Guidebook for Brisbane
Shopping
This is our local shopping centre and one of the biggest in Brisbane. I can walk to it, take a bus (2 stops), ride my bike or use the car. Parking is free for the first 3 hrs.
For shops see https://www.westfield.com.au/gardencity/stores/all-stores
125 locals recommend
Westfield Garden City
Kessels RoadThis is our local shopping centre and one of the biggest in Brisbane. I can walk to it, take a bus (2 stops), ride my bike or use the car. Parking is free for the first 3 hrs.
For shops see https://www.westfield.com.au/gardencity/stores/all-stores
The other of my favourite centres. This set of shops has a slightly different flavour to Garden City.
https://www.westfield.com.au/carindale
63 locals recommend
Westfield Carindale
Westfield CarindaleThe other of my favourite centres. This set of shops has a slightly different flavour to Garden City.
https://www.westfield.com.au/carindale
Food Scene
South Bank’s sprawling 17 hectare Parklands is known for its expansive green lawns, towering ficus trees and colourful gardens. They are also home to a variety of family-friendly experiences and activities including free swimming facilities, The Wheel of Brisbane, walking tracks, playgrounds and picnic and barbecue areas. If you’re feeling peckish, make sure you visit the Parklands’ cafés, restaurants and takeaway shops, which are located at Stanley Street Plaza and at the Central and Arbour View Cafes.
865 locals recommend
South Bank Parklands
Stanley Street PlazaSouth Bank’s sprawling 17 hectare Parklands is known for its expansive green lawns, towering ficus trees and colourful gardens. They are also home to a variety of family-friendly experiences and activities including free swimming facilities, The Wheel of Brisbane, walking tracks, playgrounds and picnic and barbecue areas. If you’re feeling peckish, make sure you visit the Parklands’ cafés, restaurants and takeaway shops, which are located at Stanley Street Plaza and at the Central and Arbour View Cafes.
This little coffee shop has superb food and coffee. We love going there for breakfast on a Sunday. Excellent GF options. 5 mins walk from our house.
The Espresso Hut
218 Padstow RoadThis little coffee shop has superb food and coffee. We love going there for breakfast on a Sunday. Excellent GF options. 5 mins walk from our house.
Sunnybank, a one-time semi-rural suburb with market gardens, has overtaken Chinatown as home to Brisbane's biggest Asian community and hence is now the in-spot to go to for authentic Asian eats and shops.
Its shopping centres, the biggest ones of which are Sunnybank Plaza, Market Square and Sunny Park, converge on three corners of Mains Rd and McCullough St. And all three, just like the suburb, contain a melting pot of South-east Asian cultures, shops and cuisines. Chinese, Taiwanese, Malaysian, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean and Vietnamese eateries sit side by side, supermarkets sell mixes of produce from multiple countries and a dozen different languages are spoken in the streets.
43 locals recommend
Sunnybank Plaza
358 Mains RdSunnybank, a one-time semi-rural suburb with market gardens, has overtaken Chinatown as home to Brisbane's biggest Asian community and hence is now the in-spot to go to for authentic Asian eats and shops.
Its shopping centres, the biggest ones of which are Sunnybank Plaza, Market Square and Sunny Park, converge on three corners of Mains Rd and McCullough St. And all three, just like the suburb, contain a melting pot of South-east Asian cultures, shops and cuisines. Chinese, Taiwanese, Malaysian, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean and Vietnamese eateries sit side by side, supermarkets sell mixes of produce from multiple countries and a dozen different languages are spoken in the streets.
Bellas Fruit Market
218 Padstow RdGreat priced fruit and veg walking distance from our home.
Hey Sweets Sunnybank
663 Beenleigh RdGreat coffee and very handy
Michael's Oriental
223 Padstow RdWalking distance this restaurant is Chinese cuisine.
Delicatessen - this little gem has all you need for that fine dining picnic or beautiful anti pasta spread. Lots of imported goods as well as locally made produce. I love their Malaney Cream and sun-dried tomatoes.
Plenty
218 Padstow RdDelicatessen - this little gem has all you need for that fine dining picnic or beautiful anti pasta spread. Lots of imported goods as well as locally made produce. I love their Malaney Cream and sun-dried tomatoes.
Sweet Treats Dessert Cafe
258 Warrigal RdGood coffee, sweets and desert bar. Yum!
Grill'd Garden City
Kessels RoadOur favourite burger bar. Located at Garden City Shopping Centre.
We love this little coffee shop for its food and coffee. Walk through and sit our the back.
7 locals recommend
Esher St Cafe & Deli
46 Esher StWe love this little coffee shop for its food and coffee. Walk through and sit our the back.
You will find us breakfasting here every Tuesday morning on our way to work. Tell Jeff that Susan and Richard - the cyclists sent you!
Moreish Cafe
398 Logan Rd You will find us breakfasting here every Tuesday morning on our way to work. Tell Jeff that Susan and Richard - the cyclists sent you!
We go to these markets every Saturday morning for our fruit and veg, meats and breakfast. Organic and spray free produce, grass fed meats and fresh caught fish. We love the Vietnamese stall for breakfast salads in summer and Pho in winter. Tell them Susan sent you. You can get a city cat ferry from here too. You are welcome to join us.
45 locals recommend
Jan Powers Farmers Markets Powerhouse
119 Lamington StWe go to these markets every Saturday morning for our fruit and veg, meats and breakfast. Organic and spray free produce, grass fed meats and fresh caught fish. We love the Vietnamese stall for breakfast salads in summer and Pho in winter. Tell them Susan sent you. You can get a city cat ferry from here too. You are welcome to join us.
Sightseeing
Koala care centre. Free to enter.
