The Brisbane Eye

The Brisbane Eye opens this week at Southbank.


"World Tourist Attractions Australia is proud to announce the arrival in 2008 of a new 60m wheel, in partnership with the South Bank Corporation. The wheel is located at the South Bank in the heart of Brisbane's cultural, lifestyle and entertainment district.

After a brief introduction to the facilities available, passengers enter one of the 42 fully enclosed, climate controlled capsules and are gently lifted to a height of 60 meters for a spectacular view of the city. Lasting approximately 13 minutes, the wheel experience also features a commentary pointing out local landmarks.

We welcome visitors with disabilities to The Wheel of Brisbane. Wheelchair users please note that the door width is 74cm, however standard wheelchairs are available on site, subject to availability.

Tickets can be purchased in person from the ticket office located at the wheel, advanced booking, at discounted rates, is also available via our online system

The Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank is owned and operated by World Tourist Attractions Australia Pty Ltd."

Pricing:

Online:

Adult : $13.50
Child (3-12 years) : $9.00
Child (1-3 years) : $1.80
Infant : FREE
Private Gondola : $85.50

Onsite:

Adult : $15.00
Child (3-12 years) : $10.00
Child (1-3 years) : $2.00
Infant : FREE
Private Gondola : $95.00

60m high, the same height as the Eye that was at Seaworld for 2006/2007.
Higher then the Eye that was at the Ekka which was 45m (and the old Ekka ferris wheel is 35m)
http://www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk/wta_wheel_brisbane.php

Maleny Dairy Farm

THIS ONE YOU WILL NEED TRANSPORT FOR, but I am including it as it is an interesting day out.

Things to Do: Dairy Farm tour and free tasting.

Getting There: Maleny is 30km south west of Caloundra

Don't Forget: closed in shoes, hat and sunscreen

Check Out: The Lunch Menu available and fresh milk at great prices.

Other Options: Nearby Mary Cairncross Park.

More Info:
http://www.malenydairies.com/tours.html
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/sunshine-coast/places-to-visit/maleny/
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/see-and-do/places-to-see/maleny-montville-mapleton

RiverLife Brisbane River

A Different view of the River.
Minimum 8 years.

Things To D0:
Hire a kickbike, a regular bike or rollerblades
Guided Kayaking sessions
RockClimbing/Abseiling
Pumpabiking
Night Kayaking sessions with Wine and Canapes or Hahn and Prawns

Getting There:
Catch a ferry from Eagle Street to Thornton Street
Walk over the Goodwill Bridge

Don't Forget:
Hat,sunscreen and water

Check Out:
The Sand Tobogganing run through their sister company at Tangalooma.
The view from the top of the cliffs

Other Options:
After 2 guided Kayaking sessions you can hire a canoe on your own.

More Information:
http://www.riverlife.com.au/

Ipswich

Ipswich has enough things to do to keep you busy for a few days or a few visits!

Things to Do:
Visit the Railway Workshops
Visit Queens Park and the Nature Centre
Visit Global Arts Centre at the Ipswich Art Gallery
Bushwalks at Denmark Hill Conservation Park
Follow the Ipswich Heritage Trail
Enjoy the new Riverwalk area and visit this area at night to see the creature light show

Getting There:
Catch a train to Ipswich

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and Hats
Queens Park has a kiosk, BBQ facilities and a lookout

Check Out:
The old Railway Bridge remnants behind the shopping centre on the edge of the river.

Other Options:
Catch a train further on to Rosewood
Visit the grave of Dan Kelly in the Ipswich Cemetery

More Information:
http://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/
http://www.ipswichcentral.com.au/river/
http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/attractions/ipswich2.html
http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/parks_reserves_precincts/parks_search/index.php?id=75
http://www.ironoutlaw.com/html/writings_hall.html

Shorncliffe

Shorncliffe Foreshore has just had renovations done. There's a great park near the Jetty and rock pools to play in along the shore.

Things to Do:
Look at the boats in the Marina, play in the park, look for sealife in the rockpools.

Getting There:
Take a Shorncliffe train from Northgate.

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and a Hat

Check Out:
The View from the top of the cliffs

Other Options: Keep walking along the foreshore to Sandgate where you can visit the lagoons.

More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/shorncliffe/history/

Southbank

Southbank is always a great family day out, there's always something on, something new to see, even just sitting along the riverbank watching the boats go by is a great way to spend a few hours.

Things to do there:
Swim at the man made beach
The Science centre (entry fee)
Museum (gold coin donation)
Art Gallery (Gold coin donation)
Gallery of Modern Art
State Library (Has an excellent children's section and also an Official Bookcrossing Zone)
Playgrounds
At the Northern end past GOMA there is a lovely new picnic area.

Getting there:
Catch a City Cat across from North Quay
Catch a train to South Brisbane or Southbank stations
walk- over the Goodwill pedestrian bridge or Victoria Bridge
Catch a bus to the Cultural Centre stop

Don't Forget :
Hat, sunscreen and water. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. If you plan to go to the Mangroves in the Botanic Gardens you might need some insect repellant.

Check out:
-the Nepalese Pagoda a reminder of Expo 88
- The original Victoria Bridge pylons
- The Markets

Other Options:
- Walk along to the Maritime Museum (entry fee)
- Kangaroo Point cliffs walk (a great walk along the river under the cliffs where you can see people abseiling,a lookout, lots of places to stop for a rest, there's also RiverLife http://www.ourbrisbane.com/visitors/seeanddo/river/riverlife.htm where you can hire Rollerblades or Kayaks for a faster journey!)
- Walk over the Goodwill bridge and along to the City Botanic gardens, another nice walk along the riverbank. (visit the Kangaroo statue near the cafe) Walk through the Mangrove Boardwalk
- Walk past the picnic area at the far Northern end of Southbank and you can keep walking all the way to the West End Ferry stop, past the rowing clubs and a historic gas tower.

More Information-
http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s1767541.htm
http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/home
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/sciencentre/
http://www.qag.qld.gov.au/
http://www.qpac.com.au/home/

Mt Cootha Lookout and Bushwalk

Mt Cootha is a great place for a family day out, there is a cafe and a restaurant at the lookout. Both are quite expensive but very nice, clean and the view from the Restaurant is worth the cost!
There are some information boards and toilets.
Down the trails there are BBQ areas and more toilets.

Getting there:
Bus 471 from Stop 7 in Ann st Brisbane, runs regularly on weekdays , there are only 4 services on Saturdays and Sundays.


Getting Back:
Same bus back or you could walk like we do! We have walked back to the ferry terminal at Regatta and another time we walked back to Roma St. Walking back down means you aren't stuck to the bus times and you can take a detour via the Cemetary and have a wander through the historic graves.

Don't Forget:
Hats,sunscreen and plenty of water if you take the bushwalk option.
It's not likely that you would get lost but best to print a map http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/media/parks_and_forests/parks/bfp_mtcootha.pdf just in case.


Warning:
The Powerful owl trail is VERY steep and not recommended for small children or unfit people. Some trails get muddy or covered with water in wet season.

Other Options:
There is also the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens to visit on the way down

More Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Coot-tha,_Queensland