Brisbane    Before European settlement, the area of Brisbane belonged to the Jagera and Turrbal Aboriginal people. Brisbane was selected as a gaol site in 1823.  Moreton Bay district being opened to free settlers only in 1842. Brisbane was named after the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane. The population grew from 829 in 1846 to approximately 6,000 by 1859 when Brisbane became capital of the autonomous colony of Queensland. By the time of Federation (1901), Queensland was the fastest growing state in Australia. During World War II thousands of American soldiers were stationed in Brisbane. As city services struggled to meet the requirements of the extra population, friction mounted between Americans and Australians. In November 1942  conflict break out into the ill-famed street combat that is now known as the 'Battle of Brisbane'.  In 1974 flood devastated Brisbane with an estimated $300 million of damage.     What to do in Brisbane:   Trips and Tours:  A B Sea Cruises from Manly to St Helena Island National Park. The Island has a fascinating and colourful past, for here stood Queensland's foremost maximum security prison.  Araucaria Ecotours - a member of Wildlife Tourism Australia. Day to3 days tours or customized tours half a day  to one week long for groups. Budget wildlife weekend camps, Farmstays, Romantic getaway, Children's activity weekends, Study weekends, children's camps, bird-watching, wildlife-viewing, bush-walking. Moreton Island Tours off Brisbane - fully guided four wheel drive Eco-adventure Sunset Safaris - Gold Coast and Brisbane adventure tours. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive Safari tours. Queensland Heritage Trails Network     Activities and Adventures: Antique Airways operates two Tiger Moths joy flights and also operates a Twin engine classic Beechcraft model 18 for  nine passengers.     Brisbane during the year: Mountains to Mangroves Festival – a biennial arts and environment festival Brisbane International Animation Festival (biaf) - The biennial Griffith University Brisbane International Animation Festival Brisbane Festival – The biennial international multi-arts festival Straight out of Brisbane - festival of independent and emerging arts Brisbane International Film Festival Brisbane Writer's Festival Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature - biennial festival Valley Fiesta - festival of music and the arts Queensland Music Festival (QMF) River Festival - 10 days of events about the Brisbane River Paniyiri (Greek festival in May) Energex Brisbane Festival (July) Out of the Box (children’s festival)   Check Brisbane EVENTS CALENDAR     Sightseeing and Attractions: Alma Park Zoo Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Mt Coot-tha Lookout Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens South Bank City Botanic Gardens Queensland Art Gallery Roma Street Parkland   What is for free in Brisbane: What’s free in Brisbane - Brisbane's best freebies            Culture: City Hall Queensland Performing Arts Complex, South Bank State Library of Queensland - reference and research library which alsoprovides a diverse range of services. Queensland State Archives Brisbane's Living Heritage - a discovery guide - network of 31 museums presenting Queensland's history Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS) - extensive links and information on coral reefs. Brisbane Concert Choir at St Andrews   Brisbane Powerhouse - performing arts centre Metro Arts  -  features galleries , performance spaces, artists studios and arts organisations, rehearsal and meeting spaces, a restaurant and a coffee shop. Metamorphosis Art Studio - art classes Institute of Modern Art Brisbane Symphonic Band Inc. Triple M Brisbane - radio station The Wagner Society in Queensland Inc. Queensland Orchestra The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley - Elegant theatre built in 1917 and restored in Art Deco style.   Exhibitions: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre ART EXPO - Andriani Exhibitions   Galleries/Museums: Queensland Maritime Museum   Queensland Art Gallery - extensive collection of international and Australian paintings, sculptures and art objects. Queensland Museum Museums Australia Queensland (MAQ) Ipswich Art Gallery Charles Ginn Gallery Brisbane Grahame Galleries and Editions Red Hill Gallery   Gallery M - Fine Art Photography Redback Art Gallery - art works from Aboriginal artists Woolloongabba Art Gallery Jan Manton Art Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts   Australian Indigenous Tribal Galleries   Physics Museum at the University of Queensland    Theatres: Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) Queensland Ballet Opera Queensland La Boite Theatre - new drama Red Spoon   Drama Australia