The capital of the state of Queensland, Australia – Brisbane is the third most populated city in the country. Located inland from Moreton Bay, Brisbane is situated between two of the most popular destinations of East Coast Australia, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast. Considered as a business city, Brisbane is not as culturally rich as Melbourne or Sydney, but the beautiful Brisbane attractions make up for it. Queensland is often referred as the ‘Sunshine State’ of Australia, and the all-year-round beautiful weather makes Brisbane a perfect city to visit any time of the year. Just rent one of the luxurious Brisbane accommodations, and explore the beautiful, busy Brisbane. From adventure activities along the coast to leisurely walk through the parks, there are a lot of Brisbane attractions for you to enjoy. Here are the top five places which you must visit during your trip to Brisbane.

1. Mount Coot-tha

The Maori world Coot-tha translates to honey in English, which could be found in abundance in this region once. Although that is not the case anymore, still the magnificent views which you can experience from the top of the mountain still make it one of the most important Brisbane attractions to visit. The panoramic views of the city will surely take your breath away. Also remember to explore the stars of the Southern Hemisphere at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, which is located here.

2. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Situated at a distance of only 12 kilometers from Brisbane City, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of the most popular Brisbane attractions. It is the first and the largest Koala sanctuary in the world. There are over 130 Koalas in this sanctuary. Apart from the cute little Koalas, you can also see kangaroos, lorikeets, snakes and a variety of Australian fauna while you are here.

3. South Bank Parklands

The South Bank Parklands is one of the Brisbane attractions which you just have to explore. This utterly urban area is full of life and has a plethora of activities for you to indulge in. Spend your day at the stunning inner-city beach, enjoy a wonderful lunch at one of the restaurants and shop your heart out while walking on the tree-lined streets. You will have plenty of things to do when you visit this beautiful part of Brisbane.

4. Gold Coast

Catch a break from the city life of Brisbane by visiting one of the most famous beaches in Australia, the Gold Coast. Just take a thirty-minute drive from Brisbane to visit this widely popular location of Australia. The sandy-white beaches, various water activities, and the surfing makes the Gold Coast one of the most popular Brisbane attractions among tourists and locals alike.

5. St. Helena Island

St. Helena Island is the first historic national park of Queensland. The island houses the ruins of a colonial prison which was known as “the hell hole of the South Pacific.” A day tour to the island is one of the must do things while you are in Brisbane. Learn all about the horrors and tortures that used to occur within the walls of this prison by going on a guided tour of the ruins. You can be sure that it will be quite a spooky experience.