getting local

Brisbane and surrounds abounds with wonderful parks, great urban life and a raft of activities. Here are a few ideas and sources of inspiration.

Free, fabulous and close

They say the greatest gift is time, and you can get the time of a true local for free through Brisbane Greeters for walking tours of well known and hidden gems. Amazingly you can also tailor the experience by interest or part of town.  

Pack a picnic and savour the outdoors at the Botanical gardens or Roma Street Parkland both close to Annie's or jump on a City Cat to Kangaroo Point or New Farm parks a little further afield.

Feeling warm? Mix it with the throngs for a swim at Southbank.

urban vibe

More and more people are now discovering what we have always known - the city of Brisbane is real hip! Lucky for Annie's guests the epicentre of cafes and bars on Burnett Lane is very close.

Not so far away are quartiers where hipsters, urbanistas and brisbanenistas (yes it is a real word) embrace the fine art of conversation in an ever expanding range of urban eating and drinking spots. The Valley (including James Street), Paddington, West End and Logan Road offer plenty of options in addition to those in the centre of Brisbane and Southbank.  In town on the first Sunday of the month? Check out the Young Designers Market.

Gentleman, need a haircut and a coffee and a beer?  Then you are spoilt for choice. 

big art and history

Museums: Let’s start with the well known and well worthwhile Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and the Queensland Museum all at Southbank. The Museum of Brisbane always is well received with its combination of old and modern displays of life in Brisbane. 

Heritage buildings: The city without obvious fanfare has a worthy collection of heritage buildings. Brisbane City Hall, Parliament House, Commissariat Stores, Customs House, General Post Office, Government Printing Office and Old Government House for the functions of state, St Stephen’s Cathedral, St John’s Cathedral, Albert Street Uniting Church as monuments to religion, and the Regatta Hotel and the Breakfast Creek Hotel and Empire Hotel (Fortitude Valley) for that other well known religion. Ormiston House, Amity and Bertholme (New Farm), Bishopsbourne (Milton), Bulimba House (Bulimba) and Beth Eden (Graceville) demonstrate an eye for design right from the early days of European establishment. Mustdobrisbane.com lists many more.