Brisbane: Why it's the perfect city to escape the cold this winter - and it's right in our backyard
And there's one city in our backyard that should be at the top of every Aussie's wishlist - Brisbane.
The Queensland capital, while often overlooked for nearby tourist spots like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, offers a range of activities, dining spots and bars for visitors to check out.
Best of all, the temperature lingers around the low 20s in the day, making for a much warmer escape than some of the southern states.
Where to stay:
For those wanting to stay in the heart of the city, travellers should look no further than the Park Regis North Quay.
The hotel is just minutes from the city's business and entertainment precincts as well as just a 15-minute walk to Suncorp Stadium, which has seen the likes of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, as well as playing host to the best of rugby league.
The Park Regis North Quay also boasts spectacular, panoramic views across the city, and the famous Brisbane River, colloquially referred to as 'the brown snake'.
Brisbane shines at night, with the city's bridges lit up in various changing colours, all spotted from right outside the window of your hotel room.
The hotel also offers a 24-hour gym, pool and barbecue area, conference and events floor and in-house dry cleaning.
Its location and views make the Park Regis North Quay a must-stay for any first-time visitors to the city.
Virgin Australia offers direct flights to Brisbane from every Aussie capital city, with a one-way ticket from Sydney currently on offer over the winter period from just $118.
What to do:
At the top of the list for any visitors and thrill-seekers keen to see what Brisbane has to offer, is the Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
The climb runs at three different sessions, in the day, at twilight and at night, with tickets starting at $150.
The climb lasts 90 minutes with climbers reaching a height of 80m and trekking a total of 535 stairs.
It's a perfect way to see the city, which lights up spectacularly come nightfall, with views extending to the Glasshouse Mountains in the north, to Moreton Bay in the east.
But don't worry, you're chained to the safety rail so those nervous about climbing above the horizon can rest easy knowing it's completely safe.
The Gallery of Modern Art, (GOMA), and the Queensland Art Gallery are other popular attractions, with the two galleries just 150 metres apart on the Brisbane River.
Entry to the galleries is free, while some exhibitions do require a fee.
The galleries boast a collection of Australian and Indigenous art, as well as a sculpture walk.
Brisbane is also an incredibly easy city to get around.
First-timers can easily jump on a Lime e-scooter and zip along the riverside, with the Felons brewery another popular stop for visitors keen to have a beer while looking over the water.
For those unsure of what to do, why not take a ride on the city's catamaran service CityCat all for less than a couple of dollars.
The service is a hop-on hop-off catamaran that takes visitors along the Brisbane River and shows them all the sights of the city.
Some tourists will take the CityCat from start to finish without even getting off, making it the perfect budget sightseeing adventure.
What to eat:
If you're sick of your usual rotation of restaurants, then the newly opened Brazilian bar Augusta should not be overlooked.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the venue proudly shows off its authentic Brazilian cuisine while also offering live music and a resident DJ.
Some of Augusta's most popular items on the menu include fluffy Pão de Queijo, known as cheese bread, as well as Sao Paulo's 'most famous sandwich' with mortadella, mozzarella or provolone.
Other favourites are Brazilian pot pies, coxinha - a Brazilian snack that consists of a deep-fried dough stuffed with a filling of your choosing, as well as Brazilian loaded fries.
Freshly baked pastries, cakes and desserts also can't go by unnoticed, such as Brazilian chocolate bon bons and nutella and strawberry crepe-like tapiocas.
The eatery sits just below the Park Regis North Quay and is just a stone's throw from the CBD with outdoor seating offering views of the river.
So if you're after a long weekend away, or just interested in seeing the best of Australia, make Brisbane a priority.
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