| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Brisbane |
Brisbane is the capital of the fastest growing state in Australia. It is also the gateway to some of the most popular tourist playgrounds in the country, including the Gold Coast to its south-west and the Sunshine Coast to its north. Whereas most people once went to these nearby tourist regions and by-passed the capital, it is becoming clear that Brisbane is now a place worth visiting in its own right. The most popular destination in Brisbane is the South Bank Parklands. Originally developed for the World Expo in 1988, major improvements have made this precinct across the river from the City Centre a must-see. The area includes an IMAX theatre, a man-made beach called Breaka Beach, several restaurants, tropical gardens and lagooons. The Eagle Street Pier markets held every Sunday (near Southbank) are also worth checking out. Within the City Centre, it is worth visiting the Roma Street Parkland, which is reputably the world's largest urban subtropical garden. Nearby City Hall and its clocktower also contains nice views of surrounding Brisbane. Within the surrounding inner-city, it is worth visiting Fortitude Valley just to the north-east of the City Centre for its nighclubs, restaurants and cafes (centred on Brunswick Street between Ann and Wickham Street). Other nice eating precincts include New Farm (further south along Brunswick Street to the west of the City Centre) and the West End (which is actually south of the City Centre along Boundary Street and Hardgrave Street). |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Brisbane From USA
|
Brisbane International Aiport is located some 6km north-east of the Brisbane City Centre near Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses. The newest way to get to the city is by the Air Train, which drops you off at Brisbane Central Station or Roma Street Station. Brisbane's public transport system has improved markedly and now has an extensive busway system to support the railway system. A system of private bus operators provides services on the busways and the many suburban areas that feed onto the Busway corridor. |
| AFL
BRISBANE LIONS Ticket information through AFL
|
Since they entered
the VFL/AFL in 1987, Brisbane have had a relatively eventful history – they
were originally the Brisbane Bears playing out of the Gold Coast before
becoming the Brisbane Bears playing out of Brisbane and eventually the
Brisbane Lions after taking on the defunct Fitzroy Lions. Unlike the other new northern club
the Sydney Swans, the Bears initially struggled for wins and crowds when
they were located on the Gold Coast. However, things eventually turned
around for the Bears in the last year that they held this name by making the finals for the
first time.
The contrast between then and now could not be more stark. At the end of 1996 the Bears became the Lions by merging with the struggling Melbourne inner-city club Fitzroy and picked up several good Fitzroy players in the process. The team kept on improving and under the coaching of Leigh Matthews qualified for the finals in 2000 and won back-to-back premierships in 2001 and 2002. |
| NRL
BRISBANE BRONCOS Tickets information through Brisbane Broncos
|
The NRL Brisbane Broncos are one of the powerhouse teams in the NRL. After entering the competition in 1988, the Broncos took a few years to make the Finals (1990) but since then they have been the most successful team in the competition. They have only missed the finals twice in that time and have won the premiership 5 times (including 1 Super League title). They have also been home to some of the greatest players to ever play the game – Wally Lewis, Alan Langer, Darren Lockyer and Gordon Tallis. |
| CRICKET
QUEENSLAND BULLS |
For decades it appeared that the Queensland Bulls were never going to win the Sheffield Shield. Since their entry into the domestic competition in 1926/27, Queensland did not take the title until they broke through in 1994/1995. Since then the proverbial drought was well and truly broken as they have won 4 times since – three in a row since 1999/2000. |
| SUPER
12 RUGBY
QUEENSLAND REDS |
The Queensland Reds have been close but have never been able to win a Super12 title. They have qualified for the semi finals three times – 1996, 1999 and 2001 but have never been able to progress to the Grand Final. |
| NBL
BRISBANE BULLETS |
The Brisbane Bullets were one of the early powerhouse teams of the NBL. They began life in the inaugural year of 1979 and are only one of three (the other being Illawarra/Wollongong and Canberra) that are still part of the competition. They made the playoffs for the first time in 1980 and made their first Grand Final in 1984 before winning their first title in 1985. They again made the Grand Final in 1986 before winning again in 1987. Although these glory years are seemingly a distant memory, the Bullets remain consistent by having made the playoffs eight times since their last Grand Final appearance in 1990. |
| NSL
BRISBANE STRIKERS Tickets available at Ground
|
After making the playoffs in the inaugural year of the NSL, the Brisbane Strikers followed up with a championship win in the 1996/97 season under the coaching of current Australian coach Frank Farina. After a lean period of no semi final appearances, the Strikers finally returned to the NSL finals in 2001/2002. |
| ANL
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS Ticket information through Netball Australia
|
The Queensland Firebirds have not really set the world on fire since their entry into the National Championships in 1997. In fact, they have only won 11 matches in that time – not nearly enough to make the playoffs at any stage. |
| ANZ STADIUM |
ANZ Stadium (also known as Queen Elizabeth II Stadium) hosted the Broncos up until the end of 2002 and hosts major athletic meetings and NRL State of Origin matches. The Stadium is located at the corner of Kessels Road and Main Road, Nathan, which is some 15 km south of the Brisbane City Centre and next to the Nathan campus of Griffith University. Opened in 1982 as the main stadium for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games, ANZ Stadium has a capacity of approximately 55,000 – all seated. From the Myer Centre bus stop in the City Centre you can take Bus Routes 130 or 140 direct to ANZ Stadium. |
