Brisbane Australia...

is my home town, it's Australia's third largest city and Brisbane feels no need to blow its own trumpet.

While the other Australian capitals fight with each other over who’s best, this great city quietly goes about it’s business in true, casual Queensland style.

It doesn’t need to shout its virtues - locals know how good they've got it.

The city centre sits within a tropical landscape while cooling its toes in the undulating Brisbane River, and it boasts a climate that lures pale and chilly southerners by the truckload.

With its warm, sunny days and cool nights, winter (June to August) is the most pleasant - and popular - time of year to visit.

Easter and Christmas are also pretty hectic.

If you prefer a bit of peace and quiet, try May or October, when the humidity's still OK but the crowds have diminished.

Timing your trip to coincide with one of the city's numerous arts festivals or other events can also be fun.

While the river city doesn't suffer the stifling humidity you'll find further north, it's still most pleasant in winter (June to August) - the days are warm and sunny, the nights cool and it's a delightful contrast to the chilly misery further south.

However, winter is also the time everyone from Sydney and Melbourne heads north to escape the cold, so expect a crowd.

Fresh experiences, fresh adventures and a fresh approach to life: this is what Brisbane is all about.

It's a city where the air is filled with optimism and a sense of adventure is heavy on the ground.

You'll be amazed by how much is happening here, and pleasantly surprised by the open and friendly attitude of the locals.

And no, this is no sleepy town; this is a city with an innovative and vibrant edge, a modern, free spirited outlook and a determination to do things just that little bit differently.

It's about down-to-earth experiences without the sky-high expense; it's about hedonistic pleasures without the pretension.

And, of course, it's about a long-standing love affair with the outdoors.

From pristine beaches to lush mountain hideaways, from a gently winding river to the aquatic paradise of Moreton Bay, this truly is a place where feeling alive comes naturally.

There's something for everyone here - don’t miss the sparkling and exciting CBD, the cool waters of the river and Moreton Bay, the bucolic shires surrounding the city, and the mountainous national parks.

Come to Brisbane and you'll discover a region that's not only filled with energy, you'll also find it's filled with endless things to do.

Sophisticated and progressive, dynamic and diverse, Brisbane delivers on all fronts.

Visitors and locals alike delight in the very best in food and wine, arts, entertainment and major sporting events, all surrounded by a unique environment of relaxed sub-tropical flair.

There's exciting shopping, a buzzing nighttime scene, and no end to the range of outdoor adventures on offer, such as sailing, surfing, hot-air ballooning and 4WD excursions.

You'll also find this region to be a hotbed of creative free thinking, with local artists, musicians, writers, jewelers and fashion designers all making their name on the international stage.

At the same time, this is a place without pretension, a city with its feet planted firmly on the ground.

And that's exactly what so many people love about it.

From the sun and sand drenched islands in the east, to its cool and crisp mountain rainforests in the west - and all the attractions of a vibrant, modern city in between - Brisbane offers the best of both worlds.

Make a journey to downtown Brisbane and you'll suddenly realise how beautiful a city can be.

Here you will find a unique combination of the old and the new - where sandstone cathedrals blend seamlessly with steel and glass skyscrapers, where modern architectural design is teamed with a healthy respect for tradition.

And down at street level a network of grassy parks, drooping palm trees and a river that snakes through the heart of town reflects the sub-tropical environment in which we live.

Pristine, colourful, adventurous, inviting and open; these are all accurate descriptions of the heart of the city.

And another thing you'll notice about Brisbane - the pace is just right. As Queensland's capital, Brisbane has it all.

Spend lazy afternoons ordering creamy cappuccinos and dozing by the river, or step it up a notch by throwing yourself into any number of adventures such as abseiling the cliffs at Kangaroo Point, climbing the Story Bridge or splashing out with all kinds of water sports.

But of course, the spectacular surroundings may well slide into your subconscious once you set your heart on some serious shopping.

There's simply no better place in Queensland to indulge in retail therapy with over 650 stores trading seven days a week.

Start in the Queen Street Mall - almost a kilometre of shoppers' paradise.

Then stroll along to the City's chic shopping strips and arcades before heading downtown to 'The Valley', where you'll find the edgiest young designs, jewellery and fashions imaginable.

South Bank's Little Stanley Street should be next on your shopping list, for a little urban sophistication right by the river.

And last but not least, why not dig your way through downtown's weekend outdoor markets, where you never know what you might find.

Original, eclectic, or just downright fashionable - if you can't find what you're shopping for in downtown Brisbane, it simply doesn't exist.

For those who love to party, Brisbane's superb selection of nightlife venues will keep you more than entertained.

Cool, sophisticated bars boasting the very latest in design and decor are sprinkled right throughout downtown Brisbane, as are energetic pubs, pumping nightclubs and intimate live music venues.

Or, for something a little more cultural, there are musicals, live theatre, galleries, museums, and even guided walking tours of downtown's historical sites.

Enjoyed by locals and the many people who visit on the weekends, Brisbane’s coastal villages offer a warm and friendly environment, great for relaxing, and let’s not forget the food!

Lovers of seafood this is the place for you.

Fresh seafood is synonymous with this area with many visitors making the trek to enjoy a gourmet feast or a more casual outdoor meal of fish and chips.

Cleveland features an elegant marina with a cosmopolitan feel or for a more relaxed approach families will love the beautiful foreshore areas for picnics or barbecues and its many playgrounds to keep children happy.

Also try Scarborough and Redcliffe.

There is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied in this area.

Redcliffe Jetty is a top spot when it comes to fishing or for those a little more adventurous, Redcliffe also offers beach sky-diving, and joy flights providing views from Brisbane to the Glass House Mountains.

Wellington Point has also become a hot spot for water pursuits such as jet skiing, windsurfing, and more recently, the spectacular sport of kite surfing.

Many of the coastal villages including Caboolture, Redcliffe, Sandgate, Wynnum-Manly and Cleveland have a rich cultural history with heritage trails, art galleries and events to commemorate their significance.

Check out the Cleveland Markets held every Sunday on Bloomfield Street, featuring local arts and crafts.

Art lovers should also visit Redland Art Gallery.

Annual events including ‘Kitefest’ in Clontarf, hosted every May attracts participants from across Australia and the iconic community event, The Redcliffe Festival of Sails held at Suttons Beach celebrates the start of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race on Good Friday.

There are all kinds of Brisbane accommodation options from beachside resorts through to boutique Bed & Breakfasts and campgrounds.

Many tours and activities to the islands depart from the coastal villages and cater for all types, including adventure and ecotours.

A stunning wide expanse of sheltered blue waters, Moreton Bay is Brisbane's own aquatic playground and marine sanctuary.

Brimming with natural wonders, Moreton Bay is ideal for spotting dolphins, whales, turtles and dugong, as well a vast array of birdlife.

Here you can throw yourself into adventure sports such as sailing, surfing, quad biking and sand tobogganing, or you can take things a little easier, with a wide range of more relaxing activities, like fishing, feeding the dolphins or lazing by a blue lagoon admiring the birdlife and wildflowers.

Yes, Brisbane really does have it all.........come and enjoy,

John.

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