The Brisbane Olympics 2032 maybe more than a decade away, but you cannot help but be excited our country will be hosting the Olympics for the third time. For a sports-loving nation this is news to our ears, especially for Aussie kids whom have the vision to compete in the future. The Olympics will highlight Brisbane on the world-stage, so there is a lot of prep underway to make sure the state will deliver a quality games experience for everyone, whilst ensuring all projects are sustainable for the region. At this stage, there are plans to host the various sports over three main hubs in south-east Queensland; Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. With so much time from now until Brisbane Olympics 2032, why not experiences these fantastic hub cities today. If these hub cities are going to be in the bucket list for millions of people around the world, they’re definitely not to be missed for your next family holiday. Before you leave, don’t forget to pack domestic travel insurance, which 05/especially come in handy if you’re looking to hire a rental car to easily get around.
Brisbane:
You cannot visit Queensland without popping in to the capital city, Brisbane, which is an ideal location to set base due to its proximity to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. This city has so much to offer travellers from parklands, food culture and more.
Food lovers:
If you’re a lover of food, do not turn your nose up to Brisbane because this city packs a punch for foodies thanks to influential hotelier entrepreneurs and food legends such as Matt Moran. You should consider checking out these suburbs in particular for your next culinary experience in Brisbane; Paddington for its charming café scene, Brisbane CBD for slick restaurants, Fortitude Valley for its eclectic charm, live music and quality food and Hamilton which offers both trendy dining precincts and in contrast, bustling street food vibes. But don’t let this finite list stop you, as there are so many other areas to explore in this wonderful city for great food and dining experiences.
Sport and event lovers:
I imagine you are drawn to this article because of your love of the Olympics and interchangeably your love of sport. Summer is definitely the best time to visit Brisbane to enjoy a game with friends at The Gabba, Suncorp Stadium and a show or event in the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre. Set for the end of 2021 we have the Ashes Cricket series at The Gabba, the Nitro World Games in Suncorp Stadium and the Food and Wine Show at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre, just to name a few.
Arts and crafts lovers:
Many artists call the regional town of Tamborine Mountain home, so this part of Brisbane is an art lover’s haven, and only an hour from Brisbane it’s easy to get to. You will see the streets are lined with adorable cottages showcasing natural and man-made artistic goodies. If you feel overwhelmed on where to start, the infamous “Gallery Walk” is a good way to approach your time in this town, with over 60 art, craft shops to suit all tastes and budgets.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is just an hour’s drive or train journey from Brisbane, so you have no excuse to not visit the city of theme park action. If theme parks are not your thing, the Gold Coast is abundant in natural gems so you can immerse yourself in nature.
Thrill seeking lovers:
You cannot visit the Gold Coast and not visit at least one of the six theme parks – Sea World, DreamWorld, Wet n Wild, Warner Bros. Movie World, Australian Outback Spectacular and Whitewater World. If you think you’ve been there and done that a few years ago, you will likely find the theme parks have something completely new to offer because they continually re-invest in new attractions and rides. One development currently in the works is Sea World’s new Vortex ride, which is only one component of the theme park’s $50 million New Atlantis precinct.
Nature lovers:
If you want to dedicate a day or two to enjoying a bush walk around the Gold Coast, there are many trails to consider such as the O’Reilly’s Rainforest Walk in Lamington National Park, the Natural Bridge Circuit in Springbook National Park, Cougal Cascades in Currumbin Valley and Ocean View Walk in Burleigh Head National Park where you can spot whales breaching. These trails are all ranked as easy and have a duration of half an hour to 2 hours, just enough to have a break from the hustle and bustle. Getting to O’Reillys Rainforest Walk is an experience within itself, along a windy road with stunning views. If you want to try something different, make sure to visit Natural Bridge Circuit after dark and you 05/be able to see the glow worms!
Sunshine Coast:
The Sunshine Coast is only an hour’s drive North of Brisbane, and here you will enjoy a more laid-back lifestyle complete with gorgeous coastlines and natural wonders.
Beach Lovers:
With 100km of sand to choose from spanning from Caloundra to Rainbow Sands, this part of the world is a beach lover’s dream. If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach, Bulcock Beach is one of many to consider. This beach has numerous playgrounds nearby so you can bet on your kid’s not getting bored, as well as calm and patrolled waters. If you’re into surfing, Noosa National Park is a great spot, where you will find the infamous Main Beach, as well as many other good surfing spots. If you’re travelling with your fur baby, Point Cartwright Reserve is a dog-friendly location, with lush lawns for picnics.
Natural Wonders:
You simply cannot look past the Glass Table Mountains, which incorporates 11 ranges made of molten lava volcanic peaks and is home to the Jinibara and Gubbi Gubbi people. If this is a place you wish to visit, you have to keep in mind the significance of this land for the Traditional Owners, in particular, the Beerwah and Tibrogargan are not ranges to be climbed out of respect for the mountains’ sacred values. However, there is a large variety of walking tracks to explore the open forests of eucalyptus trees and macadamia orchids and take in the panoramic views of the mountains. In the Glass Table Mountains area, you can also visit Steve Irwin’s infamous Australia Zoo, the Maleny Botanic Gardens, the charming towns and go for a dip at Gardners Falls.