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

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CHAPTER 5 . BRISBANE
(Inner City Ferry). Bus: Countless bus routes depart Adelaide St. near Albert St., cross the Victoria Bridge, and
stop at the Queensland Cultural Centre; walk through the Centre to South Bank Parklands. Plentiful underground
parking in Queensland Cultural Centre. The Parklands are a 7-min. walk from town.
MORE ATTRACTIONS
Australian Woolshed If you’ve never seen a sheep or visited a farm, this
might be a novelty for you, but don’t be surprised if your Aussie friends cringe
Cheap Thrills: What to See & Do for Free
(or Almost) in Brisbane
• Free shows at South Bank Parklands. On weekends and holidays,
there is almost always free entertainment at South Bank Parklands,
such as street theater, live bands, movies under the stars, or concerts.
Even when there’s nothing going on, it’s a great place to hang
out, picnic by the river, and people-watch. Call the entertainment
line (& 07/3867 2020) to see what’s on.
• Attend a lecture, film, or gallery talk at the Queensland Art Gallery
or Queensland Museum Theater. Free lectures and gallery talks on a
topical artist or issue are held the first Wednesday of the month at
the Gallery, and most Wednesdays and some Saturdays at the
Museum. A free “Sunday at the Gallery” program features a talk,
film, or musical performance and kids’ activities. Book a seat for
Wednesdays; just show up on Sundays. Call & 07/3840 7303 (gallery)
or 07/3840 7555 (museum) for details.
• Watch the Queensland Parliament in action. If Parliament is sitting
(in session), the best show in town can sometimes be at Parliament
House (see “More Attractions” below). Aussie politicians drop decorum
in Parliament for no-holds-barred trading of taunts and insults
that are sometimes banal, sometimes shocking, often funny. The
free 10:30am tour at Question Time is the juiciest, when each party
tries to goad the other.
• Climb to the top of the City Hall clock tower. For a fabulous view of
the city, take the A$2 (US$1.30) elevator ride from the ground floor
to the third floor, then climb the stairs to the glassed-in observation
area. The clock tower is open Monday through Friday 10am to 3pm;
Saturday 10am to 2:30pm (except public holidays). If you’re there on
the quarter hour, you’ll get a close-up view of the chimes. Try not to
be there at midday, when the clock chimes 12—it’s deafening!
• “Walking the walk” on the Mangrove Boardwalk. The Mangrove
Boardwalk extends 400m ( 1 ⁄4 mile) out over the Brisbane River in the
Brisbane City Gardens, along Alice Street. It’s open and lit up until
midnight. Free guided tours of the gardens are run at 11am and
1pm Monday through Saturday (except public holidays).
• Check out the stunning St John’s Anglican Cathedral. At 373 Ann St,
you can watch stonemasons work on the West End of the building,
nearing completion after almost a century. Free guided tours of the
cathedral are offered at 10am and 2pm Monday through Saturday,
at 2pm on Sunday.