| THE GABBA |
The Gabba (Wollongabba) Stadium hosts the AFL Brisbane Lions and cricket’s Queensland Bulls and is located between Stanley Street and Vulture Street in the suburb of Wollongabba, some 3km south-east of the City Centre. Although primarily used as a cricket ground for much of its history, the move by the then Brisbane Bears to the Gabba in 1993 has resulted in a massive upgrading of the ground to facilitate Australian football. It now has a capacity of approximately 37,000 and is an all-seated facility. From the Myer Centre bus stop or from Central Station, take Bus Routes 110, 175 or 185 to the Wollongabba Busway Station, which is adjacent to the Stadium entrance. |
| SUNCORP STADIUM |
Suncorp Stadium, previously known as Lang Park, will host the NRL’s Broncos from 2003 onwards, as well as form some Super12 Queensland Reds matches. The Stadium is located off Castlemaine Street, Milton, which is only within 1km walking distance south-west of the City Centre. The Stadium has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and has increased its capacity to a modern all-seated 50,000. Formerly known as Lang Park, Suncorp used to be referred to as the ‘Cauldron’ because of the intense atmosphere that was created during State of Origin Rugby League matches against NSW. From the City Centre (along Adelaide Street and George Street), take Bus Route 375 that goes through the suburb of Milton. Get off at Claxton Street and Hale Street, which is adjacent to the Stadium entrance. |
| BALLYMORE PARK |
Ballymore has been the historical home of Rugby Union in Queensland but has now also become the home of the NSL Brisbane Strikers. Ballymore is located on Herston Road in Herston, which is only 3km north-west of the City Centre. It has a capacity of approximately 27,000. From the City (North Quay) take Bus Route 364 to Butterfield Street near Clyde Street. Get off here and keep walking eastwards towards the ground entrance. |
| BRISBANE CONVENTION AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE |
The Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre (BCEC) hosts the NBL Bullets and is located at the corner of Merivale and Glenelg Streets, Southbank, which is located just across from the City Centre in Brisbane South. Opened in 1995 as part of the impressive Southbank redevelopment, the BCEC has a capacity of 4,000 for basketball. The Convention Centre is walkable from the City Centre. From Queen Street, walk across the Victoria Bridge to Melbourne Street and then walk south down Merivale Street until you reach the BCEC. |
| PERRY
PARK
|
Perry
Park is once again the home of the Brisbane Strikers, after they
variously spent time at the larger Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium) and
Ballymore. With only a 5,000 capacity, the club will invest in upgrading
the aging facility to bring it up to NSL standard.
Perry Park is located on Abbotsford Road, Mayne, which is some 4km north-east of the City Centre. Perry Park is located adjacent to the Bowen Hills railway station. From Central Station , take any Line to Bowen Hills Station and alight on the eastern side of the station and walk north along Abbotsford to the ground. |
| THE ARENA |
The Arena hosts the Firebirds and is located on the corner of Old Cleveland Road and Tilley Roads, Chandler, which is some 12km east of the City Centre. The Arena is part of the Sleeman Sports Complex, which contains the Chandler Aquatic Centre. From the City (Elizabeth Street) take Bus Routes 2 or 3 that goes along Tilley Road in Chandler – get off at the Tilley Road stop opposite the Sports Centre. |
| HORSE
RACING
EAGLE FARM RACECOURSE Tickets available at Course |
Eagle Farm Racecourse is the home of the Brisbane Cup and Stradbroke Handicap in June and is located off Lancaster Road in Ascot, near Brisbane International Airport, some 6km north-east of the City Centre. From the City you have two transit options. From City Plaza on Adelaide Street, you can catch Bus Route 301 that goes straight past the Eagle Farm Racecourse entrance. You can also catch the Queensland Railways Route CVDB (Cleveland to Doomben) train from the Central or Roma Street Station to Ascot Station, which is also located adjacent to the Racecourse. |
| HORSE
RACING
DOOMBEN RACECOURSE Tickets available at Course |
Doomben Racecourse is the home of the Doomben Cup in May and is located across Nudgee Road on the western side of Eagle Farm Racecourse off Hampden Street, Ascot. The same Bus Route (301) that accesses Eagle Farm can be used from the City Plaza to get to Doomben Racecourse. The same train line can also be used – from Roma Street or Central Station catch the CVDB Line and get off at Doomben Railway Station just outside the Racecourse entrance. |
| HORSE
RACING
IPSWICH RACECOURSE Tickets available at Course |
Ipswich Racecourse is the home of the Ipswich Cup in June and is located in the western outskirts of Brisbane off Brisbane Road in Bundamba, which is some 30km south west of the City Centre. From the Roma Street or Central Railway Station, take the CAIP (Caboolture to Ipswich) Line to Bundamba Railway Station. From the station, walk south along Mining Street, then west along Brisbane Road to the Racecourse entrance. |
| MOTOR
RACING
V8 SHELL SUPERCAR SERIES QUEENSLAND, QUEENSLAND MOTOR RACEWAY Ticket information to come |
Queensland Raceway hosts the V8 Queensland 500 in mid July and is approximately 50 kms west of Brisbane, on the outskirts of Ipswich and close to the Amberley air force base. It is part of the Ipswich City Council's Ipswich Motorsport Precinct. On the weekend of the race in mid-September you can purchase a ticket at Roma Street or Central Station to Ipswich Railway Station that includes a bus connection to and from Queensland Raceway. |
| ATHLETICS
TELSTRA A-SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP, ANZ STADIUM Ticket information to come |
The Telstra A-Series Championship is held in early April at ANZ Stadium, which is located in Nathan. Follow the same directions as above for ANZ Stadium |
