Brisbane Travel Forum

Hi - I am hoping to get to Brisbane for a week or so in August - partly to stay with family in Albany (which I know is a fair way out) and partly to attend a festival at the Judith Wright Centre in Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley. That is Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It seems to me that if I want to go to the late night events and socialise then I had better find a hostel to doss down in on those nights close to the venue rather than try and use public transport to get back to Albany.

Has anyone got any suggestions for a hostel within staggering distance of Brunswick Street?

I am an older lady so want to feel welcome, if you know what I mean.

Also, as I don't know Brisbane well, can you tell me, is Fortitude Valley inner city?

AND - how far out is the airport? There is a bus, train into the city? How much does it cost?

Hello, we are planning a 3 week holiday to Brisbane in August and we would like to rent a car (preferably with child seats). Which car rental company would you recommend? I heard Hertw has the child seat option and if you have a special code, you may get discounts, too. Where do you get this code? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Hi there!

I am trying to book tansportation from brisbane Airport to a hotel in Surfers Paradise called Courtyard by Marrioot. I think the nearest station is one called Nerang. Does anyone have any idea how far away that station is from Surfers Paradise Blvd & Corner Hanlan Streets?

Other question is: has anyone used a shuttle service called Con-X-ion from Brisname Airport and were they any good?

Thanks very much in advance :o)

Hello guys! I will be flying in to Brisbane May 25 at 6pm and leaving the following day at 5pm for Sydney. After reading some of your helpful postings, I have decided I would like to stay near the Southbank area. It seems like a beautiful place and close to a few things I would like to check out for such a short amount of time. What would be the best transportation to and from the airport? Any suggestions about brisbane would be appreciated too. Thanks in advance!

What would be the best option for getting from Brisbane International Airport to Brisbane CBD hotel for 2 adults and 3 kids and assorted luggages, at 1.00 am in the morning?

Coachtrans only starts at 4 am and I don't fancy sitting around at the airport waiting.

Will be staying in Brisbane for 2 weeks this May. Would appreciate suggestions for hotels, apartments, B&B, etc. Any feedback on Q Resort properties? Are the Willahara Towers apartments nice? Suggestions for Aussie websites (besides wotif.com) to find good deals?

Thanks!
brissiebound

Does anyone know a reputable Chinese Herbalist in Brisbane specialising in exzema please?

My wife and I are hoping to be able to dine at the Customs House (or similar if there is a better alternative) during our visit from the US in mid March. I've been trying to find pictures of restaurant patrons so we know what to pack. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Hi VTer's!

I am planning a year (possibly 2) to Australia at the end of the year. I am currently trying to look into everything I am going to need and I was just wondering if anyone out there has got any good websites/recommendations for any hostels (anywhere - as I do plan to go everywhere while I'm there!) in Australia that are any good?

I have had a couple of recommendations so far - but looking for a few more recommendations please!

I am looking (at the moment, as it stands) to be flying into Brisbane at first... so mainly looking for that sort of area first.

I would be grateful for any replies - cheers!

Kayleigh

In the mid 1950's I was in Brisbane aboard the USS Brush DD 745 along with three other distroyers of the Little Beaver Sqd. We were docked somewhere on the Brisbane river but I dont remember where. If anyone on this site is old enough to remember back to when we were there and at which dock we were tied up at, I would like to hear from you with the location info of the dock area. I will be visiting Brisbane later this year and like to revisit this area.
Thanks.

Do we have to apply in advance for a visa or do we fill out a form on the airline from US? If we need to apply in advance where is the best place to apply? What is the weather like in April?

Suggestions please for an overnight hotel in between flights. Thanks.

Hi,




I've got a chance to book the Mantra Circle on Cavill (also known as Circle on Cavill?)on surfers paradise for 3 days at a fantastic rate if I act fast within 2 days. I've read some reviews and seems like noise over weekend parties is a common complaint. However, is it very noisy with parties on a weekday? I'm looking at Wed - Fri night stay during Jun period. One more thing, the apartment on offer is on the 6th level.




