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Brisbane began it's early life as an alternative to the Penal Colony set up on Moreton Bay in 1824. The original colony lasted for about a year and it was found that it was totally unsuitable for it's purpose. Lack of fresh water and aggravation from the local Aborigines caused serious problems so it was decided to move close to the Brisbane River. This great meandering River had been discovered by explorer John Oxley in December 1823. The convict population reached it's zenith in 1833, when there were close to 1200 detainees incarcerated. By 1839 the convict population had decreased considerably and with free settlers spreading their wings, it was becoming difficult to maintain the prohibition boundary of the colony. With the discovery of the Darling Downs by Alan Cunningham during this period, a landrush from the south ensued and in February 1842 the Penal Colony was closed and the area was opened up for free settlement.

Dining Out.

Brisbane Skyline gif.

Queen St. Mall gif.

Cruises.

Tours.

Adventures.

Fishing.

Interest.

Brisbane Beaches.All of Brisbane's Beaches lie to the north of the Capital. The closest is Nudgee Beach which is an integral part of The Boondall Wetlands Park. The mangroves and mudflats in this area are an important source for producing food for wading birds and many other species of wildlife.
Just a few klms further north lies Sandgate which is a favourite for local amateur fishermen.The pier at Sandgate is quite long, and about three quarters of the way up is an undercover area that provides shade in the hot summer months. The village has some interesting historical buildings to see, including the old Post Office, the Railway Station, Baptist Church and the famous Town Hall Clock. Many of the residential addresses are dated back to the very early settlement days. Every 'Full Moon' the locals hold a 'Moon Fest", a celebration complete with Stick Twirlers and Fire Dancers. Brighton Beach lies next to Sandgate and is a favourite for Kitesurfers.
North via The Hornibrook Bridge that traverses over the mouth of the Pine River is Clontarf, the southernmost point of the Redcliffe Peninsular. From here we arrive at Woody Point on the shores of Bramble Bay. A small village by the sea with ample picnic facilities in the parks along The Esplanade. An ideal spot to watch the Sunday Yacht Racing on the Bay.Woody Point is also the final resting place of the old Australian Warship 'Gayundah'
On to the City of Redcliffe that has several nice beaches including Suttons, Margate and Scarborough Beach Park. Settlement Cove Lagoon is also a popular spot for families, as it is adorned with swaying palms,a waterfall and wading pools for the kids. In town the Botanic Gardens have a featured Rain Forest and a large Herb Garden. Redcliffe is the departure point for the vehicular ferry to Moreton Island. From the top of the cliffs you have magnificent views over Moreton Bay and the Islands. The Redcliffe Peninsular has many Outdoor Eateries and several Art and Craft outlets for the shoppers.

A Brisbane Bird's Eye View from the Story Bridge, Day or Night, open 7 days. View from The Story Bridge Walk at Night jpg.

Adrienne Costin makes the climb over this famous landmark, venturing where only the birds and bridge painters had previously dared to tread. A bridge is a bridge until you climb it. Brisbane's Story Bridge is an attractive landmark for the city and a useful means of getting from one side of the river to the other, but since 2006, some 66 years since it opened, it has gained a whole new lease of life as only the third bridge climb in the world. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is another example of how Brisbane, the energetic and youthful city that it is, is grabbing at new soft adventure activities for its residents and visitors. The Brisbane River is the current focus for these new activities - the Riverwalk opened up the river to thousands who enjoy their waterside ambles and rides, the Goodwill Bridge is a scenic link between the Botanic Gardens and South Bank and more recently the Riverlife Adventure Centre has added a new dimension with its river-based activities. These activities mean that a stay in Brisbane can be just that. Pick a nice hotel, enjoy the restaurants and bars, stroll through the parks and gardens, enjoy the world-class shopping and markets and then look down on it all from the top of a bridge. The whole exercise takes around two and a half hours. Climbers are supplied with all the bits for the climb, the special headsets, a cap if required, custom made overalls and lanyards etc for your sunnies, fleecies for the cold, wet weather gear if its raining and an experienced guide who will take you to the summit and back again, photograph you on the climb and all the while check you are enjoying yourself.

The adventure begins at the Story Bridge Adventure Climb office under the bridge at Kangaroo Point . After filling out the compulsory pre-climb indemnity forms and passing a less than .05 breath test, climbers don their suits and are scanned with a metal detector to ensure they haven't hidden any cameras or other devices, which may fall during the climb.

Then it's off to the simulator where climbers learn how to handle their harness and feed the clips over the gates on the static safety wire and get an idea of the climbing surface. This step completed, headphones are fitted and tuned into the guides' frequency, all gear is firmly attached and the time has finally come and we headed out of the building to the bridge.

