Brisbane - Australia 2004 - page 248

stages rock climbs up the cliffs every second Sunday from 8:30am. The experi-
ence lasts 3 1 ⁄ 2 hours and costs A$39 (US$25) per person. At 1pm you can abseil
back during a 4-hour session for A$39 (US$25) per person. You will fit in four
or five abseils in the course of the afternoon. If you want to climb in the morn-
ing and abseil in the afternoon, you can buy both experiences as a package for
A$59 (US$38).
BIKING Bike tracks stretch for 400km (248 miles) around Brisbane, often
shared with pedestrians and in-line skaters. One great scenic route—about 9km
(5 1 ⁄ 2 miles) long—starts just west of the Story Bridge, sweeps through the City
Botanic Gardens, and follows the river all the way to the University of Queens-
land campus at St. Lucia. Brisbane Bicycle Sales and Hire, 87 Albert St.
( & 07/3229 2433; www.brizbike.com), will rent you a bike and furnish you
with the Brisbane City Council's free detailed bike maps. Rentals start at A$12
(US$7.80) for 1 hour and go up to A$25 (US$16) for the day; overnight (A$45/
US$29), weekly (A$80/US$52), and biweekly (A$120/US$78) rentals are avail-
able. The price includes helmets, which are compulsory in Australia. Valet Cycle
Hire ( & 0408 003 198 mobile phone) rents bikes, helmets, and maps for A$30
(US$20) for a half day, A$40 (US$26) for a full day, and A$70 (US$46) for 2
days. The company also operates an easy escorted tour each afternoon for about
2 1 ⁄ 2 hours, departing from the Brisbane City Gardens, which costs A$38
(US$25) adults and A$30 (US$20) children 7 to 12. Bookings essential. The
Brisbane City Council at City Hall ( & 07/3403 8888 ) and Brisbane Market-
ing's information booths (see “Visitor Information,” earlier in this chapter) also
give out bike maps.
BUSHWALKING Brisbane Forest Park , a 28,500-hectare (71,395-acre)
expanse of bushland, waterfalls, and rainforest a 20-minute drive north of the
city, has hiking trails ranging from just a few hundred meters up to 8km (5
miles). Some tracks have themes—one highlights the native mammals that live in
the park, for example, and another, the 1.8km (just over 1 mile) Mt. Coot-tha
Aboriginal Art Trail, showcases contemporary Aboriginal art with tree carvings,
rock paintings, etchings, and a dance pit. Because the park is so big, most walks
depart from seven regional centers that are up to a 20-minute drive from head-
quarters, so you will need a car. Make a day of it and pack a picnic. Park Head-
quarters ( & 07/3300 4855; www.brisbaneforestpark.qld.gov.au) is at 60 Mt.
Nebo Rd., The Gap. Here you will find a wildlife display, a restaurant, a crafts
shop, and an information center.
IN-LINE SKATING In-line skaters can use the network of bike/pedestrian
paths. See “Biking,” above, for locations of where to find a map, or just head
down to the City Botanic Gardens at Alice Street and find your own way out
along the river. SkateBiz, 101 Albert St. ( & 07/3220 0157 ), rents blades for
A$13 (US$9) for 2 hours, or A$20 (US$13) for any time up to 24 hours. Pro-
tective gear is included. Take photo ID. The store is open from 9am to 5.30pm
Monday through Thursday, 9am to 9pm Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday, and
10am to 4pm Sunday.

8 The Shopping Scene
Brisbane's best shopping is centered on Queen Street Mall, which has around
500 stores. Fronting the mall at 171-209 Queen St., under the Hilton, is the
three-level Wintergarden shopping complex ( &

07/3229 9755 ), housing