Brisbane, AUS (“Brizzy” to the locals)

View of the old Treasury Building as seen from the South Bank of the River. This building is now an operating casino (ironic, eh?). Note the banner advertising the World Science Festival to be held soon in Brisbane, and the large newer office towers in the background.

One of the South Bank’s performing art spaces; note the adds for Irish singer Mary Black, Wynton Marsalis, Madama Butterfly, Wuthering Heights and other shows. In front of all of the buildings in this area runs a wide promenade along the river, with a ferris wheel, gardens, a Nepalese pagoda and other attractions.

Some of Brisbane’s homes along the river, many with docks and boathouses.

Feb. 19, 2016

We visited Brisbane yesterday, and saw another penal colony success story, a’ la Sydney. Brisbane is north of Sydney, still on Australia’s east coast, and it’s about half the population of Sydney (approx. 2 million, vs. 4 million in Sydney). It’s got a beautiful wide river that snakes through the city, and a lot of modern construction (commercial and residential) surrounds the classic old buildings from about 180 years ago. The Australians are quick to remind Americans that our USA history post-independence is twice as long as this newer country’s.

Brisbane has a very large new cultural center on the south bank of the river, with spaces for performing arts, visual arts and museums – it’s architecture is clean and functional, like Lincoln Center. We saw a range of upcoming performers, shows and exhibits that was tremendous.  But of course Brisbane is the town where the Bee Gee brothers grew up, so maybe music is just in the air here.  In March, the World Science Festival will be held in Brisbane.

Joe will likely post some great pictures of Brisbane, and a few of mine accompany this post. Brisbane is another town that is worth a second look, in our view; lots to see and do, amid a beautiful setting with many botanic gardens and natural green spaces.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Best,

MA