If you're looking for a quick, cost effective and unique way to see the sights of Brisbane, then take a spin on the
Wheel of Brisbane.
If you're an adult, for the small cost of $20, you get to re-live your childhood a little on a sophisticated Ferris Wheel, but instead of bench seats with a metal bar keeping you secure, you get to chill out and see the sights of Brisbane in a comfortable gondola. I managed to have one to myself.
Before you get in the gondola, you're given a small pamphlet, "
A sky high scenic experience", which outlines 11 key sights and landmarks: the Brisbane River, the Queensland Government Treasury Building, the Commissariat Store building, the Botanical Gardens, the Goodwill Bridge, the Gabba, the William Jolly Bridge, Mount Coot-tha, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, and South Bank Parklands.
As well as experiencing amazing views, you're also given an audio commentary of the journey. In all honesty, I was so captivated by the views that I forgot to follow my pamphlet for the most part, but I managed to follow it enough to be able to appreciate the sights around me.
Another bonus is the option of having souvenir photos taken. I paid $25 to be able to digitally download three photos of myself taken in front of a green screen, which would result in photos of me in front of various Brisbane backdrops.
The whole experience lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, with four spins and pauses along the way. I didn't feel it was long enough, but if you want to see the sights in a short period of time, the duration and the Wheel of Brisbane would be ideal for you. It is open from 10am to 10pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday.