Old Meets New in Brisbane

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A river runs through it. That is the best way to describe this cosmopolitan city roughly the same size as Toronto. While most of my time here has consisted of hanging out at the hostel for the sake of saving money, the sights and sounds of the city are there for even the most penny pinching traveller to enjoy. The main drawback of this big Australian city is that it doesn't have any natural beaches for people to enjoy. So there's no chance to work on the surfing or boogieboarding skillz. But Brisbane is booming. Big cranes are visible anywhere you look on the skyline and the locals say that their city's entire skyline has changed over the past 15 years. With the exception of the historic buildings, which are not few and far between. The Queenslanders have not squandered the architectural jewels of their past for the sake of new development, at least not from a foreigner's point of view. Numerous government buildings dot the city core, including the Queensland Legislature, which is the oldest Australian government building still in use for the same purpose that it was built. We got right soaked touring the city the day we went to the legislature. I still haven't bought an umbrella yet the whole time I've been in Australia. I guess it's because in the back of my mind I actually enjoy the warm showers when they come down. And believe me, for the last couple of weeks they have been coming down.

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Photos

Old Meets New, Brisbane CBD
Victoria St. Bridge. View atop a transit overpass towards the Central Business District (CBD)

Nepalese Peace Pagoda
A gift to the people of Brisbane from the Nepalese after Expo '88 in Brisbane. One of only 3 temples outside of Nepal.

Nepalese Peace Pagoda
The Brisbane community came together after Expo '88 to save this pagoda and found a special place for it on the South Bank of the Brisbane River.

River City
Gardiner Expressway has nothing on the network of expressways that criss-cross each other along the river.

Brisbane Conrad Casino
The Former Conrad Treasury Building was meticulously restored and turned into a Casino. Yea!!

Poppin' some Bubbly!!
Night out at the Tinbilly Hostel Bar.

Queensland Legislature
The oldest government building in Australia still being used for the same purpose that it was constructed for.

City Cat
An icon of Brisbane, the City Cat service is public transit via the river.

Bamboo Rainforest
This stuff is everywhere, not just in a vase on the kitchen table

Brisbane City Hall
City Hall and Clocktower