Expressions Dance Company Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm   What is going on now in Brisbane: Brisbane 24 7 - event and entertainment guide Brisbane City Life (BCL)   - online guide EVENTS CALENDAR – hundreds of events in Brisbane   Public transport in Brisbane: TransLink Queensland Transport - Public Transport Information Brisbane Council  - Brisbane City Council - Bus & Ferry Information   Rail Services: Airtrain Queensland Rail oficial Queensland Rail Traveltrain                                                                Ferries: Fantasea Blue Ferries, Whitsunday Islands  Magnetic Island  Moreton Island Ferries  Peddells, Thursday Island  Stradbroke Ferries, North Stradbroke Island  Stradbroke Flyer, North Stradbroke Island     Bus/Coach Operators in Brisbane:   Brisbane Bus Services Brisbane Bus Lines Caboolture Bus Lines  Connex Brisbane Hornibrook Buslines Kangaroo Bus Lines Park Ridge Transit Southern Cross Transit Westside Bus Co. Country Bus Services Buslink, Gladstone Coral Reef Coaches Cairns-Cape Tribulation Duffy's City Buses, Bundaberg  Emerald Coaches Central and Western Queensland tours FNQ Bus, Mossman Henry's Transport Group, Maroochydore Hermit Park Bus Service, Townsville  Mackay Transit  Mission Beach Dunk Island Connections Sunair, Sunshine Coast   Sunbus - Rockhampton, Cairns, Townsville,               Sunshine Coast, Toowomba  Surfside Buslines Gold Coast Wide Bay Transit, Maryborough  Whitsunday Transit  Young's Bus Service, Rockhampton   Brisbane Coach/Charter Services Australian Day Tours Bond Tours Brisbane Mini Bus Charter Brisbane 2 Byron  Backroads Touring Company Coachtrans Brisbane Airport Transfers Gold Club Travel Mt Gravatt Bus & Coach Service Red & White Coaches Signature Coaches Sisil's Buslines Wandering Wombat Bus Tours   Gold Coast Coach/Charter Services Aerobus Airport Transfers Aries Tours Con-X-Ion   Funtasia Tours Gold Coast Ecotours Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle JBRI Charters & Tours Koala Koaches Landmark Adventures Liason Tours & Socialnet LTD Bus and Coach Rental Paradise Gold Tours & Charters Surf City Coaches   Country Coach/Charter Services Crisps Coaches Down Under Tours, Cairns Bus-IT Queensland Kynoch Coaches, Toowoomba Polleys Coaches, Gympie South East Tours, Sunshine Coast  Suncoast Pacific, Sunshine Coast Sunstate Charters/Sunstate Coaches   Tropic Wings, Cairns  Vista Travel personalised tours & airport transfers, Sunshine Coast Watugo Tours   Czech and Slovak community in Brisbane: Will come soon…   Are you moving to Brisbane??? Hints and tips for moving Queensland Government on moving to Queensland   Real Estates in Brisbane: Brisbane Real Estate @ domain.com.au   Services: Disability services - Brisbane City Council Services of Brisbane City Council - libraries, transport and parking, water, online services, cemeteries, waste, immunisation etc.   Professional services: Mater Health Services Brisbane - Hospital's Complex in Brisbane Gregg Lawyers Legal Services Hartley Healy Family Law Brisbane U.C. Conference Centres Cliftons - computer training facilities, conference / seminar facilities, Brisbane   Shopping: Brisbane Shopping - information about shopping precinct and Brisbane's open air markets Brisbane Warehouse Shopping Tours Queen Street Mall, more htan 500 stores - at 171-209 Queen St.   Schools and English Language Schools: Human International Academy (HIA) is an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Student (ELICOS) institution, accredited by National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) and approved by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) English language courses & language study in Brisbane, Australia – detailed information about language schools in Brisbane and discount online enrolment.   Private schools: Illustration House, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane   Clubs: Vibe Nightclub, Brisbane City Brisbane Jazz Club The Sit Down Comedy Club   Dockside Comedy Bar   Monastery   Bars: Gianni Vintage Cellar Bar Restaurant, Brisbane   Restaurants and cafes: E'cco Bistro - 100 Boundary Street, Brisbane Cru Bar & Cellar - 22 James Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane Gianni's Restaurant - 12 Edward Street, Brisbane Pier Nine - Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane Isis Brasserie - 446 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley Bretts Wharf Restaurant + Private Function Room + Off-site Catering, Hamilton Baguette Restaurant & Lounge Bar, Ascot Walkabout Creek Restaurant and Function Centre, The Gap Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant, Broadbeach Bundaleer Rainforest Gardens, Brookfield - 20 minutes from the Brisbane CBD - Specialising in wedding ceremonies, receptions, conferences, entertainment