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Congress Venue – Sofitel BrisbaneThe Sofitel Brisbane is conveniently located in the heart of Brisbane, just a short walk from the shopping, entertainment, and business precincts. The new design of the refurbished guest rooms and suites reflects a contemporary "studio apartment" feel offering an abundance of filtered natural light, generous sized armchairs, ergonomic desk chairs, and increased desk space. Rooms include colour TV's with in-room movies, voicemail, mini-bar, iron/ironing board, hairdryer, telephone with international direct dialling, coffee maker and air-conditioning. Sofitel Brisbane Brisbane, QueenslandBrisbane is a vibrant city with a sub-tropical climate. The business heart of Queensland, Brisbane boasts an excellent mix of academic institutions, a thriving CBD and has become the head office location for many multi-national organisations. Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle has given rise to an exciting range of restaurants and leisure facilities close to the CBD. One hour to the north and south of Brisbane are pristine, safe beaches, tropical rainforests and mountain wineries. Brisbane is also a convenient gateway for exploring the rest of Queensland and Australia. Brisbane in detail
Just a walk across Victoria Bridge from the central city is South Bank, the heart of Brisbane's cultural, recreational and entertainment scene. On your right is the Queensland Museum, which has exhibits from whales to dinosaurs, snakes to snails and crabs to crocodiles, as well as special exhibitions. The nearby Queensland Art Gallery will reward art lovers with its internal water feature and Australian and Aboriginal collections. Nearby, the State Library of Queensland is not just a place full of books. You can access the Internet, trace your family tree, view visiting collections or watch a classic film - most services are free. The new Sciencentre will fascinate all ages with its interactive exhibits – a must for the child in all of us! Across Melbourne Street, the Performing Arts Complex stages some excellent theatre and music.
Across Grey Street are the South Bank Parklands, 16 hectares of river frontage parklands. Landscaping reflects rainforest, lagoon and beach environments and The Arbour, a flower-covered walkway, winds through the precinct. On the riverbank is Streets Beach where sun, sand and lifeguards deliver a beach experience to the heart of the city. There are cafes and restaurants, and the South Bank Village Markets, open every Friday night, Saturdays and Sundays. The Queensland Maritime Museum is at the Woolloongabba end of the Parklands and is home to a World War II frigate, a 1925 steam tug and many other fascinating bits for those into nautical relics. There are some lovely old buildings in the centre of Brisbane. The Conrad Treasury Casino is a beautiful 19th century sandstone building which contrasts easily with the glitter and gambling within.
St Stephen's Roman Catholic Cathedral has one of the world's finest collections of 19th-century stained glass. St John's Cathedral is a living artwork with vaulted ceilings, spectacular stained-glass windows and resident stonemasons at work. Parliament House is a grand building, built in 1868 and inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris. Parliament House backs on to the City Botanic Gardens, Queensland's leading heritage park. It's full of beautiful old trees and dates back to 1828. The Curator's Cottage is now the garden's café. For spectacular views, a planetarium and exotic plants, visit the Mt Coot-tha Lookout and Botanic Gardens. While there, you could take the 1.5- kilometre Mt Coot-tha Aboriginal Art Trail to see traditional artwork in a natural setting.
Just down in Fig Tree Pocket is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for those wanting to get up close to and personal with kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian Devils and wombats, especially if time precludes visiting wildlife sanctuaries on the ‘coasts’. You can also take a cruise from the city. The Queen Street Mall is the place to start for shopping. It's a pedestrian mall full of space, shade, light, al fresco eateries, free entertainment and, of course, department stores and shops. Locals after bargains head to Stones Corner, about 4 kilometres south of the city centre. Local buses or trains will take you there for some great seconds and outlet shops. There are also major shopping centres in suburbs like Indooroopilly, Garden City, Carindale and Chermside – all of which are connected by public transport. Just 2 kilometres from the central city is Milton. Head for Park Road for shoes, cigars, Wedgwood and Waterford Crystal, and antiques, as well as good dining. The architecture in Milton and Paddington is unique with its pretty weatherboard 'Queenslander' houses. Fortitude Valley is probably the best place to head for nightlife. Once it was a dark and sleazy place but it’s tidied its act. There are fine Chinese, Asian and Italian restaurants, some fun Irish pubs and pubs with good live bands. A couple of spots a little out of the city worth a visit are Manly for fishing or a picnic and a wander. The architecture and atmosphere is delightful. Moreton Island is a large sand island and a National Park. Catch a ferry from the Brisbane River or Scarborough. There are calm beaches on the west and a 36km surf beach on the east and you can get up close to dolphins at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort.
