Brisbane?

[67SSDan]

I happened to notice that a few of you guys are from Brisbane, AU? I'm heading down / over there week after next. Any places I should check out while I'm there? My wife and I are planning to of course hit the Australia Zoo and the Koala Sanctuary... but what else? Any restaurants I should definitely eat at?

Thanks!!!

Dan

[linkstar69]

There is a show called the Outback spectacular, for a tourist show its not bad and very australian, (which I imagine is why you're coming here) As far as restaurants to check out I'd suggest heading to Noosa while you're up near Australia Zoo, its got an excellent restuarant district.
While on the Gold coast (opposite side of Brisbane to australia zoo) I'd check out surfers paradise. Eating there I'd definitely check Melba's on the Park great food and an excellent atmosphere.
If you can convince the wife to let you out to look at car stuff I'd get in touch with these guys, http://www.kustomcity.com.au they're doing some really nice high end custom and resto work on both US and AU metal and would be worth seeing if they've got anything in the shop worth looking at while you're down here.

[67SSDan]

Awesome man!! Where is the Outback Spectacular? I'm definitely coming for an "Australian" experience... but try to avoid "touristy" spots where possible. Sometimes it's just not when you've got a short amount of time.

Realistically how far is it driving to the Gold Coast area from downtown Brisbane? Is it still warm enough there to get in the water, or cooling down too much now?

Thanks for the info man!!

Dan

[StRacerDuke]

I spent some time a few years back in Brisbane when a friend was studying in UofQ. We took the citycat ferry to the city during the day and hit up the clubs/bars at night. Check out virtualtourist.com for an overview of things to do in the city.

Surfers is a good place to visit too. I don't think they run the F1 cars there anymore though but it's still a fun place to hang out.

If you haven't been up the reef yet it's a must do. It's about a 5-6hr drive north if I recall correctly. We spend the night with at a friends parents house before heading out in the early AM. It was 3+hrs on the boat then all afternoon on the reef. Do a google search for places to launch from.

[bwhinnen]

I don't know if you've hit one of the medieval times dinners over there in the US, but the outback spectacular is the same sort of concept with an Australian Cattlemans theme to it.

Take a Citycat ferry ride as mentioned by Ryan, you can jump on and pretty much take it from one extreme to the other for a fairly low price. Cheaper than a river cruise and you see the same things.

If you have a vehicle then the Cool Cruiser Night is a great venue, basically a local shopping centre (a small suburban mini-mall) will host a great deal of Australian and US muscle cars, this happens every Friday night (some pics for example (http://www.rpmphotography.com.au/v/Browsing/Events/CCN/march)). The atmosphere is friendly, there is no stupid driving as the Police Station is basically just across the road. There is also a Cafe there that apparently does great milkshakes :) Location on Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13811593549489782235,-27.590173,153.027835&saddr=&daddr=-27.58964,153.027213&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=-27.593634,153.029594&sspn=0.014339,0.020084&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.590667,153.027513&spn=0.014339,0.020084&z=16).

You can take a drive up to Mt Coot-tha, this gives you a lookout over the City and surrounding areas. Location on Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=6943137175660991016,-27.484441,152.958956&saddr=&daddr=-27.483756,152.959557&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=14&sll=-27.488324,152.96977&sspn=0.05741,0.080338&ie=UTF8&z=14). The Restaurant up there is not too bad, although it is a bit pricey in my opinion for the quality.

From the Brisbane CBD it is about 55 - 60 miles to the Gold Coast, pretty much a Freeway (in Australian terms :P ) all the way. It is worth a look to have a little look around.

Restaurants! Now there is a hard one.

My wife's favourite place is Cha Cha Char (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cha+Cha+Char&sll=-27.479796,153.029938&sspn=0.114829,0.160675&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.476141,153.029938&spn=0.114833,0.160675&z=13&iwloc=B)), this is primarily a steak place, and the steaks are good, it can be a little expensive.

For something a little more down to earth there is the Breakfast Creek Hotel (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=14131630679444428302,-27.483756,152.959557&q=Breakfast+Creek+Hotel&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.441602,153.044229&spn=0.028717,0.040169&z=15&iwloc=H)) that does great Steaks as well as being a Pub. On a similar vein there is the Norman Hotel (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Norman+Hotel&sll=-27.441602,153.044229&sspn=0.028717,0.040169&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.479796,153.029938&spn=0.114829,0.160675&z=13&iwloc=A)).

If you want something Mexican I can highly recommend La Quinta (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=La+Quinta&sll=-27.476141,153.029938&sspn=0.114833,0.160675&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.459539,153.029938&spn=0.11485,0.160675&z=13&iwloc=A)). My good friend Nev is the head chef there and really does cook up a storm. Beware he can make a nastily hot chili dish if you really want him to.

If you like beer, and Belgian beer at that, along with Belgian cooking, try the Belgian Beer Cafe Brussels on Margaret St (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=belgian+beer&sll=-27.459539,153.029938&sspn=0.11485,0.160675&ie=UTF8&z=13&iwloc=A)). The beers are great, just beware they start at about 6% alcohol and go to about 12 - 13%!!

A different dining experience can be had at the Garuva Hidden Restaurant and Bar (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=hidden+restaurant+&near=Brisbane+QLD,+Australia&fb=1&cid=0,0,7146634439255027298&z=17&iwloc=A)). This has a mixture of Indian and South East Asian cuisine, you sit on pillows at low tables and each table is screened from others by sheer curtains.

