By Siti Afifah Kamarudin
EVERY city has its heartbeat, and Brisbane’s is in its pulsing river, sprouting charm along its banks which in turn draws in the crowd.
Flourishing on its flow, Australia’s Queensland state capital ticks every box to become your next metropolitan destination for this summer.
On the southern part of the iconic river, lies where the city’s rhythm begins at South Bank, an all-around happy place for those with a heart for art, care for culture and an eye for perfect picnic spots.
The South Bank Parklands spans 17 hectares of riverfront space for sightseeing, cosmopolitan eateries, river boat cruises, and even sunbathing on the beach.
Did I say beach in the city? Yes, I did. Brisbane simply could not leave it out of its make-up, dropping the man-made Streets Beach smack in its centre for a splashing good time.
Exploring can test the joints, so opt to do it the cool way - standing tall on a two-wheel electric Segway.
X-Wing tours lets you take their “robo-gliders” for a leisurely exhilarating ride around the rousing river city.
After a quick training session, you’ll be rolling away on this transportation dream machine guided by upbeat instructors across the Goodwill Bridge to the lush lawns of the botanic gardens and more.
X-Wing is at the foot of the Wheel of Brisbane, a huge hypnotic landmark you can’t miss.
South Bank is also the creative core of Brisbane’s thriving arts and culture scene, with all the significant institutions clustered in one place, including the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and Queensland Performing Art Centre.
Intimidating as Australia’s biggest art gallery may seem, QAGOMA has thoughtful installations for all, even those who are not “deep” enough for art.
You can go in feeling like an empty soda can but come out fizzling with a new appreciation for it.
In line with this, QAGOMA is currently staging the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT9) which brings together cross-cultural, artistic impressions from the region.
Running until April 28, it’s a smorgasbord of over 400 art works by more than 80 artists from some 30 countries.
The art works move from quiet contemplation to fireworks of the soul, carrying social and political commentary including that of our very own Borneo art collective Pangrok Sulap, with its activist piece Sabah Tanah Airku.
If fashion is more of your fancy, Brisbane has that stitched into its tapestry too. Across the river, inside the towering City Hall you can find the Museum of Brisbane which is now shining the spotlight on “The Designer’s Guide: Easton Pearson Archive”.
The designer duo Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson have 27 years’ of success with their eclectic creations that fly close to the sun without getting burned, radiating bold patterns and delicate details.
The 200 pieces on display encapsulates the label’s quirky sophistication.
Not only focusing on its signature aesthetics, the exhibition allows visitors a behind the scenes look into the crafting process, which upholds a sustainable principle and respectful collaborations.
My top pick is the Checkmate dress, which I’d best describe as a Pegasus fantasy battle in beads, a game well played out on organza.
While at City Hall, take a free ride in a beautiful classic cage elevator from the 1930s, which is the closest I’ve ever gotten to feeling like a prized exotic bird.
The hand-operated elevator will take you past the stunning clock face, up to the bells of the clock tower, to take in a bird’s eye view of the city.
Brisbane has 15 bridges, and its Story Bridge is one of only three bridges in the world you can climb for the best 360° view.
Don’t worry, Story Bridge Climb Adventures has your safety covered, as you’ll be harnessed in while donning grey and blue onesie to match the steel structure and the skies above.
As you climb the clanking steps, ascending higher and higher, you start wondering if you would dare to look down ever again. But when you do reach the top, the breath-taking panorama is worth fighting jelly knees to get to.
Beneath the bridge, sits the Howard Smith Wharves, a historical site being restored and reimagined into flocking ground for good food, booze and entertainment.
Set for completion by early next year, the complex will have a boutique art hotel, an octagonal bar on the water and event spaces.
Its newly-opened Felon brewery has already become a choice spot to enjoy a drink on the river’s edge amid the setting sun, the best way to transition into the night.
Just a short walk away is Eagle street pier, lined with restaurants like Jelly Fish, where I had the spectacular view of a full moon rising beside the Story Bridge as I devoured my first peanut butter raspberry parfait.
With surprising flavours I did not dare think to combine, it caused wide-eyed delight with each spoonful.
Speaking of food, Brisbane is brimming with delicious dishes in unique settings.
Enter the Doll House at Chu the Phat restaurant on popular Fish Lane for lip-smacking Asian fusion. The Asian dolls that make up its decor will serve as interesting company.
Then there’s the sensory overload of Eat Street North Shore.
This street food shipping container market is huge and bright with neon lights.
It feels like a combination of a premium pasar malam and a music festival, with stages for live bands, offering literally a world of food, from quintessential burgers to Japanese soba and even halal options.
Home-grown brands of beverages will quench every thirst and the deserts, let’s just say you’ll be fighting a tyranny of choice that the enticing booth signs alone will induce a sugar high.
Needless to say, Brisbane is no place for boredom.
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This trip was by the invitation of Tourism Queensland, with the flight sponsored by Malaysia Airlines.
