Diving in Brisbane

The diving around Brisbane is quite underestimated and if you have some time and love wrecks then you can find some great ones in the surrounding areas. The water stays quite warm all year round and visibility is up to 40 metres in the winter so a day trip or liveaboard is a great way to spend a few days.

The dive centres are scattered around the city and you won’t really come by one by just walking around so know where you’re diving before you go. There are over 10 reef dives, 6 great wreck dives and tech diving enthusiasts can also enjoy a few interesting deep dives. There are a couple of shore dives, better for training than fun diving but still you can find a few cool critters.

There are over 175 different species of fish on the reefs around Brisbane along with a vast array of different corals. You also might see a Manta Ray, Wobbegong, Leopard Shark or turtle along the way, even a Whaler Shark if you’re really lucky. In season (June-Sept), Humpback Whales can sometimes be seen jumping out of the water and delighting anyone who sees this fabulous sight.

Most dives leave from Brisbane by boat except for the shores dives at the Tweed River , which is a really interesting dive with lots of cool stuff to see such as octopus, turtles or rays. A night dive here is worth a look. The other is the Bribie Island Bridge which can have strong currents and poor visibility but is great for training dives such as drift or search and recovery.

A good few dives can be done on Flinders Reef which is part of the marine park and amazing diving. It’s also the most popular site in the area so you might find a few boats there. If you love nudbranchs then see if you can spot the 25 or so different species that have been found just that 1 area of reef.

Drift divers can enjoy The Pines, deep divers will love the newly discovered Gotham ’s City or beginners can enjoy the treasure located at Yellow Patch. A brilliant wreck dive is the Curtain Artificial Reef, with 22 different wrecks and loads of big fish. The Kaptjain Neilson is an all levels wreck dive and The Aarhus is a great for advanced divers.

A weekend liveaboard will cover about eight great sites and is recommended for a true appreciation for the diving here.

(By Kelly Luckman)

Travel to Brisbane

The capital of the "Sunshine State" of Queensland , Brisbane is a metropolitan city full of exciting things to discover. Voted as Australia ’s most liveable city, it’s the third largest city in the country and highlights some great galleries, museums, restaurants, nightlife and a fabulous live, original music scene. It’s a city with charm, character and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

The Brisbane International Airport has over 32 international destinations and is connected to the rest of the country with 46 destinations in all states and territories. Brisbane is a big city but the rail and bus system is well connected to the surrounding areas but hiring a car is the easiest way to get around. An hour in each direction and you get to the amazing towns of the Sunshine Coast and the world famous Gold Coast.

It’s best to get accommodation in the centre of town to be close to all the action. Dorm beds in the city start from $25, the cheapest double room is $60 and a 5 star on the river can set you back between $300 and $400. For a special stay head to Southbank on the other side of the Brisbane River and get great views overlooking the city.

There are so many things to do in the city but the sites are quite far from each other so you might want to hire a car or get to know the bus system very well. In the centre you can take a walk along the river to the City Botanic Gardens then across to Southbank for a swim in the lagoon or an ice cream while sitting on the boardwalk. You’ll come across a few museums and galleries along the way so be sure to stop in and check them out.

The Mount Cootha Forest and Mountain is the highest point in Brisbane and great for both bushwalking during the day and lovely views by night. There’s a great restaurant on the summit and it’s definitely worth having a meal there. On the way up the mountain you can stop at the Botanical Gardens and view the local flora and fauna.

Take an overnight camping trip or day cruise to the incredible Moreton Island , North or South Stradbroke Island or catch a bus to Redcliffe for a great day out. Take a diving trip or walk along Kangaroo Point and watch all the rock climbers along the wall or you can even have a try yourself.

Fortitude Valley is the place for live music. Day or night you can chill out in the beer gardens and enjoy some of the country’s best original bands. There are some great clubs in the Valley but don’t turn up in a collared shirt and dress shoes or you might not get in! If you go out in the city you must wear a collared shirt and look smart or again, you won’t get in. Always carry your identification on you or you definitely won’t get in anywhere. Be careful in the Valley at night when the clubs close.

There’s some great international food throughout the city. China Town (next to the Valley) is the place for dim sum and cheap noodles. Or one of the many sushi places for a healthy snack. Food can be expensive so shopping and making your own meals might be better if you’re on a budget.

You can wander around the city for days, there’s so much to see. Use Brisbane as a base for the great surrounding areas up and down the coast or inland. Be sure to have a chat to the locals as you might find yourself with a great new group of friends!

(By Kelly Luckman)