By Rama Gaind.
Luck was on our side two years ago and we hope it will remain when we next return for the Brisbane Festival. It was glorious spring weather at 23 degrees, the sky was glistening without any clouds and the Brisbane River was shimmering blue.
Just because the views were great from our hotel at the east end of the city centre didn’t mean we couldn’t venture further afield. We took the River Boardwalk to the Botanic Gardens or visit Southbank with its parklands, Convention Centre or Cultural Centre via the goodwill footbridge and the world class Gallery of Modern Art. For a change of pace, a late-night drink or Treasury Casino waits 24/7.
Go on a river walk and be amazed at how Brisbane River dining’s becoming the rage. The revamped Eagle Street pier was the hotspot for a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Venture a bit further and become enmeshed in the bright lights and big-name delights found in the Queen Street Mall and nearby surrounds. This is where you shop till you drop!
The Oakwood Hotel and Apartments Brisbane offered sweeping views of the Brisbane River, the city skyline and the iconic Story Bridge. Our one-bedroom apartment on the 8th floor was the ideal spot to witness the best of Riverfire 2019. Certainly had ringside seats, sitting on the balcony overlooking the Story Bridge!
The festival’s opening extravaganza this year – on September 3 – will be noisy and colourful and will unite hundreds of thousands of people in celebration with music and fireworks in Brisbane’s city centre and reverberate out to suburban streets, parks and backyards.
Until September 25, Brisbane will be in full festive swing as acclaimed international and Australian artists and productions, free outdoor events, home grown productions and the cutting edge and offbeat burst across theatres, galleries, parks and public spaces.
Value viewing
While in Brisbane, experience the quiet solitude of Queensland’s pre-eminent war memorial and gain a greater understanding of Australia’s military past at Anzac Square. It is located in the CBD with the Shrine of Remembrance and Eternal Flame burning at its heart.
Staying at the Oakwood is still good value – from the CBD to Fortitude Valley. A most ideal location to explore Brisbane being just steps away from the vibrant heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves – a much beloved riverside destination to eat, drink, play and stay.
It is still one of the perfect locations from which to view the firework displays on the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the pontoons on the Eagle Pier stretch of the Brisbane River and some of the tall buildings along the waterfront.
Find out about the special accommodation offers that include advance purchase, best flexible rate, work from Oakwood, an extended stay with greater savings and there’s a seniors rate for those over 60 years. Why not book direct with the hotel and give back to the community. For every direct booking received until 30 September 2021, Oakwood properties worldwide will pledge to contribute a meal to a local charity.
Find the time to immerse yourself in Australia’s contemporary visual and performing arts at the renowned Judith Wright Arts Centre – where multi-disciplinary works come alive in forms of dance, music, and spoken word.
Lose yourself in nature at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens – easily accessible via car, public transport or by walking – and participate in its many concerts, activities and community-oriented festivals.
The festival program will fill Brisbane with a wide variety of art, music, dance and theatre events. It is sure to intrigue, delight and inspire with a program encompassing dance, theatre, opera, classical music, visual arts, circus, sideshow and contemporary music. There will be a lot of talent to help spread some joy through the power of the arts.
FACT FILE
2021 Brisbane Festival
3-25 September 2021
https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Oakwood Hotel and Apartments Brisbane
(07) 3218 5800