Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 5 . BRISBANE
and listed by the National Trust, the Breakfast Creek Hotel is fondly known as
the “Brekky Creek”—or simply “The Creek.” It is quintessentially Queensland,
with a new outdoor dining area overlooking Breakfast Creek, and is famed for
its gigantic steaks and XXXX (Fourex) beer “off the wood” (from the keg). The
beer garden is always popular, and there’s usually a band on Sunday afternoons.
2 Kingsford Smith Dr. (at Breakfast Creek Rd.), Albion. & 07/3262 5988. Main courses A$17–A$25
(US$11–US$16). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily noon–2:30pm; Mon–Fri 5:30–9:30pm; Sat 5–9:30pm; Sun 5–8:30pm.
Pub: Sun–Thurs 10am–10pm; Fri–Sat 10am–11pm. Bus: 300 or 322. Wickham St. becomes Breakfast Creek
Rd; the hotel is just off the route to the airport.
WORTH A SPLURGE
e’cco bistro MODERN AUSTRALIAN “Here it is” is one of the Italian
translations for e’cco, and that’s the philosophy behind the food at this multiaward-winning
bistro. Simple food, done exceptionally well. E’cco counts the
title of Australia’s top restaurant award (the Remy Martin Cognac/Gourmet
Traveler Restaurant of the Year) among its claims to fame, and deservedly so. Set
in a former tea warehouse on the city fringe, it is enormously popular, and bookings
are essential. Large windows, bold colors, and modern furniture make it a
pleasant setting in a small but popular restaurant enclave. There’s a nice, simple
price structure (each course’s offerings are all the same price), and there’s an
extensive wine list—many by the glass. You can BYO wine for a corkage fee of
A$5.50 (US$3.60) per bottle.
100 Boundary St. (at Adelaide St.).& 07/3831 8344. Fax 07/3831 8460. www.eccobistro.com. Reservations
required. Main courses A$29.50 (US$19). AE, DC, MC, V. Tues–Fri noon–2:30pm; Tues–Sat 6–10pm. Also open
Mon mid-Nov to Christmas. Closed for 10 days from Christmas. On-street meter parking.
5 Exploring Brisbane
WHERE TO CUDDLE A KOALA & OTHER TOP ATTRACTIONS
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Kids This is the best place in Australia to
cuddle a koala—and one of the few places where koala cuddling is still allowed.
Banned in New South Wales and Victoria, koala cuddling is allowed in Queensland
under strict conditions which ensure each animal is handled for less than
30 minutes a day and they get every third day off! When it opened in 1927,
Lone Pine had only two koalas, Jack and Jill, but is now home to more than 130
of the furry marsupials. You can cuddle them any time and have a photo taken
holding one for A$10 (US$6.50); once you’ve purchased a photograph, your
companions can take as many photos of you as they like with their own cameras.
Lone Pine isn’t just koalas—you can also hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies and
get up close with emus, parrots, wombats, Tasmanian devils, skinks, lace monitors,
frogs, bats, turtles, possums, and other native wildlife. There is currency
exchange, a gift shop, restaurant and cafe, and picnic and barbecue facilities. The
nicest way to get to Lone Pine is a cruise down the Brisbane River aboard the
M.V. Miramar (& 07/3221 0300), which leaves North Quay at the Queen
Street Mall, next to Victoria Bridge, at 10am. The 19km (12-mile) trip to Lone
Pine takes 90 minutes and includes a commentary. You have 2 hours to explore
Lone Pine before returning, arriving in the city at 2:45pm. The fare is A$25
(US$16) for adults and A$15 (US$10) for children ages 3 to 13, including a
map and hotel pick-ups. Cruises are every day except Christmas and Anzac Day.
Jesmond Rd., Fig Tree Pocket. & 07/3378 1366. Fax 07/3878 1770. www.koala.net. Admission A$15
(US$9.75) adults, A$10 (US$6.50) children 3–13, A$38 (US$25) family pass, A$13 (US$8.45) seniors, backpackers,
and students with ID, A$10 (US$6.50) pensioners. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily including Christmas