Brisbane was established when Sydney and the colony of New South Wales needed a better place to store their more recalcitrant convicts. The tropical country further north seemed a good place to put them and, in 1824, a penal settlement was established at Redcliffe Point on Moreton Bay. This location was soon abandoned in favour of the riverside site to the south where Brisbane's business district now stands. The penal settlement was abandoned in 1839 and the area was thrown open to free settlers in 1842. As Queensland's huge agricultural and mineral resources were developed, Brisbane grew into a prosperous city, and in 1859 the state of Queensland separated from the colony of NSW. Brisbane was declared its capital. Queensland's early white settlers indulged in one of the greatest land grabs of all time and encountered fierce Aboriginal opposition. At the time of white settlement, Queensland was the most densely populated area of Australia, supporting over 100,000 Aboriginal people in around 200 tribal groups - Aboriginal people had probably been in the country for at least 50,000 years before the arrival of Europeans. For much of the 19th century, what amounted to a guerrilla war took place along the frontiers of the white advance. By the turn of the century, the Aboriginal people of Queensland had been comprehensively run off their lands and the white authorities had set up reserves for the survivors. In the 1980s control of the reserves was handed over to the residents, subject to rights of access for prospecting, exploration or mining. By the 1860s Brisbane had shed its convict background and developed into a handsome provincial centre, although it wasn't until the 1880s that the central business district was transformed by the construction of many fine public and commercial buildings.

Despite a country-wide climate of jingoism and giving it all for the motherland, WWI saw Queensland vote in an anti-conscription Labor government. Labor hung on to government until 1957, introducing a series of social and industrial reforms including compulsory voting and workers' compensation. During WWII, large areas of the state were transformed into military camps, with thousands of Americans garrisoned throughout Queensland as Australia and the USA fought against Japan throughout the Pacific. The war resulted in Australia shifting its allegiance from the UK to the USA, as the north of the country, in particular, realised how vulnerable it was to invasion. In the post-war years Queensland shifted from a rural to an industrial economy and Labor was replaced by a conservative Liberal-Country Party coalition. Brisbane's political history is dominated by the right-wing Joh Bjelke-Peterson regime, which lasted from the early 1970s to the late 1980s (thanks to a bit of sleight-of-hand with electoral boundaries). Queensland (and Brisbane in particular) suffered a government which was at odds with the rest of the country in matters such as human rights, rainforest conservation, Aboriginal land rights and even the availability of condoms. However, it must be said in the government's favour that its policies were a huge success economically. Corruption was rife and since the defeat of the National Party in 1989, it seems everyone from the former Commissioner of Police to Joh himself has appeared in court on charges relating to some sort of shady deal. Brisbane's rapid economic growth, its favourable climate and Joh's 1977 decision to abolish death duties all attracted a massive wave of internal migration. Since 1980 over half a million Australians from other states have packed up and moved to Queensland.

In recent years, the Queensland Labor government has dominated state politics to the point that the Liberals have been reduced to a shambles. Yet, at the same time, Queensland is the state where the controversial far-right One Nation party has at times gained more than 25% of the vote, and where gun-owners in Gympie staged angry demonstrations opposing Federal gun-ownership reforms.

Brisbane is generally a very safe and relaxed city, but is not without petty crime; always keep valuables in a safe place. Avoid walking alone in unlit streets at night. The nightclub district of Fortitude Valley can get rowdy late at night.Brisbane's sunny climate means sunburn or UV over-exposure can be a problem. Wear a hat, sunscreen and protect your eyes with UV-resistant sunglasses.

The City Botanic Gardens are a pleasant respite from the busy city anda firm favourite of lunching office workers.The gardens are dominated by open,grassy walking areas and are popular withstrollers, joggers, picnickers, cyclists and skaters. The park is partly lit up atnight and you stand a good chance of seeingtame possums here.

Alice St

City Centre

telephone or fax: 

Web: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Newstead House, on the Brisbane River, is Brisbane's best-known heritage site. Set in attractive forested grounds, the historic homestead dates from 1846 and is beautifully fitted out with Victorian furnishings and antiques, clothing and period displays.

Breakfast Creek Rd

Newstead

telephone or fax: 

Web: http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au

'XXXX' - that's the sound your free samples will make when you crack them open after the interesting 75-minute tour. The rather dapper animated character Mr XXXX will educate you in the goings-on of this 125-year-old brewery and divulge some of the secrets of its iconic ale. For the acme of Australian beer wear, stock up at the XXXX Beer Gear shop.

cnr of Black & Paton Sts

Milton

just off Milton Rd

telephone or fax: 

Web: http://www.xxxx.com.au

prices:

Brisbane's Eagle Farm Airport is a busy international arrival and departure point with frequent flights to Asia, Europe, the Pacific islands, North America, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. A shuttle bus runs between the airport and the Transit Centre about every half-hour till mid-evening. There are also shuttle buses to the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. There are always taxis available to take you into the city centre. The easiest way to get to or from the airport is to take the Airtrain from either Roma St or Central stations.The main bus terminal is the Transit Centre on Roma St, and all the main bus companies arrive and leave from here. Buses run to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Cairns, as well as towns up and down the coast. Trains also arrive at the Transit Centre. There are direct trains to Sydney, but if you want to go any further south or west, you'll have to go via Sydney. Rail travel within Queensland is slower and more expensive than the bus, but it's often more comfortable, and you can get rail passes.

In addition to normal city buses, there are Cityxpress services, which run between the city centre and the suburbs, and Rockets (fast peak-hour commuter buses). The fast Citytrain network has seven lines, and there is an efficient ferry service along and across the Brisbane River. There is a riverside bicycle track from the City Botanic Gardens out to the University of Queensland.