I went for another walk today. This time I decided to explore downtown Brisbane. It took me roughly two and a half hours to complete the circuit from the apartment, into downtown, up and down the walking trail from the Botanical Gardens to the Story Bridge, and back to the internet cafe. I snapped a few pictures along the way and thought I would post them here for everyone's viewing pleasure. The first one here on the right is what it looks like as I turn the corner from the apartment.




This is the pier area along the east waterfront, I remember partying here last time I visited Australia in 2001.














Walking through the Botanical Gardens. There's a cafe just up the path from here and on the left. I grabbed a bottle of water before setting back the way I had come.















A look back at the downtown core from near the Story Bridge. From here it took me roughly 20 minutes to find my way back to the internet cafe, but I reckon I could do it quicker now that I know the streets better.






A few facts about Brisbane:

In 2004 the estimated population was 1.77million, making it the 3rd largest city in Australia, behind Sydney and Melbourne.

From 1824-1842 the location was used as a penal settlement thanks to a reliable water source and the bend in the river making escape difficult for prisoners - as a result the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement took upon the toughest criminals from Sydney.

In 1842 the district was opened to free settlers. From 1846 to 1859 the population grew from 829 to almost 6,000, when Brisbane became the capital of the self-governing colony of Queensland.

During WWII, the AMP building in downtown Brisbane became the headquarters of American General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of the South-West Pacific Campaign.

Brisbane hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1988 World Expo, both events effectively putting the city on the world map for good.