Backpacking in Brisbane, Qld
South Bank, Botanic Gardens, Queensland Art Gallery and more
With the Performing Arts Centre, Downunder Bar, Fortitude Valley and lots of jogging, the capital of Queensland, Australia, is becoming a highlight for budget travellers.
By rights, Brisbane should be the fittest city in the world. As far as I can see, absolutely everyone is jogging. Maybe it’s international Lose A Couple Of Pounds day, but as twilight descends over the Brisbane River, my decision to be healthy and active by going for a little walk seems a trifle inadequate.
It’s tough to work out whether this is a naturally beautiful spot or whether it has been carefully cultivated to look so. The Queensland University of Technology has a pretty exalted position, right next to the Botanic Gardens, and at the head of the pedestrian bridge over the river. It also appears to be right in the middle of a fitness circuit, as everyone is either pounding their trainers into the tarmac or pedalling away furiously on a bike. Hell, as you get on to the bridge, there are even markers telling you how far you are into a particular run.
Over on the other side is Brisbane’s crown jewel, the Southbank. Some point to its artificiality and sneer, but it is without a great place to hang out. Think of it like a park, but with a beach, loads of things to do and entertainment.
The beach is an entirely man-made one – despite appearances to the contrary, Brisbane isn’t actually by the seaside. On a summer’s day, therefore, the beach is absolutely packed. And, given that Brisbane is warm and sunny for an almost greedy amount of the year, this is quite often.
Southbank is also home to most of the city’s big arts and entertainment venues as well. You can have a mooch round the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum and State Library of Queensland without really having to stretch your legs too much.
However, if even that’s a bit too much, then the option of grabbing an ice cream, a newspaper and stretch of grass in the sun, whilst watching the constant stream of street entertainers is a very tempting one.
Away from lounging in the park, the city of Brisbane itself is surprisingly busy. For some reason, many people (myself included beforehand) have it in their heads that Brissie is just a large country town with not a lot going on. It’s simply not true, and whilst not as big as Sydney or Melbourne, it has a less daunting urban charm to it.
The centre is a piece of cake to navigate round. It’s one big grid, with streets named after girls going one way, and streets named after boys going the other.
It’s also surprisingly well-geared to backpackers. There are plenty of hostels, many with bars that go off in the evening. The Downunder Bar under Palace Backpackers on Edward Street is a prime example, but all of them seem to be packed every night. One thing to bear in mind is that, under a new law, bars are not allowed to advertise drinks promotions. Don’t be put off by this – it doesn’t mean there aren’t any. They’re just not allowed to shout it from the rooftops.
The main nightlife district is the Fortitude Valley, which is a short walk/ bus or cab ride from the city. This is where the locals tend to head out to, and is a bit more clubbing than drinking orientated, but it’s got enough variety if you’re after a big one.