A lazy local may have dumped it, but the double mattress resting up against the fence near the office was the butt of a joke as to how we would be caught if we fell. For the cynical, there were at least three people in our group, including yours truly, who admitted to not liking heights and I'm pleased to report we were all delighted with the adventure. Our worst reaction was a slight case of jelly legs after the descent. The climb is 30 metres lower than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and at the summit you are 75 metres above the ground. There are benefits in less height. Fewer steps to climb for a start, and you can see the faces of the people waving to you from the Citycats as they pass under the bridge on their way up and down the river. After climbing the spiral staircase and crossing the platform under the bridge to the mezzanine, home to what served as Brisbane's most unusually situated public loos until sometime in the 1990s, it was time to walk up through the tunnel which separates the climbers from the traffic on the bridge, and to start the ascent. Climbers make their way single file, one hand on the rail and the other guiding the harness rope along the static line, up the anchor arm to the Summit. The climb then takes you down the eastern cantilever arm to the central platform, across above the traffic to the other side, back up to the peak and then down. The climb is constant, but not difficult, and the sights so remarkable that the exercise is incidental. We even shared the bridge with a mother magpie who kept a close eye on us as we stepped over her two hungry babies in the nest beneath the walkway near the top of the bridge. Flying that day would have been incredibly difficult as it was blowing over 40 knots so we were safe from any bomb diving she may have wanted to do. She has probably moved on by now to a more peaceful setting and less precarious home for her family. Views aside, my thoughts also wandered to those people who built the bridge. While it is an architectural beauty to marvel at, it's also hard not to look at the expanse of steel and the 1.5 million rivets without a thought to the men who built this landmark. It's a tribute to designer Dr John Bradfield and the labourers that their work has stood the test of time, even with the new level of scrutiny it is now receiving. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb operates in all weather conditions except in electrical storms and severe wind conditions. Several climbs are offered each day and prices range from $100-$130 depending on the time of the climb and from $82.50 for concessions. The climb is open to children from 12 years old and over. Story Bridge Adventures. Tel. +61 7 3514 6900 Adrienne Costin wrote this article in June 2006

The City of Brisbane straddles the Brisbane River, which meanders its way out into Moreton Bay.There are numerous river tours available to the various attractions,and ferry services are available to several points within the city.
An absolute must for visitors from overseas is a trip to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.This is a 20 min. trip from the center of the City by road or you can enjoy a boat trip from North Quay to the Sanctuary by River Cruise. Mirimar Cruises depart daily from the Cultural Center at 10-00am.
The hub of the City is Queen St. Mall, located between Edward and George St. A delight for pedestrians as the area is traffic free. Within the Mall are night clubs, restaurants, theatres and over 500 shops.
Aboriginal Entertainer in The Mall. Aboriginal Entertainer.
Queen Street Mall.

Sanctuary.

A couple of minutes walk from the Mall is King George Square and the magnificent City Hall. Built of sandstone in the 1920's it is now almost completely surrounded, but not overshadowed by monolithic concrete and glass. Anzac Square close by , is a splendid monument to our past that is photographed prolificly. Sunday is the time to visit Eagle St. Pier, as the Riverside Markets are held there. Plenty of bars, shops and cafes in this area. Visit the City Botanical Gardens and tread The Boardwalk right on the river front. Crossing The Victoria Bridge to the south side of the river you come to South Bank which is Brisbane City's main leisure precinct . Cafes and restaurants are plentiful here, with free entertainment and buskers providing a wonderful holiday atmosphere.

North side of the City is Fortitude Valley, with The Brunswick Mall and China Town as popular ares to visit. Travelling west of the city you come to Mount Cootha Forest Park. The Lookout gives fabulous views over the city and out to Moreton Bay. A couple of really nice picnic spots next to waterfalls, grace the area. As do The Tropical Dome and The Japanese Garden.

Island visits available from Brisbane. Moreton Island. Moreton Island in the Moreton Bay Marine Park is accessible from Scarborough Harbour by ferry. Moreton is a large sand island with several freshwater lakes and the famous Blue Lagoon swimming spot. The small village of Bullwer has a licensed General Store and a Garage. The Cape Moreton Lighthouse, built in 1857 was the first light house in Queensland.Built of sandstone quarried on the island, it is the oldest remaining operational lighthouse in Queensland. With only a small number of holiday units available, camping is the option taken by many visitors.

St Helena Island. The crudely-dressed officer in tatty blue overalls, gun slung around his waist and feet shod in cracked leather boots, marched us two by two, across the island. It was 1904 and we were marooned in a place known as 'The Hell Hole of the South Pacific' We were insulted, humiliated and whipped by our unrelenting taskmaster, and the strange thing was, we were enjoying the experience. Few people would imagine spending their Sunday afternoon in such a way, let alone paying for the privilege. But it's all part of the experience on a fascinating historical tour of St Helena Island in Brisbane's Moreton Bay. Established as a penal colony in 1867, St Helena Island functioned as a men's high security prison for more than 60 years, and housed some of Australia�s hardest criminals. Now, thanks to A B Sea Cruises, visitors are taken back 100 years, as the history of this former prison is brought to life. The dramatised, interactive tours give day-trippers an exciting insight into Brisbane's gruesome penal past. St Helena Island, now a National Park, sits peacefully in the glistening waters of the bay, a pleasant 30-minute cruise from Manly Harbour.

