Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of Brisbane - ideas on city exploration routes

» The cathedral rises in the centre of the business district. The third bishop of Brisbane appealed to citizens asking them to help with the construction of the church.
»  The facade is made of stone. The pointed turrets, narrow lancet stained-glass windows, granite and basalt columns propping up the dome are characteristic of the neo-gothic European style.
»  The architectural plan was presented at the end of the 19th century. A son of the architect made a design change in 1947. The construction itself lasted for as long as a century. (1887-2009)
»  The temple was consecrated in the presence of 1,500 people. St. John's Cathedral was built on the site of the oldest All Saints Anglican Church (1862) with a wooden tower.
»  Helidon sandstone, which is a mixture of different minerals, was used for cladding the cathedral. It collects embroidered items and things carved from wood, glass and stone, made by local craftsmen. The collection of four hundred pillows depicts local flora and fauna.
»  Tourists can climb a narrow spiral staircase to get to the bell tower. The modern belfry was opened about 10 years ago and occupies 2 floors. 12 bells are hung on the upper floor. They still traditionally chime.

» In 1978, a planetarium was opened on the territory of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. An astronomical station is named after an eminent scientist. Sir Thomas made a registry of more than 7,000 stars.
»  A starry sky is projected onto the 12.5-metre sphere of the domed ceiling. Projectors allow bringing the images of distant stars nearer.
»  Powerful telescopes with a large field of view, photos from the Moon, spacecraft and shuttle mock-ups, solar system models are all put together.
»  In order to make the study of celestial bodies and their composition more popular, not only daytime lectures but also night classes are organized for visitors.
»  Sir Thomas Planetarium’s photo exhibition introduces visitors to the initial stages of space exploration to the present day.
»  The planetarium theatre stages astronomical and space-themed plays. Souvenirs can be bought at a souvenir shop.
»  Planetarium astronomers and their centre are still considered to be a major scientific association using modern equipment. The workers of the "star" organization are engaged in educational activities and awaken public interest in our galaxy.

» How to see the city and its surroundings? Brisbane Eye helps tourists have a view of Brisbane landmarks. You just need to go to the south bank of the river, to the precinct of South Bank, to have a ride.
»  The spinning disc is located in the park area. Visitors are invited to fill the carts. 42 glass cabins are waiting to set off for a journey. They are air-conditioned.
»  Six adults and two children can fit in a capsule during a tour on the "air" vehicle. They are seated on two benches. A panel on the ceiling has emergency call buttons. The lift with capsules moves slowly, so everyone has enough time to capture the moment by taking a photo.
»  The cabins almost never stop. A sightseeing tour lasts for up to twenty minutes. The visitors have 12 minutes to enjoy the panorama of the city districts.
»  An audio guide tells the visitors about the history of different landmarks. There are the following rules: it’s forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol and eat as well as carry voluminous things. It’s also possible to admire the night scenery.
»  Before boarding The Wheel, teenagers appear on the platform. They open the doors, seat the visitors, and explain the rules of conduct during the trip.

» The mansion is designed in French Renaissance style. It started to be built in 1865 and finished in 3 years.
»  Near the building, there are shady colonnades with horizontal beams. The roof is vaulted. There are shutters on the windows. The cedar was used to decorate the interior. Staircases are covered with it. The ceiling in the conference room is decorated with the pattern of golden leaves. The building has vaulted archways.
»  The house is the first building with electric lighting and is the first construction in Australia used by the legislative bodies.
»  The government organized a contest on the design project in the new building construction.
»  It is faced with sandstone. Stained glass windows were ordered in Birmingham. The Parliament House is connected with the Public Printing House by the underground cable. Restoration work was completed in 1979. The zinc-plated roof was replaced by the copper one. $20 million was spent on its restoration.
»  Art exhibitions are organized on the ground level. Free excursions are held every week. In the main hall, you can buy souvenirs. The Parliament Building was used to shoot a film series.

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Facts: » The punitive system of Australia can be studied in the museum. Boggo Road is a vivid example of a correctional institution.
»  Inside you can see prison cells, the preserved old furniture, and sometimes, according to legend, also ghosts.
»  The prisons were overcrowded, so the need for a new construction arose. In 1880, a design was made, and three years after, the men's prison was opened. In October 1903, the women's prison started to operate.
»  The No. 2 Division lasted for 18 years. More prisons for men were still needed.
»  Boggo Road Gaol was a place where many villains served their sentence.
»  The prison ceased to exist in 1989. Most of the buildings were destroyed.
»  According to some information, a hundred people were executed there in total.
»  Thanks to several former security guards, the prison was turned into a museum in 1992. As many as 20,000 tourists visit the museum, which indicates an increasing interest in this unusual place.
»  A tour starts with passing through the iron gate. Walking around the corridors and cells, you can vividly imagine what the prison life of the past was like.
»  Today, the grim building is often used as a film location, and some people even hold wedding receptions here.