Sarah Lang spent some time in Brisbane on holiday and wanted to stay much longer…
Who knew that Brisbane was recently crowned the sixth most romantic city in the world – even more so than Paris and Rome? U.K.-based lifestyle brand Pour Moi’s Romantic Cities report looked at over 550 destinations. It took into account the number of times that attractions have been dubbed ‘romantic’ by visitors on Tripadvisor, the total number of ‘couple-friendly’ things to do, and the number of #datenight+cityname on social media.
I can’t personally attest to the romance factor as I was in Brisbane without my husband, but I definitely got the vibe that the city would be a great couple’s getaway.
You could take a stroll through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens’, which has a kilometre of river frontage. The fairy-light walkways along the river are beautiful, too. And what could be more romantic than sipping a wine or a negroni at a bar overlooking the river? Brisbane’s first ‘overwater’ bar, Mr Percival’s, actually protrudes over the water – and under a bridge – and has a mighty fine cocktail selection.
The heart of Brisbane is the river which flows through the city and empties into Moreton Bay on the Coral Sea. From the 1840s, colonial settlers built homes beside the river, many propped up by stilts, with verandahs that wrap around the buildings. One way to see them – and get a feel for the city’s topography – is taking a berth on one of River City Cruises’ timber vessels, which has informative commentary.
I did a river cruise 15 years ago – the only time I’d visited Brissie before. Obviously, the river hasn’t changed much. But on land, Brisbane is SO different now. It’s bold, bright, bustling – attracting more international visitors than ever – and continuing its ambitious growth (particularly in preparation for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032).
Transforming the city’s skyline and the river’s edge is the new 12-hectare precinct Queen’s Wharf Brisbane: an evolving resort development and destination. At the heart of the precinct is The Star Brisbane: a vibrant urban playground home to a casino, restaurants and wine bars (it will have staged openings of new offerings over the next few years).
Last year The Star Brisbane opened five-star hotel The Star Grand, which has 340 rooms (choose from nine types), floor-to-ceiling windows, and either river or city views. This is a jewel of a hotel. I stayed in a super spacious room on the 13th floor, which had one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever laid down in. When there are Karl Lagerfeld bathroom products, and three pools, you know you’re somewhere fancy.
The Isoletto Pool Club’s heated pools are fringed by sun-loungers, with river views; there’s also a sauna and steam room, gym, even a pool bar serving cocktails and bites. I could easily have spent a day down at Isoletto!
If you’re staying at the hotel, and want to visit the pool club – or the restaurants and other attractions at The Star Brisbane – simply step into the elevator, press a button, and voila, you’re there. There’s no chance of getting lost, which helps if you’re as spatially challenged as me! And handily, breakfast is served in a room next to reception.
It’s quite the task to choose between The Star Brisbane’s restaurants, which span various floors. I had dinner at one of its three casual eateries Luc Lac, which brings to life the flavours of Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. Everything is delicious, and you can share plates or secure your own. Try the Charred Squid or the Torched Scallop.
The Star Brisbane also has nine signature-dining restaurants by chefs with established reputations. If you’re after something a bit chic, stop into Popette, a French-style champagne bar and restaurant. If you’re after more of a sensory experience, visit Sokyo, which uses traditional Japanese cooking techniques filtered through a modern Australian lens.
Atop the building is the Sky Deck. This 250-metre-long viewing deck with a glass floor looks like a curved rooftop runway, seemingly suspended in the sky 100 metres from the ground. It wraps around a bar and three restaurants including Aloria, a luxury dining destination with a wine collection known as the ‘cellar in the sky’. Here, they cook local seasonal produce with woodfire and grill techniques.
Cooking by fire has really become a thing, right? Arguably the city’s best experiential restaurant is Agnes, where they only cook with fire (no gas, no electricity) over three glowing woodfire pits. What they use as fuel – such as apple wood, cherry wood and olive wood – brings out distinctive flavours. Yes, that even works with their desserts.
There are also hot new eateries at Kangaroo Point Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle bridge (no cars allowed). At Mulga Bill’s – overlooking the bridge – think woodfired pizzas, seafood tapas and a laidback vibe. At Stilts – perched above the bridge – think lobster, mud crab and an upmarket vibe.
Even directionally challenged people like me won’t get lost in the centre of this very walkable city. You could also book the Pineapple Tours Hop On Hop Off Brisbane City loop, or book Urban Tours’ curated, guided minibus tour. Both will take you around the best sights and landmarks.
But back to food and beverages. At By.artisans gin distillery, you can sip and savour a curated selection of artisanal gins while learning about botanicals and distillation. If you’re feeling creative, their workshops let you mix your own signature gin to take home. By.artisans also has a café and bar.
You’ll find some fantastic Queensland wines – the chardonnays are particularly good – at Brisbane’s restaurants. If you’re a real vinophile, visit the family-owned, family-run Sirromet Winery, 45 minutes’ drive from Brisbane. After a delicious cellar-door lunch, I was ready for its Wine Blending Experience. With a wall of wine barrels as backdrop, I tried a selection of wine varieties and wrote down my thoughts on the characteristics of each one (while you’re thinking, there are cheeses, crackers and dried fruit to graze on). A host sommelier is there to give directions and answer any queries (or in my case, pass napkins to contain a wee spill).
Then I got to make my own wine. By that I mean I got to blend several of the red wines together to fill a bottle. (That counts as ‘make’, right?). The pipettes, beakers and other such instruments reminded me of a chemistry lab, except this is nothing like school. TBH I liked three wines equally, so I tipped in about a third of each, and was as pleased with the result as the people next to me who carefully tasted, described and measured. I got a Sirromet label for my bottle with a space for me, the ‘winemaker’, to write my name, then I took the bottle away. What a way to spend an afternoon.
You can also do other tours and tastings at Sirromet, or buy one of its picnic hampers and enjoy it on the grounds. Now that sounds romantic! Next time I come to Brisbane I’ll bring my husband.
*Sarah was a guest of Tourism Australia.
