Tuesday, 1 October 2024

Cruise Port - Brisbane, Australia



Introduction

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, straddles the Brisbane River with the coastline of Moreton Bay to the east and the hills of the Great Dividing Range to the west.

The city was at first a far-flung penal colony built on the Brisbane river for convicts who had caused trouble in other colonies. The officials recognized that the natural loop of the river provided a good obstacle to escape. In the late 1830s the area became a destination for free settlers, who were given incentives to farm sheep on Darling Downs, a fertile region under the Great Dividing Range. In 1859 following Queen Victoria’s Queensland Proclamation, which declared Queensland a separate state to NSW, Brisbane was chosen as the state’s capital. This led to an upswing in commerce, and by the end of the century Brisbane was the principal center of industry in the area. In WWII Brisbane was a major supply center to the Pacific war and the staging post for thousands of Australian and American soldiers.

Today, Brisbane is a sophisticated and easy-living city of 2.3 million people recognized as among the world's most desirable destinations for leisure, lifestyle and business.

You Choose The Cruise

Brisbane is ideally located for an attractive variety of cruises lasting one week, two weeks or even more. Sail northeast to the sun-drenched Loyalty and Vanuatu islands to chill out on a palm-tree shaded beach, or travel north to the the picturesque Whitsundays Islands to swim in crystal clear waters above iridescent corals. Extended cruises are also available, including the intrepid circumnavigation of New Zealand.

Cruises from Brisbane details all the cruise departures out of Brisbane.

Cruise Terminal


Brisbane's cruise port, the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, is located on the mouth of the Brisbane River, 25km east of the city. The modern terminal completed construction in 2020, and offers a range of facilities including check-in desks, luggage handling, restrooms, and a cafe.   The terminal also offers a parking lot which has a capacity of 900 cars. Please note that on-site parking has to be booked in advance on-line.

Sightseeing in Brisbane

Walking tour


Brisbane City Council's 'Explore the Classic City Centre', an informative walking tour map, is available on their website. Interesting sights include the General Post Office Building, dating from 1872 and still owned by Australia's postal service, the Old Windmill, used from as early as 1828 to grind corn, Government House, built in 1862 and the residence of Queenland's first Governor, the Anzac Memorial, dedicated to Queensland's fallen servicemen and St Stephens, constructed in 1850 with a neo-gothic facade.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary


Founded in 1927 on a small area of scrub by the Brisbane River, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's pioneer koala sanctuary and home to over 120 koalas. After petting a cute koala, watch the amazing skill of sheep dogs as they cleverly martial sheep by following the whistles and the gestures of the shepherd.

South Bank Parklands


The South Bank Parklands are located on the site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, and many of the buildings and art installations constructed for the fair have been kept. Unwind at the Nepal Peace Pagoda, a fine looking copy of a Kathmandu Temple, watched over by terrifying lion statues. Or sunbathe at Streets Beach, a wide curve of imported sand fronting a clear blue lake.

South Bank Cultural Centre


The South Bank Cultural Centre, on the southern side of the Brisbane River in the area between the the Kurilpa bridge and the Victoria bridge, comprises three prestigious attractions, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland Art Gallery features both permanent and temporary exhibitions of paintings and sculptures by international and local artists. The Gallery of Modern Art offers the biggest collection of modern art in Australia, presenting the output of a diverse variety of accomplished artists. The Queensland Museum opened its doors in the middle of the 19th century, and its collection has increased in size becoming a detailed record of the cultural and natural heritage of the state.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout


A quick half hour journey by coach brings you to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout, set up high up on a hill overlooking the city. In 1880 a large tract of hilly was allocated as a reserve for a public park and given the name Mt Coot-tha, a derivation of the Aboriginal word for honey.

Driving To The Cruise Terminal

The cruise terminal is easy to get to via Route 25.  Set your sat nav to 1, Cruise Terminal Drive, Pinkenba.


No comments:

Post a Comment