packages and special events  Annabelle's of Albion   Pubs: Story Bridge Hotel since 1886 - special events: The Australia Day Cockroach Races and The National Festival of Beers. QA Hotel   Sport Events: Brisbane Swimming Rowing Queensland Waterpolo Queensland Table Tennis Queensland (TTQ) Hockey Queensland HQ Cycling Queensland Rugby League Queensland (QRL)   Sport Centres: The Gabba Function Centre, Woolloongabba Suncorp Stadium, Milton   Newspapers: The Courier-Mail - newspaper   Brisbane weather: Brisbane Region Brisbane Weather     Accommodation in Brisbane       All links are to original hotel website /only if it is quoted otherwise/ which will give you the best information. Please check them out. But you can get usually better deal by using specialized websites – /for booking see the discount websites at the bottom of the page...coming shortly/   5 Stars Hotels Brisbane Riverview Conrad Treasury, 130 William St Emporium Hotel, Fortitude Valley Hilton Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen St Quay West Suites Brisbane Saville South bank Brisbane Sofitel Brisbane Hotel The Sebel King George Square Brisbane - The Sebel tower - Brisbane’s largest hotel   4.5 Stars Hotels Chifley at Lennons, Queen Street Cosmo on Park Road, Park Road, Milton Holiday Inn Brisbane,Roma Street Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane Hillcrest Central Apartments, Vulture St., South Brisbane, MacArthur Chambers - Luxury Heritage Apartments. Cnr Queen and Edward St Medina Executive Brisbane,15 Ivory Lane, City Mercure Hotel Brisbane, North Quay Novotel Brisbane, central city Oaks Lexicon, Cnr Wharf & Ann St., Oaks 212 Margaret, situated next to the City Botanical Garden Oaks North Quay Apartment Hotels'  or also 3.5 star studios Oaks on Felix, 40 Levels, 253 Apartments Quest River Park Central, serviced apartments ,120 Mary Street. Rendezvous Apartment Hotel, 255 Ann St.,City Rothbury on Ann Suite Hotel, Ann St.,City Royal Albert Hotel, Cnr Albert & Elizabeth, City Royal On The Park Hotel Rydges South Bank ,closest hotel to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre The Point Brisbane, Hotels Inner Brisbane Hotel Watermark, Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill West End Central , Apartment Hotel, Melbourne St.,   4 Stars Hotels Astor Apartments, 35 Astor Terrace, Spring Hill Central Brunswick Apartment Hotel, 455 Brunswick St., Fortitude Valley FV 4006 Apartments, 2 Berwick St., Fortitude Valley Diana Plaza Hotel, Annerley Road,, Woolloongabba Dockside Central, 44 Ferry Road, Kangaroo Point Il Mondo Boutique Hotel, Rotherham, Kangaroo Point Inchcolm Hotel, Wickham Terrace, City Pacific International Apartments, Queen St.,City Quest on Story Bridge, Deakin St.,Kangaroo Point The Sebel and Citigate, King George Square Sebel Suites Brisbane, Cnr Albert & Charlotte, City Spring Hill Mews, 27 Birley St., Spring Hill Summit Central Apartment Hotel, 32 Leichhardt St., Spring Hill Virginia Palms International,Corner Sandgate and Zillmere Road, Boondall Windsor International Motel , Cnr Lutwyche Road & St., Lutwyche     3.5 Stars Hotels Best Western Airport, Hacienda Motel , Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton George Williams Hotel, George St., City Ibis Hotel Brisbane, Turbot St., City Kangaroo Point Holiday Apartments, 2km from Brisbane City Metro Hotel Tower Mill, Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill Terraces on Wickham, 345 Wickham Terrace, City   3 Stars Hotels A1 Motel Brisbane, 650 Main St., cnr Sinclair  St, Kangaroo Point Allender Apartments, 3 Moreton St., New Farm Astor Metropole Part of Best Western Hotel, 193 Wickham Terrace, City City Palms Motel, 55 Brunswick St., Fortitude Valley Cleveland Visitor Villas Motel, 214-216 Bloomfield St., Cleveland Explorers Inn , 63 Turbot St, City Marque Hotel, George St., City Metropolitan Motor Inn, Leichhardt St., Spring Hill Ryans on the River, 269 Main St., Kangaroo Point Spring Hill Terraces , 260 Waters St., Spring Hill   2 Stars Motels Hotel Formule 1 Windsor, 159 Lutwyche Road, Windsor   Backpackers: Aynsley Bed & Breakfast, 14 Glanmire St., Paddington Balhouse Apartments, Fortitude Valley Bunk Brisbane, Cnr of Ann St and Gipps St., Fortitude Valley Carinya Highgate Hill , Bed & Breakfast, 117 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill Cloud 9 Backpackers Resort , 350 Upper Roma St, City Kookaburra Inn , 41 Phillips St.,Spring Hill Palace Backpackers , Corner Ann & Edward Street, City Sapphire Resort, 55 Boundary St (Cnr Brereton St), South Brisbane Snooze Inn Boutique, Budget Accommodation , 383 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley Tinbilly Travellers, 462 George Cnr Herschel St, City   Add your information!!!!! 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