Brisbane, the capital of Queensland—Australia’s “Sunshine State”—is the nation’s third-largest city and is widely known for its relaxed pace. Curving around the Brisbane River, it attracts visitors with its subtropical warmth, buzzing dining and nightlife, a lively arts scene, and quick access to the beaches east of the city.
For outdoor lovers, Brisbane delivers: runners can choose from long riverside paths, conservation parks and wetland trails, and coastal routes in the eastern suburbs, while cyclists can link many of these areas via bikeways—especially enjoyable in the cooler evening hours when the city lights reflect off the water.