Brisbane Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a large metropolis, the third-most populous in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne. Aboriginal Australians have inhabited this area for at least 22,000 years; their estimated population by the time the European settlers arrived in the 1820s had reached between 6,000 and 10,000.

The city is named for the Brisbane River that it straddles, which in turn was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the then governor of New South Wales. The city was founded in 1824, first as a penal settlement for secondary offenders from the Sydney colony. Following the arrival of Christian missionaries, the region opened to free settlement in 1842.

Brisbane was chosen as the capital of Queensland when the latter separated from New South Wales in 1859, and by the late 19th century had grown into a major port city and centre of immigration.

Today's Brisbane is a major transportation hub and a popular destination for international tourism. Its modern nicknames include "Brissie" and the "River City", the latter being for the Brisbane River meandering through the city centre en route to the azure Moreton Bay, largely complementing the modern high-rise architecture and lush greenery. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, the site of Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

Among other local landmarks there are many sights of historical, cultural and architectural importance, such as:

King George Square – a regional heritage object since 2004; home to many public events and open-air markets, as well as, most importantly, the Brisbane City Hall - one of the most ornate and beautiful of Australia’s city halls; dating to the 1930s. The building's third floor houses the Museum of Brisbane;

Queen Street Mall – the hustle and bustle of Brisbane’s Central Business District centers on this huge pedestrian shopping venue, the city’s predominant retail space;

Brisbane Arcade – another major shopping venue, located in a charming historical building;

General Post Office Building – one more cute historical edifice, open since 1872;

Cathedral of St. Stephen – a Gothic Revival temple that took over a century to build, from 1863 to 1989;

Old Government House – one of the oldest buildings in Brisbane, erected in 1862;

Goodwill Bridge – a pedestrian bridge over the Brisbane River; acts as both transportation facility and a work of art.

For a closer acquaintance with these and other prominent attractions of Brisbane, take this self-guided introductory walk!