Although its jazzy Gold Coast sister to the south still likes to hog the limelight, Brisbane has really come into its own in the past few years, combining big-city innovation and industry with a small-town charm. With a tropical climate, relaxed attitude and burgeoning food and bar scene, Brisbane is the ultimate home-grown holiday destination.

They say it’s the people who make a place, and in Brissie, there’s an infectious enthusiasm that you simply don’t find in Sydney. Fortitude Valley is the pulsing home to passionate party-goers and music-makers who are leading Australia’s charge into the dance music and electro scene. On any given weekend, Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba are packed with sports fans cheering on the Broncos or Lions or Bulls or Aussies, and even the black-clad, rainbow-haired, skateboard-clutching youths that seem to be a constant fixture around Queen Street Mall have a general joie de vivre about them that belies their emo clothing. Brisbanites are what they are – and don’t really care what anyone else thinks.

The recent floods that hit Brisbane only served to highlight the mateship and spirit that flavour the town. The city stood united against inconceivable tragedy, and stood united again to reopen its doors to tourism. As the town recovers, the smiling locals and touching cleanup efforts are the single most powerful sign to would-be visitors from Broome to Ballarat that Brisbane is well and truly open for business.

CBD

There are an incredible number of shopping hubs located within the CBD, so get that plastic ready for a workout at Queen Street Mall and push it to the limit at QueensPlaza and Brisbane Arcade, which are both home to leading local and international brands, as well as other little gems if your taste leans to the quirky side. If they don’t tickle your fancy, try MacArthur Central, Broadway on the Mall and The Myer Centre.

South Bank

Brisbane’s South Bankis home to some seriously impressive local and international art, so we’d recommend starting your day at the Queensland Art Gallery and Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (situated conveniently next to each other, so you don’t have to walk too far in the Queensland heat!). If you’re travelling with children, chances are they’ll get more of a kick out of the Queensland Museum for a nice mix of education and entertainment (the Science Centre is especially impressive). And no matter who you’re travelling with, the Wheel of Brisbane is a fun way to take in matchless city views.

If all that art, culture and wheel-shaped entertainment has worked up an appetite, Little Stanley Street is the perfect place to venture for an abundance of restaurants and chilled-out bars. Once you’ve recharged the batteries, a walk on Goodwill Bridge is the perfect way to end your South Bank adventure, not forgetting to stop in at The Parklands, which have recently re-opened after the floods.

Fortitude Valley

Fashion, fun and funky house music epitomise this area of Brisbane. Not only is there a range of local Australian and international designers with boutiques here, but there’s also a thriving, throbbing nightlife to be enjoyed once the sun goes down. Make sure you pay a visit to Chinatown for mouth-watering Asian grub (and even more shopping).

For a more ‘meaningful’ visitor experience, head over to The Fort for some seriously cool art displays (the street art in particular is incredible) and the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.

And if you still haven’t had enough of shopping (what kind of a masochist are you?), the Valley Laneway Markets, held every Sunday, provide a range of local goodies.

New Farm/Teneriffe

The New Farm/Teneriffe district caters for upmarket tastes and hosts a bevy of fine-dining venues and trendy bars. The London Club or Salon Bar and Tapas are great venues if you’re looking for a bite and cocktail to fuel your feet. Suitably sated, head to the Fireworks Gallery for a spectacular array of contemporary art, including a large collection of Aboriginal works. Finally, the Brisbane Powerhouse will sort you out for fine food, plus various shows and exhibits.

Mount Coot-tha

If relaxation and/or ‘being one with nature’ (American term but and Australian way of life) is on your mind, you’ve just found nirvana. Start your day with a stroll up to The Lookout to enjoy the view, then head to the nearby café for some brekkie. Then strap on your walking boots for a hike through the Mount Coot-tha Reserve (or a drive if you really can’t be bothered) and luxuriate in gorgeous scenery and native wildlife. Then end your day at the Zen-inducing Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the bottom of Mount Coot-tha itself.

