Fantastic pub where the beer menu changes each week and bar staff are happy to guide you through the current offerings with a taste of each one so you know exactly what you're buying. Each one served in a stemmed scooner rather than pints. Low lighting, high tables, big brick walls and a mixture of trendies and people off out to watch the footie in the nearby stadium. Well worth a stop.

www.scratchbar.com
8/1 Park Rd, Milton, QLD 4064
Google map: bit.ly/RdfJVC

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We’ve just got back from a wonderful trip to Australia and I have to say Pethers set deep in the Queensland rainforest is simply stunning. You feel as though you are truly in the heart of the jungle with all the bird sounds around you plus you are totally private enough to take a double jacuzzi bath overlooking the foliage with no chance of being overlooked! The treehouse room was bigger than our London apartment and we enjoyed our daily breakfast (delivered to the room each morning) on a huge balcony in the midst of the trees. We loved watching the parrots swoop overhead! It’s run by a great couple Tim and Ilena who were really friendly and made us so welcome. We had dinner one night and it was the best meal of the trip and reasonably priced. It’s not far from Brisbane -probably an hour and a half but you really feel as though you are miles from civilisation.

28b Geissmann Street
PO Box 117
North Tamborine, Qld 4272
AUSTRALIA
www.pethers.com.au
Phone: +61 7 5545 4577
Email:retreat@pethers.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9vojgt

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If you after a unique view of Brisbane and it surrounds I can recommend doing the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Get the ferry there and finish off with a pint at the Story Bridge Hotel.

170 Main Street
Kangaroo Point

Google map: tinyurl.com/kj2gr3
www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au

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This French Renaissance style building was built by the Lord Mayor in 1889, and today the hotel is a Brisbane institution.

But you won't find a room here - the 'Brekky Creek' is a pub and restaurant serving up the juiciest steaks you'll find in the city, and beer 'off the wood' (out of wooden barrels).

The bar is always packed out, thanks to Brekky Creek's stellar reputation. But this no-nonsense steakhouse for hard-core carnivores more than lives up to the hype.

2 Kingsford Smith Dr, Breakfast Creek, 4010
www.breakfastcreekhotel.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/lu242s

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Cuddle up and make some Aussie furry friends at Australia's biggest Koala Sanctuary.

There are over 130 Koalas and a host of other marsupials in this beautiful natural park, all roaming free in their natural habitat. Get snapped with one of the furry beasts in 'Koala Hug' photos and hand feed the kangaroos, or wander round the peaceful grounds and watch them hang from the trees.

There's a souvenir shop with all the usual stuffed toys and Koala paraphenalia, but the Koala Enclosure cafe boasts 360 degree views over the sanctuary while you sip your coffee.

One of the most scenic ways to get to the sanctuary is by boat, and a cruise departs from Brisbane's cultural center, sailing past the city's historic buildings and lush islands.

708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket, QLD 4069, Australia‎

Google map: tinyurl.com/m3gjyq

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There are loads of backpacker hostels in Brisbane, especially in the Fortitude Valley with its buzzing nightlife.

But this award-winning hostel really goes the extra mile, with free pick up from the train station and a 'travel agency' for booking tours and surfing trips at cheap rates. The super-friendly staff will even help with finding a job on your travels!

The private rooms are like trendy loft apartments, but the amazing bar and cafe 'Birdee Num Num' comes as standard, with Sunday BBQ 'sessions', live music most nights, and an outdoor heated pool for late-night pool parties.

The best bit about this hostel? The on-site spa for a spot of pampering - a welcome to weary backpackers everywhere after weeks on the road.

www.bunkbrisbane.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/nglwtu

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You're sure to come across XXXX Castlemaine beer in a Brisbane bar, and at this working Brewery you can learn how your humble pint is made.

At the end of the tour you head to the ale house to learn how to pour and taste the perfect pint, before guzzling your four free 'brewery fresh' beers. Go on Saturdays and you'll get a Queensland 'Barbie' included in the price.

As the beer has been around for 130 years and the brewery is a listed building, you can pretend this is an 'educational experience' rather than boozing in the middle of the day.

Corner of Black & Paten Street (just down from Milton Road).
Milton, Brisbane

Google map: tinyurl.com/py7kjf

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Fortitude Valley was once Brisbane's home of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, with junkies and wannabe rock stars wandering the streets. The area may have lost its edge but is still a hip spot for bright young things, flocking to the buzzing clubs and bars of Brunswick Street Mall at night. By day, the pedestrianised street is the place to be seen sipping coffee in the cafes, or browsing the quirky market stalls on a Saturday for some kitsch-cool finds.

Brunswick Street
Brisbane City
Queensland 4006

Google map: tinyurl.com/r7qvws

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Located in inner Brisbane, the Norman Hotel is branded as Brisbane's WORST vegetarian eating spot. So what do you get? Very large pieces of meat (cooked as you want) ...with not much else.
A very trendy spot (very busy), with a reasonable menu ...if you like meat! Good service and good food, even better if it once moo'd!

