Brisbane looks forward to its first direct flight to China's capital
Air China Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Air China") has officially announced that it will launch a direct Beijing–Brisbane route in December 2017, operating four flights per week and expected to generate more than A$191 million in revenue for the Queensland economy.
Queensland's Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Hon. Kate Jones, said with delight: "This is the first air corridor linking Beijing, the capital of China, with Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, and it holds truly landmark historical significance for Queensland. The route is expected to bring nearly 170,000 new visitors to Queensland over the next four years. It will also make it easier for Chinese travellers to reach Brisbane and travel with ease to other famous Queensland destinations such as the Gold Coast and the Whitsundays, to enjoy the sunshine of the Southern Hemisphere, its stunning beaches and world-class attractions like the magnificent Great Barrier Reef."
"The successful launch of this direct route would not have been possible without the close cooperation of many partners, including Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Gold Coast Tourism, Brisbane Marketing, Tourism Whitsundays and Tourism Australia," Minister Jones said.
Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon. Steven Ciobo, said he was pleased to see the new route launch during the "Australia–China Year of Tourism": "China is Australia's most valuable international source market, with Chinese travellers spending as much as A$10 billion a year in Australia, a figure expected to rise to A$13 billion by 2020. Strengthening the links between Australia and China and fully unlocking the enormous potential of the Chinese source market is vitally important work for us."
Mr Wang Mingyuan, Vice President of Air China, said: "The direct Beijing–Brisbane route is Air China's first scheduled service to Queensland and the first route to Queensland from the entire North China region. Once launched, it will give domestic travellers a wider range of options for travelling to Australia. In addition, drawing on the powerful route network of the Star Alliance, travellers can reach even more destinations via other Star Alliance member carriers. Air China currently operates direct routes from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu to a number of Australian cities, offering more than thirty flights each week between China and Australia."
China is Queensland's largest international source market. Over the past year, Chinese visitors spent a total of A$1 billion in Queensland, contributing nearly 20% of the state's international tourism revenue. The launch of this new route will provide a more convenient air travel option for business, tourism and cultural exchanges between China and Queensland.
Situated in north-eastern Australia, Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and one of Australia's "emerging international cities". Vibrant and full of energy, it combines the atmosphere of a diverse, modern metropolis with the relaxed, sunny and elegant slow pace of Queensland life. In recent years, Brisbane's rapid development in tourism, business, culture, technology and education has allowed it to shine on the international stage and reveal its many facets of charm. In Brisbane, visitors can enjoy a blend of city living, culture and the arts, outdoor sport, natural islands and wildlife. They can also easily reach the Gold Coast for a fun-filled beach holiday, or fly conveniently to the Whitsundays at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef in search of world-famous sights such as the Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach.
Take a stroll through South Bank ParklandsSouth Bank Parklands is the former site of World Expo 1988 and one of Australia's finest inner-city parks. Set off in the morning, cycle through the trees, pause at the plaza for a street performance, or take a short cruise by boat or canoe. We highly recommend planning an evening ride on the Brisbane Wheel – Brisbane by night is especially enchanting, with the sparkling stars and the city lights echoing one another.
Website http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/South-Bank
Have a splash on the beachYou don't need to leave Brisbane to soak up Australia's rich seaside culture. With the clean, soft white sands of Brisbane's South Bank and a lagoon surrounded by subtropical gardens, you won't be able to put your camera down if you've brought one along. Bask in Queensland's glorious sunshine and enjoy this cost-free happiness!
Tick off Esquire, an iconic Australian restaurantLocated on Eagle Street, Esquire boasts 180-degree views taking in the Story Bridge, the Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point in one sweep! Esquire is renowned for its authentic Western cuisine, and even more enticing is its ever-changing menu, with new dishes appearing daily. Choose your own favourites or opt for the tasting menu recommended by head chef Ryan Squires, paired with fine Australian and international wines – and there you have a meal to remember.
Get up close with contemporary Australian artAustralia's modern art incorporates Indigenous art, which makes it distinctly different. Brisbane happens to be home to the country's largest gallery of modern and contemporary art – the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) – and the iconic Queensland Art Gallery. The two galleries are themselves architectural masterpieces, housing a wide variety of Australian and international artworks as well as contemporary Indigenous art.
A waterside adventure on the Brisbane RiverWe're the sort who want to get wet at the mere sight of water, so of course the Brisbane River is not to be missed. The best way to get close to the water is to hire a kayak on a weekend evening and paddle along the Brisbane River. Over a relaxed 90-minute paddle, take in the colourful, warmly lit cityscape at night. Then enjoy a riverside feast of Australian flavours to leave you thoroughly content.
Address Naval Stores Lower River Terrace | Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, Queensland 4169, Australia
Website http://riverlife.com.au/adventures/paddle-prawn/
Phone +61 7 8915766Watch the brightest stars in the night sky as darkness fallsThis has to be the most exclusive way to stargaze. Drive 90 minutes south of Brisbane and spend a romantic night beneath a sky full of stars. Nightfall is an intimate camping experience set in the pristine rainforest of Lamington National Park, taking just six guests at a time. Pitched right beside a clear, babbling stream, you can explore the tranquil wilderness and drift off to a sweet slumber to the sound of gently flowing water.
Address Binna Burra QLD 4211. Website http://www.nightfall.com.au/
Sweets in one hand, beer in the other
Whether it's chocolate or beer you're after, Brisbane's two most popular tours – the Chocolate Tour and the Craft Beer Tour – have you covered. The two-hour Chocolate Tour is a sweet journey introducing you to all kinds of cocoa treats and visiting eight distinctly different stores, with plenty of free tastings along the way! The Craft Beer Tour takes you to four venues to sample more than 20 craft beers.
Go treasure-hunting at The Collective Market
The wares on display at Brisbane's The Collective Market are a refreshing breath of fresh air among markets. Wander among the stalls and pick out styles you love from the unique, novel and eclectic clothing designed by up-and-coming artisans. This delightful market is held every Friday evening and on weekends at the lively, bustling Stanley Street Plaza. Most of the designers are creative young people, and even if you don't buy anything, having a chat with them is great fun.
Hours Friday 5pm–9pm
Saturday 10am–9pm
Sunday 10am–4pm
Website http://www.collectivemarkets.com.au/southbank
Customise your own private island getawayTake a ferry from Brisbane across Moreton Bay and, before long, you'll arrive at North Stradbroke Island. Here you can choose from eco tours, 4WD adventures, paddling, fishing and sandboarding, or watch dolphins surf and capture images of birds and wildflowers – and, in our view, the most cost-free yet leisurely option of all: a walk along the beach.
Website http://www.straddiekingfishertours.com.au/
Phone +61 7 3409 9502
Flight information:
The Beijing–Brisbane service is flight CA795/796, operating four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The outbound flight departs Beijing at 02:30 Beijing time and arrives in Brisbane at 15:10 local time; the return flight departs Brisbane at 19:30 local time and arrives in Beijing at 04:45 the following day. The route is operated by an Airbus A330-200.