The undulating and verdant landscape with its inquisitive Droughtmaster cows, its peacocks and crumbling buildings, provides a peaceful respite from the rush of city life. It's hard to believe that a place this beautiful hides such a harrowing and brutal history. However, with the skill of trained actors, and a little imagination, the island's past springs to life before your eyes.Warder Montgomery (aka Brad Ainsworth), commanded us around Australia's Alcatraz, pronouncing us 'maggots' and engaging us with grisly anecdotes.

From the moment we stepped on board until the time we returned to Manly Harbour five hours later, Brad Ainsworth played his character with ease, demonstrating various punishments

and relating tales of murder, drowning convicts and their endeavours to escape. Overcrowding in Brisbane's gaols resulted in St Helena being used as a penal colony. The first criminals there constructed the prison buildings themselves from beach rock quarried on the island. Prison labour was used for all activities such as agriculture, tailoring, book-binding, and carpentry, making the island virtually self-sufficient. The St Helena Penal Establishment was, at one stage of its operation, considered to be the best prison of its kind in the world.

The high perimeter walls, the armed guards, barred windows, and leg irons weren't the only reason the prison was high security. Being an island surrounded by shark-infested waters certainly helped. Fresh blood and offal from the island's cattle was regularly dumped into the ocean to tantalise the taste buds of hungry tiger sharks waiting to sink their teeth into any escapee foolish enough to attempt the 8km swim to the mainland. A B Sea Cruises' tour boat, christened The-Cat-o'-Nine-Tails, shares its name with a knotted whip used on the island to punish unruly prisoners. Skipper Jeff Simpkins, an accredited National Parks and Wildlife Services guide and former Environmental Education teacher, has been coming to St Helena for 20 years and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the island. For Jeff, the best part of operating A B Sea Cruises is bringing history to life. "I think teaching with drama is a very powerful and effective way to help people understand the past. History should be about learning what people were like and how they interacted with their environment, not about learning dates," he said. As well as day tours, A B Sea Cruises also offers night-time Ghost Tours which are a theatrical portrayal of 19th Century prison life amongst St Helena's floodlit ruins. For school groups there are a variety of day trips such as Time Travellers, Defenders of the Past, and Moreton Bay Investigators. The company will also host the Festival in the Ruins from the 20th-21st May to coincide with the launch of Archaeology Week. But back to 1904! We were marched to the island's cemetery where the unclaimed bodies of prisoners lay beneath modest gravestones. Each stone was simply inscribed with the prisoner's number, rendering them anonymous in both life and death. A phlegmy rendition of The Song of St Helena from our uncouth warder ended our tour and we were forced back on the boat; the lucky ones who got away. However, we vowed to risk coming back to the island to experience the thrill and chill of the Ghost Tour with its tales of death and dismemberment. As we cruised back to the mainland, to the forest of white masts bobbing up and down in Manly Harbour, we were accompanied by a small pod of dolphins who welcomed us back into the 21st Century. Travel Access Tours to St Helena Island with A B Sea Cruises depart from the William Gunn jetty in Brisbane's bayside suburb of Manly.Bookings are essential.

North Stradbroke Island. The ferry departures for North Stradbroke are from Brisbane's Cleveland Suburb. A hive of activity abounds here as there are 3 seperate island communities. Amity Point, Point Lookout, and the arrival destination from the mainland,Dunwich. There are several resorts on the island and a number of apartments and guest houses. The Historical Museum has information on the local Aboriginal History of the island and interesting features of the shipwrecks that litter the areas around the islands in Moreton Bay.The North Gorge Walk that transforms from a dirt track to an inviting modern boardwalk is a pleasurable half an hours sojourn if you like to take in the scenery. Another attraction is The Fig Tree Art Gallery under the fig tree at Dunwich. A great stay or a great day.

Four islands in one day.
Several departures daily from Cleveland by Ferry or Barge. Karragarra Island. Karragarra is a small community of less than 100 residents and there are no commercial businesses on the island. There is however a childrens play area, a park with picnic area, BBQ, and a swimming pool. A pleasant getaway from the hustle and bustle of every day life. If you need anything for the day, take it with you, as you can't buy it on the island.

Macleay Island. Macleay Island has a little more in the way of amenities than Karragarra or Lamb Islands, as the population of 3000 constitutes a greater need. There are several restaurants on the island, a bowls club and a golf course with it's own clubhouse. As with it's neighbours, it relies on the Ferry and Barge services for survival.

Lamb Island. Lamb Island is ideal for a short visit, as you will be lucky to book the one B&B or the solitary holiday home on the island. There is one shop on the island and it also boasts it's own bowls club with a bar, but unfortunately no bowling greens? There are proposals for a new shop to replace the old one and a Tavern in the pipeline. Lets hope the Tavern doesn't close at 8-30pm like a similar watering hole I visited in Charters Towers, but thats another story.

Russell Island. With a population of 3,000, Russell Island is the largest of the southern Moreton Bay Islands. Plenty of shops and businesses for every day needs , from builders, computer services, chemist and supermarket etc. The Bowls Club incorporates Frangipani's Disco and you can always pop into the local R.S.L. for a beer and a yarn. If current proposals go ahead for the new Bay Island Resort, this will give a huge boost to the islands business economy.

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Visitors guide to Byron Bay We have a large listing of places to stay and things to do when visiting Byron Bay.

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