102 Ipswich Rd
Woolloongabba, QLD 4102
not far south of the Story Bridge
ph 3391 5022
free on site parking
www.normanhotel.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/oljufa

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The Emporium hotel (opened Jun07) is to be highly recommended. Super service with fantastic luxurious rooms makes it a great place to stay. The hotel is located in the Emporium Food and fashion precinct in the 'Valley.

Cheap it is not, but it's worth the stay. I also have to mention that the entrance to the hotel is... amazing!

1000 Ann st
Fortitude Valley
Brisbane

Google map: tinyurl.com/mrfbjp
ph 3253 6999

www.emporiumhotel.com.au/

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Famous old hotel in Kangaroo Point with a fantastic view across the river of the CBD. Good tucker in three different bars or in the adjoining steak house (Deery's Restaurant). Annual cockroach racing on Australia Day.

Story Bridge Hotel

200 Main Street
Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
Queensland 4169 Australia
www.storybridgehotel.com.au/

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Famous old hotel in Kangaroo Point with a fantastic view across the river of the CBD. Good tucker in three different bars or in the adjoining steak house (Deery's Restaurant). Annual cockroach racing on Australia Day.

Story Bridge Hotel

200 Main Street
Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
Queensland 4169 Australia
www.storybridgehotel.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/kw36o2

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Haven for injured and abandoned Koalas. Great place to see koalas and to experience their unique pong.

Friendly and well informed staff will be happy to tell you all you need to know. Great family day out a few minutes from Brisbane.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Jesmond Road,
Fig Tree Pocket
Qld 4069, AUSTRALIA
www.koala.net/index.htm

Google map: tinyurl.com/m3gjyq

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North Stradbroke Island, more commonly known to the locals as "Straddie" is a terrific holiday island just a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland.

Ideal for those fans looking to take a bit of a break from the hardcore backpacker trail. For a couple of days, Straddie has miles of fantastic beaches, several top watering holes and a unique laid back atmosphere that you won't find elsewhere.

Accomodation is plentiful and reasonably cheap and it is well worth hiring a 4WD, although not essential, to get around the many 4WD tracks and go up and down the miles of beaches to find your perfect spot.

UK visitors will find the natural charm of the island a revelation although be careful swimming as there was a fatal shark attack off Amity Point in 2005.

www.redlandstourism.com

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Fabulous food, delicious wine, great staff and buzzy atmosphere make this my favourite restaurant in Brisbane. Go!!! (you will need to book).

100 Boundary Street (Corner Adelaide Street) Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Tel: (07) 3831 8344
www.eccobistro.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/nl63ao

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No Brisbane visit is complete without a 'late Breakfast'. Swing by the Brekky Creek Hotel to sample its signature steaks, seafood and wide range of beers, including XXXX from the wood which puts its keg-raised little sister to shame....

Address: 2 Kingsford Smith Drv, Breakfast Creek, QLD, Australia, 4010
Tel: +61 07 3262 5988
Fax: +61 07 3262 7545
www.breakfastcreekhotel.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/lu242s

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This is a slightly unconventional vegetarian/ vegan cafe and bar in the heart of West End, an inner-city suburb that has traditionally tended to attract community-minded people.

The Forest was set up by a small group of friends who wanted to create a place where locals could gather and chat without having to spend loads of money. Seating is couches around coffee tables. It's BYO alcohol and you can often catch live music and even local short films at night.

The cafe's main thrust seems to be providing cheap, yummy, organic (as much as possible) wholefood, and a chilled atmosphere that welcomes and respects all.

124 Boundary St, West End
www.theforest.com.au/one.html

Google map: tinyurl.com/ktggw6

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If you ever travel with a family and don't want to carry all the gear that goes with kids then check out Possum Travel. I believe they operate in most of Queensland. They provide, prams, toys, carseats, nannies. They also have some great ideas for all the family and are a company with an 'eco conscience'. Thumbs Up!

www.possumtravel.com

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When i first visted the Sunshine Coast (the stretch of land just north of Brisbane with beautiful beaches and crystal clear water) with my kids I wish I had known about Possum Travel. They used local suppliers to get us pushchairs, toys, nannies for the kids and they had some great excursions for the family. The eco bush walks and bike rides had a good emphasis on learning about the aboriginal history of the places they were set in, and on preserving the flora and fauna, and were also very fun. Definitely check it out if you're travelling in the area with a family.

www.possumtravel.com

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Want to get up close and personal with platypus, snakes, native birds and fish, or even a wombat? Only a half hour bus ride from the city is a spectacular forest environment overlooking the Enoggera Reservoir. If you want to see untouched rainforest, take the road up to Mt Glorious and venture along some walking tracks like the one to Greene's Falls. It is most beautiful at sunrise.

Brisbane Forest Park
60 Mt. Nebo Road, The Gap,
Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia, 4061.

Google map: tinyurl.com/lvw9h9

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