For deserts and coffees you can't go past Freestyle at the Emporium (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Freestyle+&sll=-27.455627,153.035034&sspn=0.007178,0.010042&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.453903,153.03704&spn=0.007179,0.010042&z=17&iwloc=A)).

Another great Coffee place and Italian Cafe can be found at La Dolce Vita in Milton, (Location: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=La+Dolce+Vita&sll=-27.461101,153.024487&sspn=0.007178,0.010042&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.469211,153.010798&spn=0.02871,0.040169&z=15&iwloc=A)) this is located in Milton and has a great number of Cafes and Restaurants on the same street (Park Road).

I'll add more as I go on :) Let me know where your tastes lie and I can find more for you.

Weather should still be quite nice, around 77 as an average. It has been around the low 80's all this week.

Anyhow let me know if you want more :)

Cheers
Brett

[StRacerDuke]

Brett, is the main drinking night still Wednesdays over there or was that just at the Uni?

[bwhinnen]

At Uni it is every night isn't it? Well it was when I went to Uni :)

I don't go out drinking all that much anymore but usually it is Fridays in the City (coincides with the late night shopping in the CBD and the end of the work week).

Oh and remember that tipping in Australia at a Restaurant is not required. We tip on great service and great food over here. Whilst the food is generally great the service may not be. I found that most places I went to in the US the service was much better than here. And 10% is more than sufficient for a great tip here, we were tipping 15 - 20% when we were in the US last month :)

Also for those that have not been here before, sales tax (GST: Goods and Services Tax) is built into the price you see on the ticket or item you buy, and for large items (ie electronics and the like) you buy here you can actually get a refund at the airport on your way out (called the Tourist Refund Scheme).

[67SSDan]

Holy crap guys, thanks a ton!

I frequent the travel sites, but I usually have more in common with people on here than I do there. :)

We're only going to be in AU for about 4.5 days (then its off to NZ for 9 days), but I wanted to get a good taste for Australia while we're there... so really what I'm looking for is stuff that is distinctly Australian (which I realize is a tall order, I'd have a hard time telling a foreigner 4 days worth of stuff that is distinctly "American" in only one city or region), and hopefully meet some interesting people while we're there as well. It sounds like what you've recommended is right up my alley.

Thanks again for the tips.

Dan

[bigvegan]

Mt. Coot-tha, Victoria Bitter, the coast, are all things you should experience.

Australian, Chinese and Greek restaurants will probably be pretty solid. DO NOT order Mexican food under any circumstances.

Again, make sure you try Victoria Bitter, it's the greatest beverage in human history.

[NRV051]

I would also hit some of the mountains maybe check out some rain forrest like Tamborine mountain (wine tasting, cheese factories and distilaries)or Samford valley. Also if there is a decent race on and the wife is intrested I would head out to willowbank raceway and see some of Australias finnest drag racing. Check out there website for schedules. The Gold Coast is where most tourists spend their time with all the theme parks etc but like you said try and avoid the parks, trust me you have better ones in the USA.

I would definatly check out Kustum city at the coast thought, some top quality work being done down there.

Enjoy your stay while you are here.

Gav

[67SSDan]

I'm printing out directions to some of these places now. Thanks again guys! If you ever find your way to East Tennessee, hit me up and I'll be happy to return the favor.

Dan

[bwhinnen]

Unfortunately you'll miss the big drag event (on the 18th and 19th of April) at Willowbank, Tin Top titles.

Gav, have to agree about Tambourine and the Cheese factory and the Distillery (next door to each other) they are great!

[67SSDan]

So is the distillery / cheese / rainforest (LOL) all off of Alpine Terrace Rd, or somewhere in the neighborhood? Looks like it would make sense to swing out there on the way to surfer's paradise... kind of the scenic route? Somethine like this maybe:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=6633791706556330852,-27.969144,153.197732&saddr=Brisbane&daddr=Alpine+Terrace+%40-27.969144,+153.197732+to:-28.003268,153.431239&mra=mi&mrcr=1&mrsp=2&sz=15&sll=-27.998267,153.438706&sspn=0.020803,0.034418&ie=UTF8&ll=-27.84879,153.415833&spn=1.33323,2.202759&z=9


Dan

[NRV051]

The cheese factory has just recently moved onto the main drag of the mountain. shouldnt be to hard to find. What dates are you going to be in the area. I live at about 14km from the base of the mountain. Also there is a bit of a car show at the bearded dragon hotel which is at the base of the mountain on the 5th of April. They are having a few bands play that night and a old school pin up girl contest.

[67SSDan]

I'm actually leaving here in a just a bit to head that way. I won't actually make it to AU until 6AM on the 7th though. I'm still not sure if we're going to be able to swing down to mountain or not. It depends on how trashed we're feeling when we get into Brisbane. I'm hoping for it though.

Thanks again for all the info guys! I'm very excited about the trip!

Dan

[bwhinnen]

The best advice I can give you is DON'T go to bed until about 8 or 9PM local time when you get in, your body will thank you the next morning :D

Good luck on the flight (it is a crappy flight at the best of times) and have a GREAT time!

[67SSDan]

Yeah... you're not kidding. 13 hours in the air SUCKED. :barf:

Thanks again for all the advice guys. We're having a great time.

Dan

[CraigMorrison]

As far as restaurants to check out I'd suggest heading to Noosa while you're up near Australia Zoo, its got an excellent restuarant district.

+1! I was in Noosa for the international hot and spicy festival! Great food! The local restaurants were awesome!

I had my own outback experience of having my HT Holden blow a head gasket about 60 miles west of Winton. Making it to Noosa (alive) was a real treat.