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

MORETON BAY & ISLANDS 243
COOL SPOTS FOR JAZZ & BLUES
Brisbane Jazz Club Finds On the riverfront under the Story Bridge, this
is the only Australian jazz club still featuring big band dance music (every Sun
night). Watch out for the slightly sloping dance floor—it was once a boat ramp!
Traditional and mainstream jazz is featured on Saturday nights. Once a month
on Sunday afternoons guest artists play on the deck. It’s open Saturday 8 to
11pm and Sunday 7 to 10:30pm and sometimes on Friday nights, but the best
thing is to call and check what’s on first. 1 Annie St., Kangaroo Point. & 07/3391 2006.
A$10 (US$6.50) most nights, with higher cover charges for some guest acts. CityCat to Holman St.
Free parking lot.
Holiday Inn Jazz-n-Blues Bar One of Brisbane’s leading live jazz venues is
in the unlikely setting of this busy hotel. A mixed crowd in their 20s to 40s turns
up to hear local, Australian, and international acts. Get there early, as there are
only seats for 30; the rest is standing-room only. Open Wednesday, Thursday,
and Saturday 6pm to late, and Friday from 4pm. Ground floor of the hotel, next to Brisbane
Transit Centre, Roma St. & 07/3238 2222. Varying cover charges.
THE CASINO
Treasury Casino This lovely heritage building—built in 1886 as, ironically
enough, the state’s Treasury offices—houses a modern casino. Three levels of
100 gaming tables offer roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, sic-bo, and traditional
Aussie two-up. There are more than 1,000 slot machines, five restaurants,
and seven bars, and it’s open 24 hours. Of the restaurants, the best value is at
Pastano, where nothing costs more than A$13 (US$8.50). Free live bands
appear nightly in the Livewire Bar. Ask about Ride and Dine deals, in which
your bus, train, ferry, or taxi fare entitles you to buy a package of cheap gaming
chips and a meal. Queen St. between George and William sts. & 07/3306 8888. Must be 18
years old to enter; neat casual attire required (no beachwear or thongs). Closed Christmas, Good
Friday, and until 1pm Anzac Day (Apr 25).
10 Moreton Bay & Islands
The Brisbane River runs into beautiful Moreton Bay, studded with hundreds of
small islands—and a few large ones. Some, such as the former quarantine station
and leper colony of Peel Island and Bird and Goat islands, can only be
reached by private vessel. Others are national parks, and some are accessible
either by tour boat or public ferry.
NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
A popular holiday spot for Brisbane families is North Stradbroke Island, one
of the world’s largest sand islands, with long white beaches fringing the east coast
and fishing towns strung along the sheltered western side of the island.
GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND Stradbroke Ferries (& 07/
3286 2666) operates a water-taxi service from Toondah Harbour, Middle Street,
Cleveland, to Dunwich (about 30 min.) for A$13 (US$8.45) return (roundtrip)
adult fare. The vehicle barge takes walk-on passengers for A$10 (US$6.50)
return (this takes about 1 hr.). A bus service meets almost every water taxi or
ferry, and operates between the three main settlements, Dunwich, Amity, and
Point Lookout. The trip takes about 30 minutes to either place and costs A$8.60
(US$5.60) for adults.
VISITOR INFORMATION The North Stradbroke Visitor Information
Centre (& 07/4309 9555), in Junner Street, Dunwich (about 200m/660 ft.