It is the Capital City of the State of Queensland. Located halfway up the eastern seaboard of Australia, its subtropical climate, since it falls on the Sunshine Belt, means that it is the perfect living environment with warm winter days and cooling summer showers.
Brisbane is located on the Brisbane River, which opens out into Moreton Bay. Extending 160 kilometers, the Bay offers much shelter and safe anchorage to the many recreational water sports that are popular with both locals and visitors to the area.
To the North of Brisbane lies the Sunshine Coast. Becoming more popular in recent years the uncluttered beach side towns of Noosa, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands and Caloundra are all popular with both interstate and international visitors.
For those wishing for a little more excitement, approximately 70 kilometres to the South is the Gold Coast. Home to may of Australia’s premier tourist
attractions such as Movieworld, Dreamworld, Seaworld and the Indy Carnival, the Gold Coast is a buzz, year round with an eclectic mix of travelers from around the world.
To the West is the Great Dividing Range. Too long to drive around, the road to Toowoomba goes right over the top of the ranges. Nestled at its feet, the Darling
Downs boasts some of the richest soils, perfect for growing crops and raising livestock.
Brisbane City itself is not without its own charm. The area is host to a wide range of landscapes and lifestyles. With almost two centuries past since the colony was settled in the area, Brisbane’s climate and proximity to some of the countries best beaches as well as the undulating and vegetation rich suburbs, means that many Australians are looking to relocate north from the colder southern states of New South Wales and Victoria.
The best thing about Brisbane, indeed Queensland as a whole, is the ‘laid back’ lifestyle that the locals lead. Barbeques in the evening, weekends boating
out on the boundless waterways and everything you could ever need within a short drive. Even though Brisbane is Australia’s third largest City it has resisted
developing the intensity and ‘bustle’ of Sydney and Melbourne … and that, the locals will tell you … is what makes it great.
In 1825 an attempt was made to settle a penal colony at Redcliffe, on the Western shores of Moreton Bay. For unknown reasons this site was not found well
suited and so was relocated to the present site of Brisbane City. A cruel and harsh place, commanded originally by Captain Patrick Logan, until his murder in 1830, the colony is perhaps best remembered for the windmill that was built there in 1828. Used not only to make flour from corn, the windmill also played a role in the punishment of its convicts. Still standing today, the windmill was converted to an observatory sometime after 1840, once all of the surviving convicts were returned to New South Wales, marking the beginning of Brisbane becoming a free settlement.
In 1859, Brisbane was separated from New South Wales and Queensland was proclaimed a new colony by Sir George Ferguson Bowen, its first Governor. In 1901 it went on to be included as a state of the British Commonwealth. Two city administrations, six towns, 12 shires and four other authorities amalgamated to form the Brisbane City Council on 1 October 1925, now referred to as Brisbane Day.
During the Second World War, Brisbane become home to many of the countries troops as well as many American Forces. Its rich resources and sheltered, easy to navigate harbour meant that it was a perfect base to replenish the activities in the Pacific. Throughout the years the American Navy has continued their very close bond with the City of Brisbane including a visit from the USS Kittyhawk earlier in 2007.
Cyclone Wanda in January of 1974 caused terrible flooding throughout the region. With 14,000 homes having to be evacuated, the Centenary Bridge at Jindalee damaged severely by a runaway gravel barge and with all air, road and rail communication with the outside world cut off, then it is no wonder that Saturday 26th is recorded as the wettest day in Brisbane since 1887. Today, many city buildings still show the photos, images and water level markers of the flood. Standing in a hotel lobby or high rise foyer, far above the current river, it is hard to comprehend the amount of water that fell in such a short period.
Brisbane in 2007 has seen a lot of development over the last few decades. Beneath the towering skyscrapers runs the windy river. Public transport is abundant and with the parks and greenery of the City, in particular Southbank, the CBD sees many locals returning to the area in the weekend to relax, soaking up the sun and the culture in what has continuously been voted Australia’s most livable City.
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