You won’t need telling that summers are very hot and humid in Brisbane, so if that’s not your cup of tea, avoid coming in late-December through to February. You’ll find plenty of nice, sunny days and minimum humidity in September through to early December, and the same goes for most of autumn.

The sun is incredibly hot, and even when it’s overcast you can still get burned. Avoid the humiliation of looking like an English tourist and keep your Aussie street-cred with a decent slathering of sunscreen.

TRANSlink is one of the main transportation services in Brisbane and provides buses, trains and ferries. Grab a go-card – not only is it cheaper than buying tickets each time you travel, but it also works across all three modes and can be topped-up.

In stark contrast to Sydney and Melbourne, the city of Brisbane often gets lost in the shuffle when it comes to big city tourism in Australia. At just under 2 million people however, Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is no slouch and offers tremendous vacation and travel appeal. As the former host of such international events as the Commonwealth Games, Goodwill Games and World's Fair, Brisbane's reputation as a vibrant, convivial community has been firmly established. A fortuitous geographical position around the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, all within the coastal plain of the Eastern Highlands mountain range, adds to the natural allure of Brisbane city.

Brisbane is first and foremost, a city of recreation. Much like the rest of Australia, the population displays a fervent passion for sport and the great outdoors. As such, the principal attractions revolve around areas such as the South Bank Parklands.

Opposite the Central Business District on the banks of the Brisbane River, the Parklands are a popular retreat and feature a lagoon, riverfront promenade, Streets Beach, markets and a number of picnic areas. All in all, South Bank Parklands is the ideal location to spend a beautiful day.

At the base of Mount Coot-tha, the free Brisbane City Botanic Gardens covers 20 hectares of land, with a number of superb flora attractions, some of which date back to the foundation of the park in 1855. The Gardens also contain the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and a wonderful Japanese exhibit, evidence of the World Expo in 1988.

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is yet more proof that Brisbane is a city for nature and wildlife lovers. The preeminent koala preserve in the world, the Sanctuary also shelters other animals endemic to Australia, from kangaroos and wombats, to echidnas and a variety of snakes.

Portside Wharf is a lovely, upscale district of the city with many retail and commercial shops, not to mention views of massive ocean liners and yachts. With restaurants and cinemas as well, Portside is a great place to relax at night for dinner and a show.

A big sports town, there are always athletic events to enjoy in Brisbane throughout the year. The city has major teams in several sports, such as rugby, soccer, Australian rules football and cricket. With passionate fans and terrific venues in Suncorp Stadium and The ‘Gabba Cricket Ground, a match in any of these sports is worth the price of admission.

A notable hub for live music and nightlife, Brisbane has a wealth of great clubs and concert halls. Check out the excellent Queensland Performing Arts Complex for the calendar of shows that feature the city opera, ballet and theatre company.

Other cultural venues such as the Brisbane Powerhouse and Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts hold numerous exhibits and festivals all year long, with an emphasis on modern art, film and dance.

With a subtropical climate, Brisbane has beautiful but volatile weather. Summers in general are quite hot, with more temperate and mild winters. Spring and fall can usher in more erratic conditions such as violent thunderstorms and severe weather, from hail to high winds on occasion.

• Summer (November to February) 18-29°C

• Fall (March to May) 13-28°C

• Winter (June to August) 10-22°C

• Spring (September to October) 12.5—25.5°C

In stark contrast to Sydney and Melbourne, the city of Brisbane often gets lost in the shuffle when it comes to big city tourism in Australia. At just under 2 million people however, Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is no slouch and offers tremendous vacation and travel appeal. As the former host of such international events as the Commonwealth Games, Goodwill Games and World's Fair, Brisbane's reputation as a vibrant, convivial community has been firmly established. A fortuitous geographical position around the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, all within the coastal plain of the Eastern Highlands mountain range, adds to the natural allure of Brisbane city.