Brisbane is renowned as a great shopping destination with huge air-conditioned mega malls, exclusive international boutiques, department stores and factory outlets. So if you're up for some retail therapy, here are some great options to get you started.

And if you’re looking for something a little more colourful and with a strong local atmosphere check out the arts and crafts, fresh food, bric-a-brac or something unusual, at one of Brisbane's markets.

Amazing Experiences

• Swim at a beach in downtown Brisbane
• Go 4 wheel driving along pristine beaches
• Visit the Southern Great Barrier Reef
• Explore walking tracks through World Heritage rainforest
• Feed dolphins in their natural environment
• Take a balloon ride over Brisbane’s city
• Visit Australia’s most easterly land point

Exhilarating Activities

• Abseil or rock climb in the heart of downtown Brisbane
• Take a cycle tour along the banks of the Brisbane River
• Sail across Moreton Bay
• Dive with the sharks or swim with the seals at UnderWater World
• Thrill to a tandem skydive
• Take to the skies in a Tiger Moth
• Drive a rally car
• Go five laps in a racing car at Queensland Raceway
• Learn how to surf
• Experience island life in Moreton Bay

Nature & Wildlife

• Watch whales frolic in Hervey Bay & Moreton Bay
• Experience the Outback without leaving the city
• See the Crocodile Hunter’s (Steve Irwin) Australia Zoo
• Cuddle a koala at the world’s first & largest koala sanctuary
• Take in the panorama from atop the peaks of Lamington National Park
• Cruise the Noosa Everglades, Lake Cooroibah & Lake Cootharaba
• See the coloured sands of the Cooloola National Park
• See the different Australian animals at Forest Glen Sanctuary
• Explore the world’s largest sand islands
• Discover the Aboriginal legends of the Bunya Mountains
• See an extinct shield volcano
• Delight in the World Heritage listed Lamington National Park

Sports

• Reel in a big catch deep-sea fishing
• See racing in the streets at the Surfers Paradise Indy Grand Prix
• Play golf at any of the 200 plus golf courses in the region
• See a game of Rugby Union, Rugby League, Australian Rules or Cricket
• Go surfing or enjoy the watersports on some of Australia’s best beaches
• Be a spectator at an Aussie surf carnival
• Go bushwalking through the heritage trails and national parks

History, Art & Culture

• Explore the cultural precincts of Brisbane’s South Bank
• Take an Artour of Brisbane’s numerous private galleries
• Visit the Maritime Museum and the nearby Naval Stores
• Follow the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery Trail
• Experience one of our country agricultural shows
• Learn about the region’s Aboriginal legends
• Take a guided walk through Brisbane’s historical sites
• Experience Australia’s largest steam railway museum
• Discover the heritage and unique character of Maryborough
• Drive the Cobb & Co Tourist route
• Visit Australia’s first interactive art gallery and social history museum
• Visit the Southern Hemisphere’s last Leper Colony.
• See Brisbane’s very own Alcatraz

Food & Wine

• Sample the region’s award winning restaurants
• Enjoy alfresco dining any time of the year
• Indulge in tempting local produce from the farmers markets
• Sample the vintages at the region’s numerous wineries
• Discover the secrets of leading chefs at gourmet cooking schools
• Experience the biggest selection of Ginger products in the world
• Sample the flavours of specialist providores in the hinterland districts
• Savour the distinctive cheeses of the region
• Taste the region’s best at any of the numerous wine and food festivals
• Go Greek at Paniyiri in May
• Experience the flavours of bush tucker at Kingfisher Bay Resort
• Be tempted by cocktails with a Queensland taste at resorts and bars
• Perch on a stool at the nearest surf club and enjoy an evening with the locals
• Eat fish & chips on a sandy Queensland beach at sunset
• Indulge in Moreton Bay Bugs – a local seafood delicacy

Shopping

• Designer label shopping in Brisbane and the Gold Coast
• Australian designers in Brisbane Arcade
• Shop where the locals do in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall
• Visit one of the many art & craft markets held throughout the region
• See whole towns devoted to art & craft like Mt Tamborine and Montville.
• Shop for local Australian products
• Excellent Duty Free shopping at Brisbane Airport
• Fossick for antiques along the Warrego Highway

Nightlife

• See the best in performing arts at South Bank’s Cultural Centre
• Be part of Australia’s best club scenes in Brisbane’s Valley precinct
• Enjoy the restaurants and clubs of Surfers Paradise
• Experience the variety of Brisbane’s live music venues in bars, clubs and pubs
• See major international performers on their concert tours
• Dance, karaoke or just relax in the cocktail bars of the city and coasts
• Go gaming at Brisbane’s Conrad Treasury Casino
• Try your luck at Gold Coast’s Conrad Jupiters Casino  www.conrad.com.au/jupiters
  

Family travel

• Explore sunken wrecks and mountainous sand dunes on Moreton Island
• Visit the Railway Workshops
• Visit Australia’s finest collection of fun filled theme parks
• Ride a Brisbane River ‘City Cat’
• Hire a boat and go fishing
• Go house boating on a calm lake or river
• Travel the Mary Valley Heritage Railway
• Stay in an on-site caravan or cabin, or pitch a tent
• Hop on a Brisbane City Tour
• Take the family to a Mountain Retreat & Farm Stay
• See the animals at sanctuaries or Australia Zoo
• Visit the Queensland Museum
• Experience over 25 different flavours of honey at the Superbee Honey Factory
• Learn about tropical fruit and pineapples at the Big Pineapple
• Visit the Peanut Heritage Museum and the Kingaroy Toasted Peanuts factory
• Explore the national parks and heritage trails of the region