21.04.2026

The traffic took a break until around 4 o'clock, then it got loud again. That's the 'price' of having a hotel in the city center. Nevertheless, we are very satisfied with the accommodation. Today we explored the city with a guide named Briseida. She is from Venezuela, completed her architecture studies here, and works for an agency that financed her studies. On her days off, she shows tourists around the city and explains the architectural peculiarities. So, studying here pays off. After 5 years, she now has a permanent residency permit in the country. We spent six hours walking through the city, ending with a ferry ride on the river that winds like a snake through the landscape. The snake symbol can be found repeatedly on facades, in pathways, and embedded in murals. It is even incorporated in the wavy glass front of one of the new cultural buildings that can be seen in one of the pictures. We strolled past a city beach, which is all free but lifeguarded and equipped with cameras for safety. We saw shopping malls, crossed pedestrian-only bridges, and she explained many old buildings (max 200 years old), which now have new functions. We made a detour to the state history museum and the natural history museum - both free. There were many activities for children available, and they were very diversely structured. The visitor turnout was good! The city is named after a Scotsman who helped develop trade here. Originally, as is often the case in Australia, it was a penal colony. Look how far it has come! Everywhere preparations for the 2032 Olympic Games are underway! We took our coffee break on the viewing platform on the 27th floor of a high-rise building with a beautiful view over the city, the river, or the rooftops of other buildings. One of the tourist information centers is located in the lobby of an old theater, which no longer exists - a mix of Baroque and Classic styles... simply beautiful to look at. The man in the wheelchair sang songs by Frank Sinatra. Street music is not very common here. In the afternoon, we took a ferry a bit further down the river, into residential areas, away from the mainstream and high-rises. There were also extensive parks here, and there are always enough people out for picnics. Briseida really showed us 'her' city in many facets. Thank you! On the way back, we made a detour to the local botanical garden, past tree giants and bushes we know from the rainforest. The tree with these long 'sausages' is indeed called 'sausage tree', and we know it from Africa. It was an intensive tour of Brisbane! Around 6:30 PM, we wanted to get an impression of our surroundings in the dark. Well, the majority of shops had already closed, including snack bars and many restaurants. The number of people still out and about is manageable. Car traffic decreases. But the lighting is fantastic! Even the town hall with the tall clock tower, which we had already seen during the day, looks magnificent with this illumination. And it's still 21 °C!