Brisbane gives us needles and spins
With Australia’s Gold Coast playing a starring role in I’m A Celebrity, we give you the lowdown on Queensland’s capital
THERE’S nothing more beautifully Australian than the story of the Brisbane Skyneedle. Built in 1998 for the World Expo it was a shining light of Australian modernity.at 289ft high it also dominated the Brisbane skyline – with a light which could be seen 37 miles away.
So who owned this beacon of Brisbane? The state government? The city council? The chamber of commerce?
Nah, it’s a local hairdresser called Stefan Ackerie, who just decided he wanted a Skyneedle.
That’s back in the day where Australian commerce was beautifully simple.
Now, fed by Queensland mining money, Brisbane is changing in front of tourists’ eyes – but thankfully it is doing it in a way that keeps the city vibrant and interesting.
For example, every new development over a certain size has to give a percentage of the budget toward fostering art projects.
That puts a surprise around every corner in Queensland’s capital, which has a multibillion riverside casino development next up.
The tallest building in Brisbane now is the 886ft Skytower – with the highest infinity pool in the Southern hemisphere.
Although at the rate Brisbane is developing it probably won’t be the tallest building for long.
And it’s not owned by Wally, who runs the local MOT centre...
WHERE TO STAY
In Brisbane there’s a hotel for every mood. If you’re in an artistic frame of mind – and if you’ve just stepped off a 23-hour flight, who isn’t? – try the Fantauzzo carved under the Story Bridge in central Brisbane.
Part of a successful chain of hotels inspired by Australian artists, this one is all aboutvincent Fantauzzo, famed for his portraits of Heath Ledger and Baz Luhrmann.
Here his work is showcased among the marble, with large
portraits of his family in most rooms. Don’t worry if you, like me, hadn’t ever heard of our Vinny, the high-spec hotel stands on its own.
It’s the perfect place to stay when you first get to Brizzy (Aussies love a short-form).
Or you could look to the Calile Hotel, up the road on the bustling night-life centre of James Street which is the favourite of visiting bands playing one of the nearby sports grounds.
Brand new and ready to trade on the cash-rich tourists Brisbane is hoping to attract, its pool and library – yep, library – make it a good place to unwind. If you want to read by the pool.
WHERE TO EAT
Just down the street – well, the busy path used by skateboarders and motor scooterers (if that’s a word) – from the Fantauzzo along the bottom of the Story bridge is Arc dining.
Set on the edge of the river with the lit-up city right in front of you, it again is inspired by art but in fact is pretty simple in many ways.
I had a steak – ethically raised of course – which melted in my mouth. It came topped with lardo – which is pork and not an Australian insult – as well as their trademark potatoes.
Not sure what you really want? A short boat ride from the city centre, Eat Street is another Brisbane institution – with a myriad different street food under one roof.
There’s 180 of them in fact, from Argentinian beef steak to Asian bites and Greek specialities in a colourful assault on the taste buds and the senses.
And if you’re over at Calile and can’t tear yourself from the hotel, then pop downstairs to Hellenika with top-end Greek food.
It’s all about sharing “family style”, however the set menu and especially the signature lamb may lead to a few family squabbles.
But in truth there are so many bars and riverside eateries you’d never struggle to grab a quick bite. And they are cheaper than you think.
WHERE TO DRINK
There’s one Brisbane institution, the Breakfast Creek Hotel.
So iconic as a building that famous artists Margaret Olley once painted it – but this was before it got a few neon signs.
A large, sprawling pub, it has TV screens showing sports in every little bar serving Castlemaine
XXXX – brewed just down the road.
There are lots of bars near the riverside walk too, but be aware, many don’t stay open past 11pm