Also see Kangaroos feeding at dusk. We have some special spots near here that will guarantee a sighting in the wild.
43 locals recommend
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
253 Daisy Hill RdKoala care centre. Free to enter.
Also see Kangaroos feeding at dusk. We have some special spots near here that will guarantee a sighting in the wild.
This arena has an Australian High Country look and feel.
From the fully themed landscape with great iconic Australian natives and scenic backdrops, a trick horse show that pivots around a significant Australian story. http://outbackspectacular.com.au/ticket-options.aspx
235 locals recommend
Australian Outback Spectacular
Entertainment RoadThis arena has an Australian High Country look and feel.
From the fully themed landscape with great iconic Australian natives and scenic backdrops, a trick horse show that pivots around a significant Australian story. http://outbackspectacular.com.au/ticket-options.aspx
There’s 12 walking tracks in all and each one is no longer than around 3km, so if you like a stroll among the birds, bees, flowers and the trees, this is for you. For a change of pace, enjoy several wineries, a brewery and even a distillery up on the mountain, which is perfectly punctuated with award-winning restaurants, and art galleries.
564 locals recommend
Tamborine Mountain
There’s 12 walking tracks in all and each one is no longer than around 3km, so if you like a stroll among the birds, bees, flowers and the trees, this is for you. For a change of pace, enjoy several wineries, a brewery and even a distillery up on the mountain, which is perfectly punctuated with award-winning restaurants, and art galleries.
At the end of this street right where the bush meets the road you can see wild kangaroos and a koala if you are lucky. Go at dusk to see them feeding on peoples lawns.
Dennis Road
Dennis RoadAt the end of this street right where the bush meets the road you can see wild kangaroos and a koala if you are lucky. Go at dusk to see them feeding on peoples lawns.
City Hall is the civic seat of the city and is home to the Lord Mayor and Deputy Mayor. It also plays host to community and corporate events each day. Go up the bell tower. Daily tours 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm Approx 45 minutes Free admission - See more at: https://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/cityhalltours/#sthash.yzsq1eOL.dpuf
68 locals recommend
Brisbane City Hall
64 Adelaide StCity Hall is the civic seat of the city and is home to the Lord Mayor and Deputy Mayor. It also plays host to community and corporate events each day. Go up the bell tower. Daily tours 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm Approx 45 minutes Free admission - See more at: https://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/cityhalltours/#sthash.yzsq1eOL.dpuf
If you don't have time to get to the coasts then this is a water side picnic spot with walks around the waters edge. Coffee shops and fish and chips. No surf because it is sheltered by Islands.
32 locals recommend
Wellington Point
If you don't have time to get to the coasts then this is a water side picnic spot with walks around the waters edge. Coffee shops and fish and chips. No surf because it is sheltered by Islands.
Arts & Culture
For current and coming exhibitions go to https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions
704 locals recommend
Gallery of Modern Art
Stanley PlaceFor current and coming exhibitions go to https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions
Brisbane hosts the most wonderful musicals, ballets and shows. Next to the Brisbane River and Southbank precinct see what is on here.
https://www.qpac.com.au/visiting/
9 locals recommend
Lyric Theatre
Melbourne StreetBrisbane hosts the most wonderful musicals, ballets and shows. Next to the Brisbane River and Southbank precinct see what is on here.
https://www.qpac.com.au/visiting/
Getting Around
Bus, walk 9 min $4 - $6 Beenleigh Rd at Fruitgrove 150,155,156...7min - every 15 minutes $4 - $6 Warrigal Rd at Bordeaux 2min - 184 meters to 144 Chester Road.
Or 30 min walk
Fruitgrove station
Bus, walk 9 min $4 - $6 Beenleigh Rd at Fruitgrove 150,155,156...7min - every 15 minutes $4 - $6 Warrigal Rd at Bordeaux 2min - 184 meters to 144 Chester Road.
Or 30 min walk
If you park here for more than 3 hours you will have to pay a small fee. Buses go from here to almost anywhere.
11 locals recommend
Garden City interchange station
If you park here for more than 3 hours you will have to pay a small fee. Buses go from here to almost anywhere.
Bordeaux Street
Bordeaux StreetOur local bus stop.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is our local. It has 2 styles of dining. The Deck, which is a bar style and often has live music on the weekends and the Garden Grille which has superb food well made and a garden setting. It also has reception areas and is a short walk from home.
11 locals recommend
The Glen Hotel
24 Gaskell StThis is our local. It has 2 styles of dining. The Deck, which is a bar style and often has live music on the weekends and the Garden Grille which has superb food well made and a garden setting. It also has reception areas and is a short walk from home.
Beautiful hilltop winery set in Australian bushlands. Do a tasting and winery tour or Cars and Coffee.
This casual event which encourages car enthusiasts to take the drive to Sirromet Winery on selected Sunday mornings-every third Sunday of the month, 8am-11am.
62 locals recommend
Sirromet Wines
850-938 Mount Cotton RdBeautiful hilltop winery set in Australian bushlands. Do a tasting and winery tour or Cars and Coffee.
This casual event which encourages car enthusiasts to take the drive to Sirromet Winery on selected Sunday mornings-every third Sunday of the month, 8am-11am.
Essentials
2 centres opposite each other. One has a Woolworths, chemist and other specialty shops the other IGA with a distinctively Asian influence.
Warrigal Square Shopping Centre
261 Warrigal Rd2 centres opposite each other. One has a Woolworths, chemist and other specialty shops the other IGA with a distinctively Asian influence.
This is where I grocery shop. The centre has a post office, asian butcher, discount chemist, newsagent, and doctors.
Woolworths Eight Mile Plains
261 Warrigal RdThis is where I grocery shop. The centre has a post office, asian butcher, discount chemist, newsagent, and doctors.