Brisbane Off the Beaten Path Tips by Jez79

Advertised as 'australia's alcatraz', St Helena Island used to function as a high security prison. The prisoners were engaged in work in agriculture, boot-making, baking, and a number of other trades, and at one point St Helena penal establishment was reportedly considered one of the best prison's in the world. I've been to the island once years ago and found it pretty interesting. The website has more information and there are number of travel deals I've seen around. There are ecotours of the island, as well as a program including a drama of the early settlement of the island.
www.sthelenaisland.com.au

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Website: http://www.sthelenaisland.com.au/

The Woolshed is a great place to go if you're interested in animals, and other aspects of Australian nature. The woolshed's ram show involves a live display of eight breeds of sheep, who make their way to the assigned position on the stage as the announcer explains what each breed is used for. There is also a demonstration of sheep shearing, a recreation of an outback sheep station, and a visit to an animal park with native Australian animals. The woolshed also has a cafe and dining hall, where you can sample some traditional Aussie food.

The woolshed is located at:
148 Samford Road
Ferny Hills, Brisbane
Queensland, Australia
PO Box 329
Ferny Hills, QLD 4055
Tel: +61 7 3872 1100
Fax: +61 7 3351 5575

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Phone: Tel: +61 7 3872 1100

If you have some time to explore Brisbane and are looking for something a little quirky, check out The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormans) at Kangaroo Point. Located on River Terrace, in a prime location overlooking Brisbane city, the church is difficult to miss. Recently completed, it is a huge palatial structure, with water features and a big gold angel on top. I believe the technical description would be " a classic modern single-spire design". Whatever the case, it looks outrageously out of place on the street but is definately an attention getter.

The Latter day saints church is said to be one of the fastest growing in Australia, and the temple is part of a worldwide development project. If you're in any way interested in the religion, architecture or the obscure it's certainly worth checking out.

I went on a tour of the temple, which they were offering free before it is dedicated. Only members of the church are allowed access after the dedication (so you can now only view it from outside). The complex is made up of the temple building, and another buidling which houses a community area, meeting rooms, an assembly hall and so on. The temple itself is reserved for church members deemed to be living a life of "high morality". Inside are a number of different rooms, all sloping up and increasing in intricacy and brightness, to symbolise moving closer to God. No expense has been spared in the temple, and the church members are all very proud of their temple.

I should acknowledge that the picture is from the following website: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/

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Brisbane offers a variety of opportunities for mountain bike enthusiasts. There are a number of tracks around the city, including a new mountain bike park, called Hilltop Oasis. This park has a variety of tracks, and is continually being developed. Entry is $10 for the day. Check out the park's website on www.mountainbikepark.com.

For information on Mountain Biking in the Brisbane area, check out www.mtbdirt.com. This is a great forum of local riders and is a good place to meet other riders, get the low down of upcoming events, good riding areas and all other things related to mountain biking in Brisbane.

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Website: www.mtbdirt.com
Other Contact: www.mountainbikepark.com

If you're interested in seeing, touching and learning about Australia's native animals, then Lone Pine oala Sanctuary is worth a look. Located in Brisbane's Western suburby, Lone Pine is about a 15 minute drive from the CBD. The park has displays of Australian animals, including wombats, tasmanian devils, snakes, kangaroos, emu's, dingos and of course koalas. Tours include educational information about the animals, and you are able to hold the koalas in a special area. There are also BBQ's and picnic areas in the park.

Entry prices range from $11 (children) to $16 (adults), with group, seniors and family discounts available.

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Website: http://www.koala.net/