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Queensland’s capital city is an urban metropolis and the perfect base for those who want a holiday with all the excitement of a big city with a world of natural wonder on its doorstep.

In the heart of the city discover award-winning restaurants, stunning new 5-star hotels, cultural experiences and exciting urban adventures. Within an hour of the city, you’ll uncover World Heritage rainforests, majestic mountain peaks and a pristine bay.

Brisbane has made the cool lists in travel publications around the world. Now it’s time to find out why by experiencing Brisbane through arts, sports and must-do experiences firsthand.

Behold cultural events

There’s nothing quite like Brisbane – best summed up by this year’s Brisbane Festival tagline – Boldly Brisbane. Get out and book a show from almost 500 options in BrisFest’s huge arts program (4-26 September) including giant outdoor installations, intimate street concerts, suburban symphonies and an epic new light and laser installations.

Cheer at live games

It’s time to get courtside, as Brisbane will host most matches including the entire finals of the Suncorp Super Netball season. Thanks to a recent influx of southern AFL teams in the state, you can also enjoy more game action from the Gabba grandstands through to mid-October including the recently announced grand final game!

Visit world-leading art institutions

Brisbane is the home to world-leading art institutions like QAGOMA with home-grown and international artists exhibited and a huge permanent collection.

Over the next five months, you can see a decade of the late indigenous artist Mavis Ngallametta’s intricate and animated paintings in the Queensland Art Gallery exhibition Show me the way to go home – a powerful aesthetic experience and insight into her country. Come late November, check out over 100 innovative and influential motorcycles from the 1860s to present day at the Gallery of Modern Art’s world-exclusive exhibition The Motorcycle.

In a major coup for Brisbane, GOMA is set to host an exclusive 65-piece exhibition of European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York from 12 June to 17 October 2021.

Shop till you drop

Naturally in Brisbane you can shop till you drop. Designer stores line the open-air Queen Street Mall, boutique stores make their Queensland debuts on the tree-lined shopping strip James Street, and local artisans show off their wares in hip laneways such as California Lane.

Stay in style

Given Brisbane is a metropolitan city on the move, it’s part and parcel that there’s some seriously glamourous new 4 and 5-star hotels (with amazing sun-drenched rooftop pools and terraces) that have popped up in recent years – the likes of The Calile, The Fantauzzo, W Brisbane, and Emporium South Bank, to name a few.

Dine riverside

Meanwhile, the hottest new riverside playground Howard Smith Wharves is the place to be seen. There’s plenty of modern-takes on classic cuisines to tempt you under the bridge and onto the foodie scene – Italian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, and pub fish and chips, obviously.

There’s a long list of must-do’s in the capital of cool

What you might not have known is Brisbane has a plethora of exciting experiences that could see you dangling from a Brisbane icon, sauntering around the bay on an island safari, becoming a wine aficionado, and arriving in style at the Brisbane Powerhouse via a twilight cruise…

Cruise the glittering river

Mirimar Cruises has a new Brisbane Twilight Cruise which sails you down the river to Queensland’s home for contemporary culture, Brisbane Powerhouse. Think cocktails and canapes, glittering city lights and the arts.

Scale a Brisbane icon

For the best birds’ eye views of Brisbane book a Story Bridge Adventure Climb, and for extra thrills try abseiling down the bridge pylon or new add-on experiences, walk the plank and the cantilever lean out.

Walk the talk

Get to know the city’s hidden gems on one of Walk Brisbane’s tours. There are options to explore everything from the city essentials, art, and small bars to coffee culture.

Paddle the river

Go kayaking with Riverlife and get a new perspective, gliding under city bridges and past beautiful riverfront precincts and gardens.

Become a wine aficionado

City Winery is the spot to sip, swirl and sample your way to into the world of winemaking. Enjoy experiences like wine blending workshops and wine and food pairings. It’s now multiplied, with a new pop-up cellar door right in the heart of Brisbane city on Edward Street to compliment the existing spot on Wandoo Street in Fortitude Valley.

Hear a tale or two

Uncover Brisbane’s histories, myths and tales as told by The Storytellers. Museum of Brisbane has curated an immersive exhibition as well as three walking tours so you can step into the city’s stories.

Sample wine in scenic surrounds

Head to Sirromet, the cellar door (and much more) on Brisbane’s doorstep in picturesque Mount Cotton. Be surrounded by scenic vineyards as you sip on award-winning wines and dine on gourmet dishes.

Rise above it all

Discover the patchwork landscapes of Ipswich, the Scenic Rim and Somerset from above in a big wicker basket with Floating Images Hot Air Balloons. It’s only a 30-minute drive from Brisbane and well worth the early start.

Get your blood pumping

For those seeking a double hit of adrenaline, why not take Elite Helicopters’ new Mountain Bike tour that will fly you in style from Brisbane to the Old Hiddenvale Adventure Park. Here, you’ll switch from gliding to riding – enjoying three hours on a top-spec dual-suspension E-bike, exploring world-class mountain bike trails followed by lunch at the critically acclaimed Spicers restaurant Homage.

Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture

Be moved by a first-of-its-kind, immersive Aboriginal theatre and dinner show by night, or participate in authentic Aboriginal traditions, customs and rituals by day with Spirits of the Red Sand. The interactive Aboriginal Live Theatre Show and dinner was recently voted the winner of “Ultimate Queensland Experience” In RACQ’s 150 Must-Dos in Queensland competition.

Feed wild dolphins

Join a day cruise to stunning Tangalooma Island Resort and go sand tobogganing, snorkel sunken wrecks, and spot marine life before experiencing the magic of hand-feeding a wild dolphin at sunset.

Cuddle a koala

Brisbane is home to the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where you can get up close and personal with koalas, hand feed kangaroos, walk with emus and meet other Australian native wildlife including platypus, wombats and dingoes.

Take a Great Walk this summer

Go sky high with this multi-day walk through the Scenic Rim’s spectacular mountains and ancient volcanic terrain, spotting birdlife and wildlife as you explore the Gondwana World Heritage rainforests and overnight in luxurious glamping and cabin accommodation. Spicers Retreats has released its first summer walk program with dates departing from December through to February including a New Year’s Eve walk to bring in 2021.

Safari on Moreton Island

Spend a day or longer with Australian Sunset Safaris, four-wheel-driving around Moreton Island visiting remote bays, freshwater lakes and a remote lighthouse. A must-do is an illuminated kayak at night!

Adventure on Bribie Island

Join G’Day Adventure Tours for a fun, friendly and relaxing, fully-guided 4WD beach tour of stunning Bribie Island, including activities like SUPs, kayaking, sand boarding and snorkeling.

To try one of Brisbane’s new urban experiences for yourself contact the operators to book direct. If you want to venture to the city for a holiday take advantage of Expedia’s current sale on Brisbane accommodation, with free cancellation and up to 20% off most hotels. Visit www.expedia.com.au/brisbane