The Wheel of Brisbane is a city icon, widely noticeable from its position perched on the banks of the Brisbane River. From its lofty heights many city landmarks are visible and the Wheel offers an alternative and fun way to get to know a little more about Brisbane’s history and heritage. I’ve walked past this ferris wheel numerous times over the years, always keen to give it a whirl and I finally did! So I thought I’d share my experience.
I would definitely recommend visiting by night when both the Wheel of Brisbane and the buildings of the city are brightly illuminated. The Brisbane River sparkles and reflects the lights, which is a sight in itself and something that makes the experience a little more special. When I went with my friends we made a whole evening of the trip. We started with dinner in South Bank where there is an abundance of amazing restaurants (visit this great website for some restaurant ideas), then jumped on the Wheel before taking a wander back through the Collective Markets, which pop up in South Bank every weekend
One of the fine food offerings from South Bank – an icecream sandwich from Mr Fitzs. Yep, it was as good as it looks!
Riding on the Wheel of Brisbane was fun, and also informative. Your ticket includes a map of Brisbane marked with some of the landmarks visible from the top of the Wheel. This is accompanied by an audio commentary during the ride, which gives interesting insights and fun facts about each sight and about the city itself. I found this quite handy because I could figure out exactly what I was looking at!
From my vantage point of almost sixty metres above the ground, I got an excellent view of some of Brisbane city’s most recognisable sights. The Botanical Gardens, Mount Coot-tha and South Bank’s Parklands were all visible along with the skyscrapers of the CBD, the recognisable shape of the GABBA sports stadium and the beautiful Queensland Government Treasury building, all framed by the curling Brisbane River that snakes through the city. It was a unique way to see Brisbane and provided a different geographical perspective of the city itself.
The gondola that took us on our scenic ride!
Now for some practical information about the Wheel of Brisbane:
- Price: If purchasing at the box office, an adult ticket costs $19 while students and concession cardholders can take a ride for $16.50. However, discounts apply for tickets purchased online, so save yourself some dollars and buy in advance if possible!
- Opening hours: The Wheel of Brisbane operates day and night seven days a week giving you plenty of flexibility to work around uni and work schedules.
- The ride: A ride on the Wheel of Brisbane goes for around 15 minutes, and while riding you’re seated in a gondola. The gondolas are designed to comfortably hold six adults on bench style seating, so keep this in mind if you’re organising a group trip. While the seats themselves aren’t particularly comfortable, the gondola is air-conditioned and fully enclosed, and the large windows offer ample vantage points to view the city sights from all angles.
- Location: the Wheel of Brisbane is really easily accessible from its position in the heart of the cultural precinct. You’ll find the Wheel on the lawn in front of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) within easy walking distance from South Brisbane train station and the Cultural Centre bus station. It’s also within walking distance from South Bank and the Queensland Conservatorium.
View from the top! The view from the Wheel of Brisbane by night is amazing.
View from the top! The view from the Wheel of Brisbane by night is amazing
View from the top! The view from the Wheel of Brisbane by night is amazing.
So if you’re looking for a slightly different way to explore the city this weekend why not go for a spin on the Wheel of Brisbane? It’s a great way for newcomers and long-term residents alike to learn more about Brisbane! For more information visit the website.
Article originally posted on: https://explore-blog.griffith.edu.au/take-a-spin-on-the-wheel-of-brisbane/