Getting Around Brisbane City Cats Trains Buses If you’re in for a sightseeing trip there are plenty of services on offer. The Loop is a free Council bus service that circles Brisbane's Central Business District. The Loop stops at several destinations including Central Station, Queen Street Mall, City Botanic Gardens, Riverside Centre, QUT and King George Square. Wait at the red City Loop signs for the next bus.
Queensland Queensland is where the world loves to work and play. All of Queensland’s many destinations are easily accessible from Brisbane, so when business is over the choices are endless. The ‘Sunshine State’ has the deserved reputation of being beautiful one day, perfect the next, and its diversity will astonish you. Where else can you enjoy friendly yet sophisticated cities, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia's amazing Outback, World Heritage Rainforest and the Aussie beach culture? Queensland is one of the world’s great vacation destinations, from scorched western landscapes to untouched beaches and primeval rainforests. Queensland’s reefs, rainforests and rural regions make the prefect start or finish to any congress. Experience World Heritage listed Fraser Island’s majestic rainforests, crystal clear freshwater lakes, and endless beaches on a 4WD tour. Head west to taste delights in Queensland’s centre for wine and stone fruit orchards. Explore the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s true living wonders, where clear lagoons and turquoise shallows surround a string of reefs filled with a myriad of colours and shapes. Experience the unique rugged Outback and search for your very own colourful Australian Opal. Natural wonders and great cities with dining, shopping and nightlife combine for a rewarding experience of endless choices. Australia’s Sunshine State of Queensland is a lifestyle paradise. There are treasures to discover in every direction, from unspoiled Moreton Bay and sub tropical islands to endless beaches, holiday coasts and rainforest national parks.
To the south of Brisbane is the colourful and exciting Gold Coast which is a region of contrasts. North of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is a naturally perfect blend of beautiful scenery and relaxed lifestyle. Visitors have a wide variety of activities to choose from in Southern Queensland. Moreton Island is Brisbane’s water playground where you can hand feed wild dolphins. Travel just 40 minutes out of the city to one of Queensland’s premier wineries and enjoy a wine tasting and gourmet food experience. Discover Aboriginal art and performance at galleries and venues throughout the region. Relax on the world’s best beaches along the Gold Coast’s sweeping 70km coastline, get your thrills at Australia’s favourite theme parks, or play a round of golf at any of the Gold Coast’s 40 Championship or resort courses. The Sunshine Coast is spectacular. Over one weekend visit, you can explore charming mountain-top craft villages, secluded sandy beaches, and coastal national parks while staying in the luxury of a stunning Queensland resort. In this region you will find an unusual blend of action, adventure and relaxation - an abundance of activities where there is something for everyone.
Australia
From the attractions of Brisbane and the surrounding region, delegates are well placed to explore the rest of Australia. There is an absolute feast of unique experiences and adventures in Australia waiting to tempt even the most seasoned traveller. Australia’s landscape is a picture of amazing diversity, contrasts and natural wonder. From the ancient rock Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Red Centre reaches out to a magnificent azure coastline. Scattered across this beautiful environment, our thriving cities bubble with sophistication and energy. Brisbane, Queensland’s vibrant sub tropical capital, Sydney and its magnificent harbour, and Melbourne with its heritage of arts, fashion and fine food, are just three of Australia’s outstanding city destinations. 'Northern Territory’ Australia, the world's smallest continent and largest island, is like nowhere else on earth. It is as big as mainland United States (excluding Alaska) but has only 18 million people. It is young, adventurous, stylish and friendly, has unique flora and fauna and a fantastic climate. Aussies (as the locals are called) enjoy sport, beaches, music, performing arts, outdoor cafes, pubs, gambling, multicultural restaurants and good friends. A rich cultural blend of fashion, languages and cuisine colours the streets of Australia’s major cities. Australia’s diverse mix of environments and cultures offers an encounter like no other. Explore lively, sophisticated cities, experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Australia’s natural wonders, discover the ancient mysteries of Aboriginal culture, and see and feel the rigours of life in the rugged Outback. Regardless of which path you take, Australia guarantees the experience of a lifetime! |