I'm travelling with my family, 2 kids aged 7 and 4. Our plan is to go to the Dreamworld and Movieworld on each of the day. What do you suggest that we do on the last day?




Thank you all for any advise :)

I am looking for a hostel to stay at in Brisbane - I have googled for some but am not sure which neighbourhood would be the best to stay in. Any suggestions will be greatly received! :)

Hi there!

How can I get to Fraser Island from Brisbane city (i.e. how long does it take to get there?) Is it closer to Surfers paradise or Brisbane?

Is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary easy to get to from Brisbane city too?

Thaks very much in advance :o)

My wife and I will be docked at the Cruise ship (Rhapsody of the Seas) on Thur 26/2 from 8am to 6 pm. Could any VTér advise best (efficient/cheap) way to get to the Southbanks ? Also, anything else to do to soak in the atmosphere of Brisbane ?

We were there during the Expo in 1988 and also passed by a couple of years back in a car (went up to Mt Cooltha ?) then. This time, we do not have the luxury of a car.

Thanks in advance.

where are all the gay/lesbian clubs in and around brissy?

Hi,
In February we will be visiting friends in Brisbane, then hiring a motorcaravan for 8 days. I realise we will not see much in such a short time, and wondered if it would be better to head along the coast north towards Cairns, or south. We are in our 50s, and this will be our first trip to Australia. We like national parks, walking etc, but are not into surfing. Any suggestions as to what to see, or other advice, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Hi!
I will be in Brisbane to attend a conference in February. I have 7 days in the city centre at conference related events, but I have 3 free days afterwards and I want to make the best of them.
I am 24 years old, a marine biologist, I love to SCUBA dive, love nature and the outdoors.
I definitely want to spend one day Scuba diving (the Great Barrier Reef -OMG!), and i am thinking about checking out Underwater World as well (I work with turtles and they have a turtle rehab program that I want to check out).
Can anyone recommend a dive company or location that I should check out?
Where is the best place in the area to see some of the native wildlife? What about spectacular natural scenery?
What else would you recommend I do with my limited time? What do you consider a must see in this area of the country?
Also whats the best way to get to these places, and can you help me budget for meals and transport?
I know thats a lot of questions, but I would really appreciate your help!
Michelle

Can anyone tell me if I want to fly into Brisbane and go to the rehabilitation section of the Mater Private Hospital to visit my sister who has had major surgery how far is it from the airport and is a taxi the best way to get there?
Any idea how much it would cost and is it easy to find ? Also any suggestions for a hotel near the hospital in case I stay o/n as I looked on wotif accomodation site and gave up there are so many I have no idea which suburbs are near hospital
Knowing my luck I would book opposite side of town to hospital .Any help appreciated .
I will probably fly up and back in one day unless I can stay at a hotel within walking distance or short taxi fare Trying to keep costs to a minimum this close to Christmas but thought it would be a nice surprise as her immediate family live 5 hours drive north and with their work and school it is too far for them to drop in easily .

Hi

I've just joined and it looks as though VT is a really friendly place.

Has anyone any tips or warnings about car hire in Brisbane. We're visiting in January and will have to rent a car for a couple of weeks to get to friends in Mitchell so we'll need unlimited Ks. I'm happy to go for Hertz or another major but I get confused by the CDW requirements and would rather not get an expensive shock when we come to pay.

We're really looking forward to our visit.

Thanks for any help and advise you can offer.

Hi everyone,

Two of my friends and I want to go to Brisbane for the weekend, it's going to be 2 full days. We are going to spend some time in the city and view the very best of it, then hire a car and go for some beaches or/and wild life parks.

Could you please advise how to do it best, we don't mind distances and can easily roam in 200-300km range from Brisbane. So we need advices on:

- the very best of Brisbane city
- spectacular beaches around ( I know Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, any else?)
- some park with wild life or just good forest/mountain views, where we could spend about a half of a day.

