Australian Towns & Cities
Queensland: Brisbane
Incorporating photos and Information from Michael Greenslade's former Australian Towns, Cities and Highways site

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland lies approximately 20km inland and set on the meandering banks of the Brisbane River. The city radiates a relaxed feel, yet offers the excitement of a large city such as Melbourne and Sydney. The city was founded in 1824 when a convict settlement was established at Redcliffe - however, with the mosquitoes and sandflies posing a health problem, the settlement was moved to the current city's position. Brisbane, due to its sub tropical climate and history offers an interesting mixture of old and new buildings - ranging from the old sandstone buildings from the colonial days to the Queenslander timber style homes built on stilts.

Dubbed the "River City" due to the Central Business District being almost surrounded by the Brisbane River, the city has a unique geographical position which is aesthetically pleasing despite gaining problems with accessibility. Due to the Queensland Governments of the 1980s and 1990s placing more emphasis on protecting and upgrading the Brisbane River precinct, property having water frontage has since gained strong land values, which in turn has subsequently attracted high rise development, complimenting the river setting and providing a great backdrop. This, along with Brisbane's beautiful parks and gardens, warm climate, a fantastic shopping precinct and historic buildings such as Parliament House and the Treasury Casino account for an impressive city centre.

Southbank, on the southern side of the Brisbane River was the site of the 1988 World Expo and has since been transformed into a cultural precinct with several museums, colleges, art galleries, cafes and tropical gardens. Other highlights in the Brisbane CBD include the Story Bridge (1930s), Brisbane River cruises, the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Queen Street Mall, the Energex Arbour and the Old Windmill Observatory (Spring Hill). Mount Coot-tha to the west offers more superb tropical parks and gardens as well as fantastic panoramic city views.


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Brisbane River:
View of Brisbane River as it snakes its way through the suburbs, March 2004.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Brisbane Skyline:
Brisbane River and Brisbane skyline viewed from Story Bridge, March 2004.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Brisbane Skyline:
Brisbane River, Brisbane skyline and Riverside Expressway as viewed from the Goodwill Bridge, September 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Alice Street:
Alice St in Brisbane which runs along the northern edge of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, September 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Mary Street:
Mary St in the Brisbane CBD, September 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Brisbane River:
View of Brisbane River towards Eagle St Pier from Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, September 2003.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Brisbane City:
Aerial view of Brisbane city, surrounding suburbs and Mt-Coot-Tha to the west, November 2016.

Image © Michael Greenslade

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census QuickStats

Last updated: 21-Aug-2020 23:24

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