The botanical gardens and the central business district, with its towering buildings, make for a spectacular backdrop for yachts moored in the Brisbane River. Photo: BCEC - Wikimedia Commons
THE Brisbane River is perhaps the heart and soul of the city. Commercially, the centre of Brisbane is the point where the river splits the City of Brisbane and Fortitude Valley on the northern side and South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point on the southern side. It is at this point on the northern side of the river that the central business district has grown. And, it is within these four suburbs that many of Brisbane's great attractions lie. The attractions are both natural and man-made. Natural splendour is reflected in the way in which the river, flanked by high cliffs, winds its way through Kangaroo Point and then out through New farm and Bulimba. Man-made attractions are many. In the City of Brisbane, beside the river, there are the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Riverside Centre and historic buildings of interest. Further east, in Fortitude Valley, there are cafes and restaurants, a popular mall area, nightclubs, Chinatown and weekly markets. Across the river on the southern side is South Bank, built initially for World Expo 88 but then redeveloped as a tourism precinct. It offers visitors a man-made beach and swimming area plus a host of restaurants, cafes and entertainment facilities. Further on, in Kangaroo Point, there is the Kangaroo Point Park and cafe - perched on cliff tops offering spectacular views of the river and towering CBD buildings opposite. A ferry network links all these points to other points along the river. The Brisbane City Council operates a fleet of 21 CityCats and nine monohull ferries across a network of 25 terminals stretching from The University of Queensland at St Lucia in the west to Northshore Hamilton |
CHANGING BRISBANE SKYLINE
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