town is also well known for its amount of pubs and clubs with many places hosting local live music as well as international performers.

Hotels in Spring Hill

Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point is another popular tourist area, which is mainly due to the beauty of the scenery that surrounds you. The cliffs here are one of the major attractions as they provide advanced climbing and this can be done even after dark due to the walls being well lit. There are also chances to do kayaking. The Story Bridge is another reason why people come here, which is a heritage-listed steel Cantilever bridge and offers some of the city’s best vista and can even be climbed too.

You won’t have to look far to find somewhere you want to eat as there are lots of restaurants that serve delicious food from all over the planet and there are a vast amount of hotels to pick from.

Hotels in Kangaroo Point

South Brisbane

Situated on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, the suburb of South Brisbane is a fun place to stay for couples and families and it has a wide range of hotels and self-catering apartments. The focus of the district is the ‘South Bank’ which is a busy stretch of the river bank with museums, art galleries, markets and a giant Ferris wheel. The huge Brisbane Convention and Exhibition regularly hosts exhibitions, charity events and comedy shows.

Nearby is a popular theatre. It is fun to take a wander down Grey Street with its cinema complex, pubs with micro breweries, great tapas bars and other casual dining options. Fish Street is another historic street with Italian, Vietnamese and Asian restaurants, good bars and plenty of colourful street art. Reaching south Brisbane from the city centre is easy - just a short ferry ride across the river or car journey.

Hotels in South Brisbane

Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is a suburb of Brisbane that is often just called ‘The Valley’. It is a lively place to stay as it is the focus of the city’s nightlife. There is a spectrum of evening entertainment from all types of bars and live music to rooftop cocktail bars and great dance clubs. There are some good dining options including Chinatown and upmarket European restaurants. For those who have enjoyed a late night, there are numerous street cafes serving brunch!

There is plenty to do during the day including shopping in James Street, joining an art tour of the suburb, taking a swim in the elite Valley Pool or renting a bike. If you love your vinyls, there are great record stores to explore too. Early evening you can enjoy a Spa with a cocktail at Les Bubbles before taking in a live show at the Judith Wright Centre.

Hotels in Fortitude Valley