Friday, July 24, 2009

Getting Around Brisbane

By Kathy Smith

When you are visiting Brisbane, Australia, you will be able to explore the city by foot, or with public transportation. You can stop by your hotel welcome desk, or any local information center to pick up a map , which will assist you should you decide to do a self guided tour on foot. If you are more of a public transportation person you can utilize the buses, commuter trains or City Cat Ferry, for your self guided tour.

The most economical way to travel on all Brisbane's public transport if you are making several journeys is with a Rover ticket, available from Administration Centre. This offers unlimited travel for a day, week or month depending on the tickets duration. Another flexible and economical way to see the city is on a City Sights Tram-Bus Tour , an open sided bus which runs a regular shuttle service around all Brisbane's main sights and attractions. There is a standard fare and you can get on and off whenever you choose. To get back on a Tram-Bus, simply hail one from one of the city Sights clearly signposted tram stops and show your ticket.

Brisbane's City Bus service travels around the centre of the city. The Cityxpress buses service the suburbs. All buses stop at the Queen Street Bus Station near the Myer Centre. Commercially operated tour companies also offer coach tours of the city's highlights, as well as to the surrounding areas including Sradbroke Island, Moreton Bay and Surfers Paradise and the mountain hinterland. All types of public transport run until midnight and taxis are plentiful in the centre of the city at night. Driving is also not generally a problem although parking spaces are scarce. There are numerous well maintained bike tracks around the city for keen cyclists.

Queen Street Mall, is the heart of the Business District shopping area. Here you will find department stores, over 200 individual stores, and a food court and hall. There is also shopping arcades include, Broadway on the Mall, Brisbane Arcade and Rose Arcade. For fashion and jewelry go to the Wintergarden.

If exclusive boutiques are more what you are looking for, then you will want to head towards Paddington and Milton. They have a wide selection of stores from small shops, arts and craft galleries and bookshops. If you are interesting in finding some Aboriginal artifacts you can visit Aboriginal Creations, and for Australian Opals visit Quilpie Opals. For local arts and crafts, at great prices you should stop by the Eagle Street weekend market.

About the Author:

No comments: