Visit Brisbane has released a snapshot of the city’s tourism businesses, current as of Tuesday, January 18, 2011.
GETTING TO AND AROUND BRISBANE
Open
-Brisbane’s domestic and international Airports have remained open throughout and are fully operational.
-The Port of Brisbane has reopened however the Brisbane River is closed until Marine Safety Queensland declares the river open.
-Airtrain services are running as per the regular timetable, there will be no charge for using Airtrain services in both directions of travel until the last service on Friday 21st January.
-Portside Wharf, Cruise Terminal remains open and was not damaged, however access via the Brisbane River is closed until Marine Safety Queensland declares the river open.
-All motorways and major roads in Brisbane are open. All of Brisbane’s bridges and rail lines are operational. If you are planning on driving throughout Brisbane please check road conditions at; http://131940.qld.gov.au as some suburban streets remain closed to through traffic.
Pending
-City Cats and ferries throughout Brisbane city remain closed.
BRISBANE ACCOMMODATION
Open
-Most of Brisbane’s city hotels were not affected by the flooding.
-All Brisbane backpacking accommodation is open and unaffected.
Pending
The few hotels that experienced disruptions are anticipating opening their doors quickly and they include:
-Stamford Plaza Brisbane is expected to be opened February 28
-Oaks 212 Margaret Street is expected to be opened January 22
-Central West End Apartments is expected to be opened during the first week of February
-Central Apartments Eagle Street Conference Centre is expected to be opened January 19
-The Sebel Suites Brisbane expected to be opened February 7
-Rydges South Bank is open for business with existing bookings and is accepting reservations for people arriving from January 19
-Mantra South Bank Brisbane has opened
-Royal on the Park Brisbane is now fully operational
OUT AND ABOUT IN BRISBANE
Open
-Brisbane’s CBD is operational with the majority of the city’s 700+ Queen Street Mall retailers open and ready to welcome shoppers. QueensPlaza, Broadway on the Mall, Macarthur Central, Wintergarden, Brisbane Arcade, Post Office Square and The Myer Centre are all open.
–The Brisbane Powerhouse has reopened with all shows programmed going ahead. Patrons affected by flooding who were unable to attend performances can have their tickets changed or refunded by calling the Box Office on 07 3358 8600.
-The Brunswick Street Mall and China Town Mall in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley are open for visitors to enjoy diverse cuisine and some great shopping.
-Nature lovers are able to get out and about; with Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest Koala sanctuary opening its doors again today (Tuesday). Other animal attractions including Alma Park Zoo and Australia Zoo are also open for business.
-Many of Brisbane’s unique Urban Villages are open offering guests contemporary, alternative, edgy, sophisticated, progressive and laidback experiences.
-The Woolloongabba precinct is open for business for guests to experience retro antique shops. Some of the restaurant options in the area include The Crosstown Eating House, 1889 Enoteca and Pearl Café.
-James Street in Fortitude Valley is open with many high-end retailers and cool cafes and restaurants open for business. Some of the businesses on this strip include sass & bide, Libertine Parfumerie and Chelsea de Luca.
-The Paddington precinct is open for people looking for unique cafes and restaurants, vintage and designer fashion. Food lovers can stop into Anouk, The Lark or Simpatico while fashion fiends can stock up at Petrol, Olive Home or Retro Metro.
-Adventure lovers can still get their fix of fun. Riverlife, which sits at the foot of the Kangaroo Point cliffs, is open and offering guests the chance to experience cycling, rock climbing and abseiling. Riverlife’s kayaking offering will be available when the river is deemed safe by Marine Safety Queensland.
-Story Bridge Adventure Climb is open and the perfect place to get a bird’s eye view of the city.
Pending
Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct is closed until further notice. People can refer to websites for information about specific shows and exhibitions:
-Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA): www.qag.qld.gov.au/
-State Library of Queensland: www.slq.qld.gov.au/
-The Queensland Museum: www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au
-The Queensland Performing Arts Centre: www.qpac.com.au/
-South Bank Parklands is closed until further notice. People can refer to their website for all their latest information; www.visitsouthbank.com.au/.
-Little Stanley Street and Grey Street in South Bank will be reopened when power is fully restored to the area.
-The Wheel of Brisbane is officially closed until further notice.
-The XXXX Ale House and Brewery Tours are officially closed until further notice.
-A number of river cruises including River City Cruises, Kookaburra River Queen and Mirimar have suspended operations until the Brisbane River is deemed safe by Marine Safety Queensland.
-JPT Tour Group, incorporating Australian Day Tours is not operating Brisbane City Tours, but tours departing Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay are still operating. The Aussie Outback Adventure tour to Ipswich and Spicers Hidden Vale is still operational.
SURROUNDING BRISBANE
Open
-Moreton Bay and Island businesses including Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island Adventures, Moreton Bay Escapes, Goanna Tours, Sunrover Tours and Reality Cruises are all operational. Tangalooma Island Resort which has been launching from Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane is due to begin launching from Holt Street January 19.
-All accommodation and tour operators on North Stradbroke Island have remained open. All vehicle and passenger ferries to North Stradbroke Island including Southern Moreton Bay Islands continue to operate on normal schedules and have not been affected.
-Ipswich Workshops Rail Museum is open and fully operational with no damage.
-All Ipswich accommodation operators including: Metro Hotel International Ipswich and Quest Ipswich Serviced Apartments are fully operational and unaffected.
-All major arterial roads and highways leading into Ipswich are open; however caution is advised when traveling along these roads.
-All accommodation and tour operators in the Scenic Rim (including Beaudesert, Boonah, and Mt Tamborine & Lamington National Park) have remained open and this includes:
-Tamborine Mountain Tours
-Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
-JPT Day Tours
-O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk
-Araucaria Ecotours
-interNATIONAL PARKtours
-Eco Safaris Queensland
-Bushwacker Ecotours