Brisbane Things to Do Tips by Jerelis

The City Botanical Gardens cover over 20 hectares of land and are one of the city's unambiguous showpieces.

Beautifully located on the banks of the Brisbane River and spreading over the gentle slopes and undulations below Parliament House and the Old Government House, the gardens are a peaceful respite from the bustle of the Central Business District.

The Botanic Gardens date back to the earliest years of European settlement. Long before 1855, when they were formally laid out by Walter Hill, the first Gardens Director, the area had been used as a vegetable garden.

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The Botanic Gardens date back to the earliest years of European settlement. Long before 1855, when they were formally laid out by Walter Hill, the first Gardens Director, the area had been used as a vegetable garden.
Hill planted rows of bunya pines and introduced plants like the Poinciana and Jacaranda. He also built a fountain in 1867 and planted a row of weeping figs.

We had a lunch at the City Botanic Café, a small but very nice old English tearoom established in 1824. This tearoom started out as a refreshment house for the players of the nearby croquet field.

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We had a lunch st the City Botanic Cafe, a small but very nice old English tearoom established in 1824. This tearoom started out as a refreshment house for the players of the nearby croquet field.

The sub-tropical climate, combined with the rich soils of the riverbank, ensures a permanent display of spectacular colours and heady fragrances of frangipanis, orchids, oleanders, flame trees, bougainvilleas and jacarandas. A walk through the gardens, particularly a walk along the riverbank, is a must for every visitor to the city.

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Located between the Queensland Institute of Technology and the Brisbane River, Old Government House was built in 1862 when the population of Brisbane was a mere 6,000 people. A Classical Revival building it was designed by Charles Tiffin, built of porphyry and sandstone, and constructed between 1860-62.

It remained the Governor's official residence until 1910 after which it was used as the first building of the University of Queensland.

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Address: 2 George St, City
Directions: Next to City Botanic Gardens.
Website: www.brisbanelivingheritage.com/02_locations/old_gov_house/02_a_old_gov_house.htm

Over the years the building has been subjected to a number of additions - upper verandah (1873), billiard room (1899) and southwest balcony (1906).

Old Government House is currently used as the offices for the National Trust of Queensland. Apart from a range of publications the National Trust also have a comprehensive listing of churches, old buildings, historic sites and landmarks throughout Brisbane.

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Address: 2 George St, City
Directions: Next to City Botanic Gardens.
Website: www.brisbanelivingheritage.com/02_locations/old_gov_house/02_a_old_gov_house.htm

Immediately after Queensland was declared a separate colony in 1859, Brisbane saw the large and gracious Parliament House building rising on the hill above the Botanical Gardens.

The colonial architect, Charles Tiffin, was awarded the commission to build Parliament House after he had won an Australia wide competition with his unusual imitation of the French Renaissance style.

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The building was started in 1865, first occupied in 1868, and finally completed in 1889. It is characterised by solid colonnades which keep the building cool in summer, some truly magnificent timber work which was executed in local Queensland timbers, and an impressive and gracious interior.

As up till today the Parliament of Queensland still has its seat in the Parliament House.

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King George Square, located at the front of City Hall, is the city's focal point. Enhanced with monumental sculptures and fountains, it provides a vast public space, frequently used for special presentations, civic events and by community groups.

One of the monumental sculptures is the City Hall which is one of Brisbane's most recognisable landmarks, and gives visitors a great view of the surrounding business district and beyond. It is the second of three town halls built in Brisbane, and was home to Brisbane Council between 1930 and the 1980s. When the Council moved for the last time, they vowed to return this beautiful Classical Revival cum Art Deco building to the people. The City Hall itself is an interesting example of an attempt to use English neo-classical architecture in a modern building. It uses Queensland brown-tinted freestone, marble, sandstone and timbers.

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The City Hall itself is an interesting example of an attempt to use English neo-classical architecture in a modern building. It uses Queensland brown-tinted freestone, marble, sandstone and timbers. The scale is impressive and full of old world charm. The main foyer inside King George Square, for example, uses ornate high vaulted ceilings, floor mosaics, and crafted timber and plasterwork to great effect.

There is also a huge 16 m sculpture depicting Queensland protecting her citizens. The clock town, an amazing Italian renaissance number with rises 91 m above the City Plaza, provides excellent panoramic views of the city.

There are two churches facing the square. One of them is the Albert Street Uniting Church. This particular red sandstone building is made in 1889.

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