Thanks!

I am arriving at Brisbane International Airport (BNE?) and have to take a Virgin Blue flight to Hamilton Island at the domestic airport (CBD?)
What is the quickest way to get from the international to the domestic airport?
I have 2.5 hours between flights, can I make it?

Hi! Does any one has the e-mail address for these hostels/ hotels in Brisbane, Australia? Thanks

a) Kookaburra Inn
b) Brisbane Manor Hotel
c) Base Brisbane Central

Hello :)

I am planning a trip to Brisbane in March '09. My budget for accomodation is max AUD100/nite.

I am looking for a quiet place, located within walking distance to shops, restaurants and places of interests and easy to get public transport. I am looking at either room with ensuite bathroom or 1-bedroom self-contained apartment.

I am planning to use public transport for my sightseeing. Some places I am interested to visit are Queen St Mall, Brisbane City Hall, Museum of Brisbane, Parliament House, Botanic Gardens, Fortitude Valley's, Australia Zoo.

I have shortlisted the following options :

1. City Star Motor Inn, Kangaroo Point
2. Dorchester Inn, Spring Hill
3. YHA Brisbane
4. Milton Motel Apartment
5. Ambassador Motor Inn, Hillgate Hill
6. South Mater Motel, South Brisbane
7. Brisbane Manor Hotel, Fortitude Valley
8. Spring Hill Terraces

I would like some advice on which of the above are the best based on the requirements listed above.

Many thanks for your response.

Hi,
We are from Alaska. Husband, Wife and 3 boys, 10 to 15 ages need to determine where to stay and what to do. Yes, economy is our goal, but we may have to play the tourist trap game. I see on the web, motor home rentals are high, is that true? I would say we need to get out of town to see wildlife and scenic areas, to casually visit with the locals, our kids playing with yours kind of a deal. Would anyone be interested in helping escort us to make the best of our time and keep us safe? The Great Barrier Reef is a must for us to see and or do. First at Melbourne 5-20 to 5-29, then Brisbane.
kimbalsj@bp.com

Thank You for your time and care in answering. Steven Kimball

Hi, I know its a long shot but its worth a try

I would like to rent an furnished apartment near the Gold coast, Places like Southport,Labrador,Surfers Paradise, Biggera Waters

if anyone here has a place to rent please let me know, it would be from December - March

If anyone recommends any sites please let me know

Many Thanks

I'm about to move to Brisbane to study at Griffith uni (Nathan campus). I'd love to live in or close to the city but not sure which suburbs would be the best considering I'll be travelling to Nathan by bus daily. I've been looking for example West End and other suburbs close to the CBD but would like to get some advice from you who know the city better (I also wouldn't mind if there were some running tracks/parks/shops etc in the area).

Plus, if anyone knows about good horse riding places in/around Brisbane reachable by bus/train I'd be really thankful. At home I do horse riding nearly daily and I would like to keep doing it in Australia but after doing some reasearch I haven't really found much so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance :)

My wife and I are stopping off in Brisbane over Christmas after a two month road tour of the western US. Our daughter and son-in-law are coming down from Bundaberg to spend the week with us. We are hoping to keep our costs down by arranging to house-sit for someone who will be out of town over the period. We are reponsible homeowners in our 50s and 60s and Tracey and Steve are 28 and 41 respectively. We would be interested in anything within about 50km of the CBD, and would prefer somewhere on the coast, but beggars can't really be choosers. Our proposal should represent a win-win for both parties and we would obviously negotiate a price which would be acceptable to the homeowner. We are due to arrive in Brisbane on Christmas Day and we fly home on 2 January 2009. We look forward to hearing any ideas or offers.

I would like to know if anyone has stayed at balhouse apartments in Fortitude Valey. How is the accomodation there.I am taking my baby also and want to know whether it is good