Cross-Cultural Conversations

Observations by a Malaysian studying in Australia

Destination Brisbane

After a 45-minute train journey on the Caboolture line, passing through green hills, residential areas and empty land, we finally arrived in the city of Brisbane. Excited, and quite hungry for lunch, we hastily made our way to the commercial centre of the city, Queen Street Mall.

Queen Street Mall could be a twin of Melbourne's own Bourke Street Mall, with the Myer and David Jones department stores flanking the mall on either side.

To my surprise, the mall wasn't the only thing the two cities had in common. One of the main attractions in Brisbane is South Bank, the cultural precinct of the city, housing the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, a museum, cafes, a food court and a spectacular artificial beach.

One of the main attractions in Melbourne is Southbank (note the spacing difference) is host to a performing arts centre, a casino, cafes, a food court and a spectacular fire display.

If Melbourne's Brunswick Street is famous for its hip nightclubs and Middle Eastern eateries, Brisbane's Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley is famous for its hip nightclubs and Chinese eateries.

Brisbane also has a suburb called Sunshine.

posted by: Tembaga2 at 11:14 | link | comments |