{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"145: Brisbane Australia","description":"Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Brisbane in Australia.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn RadioThis show covers among other topics:\r\nObservations\r\n\r\n3rd largest city in Australia - over 2 million people - growing fast and projecting may overtake Melbourne - capital of Queensland.\r\nAttractive city set around the curves of Brisbane River named after  Sir Thomas Brisbane Governer of NSW in 1820s.\r\nCompact and easy to get around with  good transport infrastructure both road and on river - easily walkable.\r\nMix of modern glass buildings and grand old buildings like City Hall - Post Office - Treasury building (now a casino).\r\nLots of greenery and shade about - even the roads in the CBD has trees along both sides creating cover and playgrounds have covered play areas .\r\nAbout hour drive to beaches and theme parks of Gold Coast.\r\nProne to major flooding at various times over history - big one 1974 - most recent in 2011 when CBD and suburbs badly affected.\r\n\r\nHistory\r\n\r\nCreated to support the penal colony close by.\r\nGrowing fast for as commercial centre : mineral and agriculture resources , financial services , technology - busy port handling exports of things like grain, coal.\r\nIn WWII General MacArthur commanded to Pacific war effort from here for a time.\r\nHosted 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88\r\n\r\nGetting thereGood airline connections within Australia and to parts of AsiaCruise lines - big ships dock quite way from the city (30-45 mins transfer)Best time to goSummer : Dec - Feb Winter: Jun - AugGetting aroundBus - tickets by zoneRail - to suburbsRiver - free and pay for services WalkingBike hire scheme (blue bikes)Green tricycle taxisTips\r\n\r\nGet information booklets from tourist information offices - free Brisbane Insider Guid.\r\nBrisbane Greeter Service - 100 volunteers - 20 languages - two options (refer to information leaflet) - greeter's choice or your choice - free\r\nHop-on Hop-off bus.\r\n\r\nThings to do\r\nRiver trips\r\n\r\nFree red City Hopper - every 30 minutes - takes about 1.5 hours.\r\nCityCat service - big catamarans go much further up and down river\r\nMississippi style paddle streamer - Kookaburra River Queens\r\nJet Ski or kayak\r\nRiver City Cruises- 1,5 trip with commentary by Captain\r\n\r\nSouth Bank Parklands\r\n42-acre development on site of 1988 World Expo - very busy at weekends with locals to hang out- includes Information centre The Beach - Aquativity water parkPicnic areasRestaurantsWeekend marketWheel of Brisbane - 12 to 15 minute ride in aircon enclosed cabinQueensland performing arts centreQueensland museum & science centreQueensland Art gallery State library of QueesnslandGallery of Modern ArtConvention & Exhibition centreRainforest walkBougainvillea featureNepalese PagodaLone Pine Koala Sanctuary\r\n1927 - worlds first koala sanctuary - 130 koala and 90 other Aussie species  -  11km awayMount Coot-thaPanoramic view from Mount Coot-tha - 8km outside cityBotanical garden  - established 1824 as fruit & vegetable garden for nearby Moreton Bay penal settlement - 20 hectares flowers treesOtherCity Hall Story Bridge ClimbANZAC square memorialShoppingQueens street pedestrian mall - over 600 shops on 1 kmQueensPlaza Gold Coast day trip","author_name":"Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers","author_url":"http:\/\/tips4travellers.libsyn.com","html":"