Posted on July 23, 2012 by sguese

 

 

The forever-changing Brisbane never seems to change its core for being laid back and easy going. Armed with its down to earth attitude, Brisbane serves as Queensland’s subtropical capital and Australia’s third largest city. However the sleek and cosmopolitan city can bear the costs a big city. If you want to keep your budget in tact but you still want to spend some time with Brisbane while in Queensland, here are five freebies in the city.

See Brisbane’s old-timer, the Old Windmill

Brisbane’s oldest surviving structure and the oldest building in Queensland rests just up Wickham Terrace at Spring hill. The Old Windmill is free to view. Convicts built it in 1824 in order to grind grains. Once a museum, the Old Windmill now serves as a weather observatory. It makes for a nice piece of Brisbane’s history, at no charge to visitors.

Uncover the Story of Brisbane at the Museum of Brisbane

For first time visitors to the city, you will want to get a good overview of Brisbane’s past, present and future. The Museum of Brisbane opens up its doors to the masses for free, all while providing good insight into the history and essence of the city. The museum features changing exhibits on the stories, events and ideas that have shaped the city into what you see today.

Roam the City Botanic Gardens

Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens are open to the public, lending a look numerous plant collections. You can see a mix of historic specimens including plants from Australia and all around the world. It remains one of the most important non-indigenous cultural landscapes in Queensland. The gardens make for a pleasant place to stroll amidst numerous ornamental ponds.

Hear the sounds of Brisbane at QSM Live

Brisbane’s music scene doesn’t have to come at a huge price to visitors. QSM Live showcases the city’s best music, from emerging local artists to bigger names. It all takes place around Queen Street Mall, making the area Brisbane’s live music hub. Most acts take to the stage at the Milano Café and the Visitor Information Center. Visitors to the area can also take part in the shopping and leisure opportunities of Queen Street Mall along with all of the tunes.

Admire the views from Mt Coot-tha Lookout

Travelers with a car hire in Brisbane can cruise on up Mt Coot-tha Lookout for a breathtaking panorama of the city. By day, the sun shines over Brisbane, providing viewers with a look at the glittering city and Moretone Bay. At night, the lookout continues to show off Brisbane’s shine as all of the sky lights are in full view. The favorite destination for locals and visitors has been this way for more than a century. There are also restaurants and trails visitors can take advantage of from Mt-Coot-tha Lookout.