Need a refreshing and fun way to get around Brisbane that won’t leave you trapped in gridlocked traffic hell? Get ready to feel the wind in your hair and find the city laid out at your feet with a trip on a CityCat.
As well as offering a fresh perspective on Brisbane each CityCat stop is your jumping off point to exploring the many wonderful pockets of Brisbane.
Starting at South Bank and heading north, here are a few favourite CityCat stops you might like to try on your next weekend getaway.
Stop: South Bank 1 and 2
South Bank beach
Why get off?
South Bank is the cultural heart of the city where restaurants, shops, markets, museums and a man made beach all coexist peacefully for the good of tourists and residents.
There’s always something happening here – from the Collective Markets on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, to the independent cinema where adults can see movies for less than 10 bucks, dinosaur exhibitions at the Queensland Museum, to free concerts, arts and kids’ activities. And if you’re hungry restaurants abound, from cheap eats like sushi and dumplings, to mid range like USA retro-themed South Side Diner to classy riverside joints like Stokehouse.
Stop: QUT Gardens Point
Why get off?
From this stop it’s an easy stroll to the City Botanic Gardens, where you can wander through avenues of figs trees and bamboo and enjoy a lazy afternoon stretched out on the lawns in the sunshine. And from here it’s about a 10-minute walk down George St, past the Queensland Government buildings to the top of the Queen St Mall and the Treasury Casino.
Stop: Riverside
Why get off?
Be deposited directly into the Eagle St Pier district with all its fancy pants restaurants. Avoid the overrated and outdated Sunday markets and just head for the food, including Aria, Cha Cha Char, Pony and Saké. Didn’t pack your heels and pearls? Casual but cool options include the Riverbar & Kitchen and the Bavarian Bier Café.
Stop: New Farm Park
Why get off?
Home to Moonlight Cinema in the summer months, the arts hub the Brisbane Powerhouse, the Jan Power Farmers’ Markets, city views, rose gardens, weekend picnics and hoards of personal trainers whipping butts into shape every morning, why wouldn’t you want to get off here? And because parking can be a bit of a bitch, especially during events, the CityCat is a great option for getting there.
Stop: Oxford St, Bulimba
Why get off?
It’s a bit of a trek from the terminal to the action, but Oxford St in Bulimba is brimming with shops, eats, and ways to while away a weekend afternoon. Spend time in one of Brisbane’s best bookstores, Riverbend Books, pick up a gift at Thousand Island Dressing and experience a true old school cinema going experience at the Balmoral cinema, where the original theatre dates back to the 1920s.
Stop: Brett’s Wharf
Why get off?
If you don’t get off here there’s only one other stop on the line – Northshore Hamilton. But aside from pure logistics, stopping at Brett’s Wharf gives you access to Racecourse Road and Portside. In town on a Sunday? Try the weekly Eagle Farm markets, where I once ate a lamington as big as my head. Have one of the greatest Thai food experiences of your life at That Thai on Racecourse Road or take the 10-minute walk over to Portside to wander around and marvel at the massive cruise ships that stop in.
Eat St at Portside
If it’s a weekend head on over to the Eat St Markets. Truth time: the Eat St Markets are so popular that at peak times you really need to get your netball elbows out to just make it through the crowds. It can be kind of unpleasant, so go early or late for the best experience. The good news is the markets are open Sundays (10am-3pm) in winter, so check out their website for all the events, entertainment and food news.
You can get tickets for CityCats on board or use a Go Card.
Tell me about your favourite CityCat stop in the comments.
